Diving Holidays For Single Travelers

Sharm El Sheikh offers some of the best sites for diving and snorkeling in the world. More Europeans learn to dive here than anywhere else in the world and the resort is ideal for diving holidays for singles, beginners and experienced divers alike.
The climate is hot, the water warm and clear and great for diving any time of year. However if you would like to dive in extra warm waters it is best to visit between the months of June and September.

Sharm El Sheikh lies at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula in the Red Sea. There are over forty dive sites in the region and nearly fifty dive centers. With such an abundance of dive sites on offer the variety of diving is amazing. From reefs, coral formations, walls and wreck, the dive sites are diverse and teeming with a range of marine life including jacks, snappers and barracudas.

With its pristine coral reefs and countless species of fish Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran are amongst the more famous dive sites. Ras Mohammed has some steep coastal cliffs that plunge underwater to depths of over seventy metres. The Straits of Tiran have four circular reefs surrounded by steep drop offs. More advanced divers can enjoy world class wreck diving by taking a day boat to Thistlegorm, if you are willing to brace the four hour boat trip or the slightly more bearable two and a half hour trip to Dunraven.

For divers Sharm El Sheikh offers unparalleled access to some of the best diving in the world. The beauty of diving is that it is a sport that can be enjoyed by individuals or as part of a group. Complete beginners can begin with an ‘intro dive’ to get them accustomed to diving in the Red Sea. Reassuringly all the dive centres have qualified English speaking instructors to accompany each dive, providing and running diving courses and diving experiences. Experienced divers who already have their PADI certificate can enjoy organized dives with fellow divers.

Aside from being one of the greatest diving destinations in the world, Sharm El Sheikh also has plenty more to offer its visitors. When you are not diving there are other watersports to keep you occupied such as swimming and parascending. Simply relax in the cosmopolitan resort or take the opportunity in between dives to do some desert exploration and visit biblical sites. Outside of the water test your skill and luck on the casino floors or for those that love to shop take a leisurely stroll through bazaars and shopping centres in search of curious and exotic finds. If you are a night owl you will get the chance to boogie the night away and meet like minded people.

Diving holidays to Egypt are available with most major operators but if you are traveling alone it may prove difficult to avoid paying a single supplement. However there are a few tour operators that specialise in offering diving holidays for singles, catered to the single unattached traveller.

Scuba Diving In The Great Barrier Reef - Australia

One of the world's most famous scuba diving dive sites is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The Great Barrier Reef, off the east coast of Australia is the only living organic collective on earth visible from outer space. The other is a man made structure, The Great Wall of China.
This reef is regarded as one of the wonders of the world and was declared as a World Heritage in 1981. It is the world's largest coral reef ecosystem. Being so huge, magnificent dive spots and beautiful marine life and sceneries abound.

The Great Barrier is more than 300,000 sq km in size and consists of more than 3000 reefs. Deciding where to dive in this huge diving destination can be a gigantic headache. Then again, that is a happy problem because of the many wonderful choices you have.
One of the greatest dangers to the reef, especially to the corals is the Crown of Thorns starfish. This starfish eat corals and have ravenous appetites. Vast stretches of underwater life had on many occasions been destroyed by the Crown of Thorns starfish. Do not try to save the reef by cutting up the starfish. It will not die that way, instead it multiplies just like viruses splitting themselves up to multiply their numbers.

Wreck diving is a favorite scuba diving activity. Amongst the many wrecks are Captain James Cook's ship "Endeavour". Another famous wreck is that of the HMS Pandora, which met its fate in 1791. There are about 30 shipwreck sites, most of them are opened to wreck divers.
More than 2 million people visit the reef every year spending about a billion US dollars collectively making tourism as the main pillar of the eastern Australia economy. Since tourism dollar is very important, it is vital for the Australian economy to protect the reef from destruction hence it is protected in many ways. As a form of protection, fishing is restricted in some areas and animals such as dolphins, whales, dugong (a seal look alike animal sometimes mistaken for mermaids) are protected.

For the more adventurous divers, there are dives to view shark feedings, especially the ferocious man eater, The Great White Shark. Divers are put into the water in steel cages to view these man eating sharks closed up. For non divers, there are island hopping cruises as well as whale watching cruises to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef.

