Marsa Alam Mini Cruise (from Marsa Ghalib Port)

Abu Nuhas

About 2 1/2 hours cruising time from Hurghada lies the reef of Abu Nuhas - "The father of bad luck", so called because of the number of ships that have hit this reef over the years. The reef is to the north of Shaidwan Island, close to the main shipping channel from Suez and usually partially submerged making it dangerous for shipping.

Among the many ships that have hit the north side of the reef, 4 remain as diveable wrecks for recreational divers. Starting from the north they are:

• Kimon M - known as the "lentil wreck", the ship now lies against the reef with the bows pointing up the reef. The wreck starts at around 10 meters with a maximum depth of around 25 meters at the stern.
• Marcus - the "tile wreck", referred to in some guides as the Chrisoula K, another tile carrying ship, which is now believed to lie further from the reef in 65 meters. The bow of the Marcus is in 5 meters with the broken off stern in around 26 meters. This is a very easy wreck for the novice wreck diver due to the shallow area at the bow and the gently increasing depth down to the stern. The cargo of floor tiles can be seen clearly in the open holds.
• Carnatic - the "wine ship", which hit the reef and sank in 1869 on her way from Suez to India with a cargo of port wine and gold and silver bullion. The wreck is broken in 2 pieces and lies on its side on the reef with a depth range of 12 to 24 meters. The wreck is known for its huge bronze propeller and the beautiful corals that cover it after over 140 years on the sea bed.
• Ghiannis D - the "wooden ship," which was carrying a cargo of timber bound for Saudi Arabia. Stranded on the reef, the ship broke its back during a storm and sank in two pieces. The stern section has twin masts that reach up to 5 meters from the surface with the stern at 24 meters. The engine room can be visited by suitably qualified divers.

In addition to the wrecks it is also possible to dive on the other side of the reef at a site known as Paradise, which has a plateau with a huge coral garden and a drop off into deeper water.

Small Giftun

With the current carrying you, this dive is a relaxing exploration along a magnificent wall, where you can 'fly over' extensive stretches of large fan corals and if you look out into the blue it's not uncommon to see large tunas and trevallies. The dive leads to a sandy plateau dotted with numerous coral formations. Here it is common to see turtles, moray eels, crocodilefish and spotted stingrays, as well as schooling fusiliers and goatfish. Often done as a drift dive but can also be done as a normal dive where the boat is moored up. An excellent site for technical diving and courses.

Gubal Straits

Sites include:

• The Alternatives - About 30 minutes north west of Ras Mohamed is a system of flat top ergs, with names like "lonely mushroom", "stingray station" and sometimes known as the "seven pinnacles". Best dive is around the third or fourth erg from the east where the current sweeps through feeding pristine corals with bright vivid colours, however, the visibility can be effected in rough weather.
• Stingray Station - In the north-western part of the Alternatives there is a large roughly quadrangular outcrop known as Stingray Station. It gets its name because many Blue Spotted Stingrays gather here particularly in the spring months. It can be dived both as a mooring dive and as a drift dive and is very popular with snorkellers due to the shelter the reef provides and the shallowness of the surrounding water.
• Small Crack (Small Passage) - Small split in the middle of Shaab Mahmoud’s barrier. The tide empties and fills the inner lagoon twice daily, thus creating strong currents that promote an impressive explosion of life. Brilliant soft corals and resident flashlight fish also make it a premier night dive location - weather permitting.
• Shag Rock - Being so close to its neighbour, the Thistlegorm, this large circular reef is often overlooked. It offers excellent diving on pristine coral from any location on its perimeter. The sheltered southern point is the most dived location offering the opportunity for drifts along the west or east sides. Weather permitting the northern point hosts the wreck of the Kingston ('Sarah H') just below the surface (max. depth 12m). Large schools of yellow goat fish and sweet lips abound here and the area regularly patrolled by grey reef sharks. Weather permitting.
• Lonely Mushroom - A single large circular tower known as the Lonely Mushroom comes up from the sandy seabed and despite its relatively small size offers a great mooring dive for those that want an easy shallow dive and loves macro photography. Nudibranches and small shrimp are in their abundance hiding in amongst the numerous hard and soft corals. But be aware this site can sometimes be very difficult to find!
• Wreck of the Kingston - Shag Rock is situated about a mile south of Sha'ab Ali and 6 miles away from the wreck of the Thistlegorm. On the northern side of the reef lies a wreck which for a long time had been falsely called Sara H, an imaginary name that in reality does not apply to any ship. The wreck in fact was the British cargo vessel Kingston built in 1871 in Sunderland by Oswald Shipbuilding Co. which ran aground on the 22nd February 1881 whilst en-route to Aden, located in Southern Yemen with its cargo of coal. 78m long, 10m wide and 1449 tons this wreck lies in water of 4m down to 15m. The wreck is easily accessible and offers spectacular opportunities for photographers. There is an abundance of soft and hard corals and numerous and varied reef fauna. Divers need to be aware that this wreck should only be dived when conditions are good as strong currents are possible.

