The Red Sea has long been one of the most popular diving destinations in the world.  The crystal clear, warm waters make for an unparalleled experience whatever your level of skill.  Whether you are a seasoned diver or a beginner, the underwater world of adventure it has to offer should not be missed.

Sharm El Sheikh – one of the most popular tourist destinations in Egypt – makes the perfect base to start your diving adventure in.  Many of the most spectacular wrecks and reefs are but a short boat ride away

Some interesting facts you should know; the Red Sea – a large saltwater inlet from the Indian Ocean – is bordered by Asia and Africa and occupies a surface area of some 170,000 square miles.  Debate still rages as to how the name was arrived at and there are several theories which include; a red seasonal algae bloom (Trichodesium Erythraeum), the name of the surrounding mountain ranges in Egypt and alternatively the name translating into a directional indicator (Black Sea is also thought to translate to north).

The Red Sea has been labeled as a marine eco region and conservation area by the Worldwide Wildlife Federation.  The patchwork quilt of vibrant colours and weird and wonderful formations formed by the 200 different varieties of hard and soft water corals are home to some 1,200 varying species of fish, 1,000 invertebrate species and around 44 different sharks (not good news for those who have to watch the Jaw’s films from behind the sofa).

The average water temperatures in summer range from 26°C in the north and 30°C in the south.  Interestingly it is also one of the most saline bodies of water in the world due to a high level of evaporation.

With over 1,200 miles of coral reef stretching around its coastline the Red Sea is a perfect diving destination for 2 reasons; firstly, the reefs and the lagoons make for the perfect environment for abundant marine life and secondly; the reefs that make life here possible are treacherous to ships navigating through and around them which has led to some truly amazing wreck sites, more often than not in depths of only 20-30 metres of crystal clear water.

Let’s take a look at the top 5 Red Sea dives off the Egyptian coast:

1: The SS Thistlegorm wreck; a military vessel built in Glasgow in 1940, sank in the area of Sh’ab Ali in the Gulf of Suez in October 1941 after suffering fatal damage from a German bomber.  An awe inspiring dive site with the original cargo of armored gun carriers, jeeps, trucks, rifles and ammunition still to be seen.  An explosion hole in the 120 meter hull of the wreck allows easy entry to see the cargo, schooling Barracuda and Giant Tuna that now call her home.  It’s easy to see why this wreck is one of the most popular in the world but hurry as she is deteriorating fast.

2: The Giannis D wreck: a 100 metre long cargo ship built in Japan in 1969, sank in April 1983 in the Straits of Gubal after sailing off course and striking a reef.  A spectacular and mostly intact wreck (resting in 3 sections on the ocean floor) with the interior spaces still accessible.

You can still enter the engine room and the accommodation quarters can be seen along with all manner of marine life that has made the wreck its home; including the rather prickly and very aptly named “Crown of Thorns Starfish”.  A reef nearby has a spectacular array of corals and fish that should not be missed (many of which have also now crossed over to the wreck).

3: The SS Dunraven wreck: built in 1873 in Newcastle Upon Tyne, an 80 meter long steamship, sank in 1876 whilst carrying a cargo of spices, cotton and timber.  Various stories surround the fateful night she sank but perhaps the most interesting is that she was set alight during an alleged drunken row between the Captain, his wife and his first mate (draw your own conclusions here).  It seems more likely that in reality the cause of the sinking was mis-navigation which was to be the reason his license was later revoked by the British Board of Trade.

The ships cave-like hull is open to exploration owing to it being excavated by archaeologists in the 1980′s.  The remains of the boilers and metalwork (since collapsed) can still be seen along with the Giant Morays and Yellow Goat that now call the wreck home.  You’ll find all manner of marine life outside too including the rare Ghost Pipe fish and perhaps schools of Bat fish which makes for superb photo opportunity.

4: The Carnatic wreck: built in London in 1862, a P&O passenger ship (sail and steam) 90 meters in length.  She sank carrying cotton bails, wine and Royal Mint gold to the tune of £40,000 after a 36 hour battle on the Sha’ab Abu Nuhas reef.  Amazingly the Captain had issued the order that the passengers and crew remain aboard being confident of rescue by a sister P&O ship on her return journey.  Unfortunately no such rescue was affected and the ship broke in half as the seas became rougher and began her 24 metre descent to the ocean floor.