The Red Sea’s First Artificial Wreck Reef

At long last the Red Sea will have its first artificial wreck reef. The Red Sea Association with the continued support of H. E. Saad Abu Rida are making this a reality. It has been one of the Association’s goals from the outset to create new dive sites in the Red Sea, particularly the Hurghada area with two objectives in mind:

1- To alleviate the pressure on some of the overused dive sites in Hurghada which is beginning to take its toll on the health and attraction of some of the reefs producing negative environmental effects thereon.

2- Add to the attraction of Hurghada as a dive destination to regenerate the interest of divers and to counter the mostly unfair stigma that Hurghada dive sites have been damaged and are no longer attractive.

To this end the idea of an artificial wreck reef seemed the perfect answer as not only it will with time create a new reef under disciplined environmental practices but also provide the area with a new and exciting wreck dive that is accessible to most levels from beginners to technical penetration divers in a safe environment.

Funding was obtained from the NGO service centre with the full support and resources of the Red Sea Governorate, and the help and approval of the Red Sea Protectorate office in Hurghada. The cargo ship HEBA ALLAH (which is beached a few miles opposite Sindbad Resort), was the chosen vessel.

Current owner Mr Mohamadi Hoeidek, a leading Hurghada hotels pioneer was very enthusiastic towards the project and did not hesitate to donate the ship as a gift to the Red Sea Governorate. They in turn earmarked it for this ground breaking project by the Association under the supervision of Admiral Adel Hegab, the newly appointed general coordinator for investments and environmental affairs at the Red Sea Governorate.

 

The ship is 51 meters long, 8 meters in width and an impressive 300 tons of dead weight. As a former cargo ship it will make an ideal wreck dive with lots to discover in and around it.

This project which the Association has been working on since last November will include, in addition to the sinking of the ship other components:

1- A comprehensive Red Sea dive digital guide CD covering the area from El Gouna to the Deep South, with multilingual briefings for each site as well as environmental and safe diving practices.

2- A Red Sea corals book written by board member Mr. Mohamed Habib explaining all that there is about the subject in simple and easy to understand language.

3- A workshop program aimed at increasing the environmental awareness and enhancing correct diving practices from an environmental point of view for Red Sea professionals and users.

The project is now well under way and we are looking to sink HEBA ALLAH by the beginning of July when it will be officially opened as a new dive site.

Why Dive the Southern Red Sea?

Sharks, Dolphins, Mantas, Jacks, Nudibranchs and Clownfish, the list goes on and on. If you are after variety then The Southern Red Sea is the place to be. Underwater nature is forever changing with the seasons; it is a spectacular, full of surprises, unforgettable image.

Where is the South? Where does it start and where does it finish? Over the last few years, a coastline of hotels and hotel construction has been developing, appearing out of the desert, marching south, towards Sudan. The hotels and numerous liveaboards have made Fury Shoal, the Marine parks of Zabargad and Rocky Islands, plus St.John's Reef, close to the Sudanese border, trendy and accessible places to dive.

The Egyptian Red Sea has been divided up into three main areas; The North (north of Hurghada), The Brothers (including dives around Hurghada, Safaga and Marsa Alam) and The South (Marsa Alam and beyond). To see all the wonders of the Southern Red Sea you need more than a two week holiday, so plan a few visits at different times of the year and you will see The South in its true glory. It has so many secrets to reveal; take your time and let nature show you the quality, not just the quantity of what waits below the surface.
That's why I love to dive the Southern Red Sea, and that's what I search to find and share with our divers.

The dive sites themselves vary greatly, from big walls that drop away below you, to coral gardens with feasts of colour, tunnels and caves to explore, then plateaus and pinnacles to visit. In the Red Sea, like the rest of the world, the weather patterns have been changing over the past few years. August and BECOME A STATISTIC.

September remain the hottest months with the warm winds, providing some cooling moments. Summer and autumn remain the most popular times to come on holiday, so if it is fish watching that you are after, not people watching, then you should try a different time of the year, the variety in nature is still there; you just need to team up with a good boat, experienced crew and professional dive guide to take you.

Those of you who are new to the idea of treating themselves to a liveaboard safari, it's now time for you to experience this enjoyable way to live on the sea.

Liveaboard life gives you more time to relax between dives and can take you to places out of normal reach. Life on board falls into to regular routine, often starting early with a dive before breakfast! The pattern of “dive, eat, and relax” is soon established and enjoyed. Evenings are spent reviewing the day's events, reading, watching films, playing games or just partying.

