Hammerhead Shark Egypt January – Encounter Guide & Best Sites

Best season for Red Sea pelagics. North winds cool surface water, pushing hammerheads deeper in the blue. Liveaboard essential.

Encounter overview

Diving or snorkelling with hammerhead sharks in Egypt during January is high season, with an encounter probability of approximately 80% under normal conditions. Schooling hammerhead sharks are one of diving’s most prized spectacles – dozens to hundreds of animals wheeling in slow formation, their alien silhouettes unmistakeable from any depth.

Best sites

• Brothers Islands (Big Brother)
• Daedalus Reef
• Elphinstone

What to expect

Scalloped hammerheads school by day at seamounts and pinnacles, dispersing at night to hunt. Cold, nutrient-rich upwellings are the trigger – the sharks aggregate where baitfish are thick. Schools are shy; approach slowly and avoid bubbles.

Water conditions in January

Water temperature in Egypt typically ranges 22-28°C. Visibility at Brothers Islands (Big Brother) in January is generally good; check local liveaboard or dive operator reports the week of your trip for specific conditions. Reef, wreck, pelagic is the primary dive style in Egypt.

Practical tips

Stay below the school – looking up into blue water keeps you less visible. Avoid flash photography. Cold thermoclines signal you are in the right zone. Early morning dives yield the most sharks before recreational traffic starts.

Getting there

Fly into Hurghada (HRG) or Sharm El Sheikh (SSH). Ras mohammed, brothers islands, daedalus reef, hammerheads, thresher sharks, whale sharks. Visa on arrival available for most nationalities; e-visa also available. Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP); USD accepted at dive operators.

Is January a good time to visit Egypt for hammerhead shark?

Yes – January is high season for hammerhead sharks in Egypt. Encounter probability is around 80% on a dedicated trip. Best sites include Brothers Islands (Big Brother), Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone. Check availability at Brothers Islands (Big Brother) as spaces fill quickly in peak months.