Daedalus Reef Hammerheads – Liveaboards from Egypt

Egypt · Daedalus Reef

Hammerhead Season at Daedalus Reef

June–AugustSchooling hammerheadsAdvanced divers
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Daedalus is a lone reef about 80 km off the coast of Egypt, marked by a lighthouse. From June to August, scalloped hammerheads gather in the blue off its northern tip, and the best chance to see them is on early-morning dives. Only liveaboards can take you there.

Who Daedalus Works For

Hammerhead Hunters

Advanced Divers

AOW + about 50 dives

Nitrox Divers

Photographers

Big-Animal Fans

You Can See

Hammerheads and More

School of hammerhead sharks in the Red Sea, Egypt

Schooling Hammerheads

In the blue off the north plateau, June–August.

Clownfish in a bubble-tip anemone, Red Sea, Egypt

Anemone City

A shallow field of anemones and clownfish.

Diver in open blue water at Daedalus Reef, Egypt

The Walls

Steep drop-offs straight into deep blue.

School of bannerfish at Daedalus Reef, Egypt

Reef Fish

Bannerfish and snapper schools on the reef top.

Photos: @scubadaan (Anemone City, walls, reef fish)

Hammerhead season at Daedalus runs June to August. They’re most often seen on early-morning dives, out in open water off the north plateau. Night dives are not allowed in the marine park. Sightings depend on current and luck, and are never guaranteed.

Ready to chase hammerheads?

Seen on a Recent Trip

A Hammerhead at Daedalus

Scuba Daan filmed this hammerhead off the wall at Daedalus on a BookDiveBoat trip, and saw an oceanic manta on the same reef. Read the full Daedalus trip report, part of our New Wave series.

Film: @scubadaan

Where You’ll Dive

Daedalus Dive Sites

Daedalus Reef lighthouse, Red Sea, Egypt
Diver descending into open blue water at Daedalus Reef, Egypt

Photos: @scubadaan

Advanced

North Plateau

The hammerhead spot. You hang off the plateau and watch the blue, usually on the first dive of the day.

Intermediate

Anemone City

A shallow, sheltered area covered in anemones and clownfish. A good last dive of the day.

Advanced

Daedalus Walls

Steep walls with soft coral and current. Oceanic whitetips show up later in the year.

Advanced

Elphinstone

Often on the same trip. A long reef with plateaus at both ends and the chance of more sharks.

Dives start from a zodiac. Your guide chooses sites each day based on current.

Hot Picks

Liveaboards We Recommend for Daedalus

Red Sea Aggressor IV liveaboard, Red Sea, Egypt

Red Sea Aggressor IV

For up to 26 guests. Alternates St Johns & Daedalus weeks with BDE weeks through the summer.

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Alsuraya liveaboard, Red Sea, Egypt

Alsuraya

Built in 2024, for up to 24 guests, and fast at 16 knots. Runs Daedalus, St John’s and Elphinstone in summer.

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Summer at Daedalus or Autumn on BDE?

Summer: June–August

Your best chance for schooling hammerheads at Daedalus. Warm water and usually calmer seas.

Autumn: October–November

Peak season for oceanic whitetips across all three offshore parks. See our Brothers Islands page.

Life Aboard

Life Around Daedalus

Daedalus lighthouse seen through a liveaboard porthole, Egypt
Daedalus Reef dive briefing map on a liveaboard
Divers on the Daedalus Reef jetty at sunset, Egypt

Photos: @scubadaan, @malgosja.zmi

Want a special offer for Daedalus?

Message us directly — we’ll find the summer dates that put you at Daedalus.

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Get Ready

Before You Book Your Daedalus Liveaboard

Diver over a coral reef in the Red Sea, Egypt

Daedalus Reef Diving Guide

Read more →
Grey reef shark in the Red Sea, Egypt

Shark Diving in Egypt

Read more →
Friends on a liveaboard dive deck, Egypt

First-Timers on an Egypt Liveaboard

Read more →

Why BookDiveBoat for Daedalus?

Not every Egypt route stops at Daedalus, and the hammerhead window is short. We check which boats are at Daedalus in June, July and August, and match the trip to your level. Send us your certification and dive count, and we’ll confirm before you book.

FAQ

Daedalus Hammerhead Questions

When can I see hammerheads at Daedalus?
June to August is hammerhead season. They’re most often seen on early-morning dives, out in open water off the north plateau. Sightings are never guaranteed.
How deep are the hammerhead dives?
Hammerheads usually stay in the blue, often deeper than the reef top. You dive within your certification limits, and your guide sets the maximum depth on each dive. Nitrox helps you stay down longer.
What experience do I need for Daedalus?
Advanced Open Water and about 50 logged dives. The site is far offshore, the current can be strong, and dives start from a zodiac. Send us your log and we’ll check before you book.
Can I dive Daedalus without going to the Brothers?
Yes. Some routes visit Daedalus with St John’s and Elphinstone instead of the Brothers. BDE trips also include Daedalus.
What else can I see at Daedalus?
Anemone City, steep walls with soft coral, reef fish schools and grey reef sharks. Oceanic whitetips are more common later in the year, and some divers see oceanic mantas.
How warm is the water in summer?
About 27–29°C from June to August. A 3 mm wetsuit is usually enough, though some divers prefer 5 mm for several deep dives a day.
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