Scuba diving cost in Sharm el-Sheikh: prices vs Dahab & Makadi Bay
Sharm el-Sheikh is the Red Sea's big resort hub — boat diving, world-class reefs and a price worth comparing to Dahab and Makadi Bay. Here's the honest breakdown.
Sharm el-Sheikh is the Red Sea's best-known dive resort — a launch pad for Ras Mohammed National Park, the Straits of Tiran and the wrecks of the northern Red Sea. It is boat-diving country, with big day boats running out to legendary reefs. That makes it slightly pricier per dive than shore-diving Dahab up the coast, but it opens up sites you simply cannot reach on foot. Here's the honest cost for 2026, and how Sharm stacks up against its Red Sea neighbours.
Fun dives: day boats to world-class reefs
Sharm's staple is the two-tank day boat. A typical day — boat out to Ras Mohammed or Tiran, two dives, lunch on board — commonly lands in the rough range of €40–€70 per person for the dives, with multi-day packages bringing the per-dive price down. Because nearly everything is boat-based, you are paying for boat time on every outing, unlike shore-heavy Dahab.
Red Sea anchors and the diving tax
Across the Red Sea, Discover Scuba runs roughly €60–€79 and Open Water roughly €275–€425. On top, Egypt applies marine park fees and a per-day diving tax that is often quoted separately. Always ask whether park fees and tax are included, and compare live verified prices on DiveCost.
Getting certified in Sharm
Sharm is a well-established place to learn, with a high volume of courses keeping prices competitive. An Open Water course typically lands in the Red Sea range of roughly €275–€425, and a Discover Scuba taster around €60–€79. As a short-haul, euro-friendly winter-sun destination for Europeans, it is one of the most convenient places to certify in the region.
| Two-tank day boat (fun dives)park fee & tax often extra | €40–€70 |
| Discover Scuba Diving (taster) | €60–€79 |
| Open Water Diver course | €275–€425 |
| Marine park fee + diving tax (per day) | modest, usually extra |
| Equipment rental (full set, per day) | €10–€25 |
Sharm vs Dahab vs Makadi Bay
All three are excellent Red Sea value, but they suit different divers. Sharm is boat-diving and big-reef access — Ras Mohammed, Tiran, northern wrecks — at a slightly higher per-dive cost. Dahab is the budget, shore-diving heartland, home of the Blue Hole and Canyon, where certified divers can dive cheaply from the beach all day. Makadi Bay, near Hurghada, is a calmer resort-bay base, great for relaxed reef diving and families.
Weighing up the Red Sea? Compare the verified destination pages directly: Dahab for budget shore diving and Makadi Bay for relaxed resort-bay reefs.
Costs to factor in
- Marine park fees (Ras Mohammed and others) and Egypt's per-day diving tax, often on top of the dive price.
- Boat-based diving means you pay for boat time every day — there is little cheap shore diving here compared to Dahab.
- Nitrox and specialty courses if you want the deeper wrecks and reefs.
- Transfers from your hotel to the harbour, and tips for boat crew.
- Season and crossings — Tiran and some sites depend on conditions and boat schedules.
For the full regional picture, read our Egypt & Red Sea cost guide, and because Egypt's taxes and park fees are easy to miss, what an all-inclusive price really includes.
The DiveCost view on Sharm el-Sheikh
Sharm's per-dive prices are fair for boat diving, but the marine park fees and diving tax are exactly the kind of charge that turns a clean quote into a fuzzy one. We flag mandatory fees and date every price so Sharm, Dahab and Makadi Bay can be compared honestly, all-in.
Bottom line: Sharm el-Sheikh is the Red Sea's gateway to its biggest reefs and wrecks, at a fair boat-diving price. If your priority is the absolute cheapest diving, Dahab's shore sites likely win; if you want relaxed resort reefs, look at Makadi Bay. For world-class boat diving with European convenience, Sharm is hard to beat — just add the park fees and tax to your daily number.