Egypt Holidays at Red Sea 24/06/2017


Egypt Holidays will just get better with the Red Sea. The water of the Red Sea is also a vital asset. Surrounding cities are totally dependent on it for household and industrial supplies, and tremendous desalination plants are in operation. These supply drinking water which has been purified to a high standard, as well as non-potable domestic water. Seawater is also used in large quantities by oil refineries and cement works situated along the coastline. The danger of pollution is always present in the Red Sea, particularly from oil spillage. A Royal Decree forbids the discharge of any pollutant substances, including oil, within 100 miles of the Saudi Arabian coastline. Will give you some options to follow in Egypt Holidays.

SCUBA DIVING IN EL GOUNA

Please visit this place on Egypt Holidays. El Gouna is a great divers' destination in the Red Sea Riviera. For new divers, heated pools and calm local reefs provide an excellent start to your diving experience. For more experienced divers, El Gouna's range of walls, reefs, and wrecks are among the finest in the Red Sea; thus it guarantees an unforgettable diving holiday.

El Gouna is mostly about relaxed diving and stunning coral gardens, but it has also a number of exciting drop-offs for the more experienced. Moreover, El Gouna is home to a pod of bottlenose dolphins, which have permanent residence in the beautiful moon-shaped reef of Dolphin House.

Scuba diving in El Gouna is conducted solely by boat, as all reefs are offshore. Daily boats cater also to snorkellers and non-diving companions, as most dive sites are suitable also for snorkeling, making for a great day out in the sea for the whole family or group of friends. 

Dive sites in El Gouna

At El, Gouna divers can enjoy world-class diving locations, in secluded coral gardens teeming with life and colors. All are reachable in between half to two hours of cruising on the comfortable diving boats. Some of them are among the most famous dive sites of the Red Sea Riviera in Egypt:

The ship graveyard of Abu Nuhas (at only an hour away by boat), a fascinating step into history with four interesting wrecks: from the romantic Carnatic, a 19th-century ship, to the impressive Chrisoula K, all of them teeming with underwater life.

Dolphin House in Sha’ab El Erg, a big aquarium where everything can happen – even to dive for an hour with 25 dolphins

The legendary tekkies paradise of the SS Rosalie Muller, another historical wreck basically untouched due to its remoteness.

Sha’ab Ruhr Umm Gamar with its plummeting drop off and wealth of pelagics, a definitive “must” for the experienced diver.

 El Gouna Diving Services

from entry-level courses to professional courses, introductory dives and diving packages, with one, two or more dives per day, for those who are certified. And, what a better place to learn to dive in the Red Sea than El Gouna? With its number of easy shallow dive sites teeming with life, getting your scuba diving certification here is a pleasure and an unforgettable experience. 

SCUBA DIVING IN THE HURGHADA

Hurghada, along with Sharm el-Sheikh, is where it all started. These were the first two destinations of the nearly 20-years old diving history of the Red Sea. Diving in Hurghada needs no introduction, it's already world famous. From minuscule nudibranchs to giant whale sharks, this area has it all for a perfect Red Sea diving holiday: hard and soft coral, turtles and dolphins, mantas and moray eels, napoleons and tuna, and much more, including the wreck graveyard at Sha'ab Abu Nuhas.

The Hurghada marine area is protected, as many other areas in Egypt, and diving centers here operate under environmental-friendly procedures. Starting from the year 1995, local authorities, NGO’s and international bodies such as USAID have co-operated in the conservation of the underwater life of the region. Nowadays, regular checks and upgrades ensure the presence of mooring buoys in all dive sites.

Hurghada is also a popular starting point for extended dive trips, also called liveaboards or diving safaris. From here you can join a liveaboard to the exceptional diversity of the Straits of Gubal with the wreck graveyard of Abu Nuhas, cruising over to the fabled Thistlegorm, the Red Sea's most well-known wreck. 

Dive sites in Hurghada:

With very few exceptions, diving in Hurghada is performed on daily or half-day boats, since the coastal area is mostly devoid of fringing reefs. The Hurghada diving area comprises also the Protected Marine Park of Giftun Island where access is permitted only with an entrance fee (payable directly at all diving centers). The area, in general, is blessed with refreshing breezes from the north both in winter and summer. These breezes often turn though into strong winds which may limit access to certain dive sites.