You would be hard pressed to find any gold (every last piece was recovered shortly afterwards during a British salvage operation) but this wreck site certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to a remarkably preserved example of a19^th century passenger ship.

Amazingly the fore and aft sections of the ship are still accessible and have been colonized over time by Glass fish along with an indigenous reef fish population, making the “wine wreck” a dream come true for underwater photographers.

Should you fancy a tipple whilst you’re exploring the wreck, intact bottles of wine can still be seen littering the hull and ocean floor; although drinking them is probably not recommended…

5: The Ras Mohammed National Park: Finally, no diving experience could be complete without visiting the beautiful reefs within this area of protection.  The reefs offer a surprisingly stark contrast to the barren desert that borders them on land, with tapestries of striking colour and marine life in abundance.

Located in the Gulf of Suez (a short boat ride from Sharm El Sheikh) the national park incorporates the spectacular vertical coral walls of the “Main Beach” along with a recently opened reef called Marsa Bareika that contains an array of superior coral specimens.  Here you will find Barracudas, Snappers (along with the odd shark or two) along with a population of 20 metre long eels.  The calm sheltered water makes this an easy dive for the beginner and an overall must see experience.

This is but a short selection of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring Red Sea diving hotspots.  No visit to Egypt should be complete without experiencing one of the most beautiful diving destinations the world has to offer.

Written by Chris Rowlands of the travelsupermarket.com Holidays in Egypt team.

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When you first think about Egypt it is most likely that you think about temples, tombs, pyramids and dry, hot desert weather. You would probably be surprised to learn about the abundance of scuba diving locations within the area. Scuba diving in Egypt is a phenomenon in and of itself and if you love diving down deep you simply have to visit this unique country. Within Egypt there are a few destinations you should seek out including Sharm El Sheik, Hurghada, Dahab and Marsa Alam.

Sharm El Sheik is one of the most exquisite diving spots within the entire Red Sea. From the lush sandy beaches, the tropical climate and the exciting nightlife including restaurants and casinos there is not too much else that you could ask for. Just picture yourself in one of the most tropical, beautiful diving locations in the world and you will have just a small sense of what it’s like visiting Sharm El Sheik. If you are thinking about going scuba diving in Egypt then you need to spend some time in this area or you will regret it.

Hurghada is another popular diving destination in Egypt. It is characterized by its sheltered reef and exciting dives close to shore. There are also quite a few, popular wrecks within the area that can be visited if you are interested in doing so. The underwater sea life varies greatly and you have the opportunity to see some exotic creatures at all times. Possibly the best part of the area is that it is perfect for beginner divers. The water is shallow, warm and extremely clear yet this does not take away from the beauty or number of sites you may be able to see. Some of the wrecks you can find just off of the shore are breathtaking and you do not need to be an expert diver to access them. While the area is less developed and not as popular as Sharm El Sheik, it is gaining popularity all the time. Many people that go scuba diving in Egypt are now electing to visit Hurghada and for good reasons, and not just for the diving. There are a number of excellent markets and bazaars where you can go shopping, or other activities such as jeep safaris or a chance to visit some famous temples.

Dahab is a much lesser known location to go scuba diving in Egypt, but should not be ignored. The village started off as a small fishing village and used to be known as a hangout spot for hippies. The Blue Hole and the Canyon are two of the most famous diving spots in Egypt but you want to make sure you take a few lessons before trying to conquer the waves within the Red Sea. The main appeal for this area is that it is a lot less uptight in comparison to Sharm El Sheikh and thus you can relax and enjoy yourself a lot more. This relaxed atmosphere by way no means that you won’t have access to all the amenities you want. Dahab offers a beautiful spot for diving, attractive beaches, warm people, laid back atmosphere and all the five star accommodations you need. If you are a little tighter in your budget, that is not a problem either. You can find the perfect hotel and dive tour to suit your desires and budget.

