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Red Sea Diving With nutrient-rich waters and optimum environmental conditions, the Red Sea possesses unique reef-building properties. With over 1,500 species of coral and fish and thousands of reef dwelling invertebrates competing for your attention, this kaleidoscopic world will take your breath away. There are hundreds of dive sites in the Red Sea, some only accessible by liveaboard and suitable for fairly advanced divers, whilst many others offer plenty to see for all certification and confidence levels. Here is a brief overview of some of the better-known sites. Northern Sites Ras Mohamed National Park Mid Sites Panorama Southern Sites Daedalus
This protected area holds some of the best diving to be found anywhere in the Red Sea. Sites like Jolanda Reef, Shark Reef and Anemone City offer sheer walls, beautiful coral gardens and a particularly wide variety of marine fauna. Because of the depths and accompanying strong currents, you are very likely to encounter pelagic species such as grey or white tip reef sharks, barracuda, tuna and trevallies.
This WW2 wreck is probably one of the best known sites in the Red Sea. There is almost always a strong current here, so a line is usually tied to the bow at around 12 metres. As the stern lies in only 28 metres, there is plenty of time to explore the holds of this fascinating wreck. As well as the many cars, trucks and BSA & Norton motorbikes to be found, you can also see a locomotive engine at the deepest point.
This mid-channel site is home to seven wrecks of which four, the Seastar, Carnatic, Chrisola K and the most attractive, the Ghiannis D are diveable. All of them have a maximum depth of 28 metres or less and offer a variety of cargo and profiles.
A very enjoyable dive approximately one hour from Hurghada. Two coral towers break the surface whilst lying in between is a beautiful plateau at around 16 metres which then drops sharply away to over 60 metres. Coral growth and a wide variety of marine life can be observed here with the giant moray eel particularly prevalent.
Marked with an automated beacon, this site lies approximately an hour and a half from Safaga. It can be subject to strong currents and rough seas, but is definitely worth the effort as it offers a fantastic drift dive. Large schools often congregate here including surgeonfish, unicornfish, tuna and trevallies, alongside reef sharks, dolphins, rays and turtles.
The most popular dive here starts from the southern tip of the island and progresses over a large, sloping plateau. Rarer pelagics, such as the silvertip, tigers and oceanic whitetip sharks can usually be seen here, whilst the northern most tip has a reputation for hammerhead sightings. There is usually a strong current, which feeds the prolific soft corals in and around the many furrows, crevices and overhangs in the walls.
These two small islands were off-limits to divers from '96 until '98 as a conservation measure aimed at giving the reefs a bit of breathing space. Situated in mid-channel, they rise up to the surface from an abyss 300 metres deep and, with constant currents coming in from the open sea, the coral growth is spectacular. Renowned for shark sightings.
This elliptical erg lies approximately 5 hours sailing from Marsa Alam. A wide, sloping plateau leads to a sharp drop off at which point it is possible to sight many different species of shark. Due to its position in mid-channel, the currents can be quite strong but, as with the other outer islands, these conditions do mean that you are more likely to see very healthy corals and some of the larger Red Sea marine life.
This extensive reef system has numerous sites to choose from, but Dolphin Reef is probably the most popular. The name derives from the resident school of bottlenose dolphins who can usually be found in the enormous sandy lagoon on the south-eastern side of this large coral ridge. The wall on the north-eastern side drops away swiftly and is another good site for spotting sharks, jacks and turtles.
The best dive around this large island usually begins opposite the old dock on the eastern side. Dropping down rapidly to about 20 metres, a number of coral towers reach for the surface covered in soft corals. Colourful groupers and majestic eagle rays are common around this interesting, shadowy underwater landscape.
A small island situated about twenty minutes from Zabargad, the reef slopes away from the surface and then drops dramatically to over 1,000 metres. Definitely worth at least two dives, as the possibility of seeing pelagics, such as hammerhead sharks, manta rays, reef sharks and barracuda is always high. Seas can be quite rough and currents fairly strong. |