Wreck of the Thistlegorm

To most divers familiar to the Red Sea, this iconic wreck needs no introduction. It is a must-dive on quite a number of peoples to-do list, and whether you like wreck diving or not, the Thistlegorm is just incredible. Sunk in the same way as the 'Rosalie Moller' - just 48 hours and a few miles apart - The Thistlegorm truly is one of the best dives in the World. The Thistlegorm was carrying cargo for the War Effort in North Egypt, and every dive is a visit to an underwater museum, a place in time where the clocks stopped. Locomotives, various ammunition and Lee Enfield rifles, Bedford trucks, Triumph motorbikes and even airplane wings can still be found in The Thistlegorms cavernous holds.

Ras Mohamed

Ras Mohamed, declared a National Park in 1983, lies on the southern most tip of the Sinai and it is one of the best kept National Parks in Egypt. The sea near Sharm El Sheik is full of nutricients and therefore attracts a large amount of big fish. Steep walls covered in coral, going down to depth of 1000 meter, is the nature of diving in Ras Mohamed. It has earned itself a reputation as one of the top diving areas in the world. Sites include:

• Ras Ghozlani - One of the most beautiful dive sites in the area. Having been closed to divers for many years due to the turtle laying beach close by, this site has an extraordinary array of beautiful table corals, glassfish covered pinnacles and an overall stunning landscape. Entry fee: 5 Euro (paid locally).
• Ras Za'atar - Most northern dive of Ras Mohamed National Park, it is the southern entrance to the bay of Mersa Bareika. This is where the steep wall of Ras Mohamed, with caves and overhangs, meets the gentle slope of the bay of Mersa Bareika, and is scattered with colorful coral heads. Head north along the wall amongst big overhangs and dark gullies, the wall is swathed in sea fans, gorgonians and the odd sprig of black coral. Just before the corner look out for the chimney at 15m, home to malabar grouper. Look closer and find the cleaning stations with the wrasse and shrimp in attendance. Don't forget to check out the blue for schools of barracuda and jacks or the odd eagle ray cruising by. Entry fee: 5 Euro (paid locally).
• Jackfish Alley - the largest plateau in Ras Mohamed. Running across this plateau is a secondary or satellite reef which creates the sandy 'alley' through which fast currents are funnelled. In early spring, this is the site of the seasons' first mating fish; crowds of white pointy nosed blue Spangled Emperors congregate here for only a couple of weeks, occasionally giving divers the chance to see glimpses of.black tip sharks! Entry fee: 5 Euro (paid locally).
• Eel Garden - Eel Garden is situated in front of a small beach south of Jackfish Alley and immediately before Sharks Observatory. Eel Garden is well sheltered from the currents but since it is exposed to prevailing winds and waves divers must pay close attention to the condition of the sea. The dive is extremely easy and the route winds through the sandy plateau slightly inclined to the east opposite the beach. On the central part of the sandy ledge there is a small cave out of which appears to flow an impressive V-shaped stream of sand. The middle section of the plateau is populated by a lovely colony of Garden eels. Entry fee: 5 Euro (paid locally).
• Shark Observatory - The site is not aptly named as it is not noted for its shark sightings, however, it is a fantastic dive. Beneath the towering cliffs that continue below the surface to disappear into the deep abyss the wall is covered with soft coral and honeycombed with numerous gullies and canyons that are home to hoards of glass fish and hatchet fish herded by red mouth grouper. An overhang, fringed with sea fans at 10m, is a great place to watch the Trevallies, Jacks and Turtles passing in the blue. At the southern end Anemone city is worth a visit. Entry fee: 5 Euro (paid locally).
• Shark & Jolanda Reefs - Situated right at the tip of the Sinai this site is world renowned. Shark Reef, covered in stunning hard and soft corals, is a vertical wall dropping to charted depths of nearly 800m. Yolanda Reef has a wide plateau with a coral garden and masses of pinnacles, each one a cleaning station teeming with fish. Between Jolanda reef and the main reef lies the cargo of the wreck of the Yolanda. A 74m long cargo ship, she was transporting bathroom supplies and a BMW to the port of Aqaba when she struck the reef in 1980. She lay on her side until 1987 when she slid into the abyss, during a heavy storm, leaving her cargo behind for divers to explore today.
  Currents can be quite strong here, creating a kind of rollercoaster ride around these reefs in one direction or the other, depending on the prevailing current. Most of the year, divers enjoy looking out for scorpionfish, crocodilefish, groupers, turtles, tuna, huge morays and napoleons that frequent this dive site but in the summer, all focus changes to the water away from the reef where schools of fish collect together for mating; Twin spot (Bohar) Snapper, Red Snapper, batfish, unicornfish, barracudas and more which of course sometimes attracts the predators. Silkies, grey reefs, black tips and even tigers have been seen at this dive site.