Then the next day you could find
yourself hanging out on the walls, watching the mesmerizing view of the deep blue around and below you, waiting with your buddies to be the first to spot the white belly of a Hammerhead cruising sideways along the reef walls, then those signals of joy before checking again in the blue for another possible surprise sighting.

In the afternoon explore the reef, with its variety of corals, overhangs, caves and coral gardens. Take your time to stop, watch and wait. There is a lot of satisfaction gained searching for a camouflaged scorpion or stone fish and succeeding in your challenge.

The Southern Red Sea brings plenty of great moments to remember, you just never know what's next. In the New Year we were diving on St. John's Reef. On the second day we did an 11a.m dive on Shaab Mahrous, a big wall dive site (80m plus deep). We were dropped by zodiac on the north side and followed the reef round and back to the boat.
Fifteen minutes into the dive we could hear ultrasound squeaks and looked up to see a mother dolphin with her baby playing above us.
Mum had a fish in her mouth and was showing her baby how to deal with the two silver tip sharks that were following them! She was happily dropping the fish then picking it up again swimming in circles, all the time being shadowed by the frustrated sharks. It was stunning to watch nature at work. We already assumed that it would be the best dive of the trip, all of us cheering to each other underwater.

However, if we had not been looking around us we would have missed the 5m Manta that cruised past below us! A reminder to all divers, never think you have seen it all! Time to finish the safety stop and head on back to the boat.

People often think that being last in or out of the water is bad and that you do not get to see anything........well...... the last two people surfaced ten minutes after the rest of our group in awe of what they had just been part of.... as they had swum back to the safety line, a swirling shoal of sardines appeared from the deep, surrounding the pair as they moved carefully towards them to get pictures. Suddenly, they were engulfed in the bait ball with six silver tip sharks darting past them feeding! You never know what you will see, and when you will see it!

If you are looking for peace and tranquillity, photo paradise, adrenaline rush and adventure its here, 365 days of the year, Why not put a date in your diary now, and make 2004 your year to come to the Southern Red Sea.

Hurghada Dive Site - Red Sea - Egypt

The area either side of the Straits of Gubal is mainly the preserve of liveaboards. Flanked in the west by the islands of Gubal and Shedwan and in the east by the reef systems of Shab Ali and Shab Mahmoud, it is normally well beyond the day boat range of either Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada. However, some boats do make the day trip from Sharm to reach the world famous wreck of the Thistlegorm, taking approximately 12-14 hours in total. Crossing the straits can be rough and sometimes downright impossible in all but the largest ships. The areas around Shedwan Island are closed to diving as this is a military area.

Shab El Erg
The most northerly site for day boats out of Hurghada. A huge horseshoe shaped reef offering many dive sites on all sides. The north point can be home to Mantas in season. The lagoon is dotted with ergs and is renowned for sightings of the resident dolphin community, divers have previously spent up to 30 minutes with dolphins here.

Gota Shab El Erg
Nearby is a little known site but well worth a visit. The whole area teems with life, unicorns, scorpion fish, groupers, morays, emperor angel fish, blue spotted rays and underneath the table corals look out for white tips resting in the sand. In the sandy channel between the main reef and the gota you will find cone shells, and flatfish.

Shab Abu Nugar
This “T” shaped reef has a shallow plateau to the west with numerous small ergs and two small sub reefs Gota Abu Nigar and Shab Iris. Some parts of this reef system are positively dull while others are stunning. If you can dive the stem of the “T” on the north side you will find three small ergs and the diving there is almost virginal. You will find broom tail wrasse here as well as parrot fish and unicorn fish.

Umm Gammar (27°21.155’N, 33°54.550’E)
This offshore Island is surrounded by good diving on all sides. The south end has a shallow plateau where the moorings are positioned, this location is the most used. For first timers at Umm Gamar the dive will take place from the plateau, moving eastwards to the drop off then north along the wall. After a short swim against the current you reach three pinnacles close together, chimneys reach through the pinnacles toward the surface. After exploring this area you take advantage of the light current to drift back to the corner of the plateau where three small ergs are found, covered in glass fish. Finish the dive on the plateau exploring the numerous coral heads and reef fish. The plateau is home to Napoleons, Emperor Angels and free swimming Morays. The east and west side have awesome drift dives and the northern tip or "halg" has a magnificent coral garden but is only accessible in very good weather. Big groupers and lots of sweepers live in the multiple caves found along the eastern and western walls and drop offs of this tiny island's fringing reef.

