SCUBA DIVING IN EGYPT & THE RED SEA: wonder of the Red Sea

1. SCUBA DIVING IN EGYPT
• Introduction & Climate
• HURGHADA & SHARM EL-SHEIK
• HAMATA & MARSA ALAM
• DIVE OPERATORS LISTED IN EGYPT
• About the Author
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2. SCUBA DIVING IN EGYPT & THE RED
SEA: wonder of the Red Sea
Egypt’s main scuba diving areas (all held within the Red Sea) are Hurghada and
Safaga to the north, Sharm el-Sheikh in the Sinai Peninsula, and, to the south, Saint
John´s Reef, where Brother´s Island and Rocky Island, close to the Sudan border, are
among the most pristine areas.
Egypt’s Red Sea coast is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the
underwater world, hosting more than 1000 species of invertebrates and 200 species
of soft and hard coral.
The Red Sea, Egypt’s natural border to the west, holds just under 20% of endemic
marine species.
Egypt’s Red Sea coastline stretches more than 1500 km, providing
impressive scuba dive spots with wrecks, coral reefs, walls & caves dives packed
of sharks, dolphins etc… Everything to enchant any diver.
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3. CLIMATE
Scuba diving in the Red Sea is possible year around. For bigger pelagic species July
and August is best.
The water temperature varies depending on the time of the year, in August it can
reach 86°F (30°C) or more, and it can drop to 71°F (22°C) in February. Air temperature
in August can reach 104°F (40°C) and drop to low 70°F in February.
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4. SCUBA DIVING IN HURGHADA &
SHARM EL-SHEIK
Hurghada (Egypt’s second largest city) and Sharm el-Sheik are separated by the
mouth of the Gulf of Suez. Hurghada, on the east bank of the gulf, is a main
tourist center from which 48 diving sites can be accessed.
The reef dive at Sha’ab El Fanadir is a classic Red Sea dive, great visibility, colorful
corals and fish; lionfish, bluespotted rays and stonefish can be observed here.
The Sha’ab El Fanadir dive is good for beginners although it can be crowded.
The Shadwan and Gubal Islands have several impressive wreck dives. Abu Nuhas
boasts four different wrecks in close proximity; these wrecks are shallow enough
for beginners.
Safaga is a port town and a frequently visited diving area for its reefs,
walls, wrecks and caves. Panorama Reef is one of the best sites, and the Salem
Express wreck is a worthy deep dive, however you need several immersions due
to short bottom times.
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5. Sharm el-Sheik, on the west bank of the Gulf of Suez and southern tip of the
Sinai Peninsula, holds 39 dive sites and is quite possibly the most visited
scuba diving destination on the Red Sea.
The Ras Mohammed Marine Park is a must, the sights of lavishing coral
gardens and more than 1000 species of fish make for a mesmerizing dive.
The Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef are a boat ride away from Sharm el-Sheik.
Yolanda Reef gets its name from the sunken Yolanda, it is the larger reef,
although Shark Reef has more color and, as its name suggests, sharks can be
observed (blacktips sharks and even hammerhead sharks). Both have
incredible wall dives with a great number of fish schools.
All-Inclusive liveaboards minimize the traveling time between dive sites.
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6. HAMATA & MARSA ALAM: FEWER
CROWDS, MORE SHARKS, BETTER DIVES
Hamata and Marsa Alam, located in Egypt’s south-eastern coast, stand in
front of the Fury Shoal Reef system and are the main diving towns.
These towns, however, do not see the heavy tourist traffic of the north. In
fact, many divers prefer to head straight south on liveaboards to avoid the
touristy dive sites of the north.
The main sites are Hamata and Marsa Alam, where silvertip, hammerhead
sharks and thresher sharks among other reef sharks can be
seen. Coral reefs are healthier in this part too and larger reef fish can be
observed such as snapper, unicorn fish and groupers.
The Southern Red Sea is exposed to offshore currents, deep dives and surface
swells. The marine parks of Zabargad Island and Rocky Island offer a variety
of diving environments.
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7. Zabargad Island (also St. John’s Island), was known to Egyptian pharaohs and
Roman explorers but is now an uninhabited island and a breeding site for the
green turtle. It corals are approximately 25 meters below the surface.
Brothers Island has spectacular wall dives overgrown with soft corals
and gorgonians and a World War II ship wreck. The island is accessed
via liveaboard and is for experienced divers.
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8. DIVE OPERATORS LISTED IN EGYPT
Big Blue Dahab / Desert Rose / Emperor Divers / H2O Divers Dahab / I
Dive Dahab / Mirage Divers Dahab / Pirates Dive Club / Penguin
Divers / Sharm El Naga / Sheikh Coast / Riff Villa / Rock Stardh / Sub Sinai
Adventures / TekStreme Diving
Read more: http://www.ediving.com/dives-divers-scuba-diving-in-middle-est-and-
red-sea/diving-in-egypt/#ixzz2LS8y8l00
To find & Book an hotel recommended by our Dive Operators:
http://www.ediving.com/hotels-for-scuba-divers/
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9. About the Author
Thomas SACCONE is a former
financial manager who discovered
scuba diving in Costa Rica in 2007.
Since then, he is only satisfied
when underwater.
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