The Wreck of the Dunraven

This historic wreck was a 79m British steam sail ship which was built in Newcastle and struck the reef in 1876 en route from Bombay to Liverpool. Soon after she slid off the reef and turned upside down and is now covered in so much coral growth, it is hard to tell where the reef stops and the wreck begins. After taking a look at her rudder and propeller, divers are taken through the hull of the wreck. Swimming inside Dunraven is like swimming through a Cathedral with beams of light pouring through her portholes. Old Hessian ropes and the remains of wooden cargo boxes bring this ship alive and the sight of her enormous boilers are a reminder of the magnificent age of steam engines. A safety stop on the reef brings schools of yellow goatfish, baby barracudas and a numerous of stonefish.

Rosalie Moller

Built in Glasgow in 1910, this 108.2m long vessel started life carrying cargo around Europe, before being re-registered in China in 1931. In 1938 the Rosalie Moller was requisitioned by the Royal Navy, transporting 'Best Welsh Coal' to a variety of UK Naval Ports. After joining the War effort - and a full overhaul - in July 1941 'The Rosie' set sail for Alexandria laden with 4680 tons of coal. A collision in the Suez Canal meant that she was unable to pass through, and was directed to 'Safe Anchorage H' until the way was cleared. On 5th October 1941, German Intelligence had reports of the Queen Mary being sighted in this area, and dispatched 2 Heinkel HE111's on a search and destroy mission. The Queen Mary was never found, but the merchant ship 'SS Thistlegorm' was, and was bombed and sunk on October 6th. The explosion from the Thistlegorm was so massive, that it lit up the night sky, exposing 'Rosie' in Anchorage H. 48hrs later on 7th October, the same fate was delivered to Rosalie Moller.
Today the Rosalie Moller sits upright on the seabed with the main deck at 30-32 meters. Apart from a hole in the port side near the stern, where the bomb exploded, the only other major damage is the collapsed funnel and the stern mast, which was broken off more recently due to dive boats tying onto it. The wreck is home to large groupers and lion fish and a huge number of glass fish. Large tuna and jack fish patrol the wreck in search of smaller fish.

Abu Nuhas

About 2 hours cruising time from El Gouna lies the reef of Abu Nuhas - "The father of bad luck", so called because of the number of ships that have hit this reef over the years. The reef is to the north of Shaidwan Island, close to the main shipping channel from Suez and usually partially submerged making it dangerous for shipping.

