Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is updating diving regulations to align with international safety and marine conservation with key initiatives include strengthening operational rules, upgrading staff training, enhancing oversight and adopting Green Fins environmental standards to protect coral reefs. These measures focus on improving liveboard vessel safety and promoting sustainable tourism in the Red Sea.
The Ministry is pushing to modernise the regulatory framework governing diving and marine tourism activities, bringing in line with international best practises and the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, speaking at a ministerial meeting on 22nd April 2026, stressed the need to balance the development of marine tourism with robust safety standards and the protection of marine ecosystems with a review that covers operational regulations, staff training systems, and oversight mechanism across Egypt’s diving sector.
Discussions also addressed the development of the Hyperbaric Medical Center in Sharm El - Sheikh, which plays a key role in supporting diving and marine activity across South Sinai.
Egypt is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading diving destinations, with the Red Sea coast, particularly around Sharm El - Sheikh, a premier Red Sea resort destination on the Sinai Peninsula reowned for dives sites such as Yolanda Reef and Shark Reef, along with shallow reefs accessible directly from shore, attracting both recreational and professional divers year - round due to its coral reefs, clear waters, diverse marine life and a mild climate.
Key Aspects of the Regulatory Update:
• Safety Enhancements: Driven by recent incidents, new regulations aims to improve safety and liveboard vessels and diving operations.
• Environmental Protection: The adoption of Green Fins standards focuses on reducing the negative impacts of diving and snorkelling on coral reefs.
• Operational Oversight: Increased oversight mechanisms are being introduced to ensure compliance across diving centres.
• Medical Support: Plans include developing the Hyperbaric Medical centre in Sharm El – Sheikh to better support divers.
• Marine Life Protection: Specific efforts are underway to protect Red Sea sharks through tracking programs and addressing illegal fishing.
These updates largely championed by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, seek to ensure the long – term sustainability of Egypt’s Red Sea diving industry.
The regulatory update forms part of a broader national strategy to diversify tourism offerings, enhance competitiveness, and support sustainable tourism development across the country’s key coastal destinations.
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