The best dive sites in the Red Sea
The best dive sites in the Red Sea
Also this year the summer vacation is coming up, and despite all the current restrictions Egypt lures divers around the world with the Red Sea and its beautiful dive sites. However, this year is a little different, because the planes and the boats are anything but full. Now you have the perfect opportunity to explore the beautiful reefs of the Red Sea, which have benefited from the fact that there was extraordinarily little diving during the last year. And all this without the usual crowds of divers and snorkelers around.
Red Sea diving
Egypt and the Red Sea are famous amongst divers and many divers have done some of their best dives in these crystalline waters. Nowhere else do so many fantastic conditions come together as in the Red Sea: underwater visibility of up to 40 m is the rule, the water is pleasantly warm all year round and even in October and November can still boast temperatures around 27°.
Diving Hurghada and El Gouna
Only a few hours flight from home, Hurghada is a favourite destination of all scuba divers and those who want to become divers. It has beautiful beaches, a large selection of hotels of all levels of luxury, guaranteed sunshine and crystal-clear water.
Hurghada is not only a perfect destination for aspiring and beginner divers, but also for experienced divers, because there are dive sites for everyone in the Red Sea.
– Shaab El Erg – Dolphin House Hurghada
Shaab El Erg is located in front of El Gouna and offers fantastic conditions even for beginners. The dive is rather shallow and therefore very suitable for Open Water Divers. Besides a beautiful reef, where often moray eels and turtles can be encountered, there is an exceptionally good chance to meet dolphins. An experience even the most seasoned diver will never forget.
– Giftun Island and Carless Reef – wall diving Hurghada
If you love the great emotions that diving on a drop-off gives you, then Carless Reef off El Gouna or Giftun Island off Hurghada are the dive sites for you. Gorgonians and pelagic fish, but also turtles visit these reefs regularly. Recently there have also been more sightings of pelagics again.
– The wrecks in front of El Gouna – Abu Nuhas
Abu Nuhas is already a beautiful reef on its own, but due to its location in the middle of one of the main traffic passages of the Red Sea, it is also responsible for the sinking of many ships.
Today there are four wrecks on this reef, which are quite suitable for wreck beginners since they rest in attainable depths. The following wrecks can be visited:
– Giannis D.
– Carnatic
– Chrisoula K.
– Kimon M.
The maximum depth of the wrecks is in the thirty-meter range, making them accessible to Advanced Open Water divers. The wrecks are perfect if you want to become a wreck diver and finish the wreck diving course.
If you want to explore the Red Sea reefs and wrecks in a relaxed way, you can also do this as part of a mini safari, in addition to the day trips.
The great advantage of such safaris is that you are at the dive site first thing in the morning and can explore the various reefs and wrecks before the day boats arrive.
Please keep in mind, that these are just a few of a multitude of stunning dive sites in the Red Sea! No matter what your objective for the upcoming dive holiday, chances are, the Red Sea has to offer it – unless it is ice diving!