Among the many ships that have hit the north side of the reef, 4 remain as diveable wrecks for recreational divers. Starting from the north they are:

• Kimon M - known as the "lentil wreck", the ship now lies against the reef with the bows pointing up the reef. The wreck starts at around 10 meters with a maximum depth of around 25 meters at the stern.
• Marcus - the "tile wreck", referred to in some guides as the Chrisoula K, another tile carrying ship, which is now believed to lie further from the reef in 65 meters. The bow of the Marcus is in 5 meters with the broken off stern in around 26 meters. This is a very easy wreck for the novice wreck diver due to the shallow area at the bow and the gently increasing depth down to the stern. The cargo of floor tiles can be seen clearly in the open holds.
• Carnatic - the "wine ship", which hit the reef and sank in 1869 on her way from Suez to India with a cargo of port wine and gold and silver bullion. The wreck is broken in 2 pieces and lies on its side on the reef with a depth range of 12 to 24 meters. The wreck is known for its huge bronze propeller and the beautiful corals that cover it after over 140 years on the sea bed.
• Ghiannis D - the "wooden ship," which was carrying a cargo of timber bound for Saudi Arabia. Stranded on the reef, the ship broke its back during a storm and sank in two pieces. The stern section has twin masts that reach up to 5 meters from the surface with the stern at 24 meters. The engine room can be visited by suitably qualified divers.

In addition to the wrecks it is also possible to dive on the other side of the reef at a site known as Paradise, which has a plateau with a huge coral garden and a drop off into deeper water.

Bluff Point/Barge

At the gate of the Straits of Gubal, 'Bluff Point' draws its name from the turbulence created by strong currents that beat the eastern most wall of the island. Huge fan corals cover an impressive drop off with caves and glass fish. Sightings of turtles and napoleon fish are not uncommon. A barge wreck lies on the reef 300m north of the lighthouse, starting at 5m depth and sloping to 25m. The barge is literally crammed full of fish, along with several lion fish. Good night dive.

Shaab El Erg

Literally this means the corals and the pinnacles. This is horseshoe shaped reef over 5 km long directly east from El Gouna. The lagoon behind the reef is home to a large number of Bottlenose Dolphins and although they roam throughout this area of the Red Sea, this reef system is the best chance for divers and snorkelers to see them in the wild. There are seven or more dives possible here the most common being:

• Dolphin House - situated at the northern end of the reef the dive site consists of the main reef the large coral block, or gotta, next to it and the channel between them. Two dives are made here every Thursday on different parts of the site. The channel is used by dolphins travelling in and out of the lagoon and a memorable underwater encounter is the highlight of a dive here. In addition this dive site is home to turtles, moray eels, napoleon wrasse, crocodile fish, rays, large shoals of goat fish, cornet fish, scorpion fish and many colorful corals can be seen on the reef, gotta and the small pinnacles found here.
• Poseidon Garden - this dive is on a large coral block in the lagoon behind the main reef. There is a very large coral garden next to the reef consisting of huge table corals and brain corals. Between and on the corals, clams of many sizes and colors can be seen, plus large numbers of masked puffer fish. Large shoals of banner fish and butterfly fish can always be seen here. This dive is also often done as a drift so that more of the coral formations can be visited.
• Manta Point - this dive site is on the outside of the reef close to the lighthouse at the centre of the reef. Turtles, moray eels and most types of Red Sea fish can be seen here, possibly even a reef shark, as well as the possibility of Mantas in season.

Brother Islands

The Brother Islands are the pinnacles of two undersea mountains rising from the depths of the abyss and are located about 60 miles offshore. Part of the Marine Park Islands National Park, these islands offer stunning wall diving, with the walls being covered in soft corals and forests of gorgonians, creating a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

• Big Brother: The northerly of the two islands and has a small lighthouse. It has two wrecks laying on its walls. At the northern most tip of the island lays a large freighter named the Namibia, the other is the Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel that struck at night. There is excellent wall diving all along the southern side of the reef with strong currents promoting the growth of a spectacular forest of soft corals. Frequent sightings of big pelagics and an astonishing variety of marine life.
• Small Brother: This island is the smaller of the two as the name implies. At the northern end is a long tongue of reef that extends seaward and in good weather it is possible to drop in here and drift. The current runs from east to west and here sharks may be seen cruising. On the south east side is a superb fan coral forest but it is deep and starts at 35m, there are also plenty of caves, overhangs, black coral, and lots of pelagics including sharks, tuna, barracuda, turtles and schools of reef fish. As you round the southern corner the slope gives way to a vertical wall where you can catch a glimpse of a silver tip shark. In summer thresher sharks are seen here, in October grey reef sharks gather to mate and divers have also reported schooling hammerheads and groups of sailfish in this area. Before you know it your computer will tell you it time to head back to the boat having had the most spectacular diving.

