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El-Kahf (El-Khaf): Best Canyon Dive Site in El Quseir, Red Sea

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Andreas
Scuba diver exploring colorful coral reef underwater, surrounded by vibrant marine life and bubbles.

November 4, 2025

Our quick warm-up dive in El Quadim Bay set the mood, but the real highlight of the day was the afternoon dive at El-Kahf (El-Khaf) near Zeina Camp — one of the most impressive canyon dive sites in El Quseir, Egypt. With its dramatic topography, light-filled canyons and colourful coral garden, this site is a must-see for anyone diving the central Red Sea.

Diving El-Kahf – The Ultimate Canyon Experience in El Quseir

Descending from the shallow reef top, we entered a world of canyons, sandy passages and gentle overhead structures. The interplay of light and shadow makes this site especially attractive for underwater photographers.

Hand-drawn diving map of El-Kahf Zeina Camp, showing reef tops, sand slopes, and depth measurements with compass.
El-Kahf Reef Map

🌋 Canyons, Overhangs & Swim-Throughs

The first canyon section winds through narrow but comfortable corridors. Sunlight falls through openings above, illuminating glassfish clouds sheltering in the overhangs. Lionfish glide silently through the shadows while anthias flash orange along the canyon walls.

🌺 Coral Garden & Reef Plateau

Beyond the canyon maze, the reef opens into an expansive coral garden. Hard corals in dome, branching and table formations line the plateau. Afternoon light enhanced the natural colours, revealing butterflyfish, parrotfish and sweetlips wandering between the blocks.

🌌 The Big Canyon – Signature Feature

The main attraction is the Big Canyon, a wider, deeper canyon with high walls and dramatic skylights. Hovering here, surrounded by schooling fish, creates a cathedral-like atmosphere and offers some of the best wide-angle photo opportunities in El Quseir.

✅ Reef Top Exit

We ended the dive on the shallow reef top, where calm water and a lagoon-like exit area made the safety stop peaceful. Anthias danced in the golden late-day sun — the perfect ending to a spectacular canyon dive.

📸 Photo Gallery – Impressions from El-Kahf

  • Lionfish swimming near coral reef, displaying striking striped patterns and long, elegant fins.
  • Scuba diver photographing a lionfish near a coral reef underwater.
  • Two colorful fish swimming over a coral reef in clear blue ocean water.
  • Scuba diver exploring underwater rocky reef illuminated by sunlight.
  • Scuba diver exploring underwater cave with rocky walls and vibrant coral formations.
  • Black and white image of a sad face drawn in sand, with a distinct downward-curved mouth and textured surface.
  • Scuba diver exploring vibrant coral reef underwater, surrounded by clear blue ocean.
  • Scuba diver exploring coral reef underwater, wearing red and black gear with a camera in hand.
  • Scuba diver exploring a vibrant coral reef underwater, surrounded by marine life and shadows, in black and white.
  • Black and white underwater shot of coral reefs with sunlight filtering through the water.
  • Diver swims between vibrant coral reefs underwater, surrounded by marine life in clear blue ocean.
  • Scuba diver with camera exploring vibrant coral reef underwater.
  • Scuba diver exploring colorful coral reef underwater, surrounded by vibrant marine life and bubbles.
  • Underwater coral stack surrounded by small tropical fish in deep blue ocean.
  • Diver exploring the ocean floor with sunlight filtering through water; bubbles rising to the surface.
  • Scuba diver in full gear swimming underwater over a rocky seabed in monochrome.
  • Underwater diver with sunrays penetrating the surface, illuminating the ocean floor in a black and white scene.
  • Scuba diver exploring underwater sea with fins and equipment, captured in black and white.
  • Two scuba divers exploring underwater coral reef, wearing diving gear and wetsuits in a black and white photo.
  • Scuba diver exploring coral reef underwater in black and white photograph.
  • Hand-drawn diving map of El-Kahf Zeina Camp, showing reef tops, sand slopes, and depth measurements with compass.

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