Shaab Ruhr Umm Gamar (27°11.550’N, 33°54.550’E)
Literally the reef of Umm Gamar, this reef lies 1km south of Umm Gamar and is the tip of an undersea mountain. The reef wall drops to around 15m on the west side, and is peppered with many caves and overhangs, home for sweepers and glass fish, here the sandy plateau slopes away gently to 30m with the drop off beyond. On the east side the slope is much steeper and drops quickly to the depths, the diving here is superb and can be most often done as a drift. This whole area offers superb wall diving with possibilities of encountering grey reef sharks and good-sized groupers as well as morays, big tuna, and blue spotted rays. On the south east slope lies the wreck of an Egyptian patrol boat which is well worth a visit.

Careless Reef (27°18.700’N, 33°56.200’E)
An offshore reef Careless has two large ergs rising from a shallow plateau surrounded by sheer walls rising from the deep. The area is unprotected and the reef can only be reached in good weather. The current at the surface is usually from the north but below it can come from any direction. To the north, the drop off is a forest of coral and to the south the plateau slopes gently away with small pinnacles of coral. The whole area swarms with fish of all types, there are numerous giant morays encountered here, white tip reef sharks and schooling reef fish as well as huge groupers and the occasional hammerhead in the early morning.

Torfa Fanus (East)
This narrow reef creates a huge calm lagoon, a great place to stop for lunch and catch the sun before the second dive of the day.  The lagoon itself and the enclosing reef wall is relatively uninteresting and naturally lifeless but on the seaward side the area bursts with all manner of sea creatures. Swim through the gap between the first erg and the reef wall and head across the coral garden to the second erg, home to hordes of glass fish and the very occasional frog fish. Continue with the reef wall on your left to see the gorgonians on the corner of the reef where it turns west, if you have enough air continue along the north face where the corals are pristine, if not return with the reef on your right and explore the first erg before returning to the boat. Dolphins are often encountered anywhere around this reef so keep an eye out.

Fanus West
The other end (west) of the Fanus reef has two main ergs and several smaller pinnacles off its western end. You can follow the reef wall round and explore the reef face and coral gardens which is full of marauding jacks. Or if you feel energetic you can swim the 50m to the furthest erg which is well worth a visit, explore the remaining erg and pinnacles on the way back. Again watch out for dolphins at anytime during the dive as they can be frequent visitors.

Wreck of the El Minya (Harbour Wreck)
An Egyptian minesweeper sunk by Israeli fighters while lying at anchor in 1969, this wreck lies in 30m on a rock sea bed. The current here can be strong from the north and the visibility poor. There is a large debris field which contains a lot of 'LIVE" munitions, worth a look, but carefully. The wreck is only 70m long so there is plenty of time to explore everything including the blast hole on the starboard side, which can be penetrated. Penetration is not recommended elsewhere on this wreck. There is not much in the way of coral growth on the wreck but it does have its resident fish life. The blast hole gives shelter to shoals of glassfish and a lone anemone and resident clownfish are also in this area. Above the wreck are shoals of jacks and small barracuda.

Umm Dom (Stoney Beach)
Here the steep cliff of the north east side of Giftun Kebira island plunges into the depths and continues into the abyss, the reef wall drops to about 12m and then there is a steep, tumbling slope to the top of the drop off at about 27m. Most of the life here is above 15m as the lower slope and top of the drop off are sometimes swept by strong currents coming through the straits, stunting the growth of the coral and giving a lunar appearance. Half way down the slope you will find a lettuce leaf coral, in the blue you will find fusiliers, and triggers along with maybe sharks and turtles. At the top of the slope you will find morays, scorpion fish, barracuda and clouds of antheas. Whale sharks have been spotted at this site on occasions.

Shab Sabrina
The reef here pokes out from the eastern side of Giftun Kebira island and has a coral garden extending 300-400m north of it. The best way to dive this site is on the drift, dropping 300m out and using the gentle current to make your way back to the boat mooring. This area is known for its beautiful coral landscape rather than its fish life.

