Red Sea Dive Sites

Salem Express

Initially launched as the Fred Scamaroni in France in 1964, this passenger ferry was subsequently purchased by the Samatour line and rechristened the Salem Express. On December 15th, 1991, the vessel collided with the Hyndeman reef, which tore a massive hole in its hull. Official reports indicated 960 pilgrims, returning from Mecca, were aboard. However, claims suggest the true number of people on board may have been as high as 1,600. Merely 180 individuals survived the tragic event.

Shaab Eshta

Depth: 7-12m Location: Around 45 mins from central Hurghada Conditions: Located in the Magawish area this site is to some extent protected behind the islands even though it can be choppy on a windy day. This site suits any level of diver and is excellent for entry level training. Overview: Two ergs sit divided by a narrow channel. There is a smaller erg to the west, and the larger erg to the east is shaped like a heart. It has a tight canyon-like passage leading up to the top. Dive plan: At the outer limits of this dive site swaying sea grass covers a large portion of the bottom, whilst small coral blocks and table corals are spread out over the sandy flats dominating the closer perimeter. Some current can be expected funnelling through the narrow channel as the tide moves in and out, but normally it’s not strong enough to cause any trouble. A ‘figure of eight’ route is ideal here. What to see: Barracuda often hover just below the surface in the channel waiting for swim by, while both ergs are populated by scorpionfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish and angelfish. Schools of sweetlips, goatfish and bannerfish are concentrated by the side of the reef walls, and the sandy bottom is inhabited by gobies and their shrimps.

Shaab Petra

В 45 минутах езды на юго-восток от Хургады есть два эрга, стоящих на песчаном морском дне на глубине 8 метров. Восточнее этих эргов есть небольшое коралловое вкрапление (лучшая часть дайва). Sea condition. Обычно спокойно, течение слабое с северо-запада или северо-востока. Но зимой и весной течение может усиливаться. Dive plan. Поплавай вокруг восточного эрга и близлежащего кораллового валуна. Этот валун просто кишит жизнью и производит сильное впечатление даже на самых пресытившихся дайверов. Marine life. На коралловом валуне есть несколько крупных отверстий, в которых живут стеклянные рыбки и люцианы. Сверху кишат рыбы-бабочки и крошечные султанки. Основные эрги не так интересны, но на них есть разнообразные крупные отверстия - домики групперов, рыб-солдатов, кардиналов, стеклянных рыбок и люцианов. Здесь не раз была замечена леопардовая акула. (zebra or leopard shark)

Shabruhr Umm Gamaar

This dive site features an oval reef, encompassed by a shelf descending to depths of 15-30m. To the west, this shelf expands into a sandy flat, while on the east, it narrows significantly to form a ledge.

Sharm El Arab

Sharm El Arab is 15 minutes southern located from Makadi Bay. The boat will be fixed inside the big lagoon. Under the boat will be a beautiful wall (20 - 40m) overgrown with colorful corals. The dive will go along this wall, right shoulder till you reach the plateau (18 - 28m) with nice big table corals. Turtles, barrakudas, snails, shortnose doctorfish can be found here.

Small Giftun

Depth: 18-30m, with a drop-off 100m+ Location: Around 80 mins from central Hurghada. Conditions: Sometimes exposed to weather and strong current. Some experience required for the deep wall dive. Overview: The moorings are located at the south side of the Giftun Police station on top of a 1525m deep plateau. At the northeast corner, this transforms into a shelf that stretches north, giving way to a steep wall that is hugely popular with technical divers. Dive plan: At this site a drift is the natural choice even if the plateau also can be reached from the mooring. You drop next to a vertical wall and follow the current due south as it gives way to a shelf getting wider further south.

Small Giftun Napoleon Area

South Abu Ramada

http://www.redseariviera.info/en/To-Know/South-abu-ramada Location - 60-90 minutes away. On the southern end of Abu Ramada a small islet and 3 large boulders are separated from the main island. The dive site is on the reef south of here. To the east of the mooring points a sloping wall tumbles away to 35m. A long swim away is a bubble-like grotto with several entry points. It is filled with many varieties of soft coral, sweepers, cardinalfish and soldierfish. To the southwest are numerous shallow pinnacles with abundant fish life. The seabed here is a bare, lunar looking concretion of compacted sand. Sea Conditions - Always calm except on a southerly wind (rare). Current is mild (if at all) at the east and west corners. Dive Plan - Head west from the moorings at about 25m. The deepest of the pinnacles is at about this depth. It has a split running through the middle that looks like the mouth of a clam shell. It provides sanctuary to soldierfish, glasseyes, hatchetfish and also sweetlips. From here, head onto a shallower shelf behind, this is where the remainder of the pinnacles are. Spend your time here, returning shallow along the main reef. Marine Life - Numerous free swimming morays, bannerfish, napoleons, emperorfish, sweeclips, unicornfish, goatfish and squid.

Thistlegorm

For divers acquainted with the Red Sea, this legendary wreck requires no introduction. It is a mandatory inclusion on numerous dive wish lists, and regardless of one's affinity for wreck diving, the Thistlegorm is simply breathtaking. Sunk identically to the 'Rosalie Moller' - just 48 hours and a few miles apart - the Thistlegorm truly ranks among the globe's finest dive experiences. The Thistlegorm was laden with cargo destined for the War Effort in North Egypt, and every dive offers a profound visit to an underwater museum, a moment frozen in time. Within the Thistlegorm's voluminous holds, divers can still observe an incredible assortment of items, including locomotives, various ammunition, Lee Enfield rifles, Bedford trucks, Triumph motorbikes, and even airplane wings.

Three Corners House Reef

House reef of Three Corners Equinox Beach Resort

Tobia arbaa

http://www.redseariviera.info/en/To-Know/Tobia-arbaa Location - Just inside the headland of Ras Abu Soma is a closely packed clump of erg known as Tobia Arbaa, Arbaa means four but there are actually seven of them, hence their other name, The Seven Pinnacles. As ergs go, they are unusually tall and narrow and they stand on a sandy seabed at 12m like a forest of sawed-off tree trunks. Sea Conditions - In the lee of Ras Abu Soma, this site is guaranteed wave and current free. Dive Plan - The illustration is more an impression than an exact statement of position but don't worry, each erg is within sight of the next and it's easy to find your way around. Marine Life - This place was designed for photographers. Clouds of anthias and basslets cover soft coral clad overhangs to give that classic Red Sea image. There are lionfish by the dozen and also pufferfish, napoleons, barracuda and occasionally even a large potato cod. On the sand lurk spiny devilfish.

Tobia soraya

http://www.redseariviera.info/en/To-Know/Tobia-soraya Location - Thirty minutes cast of Safaga three chains of connected ergs come together to form an inverted Y-shape. They stand in 12-15m water on a white sand seabed and pose a navigational nightmarre for the average diver arme with anything less than a submersible GPS. To the north they join with Tobia Kebir. Sea Conditions - Usually okay, although the moorings are not so well protected from waves. Current can get strong especially down the east side. Dive Plan - The two southernmost erg chains are the best. The eastern one has a narrow canyon at llm and a tunnel at 9m. Look in but don't go through. It is lined with beautiful white soft corals which can be knocked off by a careless fin or even by your bubbles. The western erg chain has three rubble filled channels which can be crossed shallow (4-6m). At its north end are 4 imposing mushroom shaped towers. Marine Life - Bluespotted rays, triggerfish and schools of surgeonfish, bream and bigeyed emperors. On the east side between the tunnel and canyon, is a large school of bannerfish.