Now if you are looking for a truly unique and unspoiled dive spot then you need visit Marsa Alam when scuba diving in Egypt. Most dive trips within the area focus on eco diving and projects that are set up and focused on the environment and preserving the beauty within the area. From half day tours to full day tours far off the shore you can experience toiling directly with nature in Marsa Alam. No more overcrowded beaches or dive sites and no more mega resorts plastered around the area. This is nature at its best and if you want to truly experience natural diving then this is the place to be.

The best months to go scuba diving in Egypt are hard to classify. The entire year offers ideal weather but you may want to visit from December to march in order to dive more comfortably. At this time the weather is less intense and will not completely sweat you out. The water temperature in Egypt varies from between 25 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius at any given time. When swimming in the area you will most likely require extra weights as the Red Sea is extremely salty and offers extra buoyancy. The visibility you will notice underwater when scuba diving in Egypt is unrivaled. You can usually see as far as 30m below the surface at any give time. When it comes to climate in Egypt it is always warm and gets extra hot right around May where the temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius. However the air cools significantly at night and the temperatures are hardly ever unbearable.

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Egypt is an ideal place to engage in water sports. Fascinating charm of the underwater world make scuba diving attractive and many hotels have a beach and diving center where you can rent all necessary equipment and the services of trainers.

Egypt – Diving – Sharm El Sheikh.

Just after sunrise, dock at the seaport city of Sharm El-Sheikh, recalls an anthill. Thousands of diving enthusiasts from around the world hurry to get into boats.

This picture reminds an Arabic bazaar; only local coast guard in uniforms is keeping full peace and order. Daily diving in Sharm El-Sheikh is very popular because there is no sense in the long offshore cruises. All the most beautiful and strategically important dive sites north of the Red Sea is literally at your fingertips in Sharm el Sheikh.
Sharm El-Sheikh is growing every year, a major resort town, and more and more specializing in diving. Almost all the hotels in Sharm el Sheikh have diving centers, as well as climate all year round is just great, the demand for diving centers keeps being popular.

Big importance is given to the security in Sharm el Sheikh underwater slopes. Each diving center (they are over 100) each month gives money to the development of the Center of Hyperbaric Medicine of Sharm El Sheikh, managed by well-known physician Dr Adel Taher. This center deserves a separate article, as well as the activity of Dr Adel in safety diving is worthy of respect and individual attention. Just going to this center would be of interest to every diver, to get acquainted with the various programs of the center.

Reefs for diving around Sharm El Sheikh

The most accessible and beautiful reefs are located to the south and the north of Naama Bay town of Sharm el-Sheikh. Ras Nasrani is translated from Arabic as «Christian Bowl». Diving is recommended to start from the 12 meter platform, fully bespangled with red anemones. Next, you will start diving in the 20-meter platform. With almost perfect round year visibility underwater photo shots here will be particularly successful. A little deeper, holding the course on the North, at a depth of 30 meters you will find a lot of clams – this is where the largest population is in the Red Sea. Then you can slowly, following the reef wall, make ascent and after the safety stop come to the surface where you the boat will wait for you.

Far Garden Diving
Far Garden – a dive heaven, where you’ll find underwater coral gardens. A huge amount of hard and soft corals are very harmonized with the constant movements of fish stocks. At a depth of 35 m among corals there is a beautiful grotto, and if you dive during the day, then you can get fantastic underwater photo. At a depth of 45 m there is a constant east flow.

Middle Garden Diving

Middle Garden – is a central part between the near and far parts of Garden Reef. At a depth of 15 meters – a magnificent sandy alley, a little deeper (21 m) – the solid ground with corals. Flow is at a depth of 30 m. The site is convenient to dive with the return of the ship, also is very convenient to carry out a course of underwater navigation.

Near Garden

Near Coral Garden: this place is close to Naama Bay. In this regard, there a lot of dead coral, and starting from 20 meters end starts. However, here you’ll most likely encounter trigger fish and large-Napoleon.

SODFA Diving

On the surface a complex of hotels is built, carefully guarding this dive site. The underwater reef, concentrated in a cluster of hard corals and gorgons, goes to a depth of 25 m. Further reef is cut into an abyss, where the west flow will take you to the next dive site – Tower, if you stay still.

