Daedalus Reef
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Why dive in Daedalus Reef?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 9
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Cathemeral Frequent sightingsBigeye 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
Variable Frequent sightingsGiant 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
Diurnal Frequent sightingsGreat 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
Variable Frequent sightingsGrey 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
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHumphead 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
Cathemeral Frequent sightingsOceanic 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
Cathemeral Frequent sightingsScalloped 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
Cathemeral Frequent sightingsSilky 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
Variable Frequent sightingsSilvertip 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
More marine life 50
Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus
Black DurgonMelichthys niger
Blue-barred ParrotfishScarus ghobban
Bluecheek ButterflyfishChaetodon semilarvatus
Bluespotted CornetfishFistularia commersonii
Bluestreak Cleaner WrasseLabroides dimidiatus
Broomtail WrasseCheilinus lunulatus
Bullethead ParrotfishChlorurus sordidus
Clark's AnemonefishAmphiprion clarkii
Clown TriggerfishBalistoides conspicillum
Common Bottlenose DolphinTursiops truncatus
Dogtooth TunaGymnosarda unicolor
Ember ParrotfishScarus rubroviolaceus
Emperor AngelfishPomacanthus imperator
Fimbriated MorayGymnothorax fimbriatus
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicus
Giant clamTridacna gigas
Green Sea TurtleChelonia mydas
Hawksbill Sea TurtleEretmochelys imbricata
Honeycomb MorayGymnothorax favagineus
Kellogg's ScorpionfishScorpaenodes kelloggi
Leaf ScorpionfishTaenianotus triacanthus
LionfishPterois spp.
Lyretail AnthiasPseudanthias squamipinnis
Moorish IdolZanclus cornutus
Ocellated Eagle RayAetobatus ocellatus
Orange-lined TriggerfishBalistapus undulatus
Orbicular BatfishPlatax orbicularis
Oriental SweetlipsPlectorhinchus vittatus
Painted Spiny LobsterPanulirus versicolor
Pennant CoralfishHeniochus acuminatus
Pickhandle BarracudaSphyraena jello
Potato GrouperEpinephelus tukula
Red Sea ClownfishAmphiprion bicinctus
Redtooth TriggerfishOdonus niger
Reef Manta RayMobula alfredi
Ribbon EelRhinomuraena quaesita
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
Tawny Nurse SharkNebrius ferrugineus
Teira BatfishPlatax teira
Tentacled FlatheadPapilloculiceps longiceps
Threadfin ButterflyfishChaetodon auriga
Titan TriggerfishBalistoides viridescens
Whale SharkRhincodon typus
Whitetip Reef SharkTriaenodon obesus
Yellow Longnose ButterflyfishForcipiger flavissimus
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Yellowmargin TriggerfishPseudobalistes flavimarginatus
Yellowspotted TriggerfishPseudobalistes fuscus
Where is Daedalus Reef
Red Sea · Egypt
Frequently asked questions about Daedalus Reef
When is the best time to dive in Daedalus Reef?
The best time to dive in Daedalus Reef is from March to June and from September to November. In those months the water is between 22°C and 29°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Daedalus Reef?
Divers can encounter 59 species in Daedalus Reef. Highlights include Bigeye Thresher Shark, Giant Trevally, Great Barracuda, Grey Reef Shark, Humphead Wrasse, and Oceanic Whitetip Shark.
When can you see the Bigeye Thresher Shark in Daedalus Reef?
The Bigeye Thresher Shark is most often seen in Daedalus Reef from September to November.
When can you see the Oceanic Whitetip Shark in Daedalus Reef?
The Oceanic Whitetip Shark is most often seen in Daedalus Reef from April to October.
When can you see the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark in Daedalus Reef?
The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark is most often seen in Daedalus Reef from March to September.
What is the water temperature in Daedalus Reef?
Water temperature in Daedalus Reef ranges from 21°C in January to 30°C in July.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Daedalus Reef?
Most divers wear a 5 mm wetsuit in January, when the water drops to 21°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in July, when it reaches 30°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in Daedalus Reef?
Visibility in Daedalus Reef ranges from 25 m to 40 m. The water is clearest from September to May.
What are the currents like in Daedalus Reef?
Divers in Daedalus Reef can expect strong, very strong, or moderate currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Daedalus Reef?
After dark, Daedalus Reef reveals nocturnal species such as Fimbriated Moray, Giant Moray, Honeycomb Moray, Kellogg's Scorpionfish, Leaf Scorpionfish, and Lionfish.
Where is Daedalus Reef located?
Daedalus Reef is a dive destination in Egypt, in the Red Sea.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Daedalus Reef. Spotted something that looks off?
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