Discover a different side of Egypt. Dive into history with our complete guide to scuba diving in Alexandria, featuring Cleopatra's Palace and WWII wrecks.
When most people think of scuba diving in Egypt, their minds immediately wander to the warm, coral-filled waters of the Red Sea. However, on the opposite coast lies a completely different, culturally rich, and historically profound underwater experience: scuba diving in Alexandria.
Sitting on the Mediterranean Sea, Alexandria was once the greatest city of the ancient world. Today, the remnants of that glory—including pharaonic temples, royal palaces, and ancient lighthouses—lie submerged just offshore. Combined with modern history in the form of WWI and WWII shipwrecks, Alexandria offers a diving experience unlike anywhere else on the planet.
If you are an underwater archaeologist at heart, or simply a diver looking for something beyond coral reefs, this ultimate guide will tell you everything you need to know about diving in Alexandria, Egypt.
Diving in Alexandria is fundamentally different from diving in Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheikh. You will not find massive coral drop-offs, warm bathwater, or huge schools of tropical fish here. Instead, you will find history.
Because of natural geological subsidence, earthquakes, and tidal waves over the millennia, the ancient Royal Quarter of Alexandria slowly sank beneath the Mediterranean. For centuries, these ruins were lost until pioneering underwater archaeologists rediscovered them in the 1990s. Today, recreational divers can swim through the very streets that Cleopatra once walked.
The diving here is focused almost entirely on underwater antiquities and historical shipwrecks. The marine life is typical of the Mediterranean (groupers, octopus, sea bream, and moray eels), but the marine life is merely a backdrop to the submerged architecture.
The two most famous dive sites in Alexandria are located just offshore from the modern city center, inside the protected Eastern Harbour.
Located near the modern Library of Alexandria, this is the most famous dive site in the Mediterranean. Submerged at a very shallow depth of just 5 to 8 meters, divers can explore the remains of the Ptolemaic royal complex.
Here, you will glide over massive red granite columns, Sphinx statues, hieroglyphic-inscribed steles, and the ruins of a temple dedicated to Isis. The shallow depth makes it accessible even to newly certified PADI Open Water Divers, providing plenty of bottom time to examine the ancient stonework.
For a detailed look, read our deep-dive on diving Cleopatra's Palace.
Lying in the shadow of the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay are the massive, submerged remains of the Pharos Lighthouse—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Destroyed by a series of earthquakes, thousands of tons of carved stone plummeted into the sea.
Divers here swim among gigantic granite blocks (some weighing over 50 tons), obelisks, and colossal statues of Ptolemaic kings and queens that once stood at the base of the lighthouse. The depth ranges from 8 to 15 meters.
Beyond ancient history, Alexandria’s strategic location made it a focal point during both World Wars, leaving a legacy of fascinating shipwrecks and aircraft wrecks suited for more advanced divers.
Unlike the shallow antiquities in the harbor, these wrecks are located further offshore, often resting at depths of 30 to 40 meters, making them ideal for divers with Deep Diver or Technical diving certifications.
Some of the highlights include:
Unlike the Red Sea, which is diveable 365 days a year, the Mediterranean coast of Egypt has distinct seasons that dramatically affect diving conditions.
This is the optimal window for diving in Alexandria. The Mediterranean Sea warms up significantly, reaching peak temperatures of 26°C to 28°C (79°F to 82°F) by August. The sea state is generally calm, and visibility is at its best (often ranging from 10 to 15 meters). A 3mm or 5mm wetsuit is perfect for these months.
Diving in Alexandria during the winter is highly unpredictable and often impossible. Strong winter storms (known locally as Nawaa) churn up the sea, destroying visibility in the shallow harbor and making boat mooring unsafe. Water temperatures plummet to around 16°C to 18°C (61°F to 64°F) by February. Most local dive centers reduce operations significantly or require divers to wear drysuits or thick 7mm wetsuits with hoods.
It is crucial to manage your expectations before diving in Alexandria, especially if you are accustomed to the crystal-clear Red Sea.
Because Alexandria is not a mass-tourism diving hub like Sharm El-Sheikh, you will not find a dive center on every street corner. Instead, diving here is facilitated by a small handful of highly specialized, dedicated local clubs.
When booking your dives, it is imperative to use a licensed and reputable Alexandria dive club. Because the antiquities sites are strictly protected by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, you cannot simply rent a tank and swim out; you must be guided by authorized personnel, and your dive center must arrange the necessary permits (which usually require your passport details a few days in advance).
Read our guide on how to choose the best Alexandria dive club for tips on booking your historical adventure.
Diving in Alexandria is not about colorful fish or relaxing reef drifts; it is a thrilling, tactile encounter with human history. To hover just inches above a hieroglyphic stele or a granite sphinx that a pharaoh looked upon 2,000 years ago is an experience that very few divers in the world get to claim. If you have a passion for history, the sunken city of Alexandria belongs on your scuba diving bucket list.