Panorama Reef

One of the highlights of the area. Huge coral formations with walls dropping to over 200m. Numerous grottos and overhangs, gorgonians and soft corals. Jacks, barracudas and reef sharks often visit the area. Panorama is also the home of Anemone City, ranging from 14m up to 5m over 40 Magnificent anemones offer homes to hundreds of feisty clownfish. A stunning spot for your safety stop! The north plateau is a stunning array of purple soft corals and a south bound current offers a thrilling drift!

Salem Express

The 'Salem Express' is a wreck with a tragic history. Built in 1966, not much is known of the history of the ship, other than disaster struck her close to midnight, on 15th December 1991.

The Salem was packed with passengers returning from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, bound for the port of Safaga, when on that fateful night she struck one of the banks of coral that just break the surface south of Hyndman Reef (near Sha'b Shear), off Safaga in the Egyptian Red Sea. It was a stormy night and rescue teams failed to help. The collision gouged out a hole in the forward part of the hull, causing the stern door to burst open.

The ferry very quickly began to take on water and in only a matter of minutes she had sunk. There are claims that the number of passengers actually aboard the Salem when she sank was much, much higher than the official count of 690, with only 180 survivors. There may have been as many as 1600 people who perished in the tragedy, but many different counts have been provided. However many unfortunates perished, it should be noted that this is a grave as well as a wreck and must be treated with the utmost respect.

Daedalus

A huge round reef with a lighthouse more than 40 miles away from the coast, features an excellent opportunity for spotting big pelagics including manta rays. All around its steep walls you will see an extreme variety of fish and coral. Good chance to see schooling hammerheads on the northern point. Strong currents possible.

Elphinstone

A world famous offshore reef, Elphinstone is the jewel in our crown. Sheer walls and sometimes currents at exhilarating speeds make this one for advanced divers only but it will be one you remember. Dive the east wall in the morning and the west in the afternoon to make the most of the sun, and light up the abundant soft corals. Anthias smother the walls and large gorgonian fans and black corals hide critters such as the infamous longnose hawkfish. Keep an eye out in the blue for resident schools of snapper, large barracuda and enormous Napoleon wrasse.
The north and south plateaus drop to over 40mt in depth but can be a place for very special encounters - manta rays, silvertip, tiger, grey reef and hammerhead sharks have all been seen here and cruising the shallows at the right time of year can be curious silky and oceanic whitetip sharks.

Abu Kafan

Possibly the best dive in Safaga. A 300m long, narrow barrier features a 'plateau' in both north and south extremes, teeming with anthias and soft corals. Superb wall diving dropping off to over 300m with overhangs covered in soft and black coral and giant gorgonians. Frequent sightings of jacks, tuna, barracuda, reef sharks and the occasional hammerhead.

Wreck of the Ulysses

On the 16th August 1887 the Ulysses had left Suez and entered the Red Sea. In the early hours she struck Island of Gobal Seghir, in the busy Straits of Gobal. The damage at first seemed slight and another ship was asked to send for assistance from Suez. The Ulysses was grounded on a coral reef just north of Bluff Point. However, it was not until the 20th that help arrived and by then the reef had inflicted major damage on the ship and it had to be abandoned. The Ulysses is 91 m long. Her stern is at 27 m and bows in the shallows.

Today, well over 100 years later, the Ulysses is a stunning dive site. Her deck planking has long since gone, opening up her rear section like a giant rib cage. Glassfish and sweepers have congregated here in their hundreds making for some lovely photographs. It is easy to swim into the stern section (take care as soft corals cover the wreck) and the missing decking means that exit points can be easily found. As you head amidships most of the ship is badly broken and you will see a number of large cable drums. The bow (as shallow as 6 metres) is very broken having been constantly battered in the shallow waters, however a multitude of Red Sea fish, such as antheas, bannerfish and hoards of butterflyfish drift lazily around the wreckage. The coral reef here is also impressive with layer upon layer of stone corals, acropora table coral and raspberry coral.