Here are only some of the most famous dive sites in Hurghada are:

Gota Abu Ramada: a network of coral gardens from which the most famous is adequately named “the Aquarium”. A perfect place to learn to dive, with a profusion of Red Sea coral reef population.

Sha’ab Ruhr Umm Gamar: a sort of encyclopedia of the Red Sea. A dense population of reef species and pelagics crowds this relatively small reef. The site was badly damaged a few of years ago by an outburst of the Crown of Thorns sea star, but now is again a favorite of advanced divers.

Small Giftun: a spectacular site especially for technical divers, in the Giftun National Park. 

Sheer walls, caves, canyons: a great playground for the experienced with a profusion of giant fans and black corals and big game, including whale sharks, barracudas, oceanic whitetip sharks.

Carless Reef: The site, very popular in Hurghada is accessible both to beginners and experienced divers. Two coral towers close to a plateau at 16 meters, is where a big population of friendly giant moray eels make the dive an unforgettable one. 

Hurghada Diving Services

Hurghada, with its wealth of shallow coral gardens, is an ideal location of the Red Sea Riviera to learn to dive, and most diving centers offer the full range of beginners’ courses. Even kids from 8 years on can enroll in children-dedicated scuba diving activities, such as the popular bubble-maker course, where kids learn to be familiar with water and scuba diving and have fun swimming around in a confined water area. 

SCUBA DIVING IN MAKADI BAY

Makadi Bay, the beautiful bay south of Hurghada, is in the middle of a rich coral reef system, extending from Hurghada in the north to Safaga in the south. The protected sandy bay is an ideal place to learn to dive, while just a few miles off the coast are some of the nicest reefs in the area. Makadi Bay is a perfect option for those seeking to combine a diving holiday with pure relaxation by the beach.

Egypt Holidays gives you a chance to explore the Makadi Bay marine area is protected, as many other areas in Egypt, and diving centers here operate under environment-friendly procedures. Starting from the year 1995, local authorities, NGO’s and international bodies such as USAID have co-operated in the conservation of the underwater life of the region. Nowadays, regular checks and upgrades ensure the presence of mooring buoys in all dive sites.

The area is a naturalist’s paradise, with thousands of species of marine life. With shallow, deep, drift and wreck sites at your doorstep, dive sites in the Makadi range from easy to challenging, with profiles apt both for the novice and the expert. In Makadi Bay there is also a pretty house reef which is reachable from shore with guided and non-guided dives. 

Dive sites in Makadi Bay

Scuba diving in Makadi is performed either from shore, with a felucca for the closest reefs, or with large diving boats for the daily or half-day trips. From Makadi Bay you can also visit the beautiful Marine Park of Giftun Island, one of the most beautiful in the Red Sea and Egypt. (access only with an entrance fee). The area, in general, is blessed with refreshing breezes from the north both in winter and summer. These breezes often turn though into strong winds which may limit access to certain dive sites.

Here are only some of the most famous dive sites in Makadi Bay:

Gota Abu Ramada: a network of coral gardens from which the most famous is adequately named “the Aquarium”. A perfect place to learn to dive, with a profusion of Red Sea coral reef population.

Abu Hashish: a beautiful and easy dive apt also for snorkellers.

Ras Abu Soma: a great fringing reef with an impressive drop off which attracts great turtles, moray eels, and occasionally, big game such as reef white-tip sharks and barracudas. A must for the intermediate diver. 

Makadi Bay Diving Services:

Certified divers can dive either from shore to the pretty house reef, every day from 8 am to 5 pm or join one of the short trips to visit dive sites only 15 minutes away by felucca. There are also half day and full day trips to the furthest dive sites, with one or two dives per day.

Makadi Bay, with its wealth of shallow coral gardens, is an ideal location of the Red Sea Riviera to learn to dive, and most diving centers offer the full range of beginners’ courses. Even kids from 8 years on can enroll in children-dedicated scuba diving activities, such as the popular bubble-maker course, where kids learn to be familiar with water and scuba diving and have fun swimming around in a confined water area. 

SCUBA DIVING IN SOMA BAY

Soma Bay, with its upscale resorts, long soft sandy beach, and stunning fringing coral reef, is an ideal location for a diving holiday with the family. If your kids or spouse aren’t divers, you can be sure that they will be kept perfectly pampered and spoilt by the resort’s great facilities while you enjoy the fantastic underwater sights of the area.

