Cave Reef

Cave Reef is a cave and cavern dive site in the Al Fahal reef complex near Jeddah on the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast. The site is named for a series of natural caves and tunnels cut through the reef limestone that divers can explore with appropriate experience and equipment.

Overview

Cave Reef combines the dramatic underwater topography of a cave-riddled reef with the surrounding coral gardens of the Al Fahal complex. The caves and caverns range from large, well-lit chambers accessible to advanced recreational divers to tighter passages requiring proper training. The reef around the cave entrance areas is in good condition with soft corals, sea fans, and hard coral formations. Water temperatures range from 24–30°C and visibility is typically 15–25 meters outside the caves; reduced inside. The site is rated Advanced due to the overhead environment elements.

Site Information

• Location: Red Sea, Egypt
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Cave/cavern
• Difficulty Level: Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 15–25 meters outside; variable inside (65–82 feet)
• Current: Light
• Best Time: October to May

Marine Life

The cave interiors shelter lionfish, moray eels, and soldierfish — all well adapted to low-light conditions. Glassfish pack into cavern entrances, creating characteristic silver curtains at the threshold between light and dark. The surrounding reef outside the caves is rich with typical Red Sea reef fish: parrotfish, anthias, and turtles. Sea turtles sometimes rest in the larger cavern chambers.

Dive Profile

Approach the cave entrances from the open reef, descending to the base of the cave system at around 18–20 meters. Explore the chambers and tunnels as appropriate to the dive leader’s guidance and your own overhead environment experience. Return to open reef before ascending through the coral gardens for a shallow safety stop.

Entry and Exit

Boat access from local Jeddah-area operators. Descent to cave entrances from the reef flat. A guide familiar with the specific cave layout is strongly recommended for first-time visitors.

Tips and Recommendations

• Two torches minimum — a primary and a backup — for any overhead environment section
• Do not enter tight passages without cavern or cave diving training
• The larger cavern chambers accessible without specialist training are the highlight
• Look for resting turtles in the deeper chambers
• Allow the glassfish curtain at cavern entrances to settle before passing through

Safety Considerations

This site has overhead environment elements that require appropriate training and equipment beyond standard open water qualifications. No line penetration diving should be undertaken without cave diving training. Always maintain line-of-sight to the cave entrance in cavern sections. Carry adequate gas reserves for any overhead section.

Photography

Cavern entrance photography with glassfish in the foreground and ambient light beyond is a classic composition. Light shafts penetrating cave openings create dramatic atmospheric shots. The reef exterior around the cave areas offers standard wide-angle reef photography options.

Sources: Divezone - Red Sea, Dive the World - Egypt Red Sea, Red Sea Scuba Diving, PADI - Diving in Egypt. Last updated 2026-04-04.