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Dive The Red Sea
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As the closest tropical sea to
Europe, the Red Sea makes the perfect choice for both new and
experienced divers looking for exceptional value and superb diving.
I now that Tim, the club diving officer, and probably several
other club members have dived in this area of the world. (See report
by Barbara Cragg)
The tropical waters sustain an
overwhelming variety of marine flora and fauna, with more than
a thousand species of fish feeding amongst the spectacular coral.
This incredible underwater paradise has captivated the worlds
most discerning divers, and keeps them returning year after year.
The information on this page was
obtained from the brochure of Explorers Dive, one of the most respected
and popular dive tour operators to the area. |
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Sharm El Sheikh:
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Sharm El Sheikh is possibly the most
spectacular diving area in the Red Sea. With some 40 miles of
reef, it is richly endowed with dramatic coral drop-offs, aquamarine
bays and coral formations unparalleled in the diving world. World-famous
dive sites include Ras Mohammed, Tiran Island and the wrecks
of the SS Thistlegorm and the Dunraven. |
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Sharm boasts an ideal location
for divers and holidaymakers alike. The climate is cool and sunny
in the winter, and hot in the summer. The water is warm all year
round, requiring just a 3mm wetsuit in summer and a two-piece
wetsuit in Winter. Sharm is sheltered from the wind and currents
are gentle.
Naama Bay is the resort centre:
a bustling hive of dive centres, hotels, restaurants, shops and
bars. The atmosphere is always friendly and relaxed. |
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Ras Um Sid is the headland at the
South East end of Naama Bay. Various hotels and restaurants are
situated here, offering a quieter alternative to Naama. Temple
Beach is a popular dive site and snorkeller’s paradise.
Shuttle buses run to Naama and Sharm el Maya - the old town and
port of Sharm el Sheikh. |
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Hurghada:
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Once a small fishing village, Hurghada
is now a thriving dive resort which boasts some exceptional diving.
Though not protected like those of Sharm El Sheikh, the seabeds
of Hurghada maintain an incredible plenitude of life. The variety
of coral and the quantity of tiny fish that live in the area
are among the greatest to be found along the Egyptian coastline.
The climate is cool and airy in winter and hot in the summer
(although there is almost always a breeze). The village of Hurghada
has developed into a bustling town providing all the necessary
facilities tourists have come to expect. |
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Nuweiba & Dahab:
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Beyond Sharm el Sheikh are the secluded
settlements of Nuweiba and Dahab, centres of Bedouin activity
for many years. Today, Nuweiba is a busy port. Apart from the
Coral Hilton there are few hotels in the area, just beautiful
beaches, mountains and vast desert expanses. Once a seventies
'hippy' haven, Dahab is very good for diving and excellent for
windsurfing and both areas have very good snorkelling and camel
trekking. These two resorts offer excellent shore diving and
provide a bohemian alternative to the hustle and bustle of Sharm
and Hurghada. |
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Safaga & El Quesir:
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El Quesir is a remote coastal town
located south of Hurghada in the area known as the Southern Red
Sea. Over the last few years it has been developed on a very
small scale and offers divers more tranquillity and fewer crowds
than Hurghada. Diving in El Quesir is superb with most sites
remaining relatively untouched. |
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Hotels used by Explorers Dive! - Information source |
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NB.
If you are a club member and have dived in any of the areas
shown in this section, or indeed those in the main
travel section, how about submitting a report to the Webmaster
for inclusion in the Club Dive Log??? |