Small Giftun (27°11.030’N, 33°58.530’E)
With the current carrying you, this dive is a relaxing exploration along a magnificent wall, where you can 'fly over' extensive stretches of large fan corals and if you look out into the blue it's not uncommon to see large tunas and trevallies. The dive leads to a sandy plateau dotted with numerous coral formations. Here it is common to see turtles, moray eels, crocodilefish and spotted stingrays, as well as schooling fusiliers and goatfish. Often done as a drift dive but can also be done as a normal dive where the boat is moored up. An excellent site for technical diving and courses.

Abu Ramada Island (27°09.784’N, 33°59.046’E)
Really two small islands surrounded by a single reef. Good drift dive along the steep eastern wall, with big fan corals, overhangs and swim throughs. Big groupers.

Gota Abu Ramada (27°08.340’N, 33°57.196’E)
This area is commonly known as 'the Aquarium' due to the wealth of marine life. There is an abundance of hard and soft coral and schools of butterfly fish, banner fish, snappers and goatfish are found swimming around the mountains of coral gardens. You will find that dives at Gota will make you feel like you are swimming in a marvelous natural fish tank!

El Aruk Gigi
A cluster of a seven ergs laying in 10m - 15m of water. The whole area is home to sweetlips under the ledges, blue spotted sting rays in the sandy patches and glassfish and anthia fish swarm on the erg wall. One erg to note is the split erg, which has a grotto through it filled with glassfish, attendant red mouth grouper and numerous lionfish.

Ras Disha
The fringing reef, which surrounds this cape, offers a good shallow dive on the hard coral garden found north of the lighthouse with schooling barracuda, napoleon fish and groupers. Garden eels.

Abu Hashish
A shallow erg field lays on the south side of the island where lots of blue spotted stingrays, puffer fishes and morays are found swimming through a pinnacle landscape. A dramatic drift dive can be made along the eastern wall with the chance to see big fish out in the blue.

Safaga Dive Site - Red Sea - Egypt

The area around Soma Bay/ Safaga has some great diving close to the mainland as well as offshore in the areas of Panorama Reef, Middle Reef and Abu Kafan. Some divers say these equal the great sites of Ras Mohammed and Careless Reef. The whole area is protected and the same rules apply as elsewhere so please follow them.

Sha'ab Saiman
Hard coral reef running parallel to the shore, separated by a narrow, sandy canyon, rises from 20-30m to 2m below the surface. Large schools of snapper, goatfish, fusiliers circle over the plateau and look out for the occasional white tip reef shark and turtle. Hard coral formations second to none in the Red Sea.

Ras Abu Soma
Fringing reef sloping gently to the drop off offers numerous quality dive sites, including the ever popular Emperor Divers House Reef. Schooling reef fish, exhibitionist octopus and resident morays, stonefish and turtles are included in the reef's attractions. Sightings of eagle rays are not uncommon and easy access from the dive centre to the water via the purpose built jetty makes this one of our most popular sites!

Tobia Arba'a
Also named the 'seven pillars' (although the Arabic name means 4!), these ergs rise from a sandy bottom and display a fascinating landscape of soft corals, glass fish and gorgonians. Giant puffer fish, blue spotted rays and octopus as well as the ubiquitous lionfish compete for attention with the local Napoleon wrasse.

Tobia Kebir
Large oblong reef with a chain of ergs stretching southwards. Emerging from a shallow sandy bottom this site offers interesting diving with schooling fish, morays and groupers and many broomtail wrasse. A dive site for all levels and interests.

Tobia Soraya
South of Tobia Kebir, run a chain of pinnacles forming a Y shape. Stingrays, trigger fish and big shoals of banner fish with gorgonians and acroporas in the background are a good build up to the swim throughs and canyons between the ergs, which this site offers.

Gamul Soraya
Very colourful dive with hovering sweetlip shoals, bannerfish and butterflyfish. Garden eels can be seen at 14m on the south side of the main reef and blue spotted sting rays and scorpion fish abound. The hard coral gardens in the shallows are stunning and the smaller ergs adjacent to the main reef offer the colour of soft corals and a good chance of seeing crocodile fish.

Panorama Reef
One of the highlights of the area. Huge coral formations with walls dropping to over 200m. Numerous grottos and overhangs, gorgonians and soft corals. Jacks, barracudas and reef sharks often visit the area. Panorama is also the home of Anemone City, ranging from 14m up to 5m over 40 Magnificent anemones offer homes to hundreds of feisty clownfish. A stunning spot for your safety stop! The north plateau is a stunning array of purple soft corals and a south bound current offers a thrilling drift!

