Photo by Keith McKay

After two very nice morning dives, I was a little disappointed when the Captain said we had to move as the wind had changed direction. Due to an unusual south wind we headed to Marsa Mubarak South reef.

We jumped in on a site that I knew had amazing corals and there to greet us were lots of big red snapper and spotted sweetlips.

Suddenly I was aware of a diver getting my attention. I turned to look and above us were five big bottlenose dolphins.

They came down to inspect us, swimming very close. They surfaced for air and then came back, playing around us before disappearing off into the blue.  Of course we were all elated, but it was time to turn back.

Swimming over a stunning hard coral garden we were still totally enjoying our encounter, when they came back! This time they started mimicking us swimming and coming even closer, right up to us as we made our way to the boat. WOW!  An incredible experience, made even better by a guest who was an instructor with over 2500 dives coming to me with tears in his eyes, saying he had never had a better dive.

Just goes to show that when you think that moving dive sites is a bad decision, surprises can happen and make your day.

Go diving in Marsa Alam - a whole lot more information awaits you here.

The Dive Tribe has an excellent reputation for quality, safety and service. Established in October 1999, the centre has won several awards for excellence and is now managed by award-winning Red Sea dive company, Emperor Divers. Together, the centre offers the full range of day diving and dive courses and a variety of water sports.

Longwood is offering some excellent deals for groups so book your new diving experience today:
info.reservations@emperordivers.com
or
www.longwoodholidays.co.uk

or

www.regal-diving.co.uk

Sinai Mini Cruise
- Ras Mohammed - Dunraven - Thistlegorm

Sinai Classic Cruise
Ras Mohammed - Thistlegorm - Abu Nuhas or Straits of Tiran

Deep North
Ras Mohammed - Ras Mamlach - Ras Abu Galum - Dahab - Nuweiba

With prices at just over £290 for a mini cruise...what are you waiting for? 

Email info.safaris@emperordivers.com today

Marsa Alam Dive Centre Manager, Vanessa Ronecker and Tom Bauer, Area General Manager for InterContinental Hotels in Port Ghalib, are pictured preparing for the giant leap!

Following his first diving experience, Tom decided to start his open water course straight away. During their dive they were accompanied by a little hawksbill turtle, lionfish and loads of anthias. Guests can choose morning or afternoon dives and even really early morning and night dives!

Click here for more on diving in Marsa Alam

Sailing from Hamata port to destination unknown, we will be exploring some of the reef systems and Habilis further south of St John's where normal safari boats don't venture.

Technical divers are welcome on the trip to help explore, map and discover new dive sites in the most southern area of the Red Sea.

Cost is 1300 Euros per person, which includes cabin, 7 nights on board (last night either on board or in a hotel), 6 days diving (min 3 dives/day, last day 2 dives), local transfers, guide, weights, full board & soft drinks, wine with dinner, environmental tax, Marine Park fees and port departure fees. Not included: Flight/visa, diving equipment, alcohol.  

Email tekstreme@emperordivers.com for more information.

Then just the next day, the Zaher family from Switzerland went out on the speedboat for a one-tank dive in Marsa Mubarak. On their way out of the marina they spotted eight bottlenose dolphins and actually went snorkelling with them. What a fabulous family experience! Wait for it...on their dive in Marsa Mubarak south they found two eagle rays passing them on a sandy spot! Yet another magical Marsa day.

The extent of damage to corals is to be assessed.

The reason for the incident is not known as yet.

Our thanks to Simon Burrows, aged 12, who is currently diving with Emperor Sharm for these photos of the incident.

First thing one morning en route to the first dive at Fanous West, the lucky passengers on Sea Dream came across a school of dolphins - some 25 in number and were able to snorkel with them. As if that wasn't enough on the 3rd dive of the day, at Fanous East, the group dived with three dolphins for up to 77 minutes - and Angela Munroe, trip organiser from Dive Odyssea, took some great pictures to prove it!

Sharks were also on the agenda for the week with 2m white tip reef shark spotted on a drift dive at Small Giftun and a baby white tip popped up to say hello at Sha'ab Adel (aka Habili Gota) on the very last dive of the holiday.

He (she?) wasn't alone on that last dive with 2 eagle rays right at the start of the dive (see Angela's photo), two Great Barracuda and a very photogenic leopard shark - Simon Cooper took full advantage - see above!

All in all a fantastic week - and what is most encouraging is that dive guides in Hurghada are unanimous in saying that there is more and more activity on the reefs this year than previously - especially the "big stuff"! So come on down to Hurghada for a week of great diving as well as all the benefits this buzzing resort has to offer.

In just 6 days, this is the 'A' list line up for marine life sightings that guests at Emperor Sharm have enjoyed.

Now is the time to book those flights and let Emperor do the rest (well the fish play a bit of a part in it too...)

HEPCA (Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association) - of which Emperor Divers is a founding member - has issued the following useful and informative statement - it's worth a read.

"Recent reports of Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) sightings at Elphinstone and the reaction of some divers to encountering these sharks under water prompted us to release this statement to all of you.

Meeting one of these magnificent creatures is an absolute privilege, that not many people will have a chance to experience. But remember what you are dealing with, a species that is second only to the Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in number of reported shark attacks worldwide. Despite this fact, a Tiger Shark is not a dangerous animal per se.

They are, however, among THE top predators in the sea, and probably the least discriminative shark species in terms of feeding habits and items. Coupled with a maximum length of more than 5 meters, they must be treated with great caution and respect.

But there is no reason for hysteria or panic. Following some simple behavioral rules and having basic knowledge on shark biology does help to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Calm and controlled behavior from the human side is the key to an enjoyable and truly impressive encounter. As a predator, a shark will react with interest to erratic or hectic movements, as well as to rapid ascents (especially directly above it).
Stay alert, keep looking around you, so that they don't have the chance to sneak up on you or startle you. Staying next to the reef helps you keeping the overview and limits the open areas around you.

Properly brief any divers entering the water on what to expect, and try to evaluate, if they are experienced enough for a possible shark encounter.

It is generally people, that are creating dangerous situations with sharks... Feel free to report unusual sightings or behaviors from any of your dives."