Scuba Diving in Alexandria, Egypt: A Dive into History

Nov 06, 2025 0

The ‘Land of the Pharaohs’ isn’t just about pyramids and ancient artifacts. Egypt, with its sparkling Red Sea and azure Mediterranean waters, is a paradise for underwater explorers. Boasting over 1,800 miles of coastline, this country is renowned for its vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life, and fascinating shipwrecks. Scuba diving in Egypt has a rich history that dates back to the early 1900s. Pioneers like Hans and Lotte Hass, and Jacques-Yves Cousteau, brought the underwater wonders of Egypt to global attention. Egypt, with its spectacular underwater environments and affordable diving facilities, is a dream destination for every diver. Experience the thrill of diving adventure in Alexandria.

Alexandria: A Historical Dive Destination

Founded by Alexander the Great in 332BC, Alexandria is one of Egypt’s most historical cities. It sits on the Mediterranean Sea making it a great tourist destination for relaxation, interesting archaeological sites, culture and culinary delights. Located on the Mediterranean coast, Alexandria offers history enthusiasts an exciting challenge. However, you won’t find colourful corals and clear water here like in the Red Sea but what you will find is some of the most interesting dives in the world. Dive into the Mediterranean to explore the Light House and Cleopatra's Palace.

Diving around Alexandria can be categorized by four different dive types. In the Eastern Harbor and near to the shore, divers can discover ancient ruins from the pharaohs, Romans and Greeks. One of the unique scuba diving sites of the Pharos is in Greek and Roman Antiquities. For experienced divers, there are a few wrecks from the Napoleonic-era Battle of the Nile. For beginners, a shallow wreck of a WWII airplane provides a glimpse into the area's modern history.

It’s very important that you contact the dive centre two days before you want to dive and provide them with a copy of your passport so that they can prepare all the permissions for you.

Cleopatra's Underwater City

The most popular dive site in the area in Cleopatra’s Underwater City which is full of sphinx statues and Roman columns. Discover the renowned dive site of Cleopatra's underwater city, home to an array of sphinx statues and Roman columns. The most famous dive site in the area is Cleopatra’s Underwater City, which is full of sphinx statues and Roman columns. The best dive in the area is Cleopatra’s Palace in the Eastern Harbour. The city was built by Alexander the Great in 300BC and collapsed into the sea after an earthquake. This city, which was built by Alexander the Great in 300BC, collapsed into the sea after an ancient earthquake. There’s a statue of Mark Anthony, Cleopatra’s royal districts and sun boat and a plane wreck.

Read also: Scuba Diving in Alexandria

The Lighthouse of Alexandria

Other ancient sites include Lighthouse and Fort Qaitbey. The historical city, submerged after an ancient earthquake, includes remnants of the lighthouse at the foot of Fort Qaitbey. Another great ruins site is Pharos Lighthouse. The diving will be close to Faros island to see Ruins of Cleopatra palace and the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria. - Diving spot will be close to Faros island and the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria.

Today I went diving in the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was the most unique dive I’ve ever done on many different levels: it was the coldest dive I’ve ever done at 15C (59F), the shallowest dive I’ve ever done at only 8m, it was the worst visibility I’ve ever had on a dive, and the only archeological dive I’ve ever done.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was the architectural landmark of Alexandria during the Ptolemaic dynasty and during Roman rule. Also known as the Pharos, it got its name from the small island it was situated on in the Alexandria harbor. It was estimated to be between 115 and 150 m (380 and 490 ft) tall, which would put it on a par with the Great Pyramid. The lighthouse was destroyed in the early 14th century from earthquakes, and in the 15th century, Sultan Qaitbey built a fort on the site. The fort is still there today.

Surprisingly, no one knew that parts of the lighthouse were in the sea until a team of divers discovered in 1994. I say surprisingly only because the water is shallow enough where someone could free dive from the surface and see the large stones. In 700 years, no one bothered to look.

The first dive was outside the harbor wall. Everywhere you went were large rectangular blocks, pillars, stone chairs, and sphinxes. Before most dives, you have a short meeting with the divemaster to go over hand signals. They had special ones to identify is something was Roman, Greek or Egyptian or if it was a pillar or part of the lighthouse. From the maps of the area I’ve seen, there is a lot more there that we didn’t see. While air supply isn’t an issue at that depth, the temperature still was and we had a good hour in the water.

Private transportationContact the GuideIt seems that you don't have accounts which you could contact the guide from...Overview of your Alexandria tour:Over its long history, Alexandria has been the cradle of several civilizations of the ancient world; Pharaonic, Hellenistic and Roman. This multicultural museum is laying safely under Alexandria Mediterranean coastal waters, that during the fifth Century B. C. A number of 1300 sites were located at sight and cleared of attaching sediments. Join me in this tour to discover unforgettable location and making the good memories of you. I am flexible to the time tour that suits you.

Once you book I will be in contact with you any time for any personal needs. Note: you will dive with professional people who will help you underwater. The duration of the diving will be around 1 hour. In this spot there is more than 8000 monumental pieces under water.

