Egyptian Red Sea vs Aqaba — Dive Destination Comparison
Egyptian Red Sea (Egypt) scores 79.1/100 vs Aqaba's 61.7/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Egyptian Red Sea for wreck diving with 18–40m visibility. Choose Aqaba for reef diving at ~$60/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Egyptian Red Sea | Aqaba |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 79.1/100 | 61.7/100 |
| Country | Egypt | Jordan |
| Visibility | 18--40m | 12--30m |
| Water temp | 21--29 C | 20--28 C |
| Max depth | 40m | 40m |
| Current | variable | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $60 | $60 |
| Budget tier | budget | mid range |
| Best months | March, April, May | April, May, June |
| Dive types | wreck, reef, wall, drift, liveaboard | reef, pelagic |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | oceanic whitetip shark, hammerhead shark, dugong | hawksbill, nudibranch, stingray |
| Google rating | 4.5 (15200 reviews) | 0 (0 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Egyptian Red Sea when...
- + Marine life enthusiasts seeking oceanic whitetip shark encounters
- + Budget-conscious divers — avg $60/dive
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is mixed-only
Choose Aqaba when...
- + Divers who prioritize reef diving
- + Anyone visiting Red Sea for the first time
- + Groups seeking 25+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Egyptian Red Sea wins on overall score (79.1 vs 61.7), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Aqaba is more affordable ($60 vs $60/dive). Egyptian Red Sea has better peak visibility (40m vs 30m).