Located on the northernmost point of the large bay of Safaga, Soma Bay commands impressive views of the sea and the mountains. To the south-west, there is a large, shallow sandy beach, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. To the east and north-east, one of the most beautiful fringing reefs of the region borders the headland of Ras Abu Soma, accessible by the long jetty in front of the Sheraton.

The Soma Bay marine area is protected, as many other areas in Egypt, and diving centers here operate under environment-friendly procedures. Starting from the year 1995, local authorities, NGO’s and international bodies such as USAID have co-operated in the conservation of the underwater life of the region. Nowadays, regular checks and upgrades ensure the presence of mooring buoys in all dive sites. 

Dive sites in Soma Bay

Scuba diving in Soma Bay is performed either from shore, via the jetty on the fringing reef, or with comfortable diving boats doing daily or half-day trips. There is a wide variety of dive sites to choose from, both for novice and experienced divers. The area, in general, is blessed with refreshing breezes from the north both in winter and summer. These breezes often turn though into strong winds which may limit access to certain dive sites.

Here are only some of the most famous dive sites in Soma Bay:

Abu Qifan: legendary for hammerhead sightings in late spring and manta rays in wintertime. This 300-meter long and narrow reef offer a plateau in both north and south tips.

Panorama Reef: one of the largest reefs in Safaga, featuring numerous grottos and overhangs, where gorgonians and soft corals thrive with the frequent nurturing currents. 

Due to the size of the barrier: there are at least three different dives to be done here: the south plateau and the east and the west drop-offs.Abu Soma: Abu Soma, a peninsula surrounded by a fringing reef, rich with top quality dive sites. The reef slopes gently to a plateau at around 25 meters and drop off with caves and overhangs rich with schooling reef fish, giant moray eels, and healthy hard corals. 

Soma Bay Diving Services

Soma Bay, with its wealth of shallow coral gardens, is an ideal location of the Red Sea Riviera in Egypt to learn to dive, and most diving centers offer the full range of beginners’ courses. Even kids from 8 years on can enroll in children-dedicated scuba diving activities, such as the popular bubble-maker course, where kids learn to be familiar with water and scuba diving and have fun swimming around in a confined water area. 

SCUBA DIVING IN SAFAGA

Safaga, originally a major commercial harbor in the Red Sea Riviera, has become over the years a divers’ favorite. Some even claim Safaga's offshore reefs offer better diving than Sharm el Sheikh or Hurghada. It offers shallow easy dive sites for beginners, and impressive sheer walls for the more experienced, such as fabled Abu Qifan, with the complete range of colors and marine life perfect for a diving holiday.

Safaga is located in a wide large bay, adorned with a long sandy beach where resorts cater mainly to divers, windsurfers, and families with kids. In the middle of the bay, a number of coral “ergs” create a beautiful coral garden ideal for the beginners. Offshore open ocean dive sites still amaze even the most experienced diver. Many live-aboard safaris from Hurghada include Safaga's best dive sites in their itineraries.

There is something in Safaga for everybody: manta rays at Sha'ab Saiman, the eel garden at Gamul Kabira, blue spotted stingrays at Tobia, sharp drop-offs at Abu Qifan, the anemone city at Panorama Reef. There is nothing like a night dive at Sha'ab Sheer.

The Safaga marine area is protected, as many other areas in Egypt, and diving centers here operate under environment-friendly procedures. Starting from the year 1995, local authorities, NGO’s and international bodies such as USAID have co-operated in the conservation of the underwater life of the region. Nowadays, regular checks and upgrades ensure the presence of mooring buoys in all dive sites.

Dive sites in Safaga

Scuba diving in Safaga is performed with comfortable diving boats doing daily or half-day trips. The bay of Safaga has an outstanding selection of lovely dive sites for beginners and easy-going divers. The large bay and Safaga Island create an environment generally protected from strong currents and wind, which makes the site's ideal also for non-diving companions willing to spend a day on a boat, swimming and snorkeling in top Red Sea waters. Offshore, we find the more challenging sites, with a wealth of pelagic species.

Here are only some of the most famous dive sites in Safaga:

Abu Qifan: legendary for hammerhead sightings in late spring and manta rays in wintertime. This 300-meter long and narrow reef offer a plateau in both north and south tips.