Diving Cleopatra's Sunken Palace

Other Dive Sites in Alexandria

To the east of the city, a couple of wrecks from the Napoleonic-era Battle of the Nile offer an interesting diversion for advanced divers. Abu Quir Bay and the battle of the Nile was fought here so there are a couple of wrecks. You need to be an advanced diver to do any wreck dives in the area. Beginners can enjoy diving around some ruins and a shallow wreck of an airplane from World War II, Faros Island or Lighthouse with headless statues and the ruins of an ancient lighthouse. The second dive was inside the harbor and the main attraction was an Italian fighter which crashed during WWII. There were also jars, vases, and lamps strewn about the seafloor.

Another special dive is at the Siwa Oasis, three hours drive from Alexandria and in the middle of the desert. This is best done on an overnight trip combined with a tour of the area where you can sand board, kite sail and experience the local Bedouin culture. Around the oasis there various springs suitable for diving, most of them about eight metres deep and containing the remains of Roman construction. The water is crystal clear and you can see a few fish in the springs as well.

Planning Your Dive

Best Time to Dive

While scuba diving in Egypt can be enjoyed all year round, the best time to visit is from late July to early December.

Read also: Cape Town scuba diving guide

Getting to Alexandria

Borg el Arab Airport services Alexandria. Flights destined for Alexandria mostly originate in the Middle East or North Africa. In addition, transportation from Borg el Arab to the city center is limited to an expensive taxi journey.If you are arriving from Europe, Asia or North America, a better port of entry is Cairo International Airport. If you arrive in Cairo then you can catch a bus (2.5 hours, leaves every 30 mins) or train (2 hours, 3 times a day) to Alexandria. The international airport is 20 mins by taxi to the centre, be sure to agree on a price BEFORE getting into the cab.

Accommodation and Dining

You can find a cheap double room in a hostel for about $25 for two people per night or luxury spa resorts for about $90. Head to the Corniche for cheap eats and food stalls a plenty, or the restaurant Fish Market for great food and entertainment. If you feel like going out on the town then Café Salsa is a great place for a dance and a drink.

Sample Itinerary

Embark on an unforgettable diving adventure in Alexandria, starting with a convenient pick-up from your hotel by our representative and driver. Our journey begins at the Diving Center, where you'll be equipped with everything you need for an exhilarating underwater exploration. Dive into the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and discover the remnants of two iconic sites: the Light House and Cleopatra's Palace. As you explore these historic landmarks, immerse yourself in their rich history and significance. Learn about the ancient engineering marvel that was the Light House of Alexandria, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and delve into the opulent world of Cleopatra's Palace, submerged beneath the sea.

Throughout the journey, certified instructors will ensure your safety and provide insights into the marine life and cultural heritage of Alexandria.

Example Itinerary:

10:00 am: Arrival at the dive center, reception and equipment preparation
10:30 am: Briefing of the tour.
11:00 am: Boarding on a small boat.
11:30 am: First dive site (Pharos Island-one dive for 45 min. at a depth of 8 meters). See more than 8,000 archaeological pieces, including sphinxes, columns of all eras (pharaonic-Greek-Roman), parts of the Lighthouse of Alexandria (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), a base of an obelisk, statues, inscriptions and other surprises.
01:00 pm: Second dive site (Lovers Island or Antirodos Island), 45 min, at 5 meters depth. On this site, which was the summer palace of Mark Anthony, you will see limestones of the palace, columns, amphoras used for the Royal food and drinks, and a Second World War airplane that fell on the palace.

If you have an underwater camera, there is a special ticket fee of around 40 euros.

Safety First

Safety is paramount when it comes to scuba diving. All dive centers in Egypt are overseen by the Egyptian Chamber of Diving and Watersports. Before embarking on your diving adventure, make sure you have the necessary training and equipment.

There were only me and a Canadian guy who did the dive today. This isn’t really the high season for tourists and given the water temperature, not a great time for divers. I had to wear a full 5mil wetsuit with a hood and boots. All of the previous dives I’ve done have been in tropical climates where at best you only needed a light, half wetsuit. The only part of my body which was exposed was my hands the area around my mouth and eyes not covered by my goggles.

The dive was run by Alexandria Divers, the only dive shop in town. Visibility wasn’t too bad at about 10-12m. Visibility here was horrible. It was maybe 2m at best and it was very easy to get lost and lose sight of the people you were diving with. I was sort of surprised at the number of artifacts I was able to see. I figured most of them would have been hauled up and put in a museum by now.

If you are a diver and are going to Egypt, the Alexandria dive is something you should consider. There aren’t many non-wreck, archeological dives in the world you can do. The price is sort of steep at 100 Euros for 2 dives, but it isn’t outrageous. If you go in the summer, I think it would be a much more enjoyable experience. Water temperature in the summer can reach 25C (77F) which is a much nicer environment for diving than 15C. Most divers in Egypt go to the Red Sea. Alexandria isn’t too far to go if you want to do something different.

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