Interesting places for diving

The influence of cities has a significant effect on various aspects. Specifically, issues such as wastewater, coastal development, and potassium contamination from ports are notable. In areas located approximately 10 km south of Aqaba, there are sites boasting diverse and thriving coral reefs, namely Arabian Border, Cedar Pride, Wrack, and Canyon. At a depth of 15 meters, there is an astonishing array of species that typically inhabit much deeper waters, including antias Heemstra, Arabian apolemichthys, and rare moray eels. For the ideal diving experience, the Royal Diving Center, established by King Hussein, serves as an excellent base.

A small Bedouin village located in a vast sandy wadi (valley). Unfortunately, there is a significant amount of garbage from new hotels and ships, which has become a concern. Additionally, mosquitoes are quite common in the area. However, there are remarkable coral reefs to the north and south, with a coverage of 60-80%. It is worth noting that there may be a lower population of large fish compared to other locations, potentially due to overfishing. On the bright side, divers can expect to encounter up to 100 different species of fish, including spinner dolphins and rare species of moray eels. The former Helnan hotel is now under Italian management, offering a dive center and a camping site with a fascinating small house reef. Visitors also have the option to explore the surroundings by boat or jeep.

20 kilometers south of Nuweiba, there is a dirt road that leads to this location. The road includes steep slopes and wide valleys. To the north of the reserve, there is a ranger checkpoint. Divers from Dahab can reach the Bedouin village of Galum on camels. Ras Mamlakh and Galum have diverse coral reefs and a wide variety of fish, including rainbow mackerel, tunas, rare species of anthias (such as Heemstra's and red-striped), red sea chromis, Arabian apolemichthys, and clownfish on vertical walls. On land, the reserve is home to jackals, red foxes, and Dorcas gazelles. There are 165 species of plants, including 44 endemic ones.

This large village, located in a vast valley, with its old-fashioned hotels, guesthouses, and cafes, has a unique atmosphere of tranquility. There are about 50 dive centers, some with good house reefs (Inmo, Laguna, Daniella Village). By jeep, you can reach famous dive sites that are often crowded (Blue Hole, Canyon) or inaccessible due to the north wind (Bells). Closed sites are located south of Dahab (Blocks, Three Pools, Um Sid).

There are numerous problems due to excessive construction; Lighthouse Reef is heavily polluted, but still convenient for beginners. Camel trips to Abu Galum (10 km to the north) are usually quite expensive. Among the fish, it is worth mentioning rare seahorses and trumpetfish, Heemstra anthias, Red Sea chromis, and various wrasses and triggerfish.

12 kilometers south of Sharm El Sheikh, at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, you will find several famous spots teeming with hand-fed fish. These include Marsa Bareka, a large bay showcasing a diverse range of fish species, Shark Reef where you can encounter sharks, large groupers, and schools of barracudas, the sunken ship Yolanda, Shark Observatory with its walls adorned with gorgonians and soft corals, Anemone City, and Eel Garden. Along the shore, you can also explore fossilized reefs dating back 2 million years. During migrations, this area becomes a temporary home for thousands of storks and birds of prey. If you wish to stay at the campsites in Marsa Bareka, make sure to book them through the park's central office. Additionally, there are numerous dive centers in Sharm El Sheikh that offer boat dives, including the oldest one, Sinai Divers in Naama Bay.

A bustling metropolis with a well-connected international airport. Extensive development during the 1980s and the invasion of the crown-of-thorns starfish in 1998 had a devastating impact on the nearby coral reefs. However, there are still plenty of islands and reefs located further away from the coast, as well as various sunken ships and diverse marine life in certain areas. The city offers a wide range of accommodations, from affordable options to luxurious resorts, and there are numerous dive centers available. Additionally, some hotels along the route to Safaga have successfully preserved their house reefs in excellent condition.

The port is bustling with activity, featuring large terminals specifically designed for loading potassium fertilizers. Visitors to the area can find accommodations in hotels and guesthouses of various categories, with a number of notable options located to the north of the city such as Shams Hotel and Menaville. Unfortunately, the reefs in the immediate vicinity of the city have suffered damage due to pollution, overfishing, and the presence of crown-of-thorns starfish. However, divers can still enjoy captivating underwater experiences at remote reefs and explore sunken ships further away from the shore. Many dive centers offer organized dives to the Salem Express ferry, which tragically sank in 1991 while carrying 690 pilgrims on their way from Jeddah.

