Daedalus Reef

Daedalus Reef

Egypt · Red Sea
OVERVIEW

Why dive in Daedalus Reef?

Daedalus Reef, a remote offshore pinnacle in the Egyptian Red Sea, offers world-class diving renowned for its dramatic walls, pristine hard coral formations, and an abundance of large pelagic species. Accessible only by liveaboard, this marine park is famous for consistent encounters with schooling hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetips, and occasional thresher sharks, making it a must-visit for advanced divers seeking thrilling encounters. Its isolated location and strong currents contribute to a rich, vibrant ecosystem, attracting diverse marine life to its sheer drop-offs.

WATER TEMPERATURE -
VISIBILITY -
CURRENT STRENGTHModerate  –  Strong

BEST SEASON

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LOCAL MARINE LIFE IN DAEDALUS REEF

Featured Animals 9

SIGHTING PROBABILITY
  • Unlikely
  • Likely
  • Very likely
Bigeye Thresher SharkFrequent sightings

Bigeye Thresher Shark

Alopias superciliosus

The Bigeye Thresher (Alopias superciliosus) is a large pelagic shark characterized by its exceptionally large eyes adapted for low-light hunting and a whip-like caudal fin, which can be nearly half its total body length and is used to stun prey. It performs daily vertical migrations, residing in deep waters during the day and ascending to surface waters at night to feed on fish and squid. This species is found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide and is currently listed as Vulnerable.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
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Nov
Giant TrevallyFrequent sightings

Giant Trevally

Caranx ignobilis

The giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) is a large, powerful predatory fish found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Known for its steep head profile and robust body, it can reach up to 170 cm in length and 80 kg in weight. This apex predator feeds primarily on fish, but also consumes crustaceans and cephalopods, often hunting in solitary or small groups, though juveniles form schools.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
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Nov
Great BarracudaFrequent sightings

Great Barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda

The Great Barracuda is a large predatory fish known for its fearsome appearance and speed. It has an elongated body, pointed head, and large teeth, making it a proficient hunter in coastal and open waters.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
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Nov
Grey Reef SharkFrequent sightings

Grey Reef Shark

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos

The Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is a medium to large-sized requiem shark, common in Indo-Pacific coral reefs and adjacent waters. Characterized by its grey body and a distinctive broad black band on the trailing edge of its caudal fin, it is a fast and agile predator. These sharks are known for their social daytime aggregations, which disperse at night for individual hunting.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
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Nov
Humphead WrasseFrequent sightings

Humphead Wrasse

Cheilinus undulatus

The Humphead Wrasse is one of the largest reef fish, identifiable by a prominent hump on its forehead and thick fleshy lips. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals are born female and some transition to males later in life. This carnivorous species plays a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems by preying on hard-shelled invertebrates and toxic animals like the crown-of-thorns starfish.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
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Oceanic Whitetip SharkFrequent sightings

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Carcharhinus longimanus

The oceanic whitetip shark is a large pelagic shark recognized by its broad, rounded fins tipped in white. It inhabits tropical and subtropical open oceans and is an opportunistic predator, feeding mainly on fish, squid, and carrion.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
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Scalloped Hammerhead SharkFrequent sightings

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

Sphyrna lewini

The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark is a large, migratory shark easily recognized by the central indentation on its hammer-shaped head. These sharks are found globally in warm temperate and tropical coastal and oceanic waters, often forming large schools around seamounts and islands. They are primarily nocturnal foragers, feeding on a diverse diet of bony fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans, and smaller sharks and rays.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
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Silky SharkFrequent sightings

Silky Shark

Carcharhinus falciformis

The Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) is a large, slender requiem shark named for the smooth texture of its skin, attributed to densely packed dermal denticles. It is a highly migratory species found in warm tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, often associating with schools of tuna and oceanic fronts. These opportunistic carnivores primarily feed on bony fishes and cephalopods, exhibiting agile and fast hunting behaviors.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
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Silvertip SharkFrequent sightings

Silvertip Shark

Carcharhinus albimarginatus

The Silvertip Shark is a large, streamlined requiem shark identifiable by the prominent white tips and trailing margins on all its fins. It is an aggressive apex predator, often dominating other sharks during feeding, and can be found in various tropical Indo-Pacific marine habitats from the surface to considerable depths. While often solitary or in pairs, it can also form small groups or mixed-species aggregations and exhibits variable activity patterns throughout the day and night.


BEST SEASON
Jan
Mar
May
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Sep
Nov
ALSO IN Daedalus Reef

More marine life 48

LOCATION

Where is Daedalus Reef

Red Sea · Egypt