What with all the recent goings on in Egypt, chances are it isn’t on many people’s ‘to visit’ list right now. Rest assured though that the major tourist destination of Sharm El Sheikh has been completely unaffected by the troubles experienced in the rest of the country. Egypt is well known for its sun and sand, however the true jewel in its crown is its sea – or more importantly, what lies beneath it.
Divers are drawn to Egypt from all the corners of the world, and for good reason. The Red Sea offers some of the best diving you could wish for and will suit any level of diver – whether you’ve racked up countless dives in your log book or if you’ve never even put on a pair of flippers and a snorkel, you’ll find something for you.
Diving in the Red Sea
Despite it’s name, the Red Sea offers some of the most crystal clear blue waters you’ll ever to lay your eyes on and is a pure pleasure to submerge yourself and see what you can spot. It is home to millions of fish, sheltered reefs and coral gardens, and a number of truly exciting historic wrecks – there’s something to peak every divers interest. What makes it especially good for scuba divers is the fact that the current is mostly calm and the temperature is between 21-30 degrees C/70-104 degrees F year round!
There are three distinct regions that make up the Red Sea, including the north-eastern coast, the Sinai cost and the south-eastern coast. There are a number of popular spots that will deliver for any level of diver such as the Small Giftun Drift, Dolphin Reef and the Blue Hole site in the Gulf of Aqaba. Another great thing about diving at Sharm El Sheikh is the fact that it’s a tourist hotspot and you’ll not be stuck for things to do when not diving.
New to diving?
If you’re new to diving, there really isn’t a better place to learn and what better way to make your holiday truly memorable. There are a whole host of dive schools located in Sharm El Sheikh who will take you out regardless of your skill level. This could be a dive just off of the beach or even a day out on a boat relaxing in the sun and checking out some great offshore dive sites. Of course if you wanting to jump in at the deep end you could spend a few days working towards a PADI Open Water Diving qualification whilst gaining the knowledge and experience to carry on what will no doubt turn into an addictive hobby.
So if you’ve never been diving off the Red Sea, what are you waiting for! You can find it all there, the sun, the sand and most importantly, the sea. Whether you’re new to the sport and looking to try it for the first time, or a qualified diver looking for their next adventure there’s something there for you. With this in mind it’s no wonder that the area is recognized by divers as one of the world’s top ten dive sites and why I keep going back for more, time and time again.
Jenn is an experienced diver, who loves checking out new spots and writing about her travels. She’s lucky enough also to work with Northern Divers and you can find more of her writing on the Northern Divers blogspot.