Panorama Reef: one of the largest reefs in Safaga, featuring numerous grottos and overhangs, where gorgonians and soft corals thrive with the frequent nurturing currents. Due to the size of the barrier, there are at least three different dives to be done here: the south plateau and the east and the west drop-offs

Tobia Arbaa: Named the "seven pillars" after the small pinnacles rising from a sandy bottom. One of the best dives in Safaga, despite the shallow bottom, sometimes cause of not perfect visibility. Soft corals cover all the seven ergs, glassfish, gorgonians, giant puffer fish, octopus, blue spotted rays, morays, lionfish, sergeant majors, nudibranchs, etc. Easy dive and great for snorkellers. 

Safaga Diving Services

Safaga, with its wealth of shallow coral gardens, is an ideal location of the Red Sea Riviera in Egypt to learn to dive, and most diving centers offer the full range of beginners’ courses. Even kids from 8 years on can enroll in children-dedicated scuba diving activities, such as the popular bubble-maker course, where kids learn to be familiar with water and scuba diving and have fun swimming around in a confined water area. 

SCUBA DIVING IN QUSEIR

Most people who have dived in Quseir would agree that diving here is a relaxing experience with plenty to see. Excellent shore diving is possible north and south of this little town, as it is adorned with a long, almost continuous fringing reef rich of fauna and corals. A diving holiday in Quseir leaves plenty of time for relaxation at the resort or walking through the pretty streets and promenades of the renovated historical town, as all dives here are performed from shore.

You'll enjoy exploring Quseir's coral covered pinnacles on the sandy slopes. Navigate and explore the labyrinth-like coral gardens. Glide through narrow passages and blind alleys into the territory of the crocodile fish, moray eels, sea snakes, lionfish, porcupine fish and blue spotted stingrays. You may even find the elusive white tip or guitar sharks taking cover.

El Quseir is also the main departing point for liveaboards heading towards the fabled Brother Islands, world-famous for its hammerheads and other large marine life.

The Quseir marine area is protected, as many other areas in Egypt, and diving centers here operate under environment-friendly procedures. Starting from the year 1995, local authorities, NGO’s and international bodies such as USAID have co-operated in the conservation of the underwater life of the region. Nowadays, regular checks and upgrades ensure the presence of mooring buoys in all dive sites. 

Dive sites in Quseir

Scuba diving in Quseir is performed from shore, either from the resorts’ jetties, via a zodiac or boat or with jeeps reaching the reefs out of town. Uniquely in the Red Sea Riviera, Quseir does not have coral heads and gardens, but a long uninterrupted reef running along its shore. Teeming with life, its richness is due to nourishing currents almost always present.

El Quseir is also famous for being a nesting area for sea turtles. A preserved eco-bay is monitored and protected to let the turtles nest in peace.

Here are some nice dive sites in Quseir:
El Qadim: a beautiful drop off north of town, with a rich wall of gorgonians.
Beit Goha: another coral wall with depths to 30m, where often can be spotted white tip reef sharks hiding in the overhangs.
El Kaf: south of town, this is a pretty, pristine coral wall with a wealth of underwater marine life. 

Quseir Diving Services

Quseir, with its teeming life just off your resort’s beach, is an ideal location of the Red Sea Riviera in Egypt to learn to dive, and most diving centers offer the full range of beginners’ courses. Even kids from 8 years on can enroll in children-dedicated scuba diving activities, such as the popular bubble-maker course, where kids learn to be familiar with water and scuba diving and have fun swimming around in a confined water area. 

SCUBA DIVING IN MARSA ALAM

Marsa Alam is fast becoming a catchword within the international diving community: fewer divers, healthy reefs, large pelagics, unique pinnacles, impressive drop-offs, interesting caves and coral covered shipwrecks, make of Marsa Alam the ultimate diving holiday destination in the Red Sea. The area is large and varied, as what is called Marsa Alam is a stretch of coast some 100km long. Well-established dive resorts, camps, and diving centers in Marsa Alam, Egypt are scattered to the north and to the south of the main village, some a considerable distance away. All levels of scuba diving certification courses are available in Marsa Alam.Marsa Alam is also Egypt's springboard for liveaboard trips to out-of-the-way offshore and southern regions. Particularly attractive are the three remote islands: Daedalus, Rocky and Zabargad; and the two outer reef systems: Fury Shoal and St John Reef.The Marsa Alam marine area is protected, as many other areas in Egypt, and diving centers here operate under environment-friendly procedures. Starting from the year 1995, local authorities, NGO’s and international bodies such as USAID have co-operated in the conservation of the underwater life of the region. Nowadays, regular checks and upgrades ensure the presence of mooring buoys in all dive sites. 

