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The Alternatives — Wikimedia Commons | License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 | Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/AlternativesCorals.jpg
Boat entry

The Alternatives

South Sinai, Egypt
Open Water suggested5–25 m (16–82 ft) depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

The Alternatives at a glance

The Alternatives is a boat dive site in South Sinai, Egypt with depths of 5–25 m (16–82 ft). Typically most favorable Nov · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Leopard shark, Anthias, and Glassfish. Recent reports put the water around 27°C (81°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:04

Forecast for this hour · 18:00 · run 9 h ago
0.3 m (0.9 ft)waves — under half a meter expected (waves — under a foot expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 27°C · seasonal avg 27°C ( · Forecast 81°F · seasonal avg 81°F)

Site hazards: Occasional current from the north; boat traffic among the pinnacles

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Tue
Mon9:00–19:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 6 kn wind (0.8 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Tue7:00–19:00 favorable

0.2 m waves · 4 kn wind (0.7 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Wed7:00–19:00 favorable

0.4 m waves · 10 kn wind (1.2 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Thu7:00–19:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 15 kn wind (1.5 ft waves · 15 kn wind)

Fri7:00–19:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 15 kn wind (1.8 ft waves · 15 kn wind)

Sat7:00–19:00 favorable

0.4 m waves · 8 kn wind (1.2 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Sun7:00–18:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 5 kn wind (1.6 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:26 · Sunrise 6:50 · Sunset 18:04 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.7 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 08:28 EEST

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near The Alternatives

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Anthias, Glassfish, Grouper
Best time: Year-round; a reliable alternative when outer sites are rough

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 77% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (74°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  2. February, 52% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  3. March, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  4. April, 61% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (74°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  5. May, 56% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  6. June, 50% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  7. July, 74% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.3 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  8. August, 53% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (85°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 20 knots
  9. September, 72% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (83°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 19 knots
  10. October, 80% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  11. November, 82% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots, historically most favorable
  12. December, 81% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots

November has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

  • Common Parrotfish recorded here Nov (1 record)

    Scarus psittacusmost recent 2012

  • Crocodile Fish recorded here Feb (1 record)

    Cymbacephalus beaufortimost recent 2004

  • Lionfish recorded here Feb (1 record)

    Pterois volitansmost recent 2004

  • Peacock Cod recorded here Feb (1 record)

    Cephalopholis argusmost recent 2004

Newest record here: 2012. Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

A sheltered cluster of coral pinnacles, also known as Saba Erg or Stingray Station, strung east-west for about 1.5 miles along the southern edge of Sha'ab Mahmud beside a sandy lagoon averaging around 10m. The protected location makes it a popular alternative dive when the open sea is unfavourable, with the classic route circling the two central mooring pinnacles amid abundant coral and fish.

boatmuckpinnaclereef

Occasional current from the north; boat traffic among the pinnacles

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