Middle Reef
Northerly reef face slopes to 30m, then plummets vertically to much greater depths. Hard coral gardens on the east and west corners with acroporas, brain and salad coral. Fun dive on the south side through the shallow labyrinth of caves, tunnels and passages. Groupers, puffers and sweetlips.

Umm Hal Hal
Two small pinnacles covered in pristine hard and soft corals rising from 20 m depth. Often strong currents so a rare treat if conditions allow.

Fellow Rocks
Two coral mountains rising from 25m to 3m below the surface. Seldom dived due to exposure to bad weather conditions on the surface and the strong currents under the water.

Abu Kafan
Possibly the best dive in Safaga, a 300m long, narrow barrier features a 'plateau' in both north and south extremes, teeming with anthias and soft corals. Superb wall diving dropping off to over 300m with overhangs covered in soft and black coral and giant gorgonians. Frequent sightings of jacks, tuna, barracuda, reef sharks and the occasional hammerhead.

Sha'ab Sheer/Wreck of Al Khafein
A horse shoe shaped reef creates a shallow lagoon on its south side and hard coral gardens on both its east and west extremes. Porites, acroporas and fire coral in huge and splendid formations with schooling jack, snapper and tuna fish. Reef fish such as bannerfish and butterfly fish are plentiful and the occasional larger pelagic is sighted. Since November 2005 Sha'ab Sheer has become the resting place for the wreck of the Al Khafein which drifted into the north side of the reef after a fire in the engine room caused the crew to abandon ship.

Wreck of the Salem Express
A Ferry carrying pilgrims returning from Mecca, sank in 1991 after hitting the reef at night. 300 victims perished in one of the greatest marine tragedies of all time. Divers are asked to dive the wreck considerately with respect for the great loss of life and penetration of the wreck is forbidden. The propellers make an impressive sight and the covering of hard corals now colonising the wreck show the power of the ocean to make new life out of this tragedy. Fish life is now abundant and the funnels of the wreck with large "S" and the name on the bow are clearly visible. The site is reasonably sheltered and is not exposed to strong current and can be dived at all levels from 12m to 30m.

El Queseir and Brothers Dive Sites - Red Sea, Egypt

The offshore islands in this area have recently been reopened for diving after a long closure by the Egyptian Government and have been designated as a Marine Park. Now suitable moorings are installed for dive boats visiting this area. The Brothers are really the tops of two undersea mountains, these islands rise from the depths and the coral clad walls offer outstanding diving with plenty of big fish action due to their remote location some 80km offshore.
D: offered as daily diving trips from Marsa Alam
L: available during live aboard trip

 

Big Brother (L)
The northerly of the two islands and has a small lighthouse. It has two wrecks laying on its walls. At the northern most tip of the island lays a large freighter named the Namibia, the other is the Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel that struck at night. There is excellent wall diving all along the southern side of the reef with strong currents promoting the growth of a spectacular forest of soft corals. Frequent sightings of big pelagics and an astonishing variety of marine life.

Little Brother (L)
This island is the smaller of the two as the name implies. At the northern end is a long tongue of reef that extends seaward and in good weather it is possible to drop in here and drift. The current runs from east to west and here sharks may be seen cruising. On the south east side is a superb fan coral forest but it is deep and starts at 35m, there are also plenty of caves, overhangs, black coral, and lots of pelagics including sharks, tuna, barracuda, turtles and schools of reef fish. As you round the southern corner the slope gives way to a vertical wall where you can catch a glimpse of a silver tip shark. In summer thresher sharks are seen here, in October grey reef sharks gather to mate and divers have also reported schooling hammerheads and groups of sailfish in this area. Before you know it your computer will tell you it time to head back to the boat having had the most spectacular diving.

Quei Reefs
Four reefs and a number of pinnacles lying in close proximity. Unfortunately these reefs are quite badly damaged by the crown of thorns starfish in places, but still offer some interesting diving. Often sightings of reef sharks and sometimes a passing eagle ray.

Queseir El Qadim
The bay where the Swiss hotel ‘Movenpick’ has been built is a natural harbour used previously in Roman times. Amphoras can still be seen between the hard corals at different depths. Large schools of fish, stingrays and turtle.

