Some of the best sites near Hurghada and Safaga include the following:-

Shedwan Island - A 25km long island with long sheer walls that attract sharks and other pelagic fish.  At its northern end is Blind Reef, another deep wall.

Sha'ab Al-Erg - Horseshoe-shaped reef with a shallow lagoon about 1.5 hours north of Hurghada.  It is famous for dolphins and manta rays.  Among the many other species around here you can sometimes find reef white tips.

Fanadir - A popular reef close to Hurghada.  Coral gardens lead above a ledge that drops off into the depths.  It is teeming with many different species of fish, but known for stonefish and scorpion fish.  It is also frequented by dolphins.

Fanous - This consists of two reefs, Fanous East and Fanous West and is 45 minutes from Hurghada.  The reefs are known for dolphins and the occasional rare-fish sightings, as well as beautiful coral pinnacles.

Umm Qamar - This is a long, think reef about 1.5 hours north of Hurghada, with a vertical wall plunging down on the east side.  Three cora towers just off the wall are swathed in beautiful purple soft coral and surrounded by glass fish.

Careless - A mid-sea reef 5km north of Giftun Islands and often off limits because of strong, unpredictable currents.  Famous for its two ergs on a plateau leading to a spectacular drop-off.  The ergs are surrounded by a forest of coral around which swim swarms of fish, including a group of moray eels.

Giftun Islands - A short boat ride from Hurghada and very popular dive destinations, the island of Giftun Kebir and Giftun Sughayer are surrounded by a number of spectacular reefs teeming with marine life.  They include Hamda, Banana Reef, Sha'ab Sabrina and Erg Somaya.