Where to dive in Egypt?

[Inger.E.S]

Hi all,

Am interested in hearing from those who have done a range of diving in the Red Sea - where was the best diving?

We are considering a trip in Feb/March, and would be able to do either liveaboard or land-based. Not concerned about accomodation/boat standard etc, only the quality of the dive sites. If liveaboards are the best - which sites should we look out for and how does it compare to land based stuff like Dahab?

Thanks in advance,

Inger

[nb]

Hi

If you are a keen wreck diver the obvious suggestions are the Northern Red Sea wrecks. Our club did that only 2 years ago by liveaboard from Hurghada and it was great. We dived the usual wrecks such as the Rosalie Muller,Thistlegorm, the Chrisola K , Ghiannis D, Dunraven etc.If you're not on a livebaord, wrecks like the Thistlegorm are a few hours early morning boat ride from Sharm which means that you get there with the other day boats. On a liveaboard you can get there first or the night before. Makes a nice night dive too.

The previous year we had done a Southern Charter liveaboard from Hurghada which took us to the main reefs Down as far as Elphinstone which was just fantastic. Having dived Elphinstone for quite a few years and watched it steadily getting more popular I was a bit wary about the poplularity effect on its quality but it was still absolutely fantastic. Elphinstone is a cigar shaped reef about 25mins fast rib dive from shore but again we were on a liveboard. It's home to Hammerheads, Gray Reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse etc. A real delight. In previous years I have seen a resident Oceanic Whitetip shark and I have talked to some dive guides I know who have seen a wall of Hammerheads there. In that part of the area there are lots of other reefs to dive but not too many wrecks. the major one is the Salem Express. You have a choice of liveaboard or shore based to do these reefs.

We have also stayed at the Diving Safari camp at Marsa Shagra which is 3 hours drive South of Hurghada but now closer to the new Marsa Alam airport. The area has been quite heavily developed (in comparison to what it was 6 years ago) but it has a long way to go before it could be called built up. The good thing about the Diving Safari is it's all inclusive including diving (contact Oonsadivers 01323 648924), ther is a choice of accommodation and it has its own house reef. This includes only shore diving up and down the coast (some good some suffering due to building work) but you'll have to pay the ?30 or so extra to go out and dive Elphinstone off their rib. If you're safety consciou and would like piece of mind, Diving Safari is also right next to the new Recompression chamber which is only about 3 years old.

Finally, we have also been on Southern Red Sea charters to St John's Reef (nearly Sudan). It used to be very remote as no-one else really went apart from the Coral Queen liveaboard but now it's more accessible by many other boats. The coral is in great condition, there are lots of wall dives to see sharks on and not many other boats to contend with. I'd go there before it gets too popular!

This area can be dived from shore by staying at Marsa Wadi Lahami camp (diving included) (again Oonasdivers) but there are some hotels appearing down there too.

I don't know what sea or weather conditions are like in Feb or March especially if you're planning a livaboard but hope you have a great time. Some of our club went to Diving Safari at Marsa Shagra in Feb (they wore semi-drysuits) about 5 years ago and had a good time but the wind procluded diving at Elphinstone for them. Our club is off to St Johns reef again on liveaboard next Wednesday. If it's changed at all I'll let you know.

Hope this helps.