Tower Diving

It is an interesting dive site for advanced divers, as there is a deep canyon of 120 m depth. Down to 32 meters, you’ll find picturesque grotto, and if you move to the east upwards, you will come to a plateau at a depth of 12 m , where a huge variety of corals is inhabited by colorful fish. This plateau is on the way of the deep down in the canyon. Crystal-clear water is observed almost all year round. The flow on the surface of the plateau is absent, which makes this diving site very convenient.

Pinky Wall Diving

This dive site is exclusive with its excellent wall, which stretches from the Tower to the Ras Umm Sid. The wall goes down to a depth of 180 m, but first 40 m there are concentration of soft corals. Particularly beautiful they are at night dives. At night here, you can see the amazing marine creatures that appear only at this time.

Amphoras Diving

Name Amphoras this place has received because of the collapse of the Turkish galleys with a cargo of amphorae with mercury in it. Moving to the south, at a depth of 24 meters you’ll find thrown an anchor with the anchor chain, a number of chimneys in the reef, you can find one more ancient anchor. At a depth of 50 m and the flow constantly changes and deep dives are not recommended.

Turtle Bay

Turtles Bay – for those who are breathing economically, this dive site may be a continuation of the previous one. If this dive limit to the depth of 25 meters, it is actually possible capture a lot of good photos. At this depth many corals and all kinds of fishes are accumulated. This is an excellent place for swimming in a set number 1.

Paradise

Place of huge corals growing between sand alleys. These corals resemble their dimensions rather underwater sculpture of red, pink, orange and yellow flowers. A large number of fish, rays, reef sharks makes this diving site very attractive to newcomers. There is also a convenient venue for educational programs, as well as the abrupt stall at a depth of almost non-existent, and the shallow slope goes from 24 m to a maximum depth (64 m). All year round visibility is excellent, and the underwater shots are produced very well. From the above dive sites – this is not an exhaustive list of possible sites that are accessible to divers of all diving qualifications. It is important here that all sites are located in close proximity to the Sharm El-Sheikh, and do not require a long and tiring road.

Tiran Diving

The island of Tiran is located opposite to Sharm El-Sheikh. Through the south of the Gulf of Aqaba (Akhaba) towards the West, east of the island of Tiran are four magnificent reefs – Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef, Tomas Reef and Gordon Reef. All four of these reefs are divided between the straits Grafton and Enterprise. With regard to the geographical features of the magazines reefs are always warmer and more saline water, and in the vicinity of the Straits and the concentration of micro-plankton, which attract whale sharks and manta. It promotes plankton growth of corals and coral fish reproduction. In this regard, this underwater region is attracting huge number of divers, and enjoys well-deserved reputation as one of the most beautiful places in the north of the Red Sea. Few know that the massive reef Thomas Reef, there is a unique deep-water canyon. We have been able to make this an exciting dive.

TOMAS REEF Diving

This is one of the most spectacular places to dive in the northern Red Sea. Reef walls, rich colors of coral, then go down to the sandy bottom at a depth of 25 m. Going down deeper to 35 meters, you find a crack in the reef, passing over the edge to a depth of 109 m. This rift is called Tomas Canyon. In the canyon water is clear and transparent, but all kinds of corals and fish are absent altogether. Canyon begins from the depth of 35 m, and gently falling into the deep, you find yourself in a cleft width of no more than three meters. The first arch of the canyon is located at a depth of 50 m, and if you are have photographic equipment, it makes no sense to drag it deeper because the pressure can easily kill your equipment. Reasonable just leave the camera on the roof of the arch. Diving the first arch (which is already 65 m) and literally swim 20 meters, a little farther and deeper you find another arch, beautiful, but already at a depth of 75 m. Then, if you’re still alive, deadly gift awaits you! Another arch at a depth of 90 m. And if, having gone through this arch, you turn and look at the canyon bottom to top, then you open a fantastic picture! Sunlight. Piercing the sea water, concentrated in the reef break and an unusual glow. But, alas, the technology we did not take, and we had to start a long and very boring rise to the surface, with decompression time.

Read also my another entry:  Egypt Dive Sites

For a great selection of places to stay with discount prices visit Sharm El Sheikh Hotels for more information

For budget flights to Sharm-El-Sheikh, we recommend Low Cost Airline Guide for your flight search requirements

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