Erg Esel
Big blocks of mountain coral surrounding a small flat-topped reef can be circumnavigated in one dive. Clouds of goldfish engulf the reef and swimming through the sandy patches surrounding the reef white tip sharks may be found sleeping as well as turtles and barracuda’s.

Mangrove Bay
Mangrove Bay Hotel’ has been recently built next to this natural harbour, which offers a good dive on the northern corner of the fringing reef with a hard coral garden sloping gently to the deep. Large schools of unicorns, snappers, surgeons, fusiliers and barracudas.

Sharm El Quibli
Bay on the coast offers some decent diving on its northern corner, with a sloping reef covered in acroporas, fire coral and other hard corals. Lots of groupers.

Marsa Wizri
Another bay on the coast, the fringing houses large schools of yellow goat fish, unicorns, barracuda’s and other reef fish species on both north and south outer extremes.

Habili Sheik Malek
Less than one mile away from the Tomb-Mosque on the coast, a little reef formation creates a labyrinth of hard corals, fire and huge tables where lots of fish often concentrate. Napoleon, barracuda’s and eagle ray.

Ras Torombi (D,L)
Shallow dive around the northern most tip of the cape’s fringing reef, a great deal of fire coral, giant table corals scattered over a sandy bottom. Snappers, butterflies, rays and guitar sharks.

Ras Shouna (D,L)
Bay on the coast with good dives on the north and south side. Schools of bat  fish, barracuda’s and goat fish around the coral heads with glass fish which come out from the slope.

Marsa Alam Dive Sites - Red Sea

The offshore islands in this area have recently been reopened for diving after a long closure by the Egyptian Government and have been designated as a Marine Park. Now suitable moorings are installed for dive boats visiting this area. The Brothers are really the tops of two undersea mountains these islands rise from the depths, the coral clad walls do offer outstanding diving with plenty of big fish action due to there remote location some 80km offshore.
D: offered as daily diving trips from Marsa Alam
L: available during liveaboard trip

Abu Dabab (D)
A collection of 7 reefs. Offers sheltered diving in rough weather conditions. Popular overnight location due to close proximity to the famous Elphinstone reef with a very good chance to see Spanish dancers on the night dive. Many swim through and caves. Often sightings of reef sharks on the southern outer reefs.

Elphinstone Reef (D)
The sheer walls of this great reef plunge steeply into the blue, richly decorated with soft corals, sponges, gorgonians and fans. Sharks often swim by the spot to feed on the abundant reef fish population. The northern plateau is home to schooling hammerheads with frequent sightings of oceanic white tip sharks.

Shab Samadai - Dolphin House (D)
A horseshoe shaped reef creates a shallow turquoise water lagoon where a large school of spinner dolphins can often be seen. Several dives are found on its outer walls. The western tip provides a large group of pinnacles rising to the surface from a carpet of seagrass, populated by schools of reef fish.

Daedalus Reef (L)
A huge round reef with a lighthouse more than 40 miles away from the coast, features an excellent opportunity for spotting big pelagics including manta rays. All around its steep walls you will see an extreme variety of fish and coral. Good chance to see schooling hammerheads on the northern point. Strong currents possible.

Abu Galawa Soraya (L)
The northern edge of the 'Fury Shoal' group, this reef has a fantastic hard coral garden, and a wreck of a private sailing boat on the western side which is packed with glassfish.

Shaab Claude (L)
Famous for its large labyrinths of swim throughs. Huge porite corals and a resident napoleon. Often white tip reef sharks and a very nice anemone and clownfish settlement on a small pinnacle a little off the reef to the south.

Zabargad (L)
Enormous mountain coming out of the water surrounded by a lagoon and circling reef. A couple of wrecks and some decent diving with a great variety of both corals and reef fish.

Rocky Island (L)
Tiny rock emerging a few feet out of the water, it offers one of the most incredible underwater scenarios of the whole Red Sea. Steep walls falling into the deep blue, currents, soft corals and a great abundance of pelagics and all kinds of fish.

St Johns Reef (L)
This incredibly beautiful reef lies Approx. 40km North of the Sudanese border and 20km south of Zabargad .  The reef covers a huge area and many dives would be needed to explore the numerous coral heads and islands that make up this extensive area.