The bay, located 6 km north of El Quseir, covers an area of 0.5 km² with depths of up to 65 meters. It is partially open and boasts a diverse marine ecosystem. The reef is home to over 200 species of fish, including parrotfish, large groupers, butterflyfish, and star gazers. Additionally, spinner dolphins can be spotted in the area. The entrance of the bay is particularly known for its beautiful coral gardens. The Subex diving center offers excellent diving experiences, both from the shore and from boats, including jeep excursions. The Mövenpick Hotel is well-managed and shows a strong commitment to the preservation and protection of the reef. While it may be a bit expensive, we highly recommend it to divers and snorkelers.

A spacious bay (1.5 km2) situated 40 km south of El Quseir offers a stunning house reef. The reef is teeming with diverse coral gardens and a wide variety of fish, including lyretail and Arabian angelfish, scorpionfish, wartskin anglerfish, schools of jacks and fusiliers, as well as numerous butterflyfish, gobies, and parrotfish. The southern side of the bay is known for its magnificent coral gardens. At the bay's exit, you may come across extensive seagrass meadows occasionally visited by dugongs. There is an Arabic-German dive center and a long pier that provides access to the reef and boats. This location is perfect for snorkeling, diving, and underwater photography. The Mangrove Hotel is conveniently located nearby.

A small secluded bay with a beautiful reef and incredibly friendly fish. The reef surrounding the bay is inhabited by diverse fish, and dolphins and parrotfish can be seen here. The Thorny Crown has only damaged a few individual coastal reefs. Elphinstone Reef is located a 9 kilometers from the shore, and long-winged sharks and hammerhead sharks are frequently encountered here. Red Sea Diving Safari offers various dives, both from the shore and from boats, as well as excursions to other places where sharks, dugongs, turtles, and dolphins can be found. Accommodation is available at Shagra Ecolodge (Marsa Shagra Village), in small houses or tents, catering to all budgets. This place is highly recommended for underwater photographers. El Nabaa, a small bay located 10 km north of here, boasts a long reef, dolphins, and turtles, but the fish are skittish. Equinox Hotel is nearby.

Located just 14 km north of Coral Cove Camp, this small fishing village offers stunning surrounding reefs and sandy bays that are teeming with life. While crossing the reef flat can be challenging at times, it is well worth it as dugongs and dolphins are regularly spotted. Additionally, there is a cold water upwelling at a depth of 50 m. However, it is worth noting that the quality of the camp's services has seen a significant decline.

Beautiful beaches, a small home reef, and a rich fringe reef to the north. There are signs of thorny crown invasions. To the west of Wadi Gimal Island, there is a shallow shelf (15-20 meters) with 40 individual reefs. 18 of these reefs have rich coral thickets. You can find about 180 species of fish, including butterflyfish, clownfish, and surgeonfish. On the deep reefs of Shaab Sharm and Dolphin, where the vertical walls drop down to 100 meters and beyond, you may encounter turtles, schools of dolphins, and long-winged sharks. Dives are primarily conducted from motor boats from the Wadi Gimal dive centers. The Shams Alam hotel is located nearby.

A charming fishing village with a harbor for safari boats, featuring several sunken ships. There are approximately 60 individual reefs, with 30 of them being considered the best in Egypt. These reefs offer a wide range of diving opportunities. While there are traces of thorny corals, the coral gardens vary from average to very good. It is important to note that large fish sightings are not common. However, during the summer months, it is possible to encounter tunas, mantas, reef sharks, hammerheads, dolphins, turtles, and even whale sharks on the distant reefs. Considering the rich marine life and natural beauty, it is recommended to establish this area as a national park. For the best diving experience, Wadi Lahami Village (Red Sea Safari Diving) camp and Zabargad Hotel (Orca Diving) are highly recommended. Wadi Lahami Village, located 10 km south of Hamata, offers 4-5 daily dives from boats on the coastal reefs. Zabargad Resort boasts a wonderful house reef, allowing for diving from the pier or boats. Both locations provide excellent services through Orca dive center.

Islands located in the open sea, 100 km south of Ras Banas, are considered one of the finest destinations in Egypt, accessible only by safari boats. On the eastern side, there are impressive cliffs descending for 600m, featuring magnificent columns and carved caves. The Romans excavated the Zabargad hills (23m) to extract chrysolite. The lagoon is teeming with a wide variety of fish and vibrant coral gardens. Throughout the year, the islands of Rocky are inhabited by Napoleon fish, tunas, and various species of sharks including hammerhead, reef, silky, and thresher sharks. The northern side of the islands is barren, while the southern side boasts abundant coral reefs. However, there is a concern about the appearance of the Crown of Thorns starfish, which was sighted in Ras Banas in 2002.