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Sharm el Sheikh dive jobs & life guide
Constant demand, cheap living, and globally recognised sites. Tips drive the real income.
Sharm el Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt
Sharm el Sheikh at a glance
- Pay range
- $500–1,200/mo
- Cost of living
- $550–850/mo
- Savings potential
- Break-even to $650/mo
- Visa
- Sponsored work permit
- Location
- Sharm el Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt
- Hiring season
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Dive focus
- Resort diving + courses
- Agencies
- PADI, SSI
- Languages
- English, Arabic +2
- Water temp
- 20–28°C
What is diving in Sharm el Sheikh like?
Ras Mohammed, Tiran, and the Thistlegorm define Sharm. The national park at Ras Mohammed delivers sharks, rays, and colourful reef walls. Tiran's four exposed reefs bring strong currents and big pelagics. The Thistlegorm is one of the world's most visited wreck dives. Visibility runs 20–30m; water temperature 20°C in winter, 28°C at summer peak. Most working days are boat-based reef guiding and OW instruction departing from the Old Market or Sharm el Maya marinas.
What is life like working in Sharm el Sheikh?
At work
Days start around 07:30 at the marina. Load gear, run two-tank boat trips to reef sites, return mid-afternoon for equipment rinse, fills, and admin. Afternoon pool sessions and DSD briefings are common. Expect 2–3 dives per day, a steady student flow, and paperwork following EU-style centre standards. Night dive rosters run several times weekly in peak season.
After work
Dive staff typically live in shared housing near the Old Market or Hadaba areas. Evenings bring cheap falafel, kushari, beach cafes, shisha bars, and the social strip around Naama Bay. Days off offer a 90-minute drive north to Dahab for a change of scene, desert excursions to St Catherine's Monastery, or fun dives at Ras Mohammed. Alcohol is available at licensed venues. The pace is resort-town social rather than city nightlife.
How much do dive instructors get paid in Sharm el Sheikh?
| Role | Monthly pay (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Divemaster | $500–800/month | Accommodation and commission vary by centre |
| OW Instructor | $700–1,200/month | Russian/German speakers earn more; peak-season tips add significantly |
| Senior / IDC staff | $1,400–2,200/month | Varies by centre and tenure |
Realistic savings potential: Break-even to $650/mo after rent and daily costs.
Cost of living in Sharm el Sheikh
| Beer (bar) | $2 |
|---|---|
| SIM card /month | $11 |
| Shared rent /month | $140 |
| Transport /month | $42 |
| Local meal | $8 |
| Coffee | $2 |
Prices verified August 2026. Sourced from working dive professionals on the ground.
What visa do you need to work in
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