Dive sites in Marsa Alam

Scuba diving in Marsa Alam can be performed from shore, or with comfortable boats going out for a day or a half-day trip. Marsa Alam offers a unique array of dive sites in the Red Sea Riviera, from the sea-grass beds of some of its bays, home to the elusive dugong, to the sheer drop-offs of Elphinstone Reef, the fabled house of the oceanic whitetip shark.

Here are some of the most famous dive sites in Marsa Alam:

Abu Dabab: the house of the dugongs! A holiday in Marsa Alam isn't really complete without a visit to the bay of Abu Dabab to try to spot the elusive dugong. This beautiful creature with its happy face and its friendly manners is in reality very shy and easily scared.

Samadhi: also called Dolphin House, a crescent-shaped offshore reef located approximately 5km southeast of Marsa Alam. The reef is oriented E-W forming a natural lagoon on the south. The sheltered waters of the lagoon provide a favorable resting habitat for a population of Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris).Elphinstone Reef: only for experienced divers, due to the strong currents often present, is “the” Red Sea dream dive. Pelagics, barracudas, rich walls, Elphinstone has it all. Difficult to reach as in the open sea, getting there is an experience in itself. 

Marsa Alam Diving Services:

 Marsa Alam, with its teeming life just off your resort’s beach, is an ideal location of the Red Sea Riviera in Egypt to learn to dive, and most diving centers offer the full range of beginners’ courses. Even kids from 8 years on can enroll in children-dedicated scuba diving activities, such as the popular bubble-maker course, where kids learn to be familiar with water and scuba diving and have fun swimming around in a confined water area.  

SCUBA DIVING IN HAMATA / BERENICE

Hamata/Berenice is the absolute must for the keen scuba diver. A diving holiday in this remote area of the Red Sea has all that the Red Sea is famous for. Starting from the outskirts of the Wadi el Gemal National Park, the area of Hamata/Berenice is a place out of the world and the gateway to Africa.

Remote, isolated, paradisiac, the area of Hamata/Berenice is for those who can do without nightlife, clubs and mad shopping, and love to be in the wilderness. The most famous dive sites in the South Marine Park, once reachable only with liveaboards, are at your doorstep. The Hamata/Berenice marine area is protected, as many other areas in Egypt, and diving centers here operate under environment-friendly procedures. Starting from the year 1995, local authorities, NGO’s and international bodies such as USAID have co-operated in the conservation of the underwater life of the region. Nowadays, regular checks and upgrades ensure the presence of mooring buoys in all dive sites.Hamata has become in the last few years a favorite port of departure for liveaboard trips to out-of-the-way offshore and southern regions. Particularly attractive are the three remote islands: Daedalus, Rocky and Zabargad; and the two outer reef systems: Fury Shoal and St John Reef.  

Dive sites in Hamata/Berenice

Scuba diving in Hamata/Berenice can be performed from shore, or with comfortable boats going out for a day or a half-day trip. The area offers some of the top-class dive sites in the Red Sea Riviera. Places such as the fabled Qulan Islands, Sha’ab Makhsour, Sha’ab Ossama, Sattaya and Sha’ab Claude are now almost at your doorstep and reachable on day trips.

Here are some of the most famous dive sites in Hamata/Berenice:

Sattaya: the second Dolphin House of the South. A crescent-shaped large reef home to a huge pod of timid Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris).

Sha’ab Makhsour: only for experienced divers, this is the big tower plummeting to unfathomable depths where there is a constant passage of pelagics, with the highest number of shark species present in the Red Sea.

Sha’ab Claude: a scuba diver playground, with its labyrinth of coral canyons, crevices and overhangs playing awesome natural light and sound shows. 

Hamata/Berenice Diving Services

Hamata/Berenice is an area under development, with very few hotels, eco-lodges and diving centers already operating. Most of its coastal area belongs to the Wadi el Gemal National Park, where only eco-lodges are allowed to be built. The few diving centres present at the moment offer reliable and professional services, ranging from scuba diving beginner certification courses to professional courses and technical diving, and providing guided dives to the area's outstanding reefs, introductory dives and diving packages, with one, two or more dives per day, for those who are certified.

Hamata/Berenice, with its wealth of unforgettable dive sites, is an ideal location of the Red Sea Riviera in Egypt to spend a diving holiday