Wreck of the Carina

The Carina was a large sail and steam ship from around the 1880 era and a large number of household bricks scattered amongst the wreckage suggests that this was her cargo. This is a shallow dive with the majority of the wreckage in 10m or less and the edge of the reef at a similar depth of 12-14m. The corner of the reef where the wreckage lies slopes gently up with table coral after table coral overlaid and has some of the best examples of hard coral in the area.

Wreck of the El Minya (Harbour Wreck)

An Egyptian minesweeper sunk by Israeli fighters while lying at anchor in 1969, this wreck lies in 30m on a rock sea bed. The current here can be strong from the north and the visibility poor. There is a large debris field which contains a lot of 'LIVE" munitions, worth a look, but carefully. The wreck is only 70m long so there is plenty of time to explore everything including the blast hole on the starboard side, which can be penetrated. Penetration is not recommended elsewhere on this wreck. There is not much in the way of coral growth on the wreck but it does have its resident fish life. The blast hole gives shelter to shoals of glassfish and a lone anemone and resident clownfish are also in this area. Above the wreck are shoals of jacks and small barracuda.

Wreck of the Suzanna

The Suzanna (or Excalibur) was a live-aboard vessel or safari boat which sank in 1995. The reason for her sinking is not sure but traces of fire have been found. She lies on her side in a small sand lagoon and has many openings which can be explored. Be careful though as she hasn't found her final resting place yet. Unfortunately, the mast with all its fitting rests on the ocean floor as diving boats have struck and damaged it.

Tiran

Sites include:

• Jackson Reef - Superb wall diving around its entire perimeter. The locally named "Aquarium" is Tiran's most popular. 'Jackson Drift' is Sharm's' fastest and most exhilarating drift dive past a stunning wall bursting with prolific coral growth. In August, September and early October, divers dive off the back of Jackson hoping to glimpse the school of scalloped hammerheads which are often sighted there.
• Woodhouse - Located between Thomas reef and Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef is narrow and long and thus offers no shelter at all to boats. This dive is done only as a drift dive. The most interesting part of the reef is the northern half of the eastern side, with a canyon that opens at a depth of about 30m. To one side of the canyon you will find an amazing specimen of a red anemone, brightly luminescent and a photographers dream. It has great potential for Sea Turtles, Jackfish and Eagle Rays but divers do need to be careful of strong currents at the northern end and poor weather conditions upon surfacing the dive. Local scuba divers have nicknamed the area between Woodhouse Reef and Jackson Reef the 'washing machine' due to a powerful eddy caused by whirling currents and strong winds.
• Gordon Reef - Gordon Reef is known and easily identified by the wreck of the Panamanian cargo ship Loullia (3461 tonnes) which ran aground in September 1981. Best done as a drift dive you have the opportunity to observe various species of coral, small nudibranches hidden in the crevices and the soft corals, White Tip Reef Sharks and Eagle rays. Half way along the reef you will spot many metal drums which have formed into an artificial reef and homes Octopus and different types of eel such as Moray, Peppered and Gold edged morays. Divers need to be careful of strong current at the north and southern ends of this reef.
• Thomas Reef - Tiran's smallest reef with plunging walls covered with soft coral, gorgonians and colourful fish life. The west wall is darker with overhangs and caves full of glassfish and sweepers. Residents include a school of large barracuda, and in summer months, some of the largest tuna we have ever seen!
• Wreck of the Kormoran - On the north of Tiran Island, this can only be dived in extremely good sea conditions but is an absolute gem. The twisted wreckage of this large container ship is in only 6 - 8 metres of water and surrounded by prolific hard coral.
• Laguna Reef - The western side of Tiran Island itself is divided into two parts which scuba divers generally refer to as North and South Laguna. Both marked by beacons these are beautiful drift dives which can be done only when the weather conditions are exceptionally good. The area is strongly influenced by tidal currents which will determine the southerly or northerly direction of your dives which should be made preferably in the afternoon. Rich in coral and reef fauna it is possible to observe Leopard Sharks and White Tip Reef Sharks.

Dahab

Sites include:

• Blue Hole/The Bells - One of the most famous dive sites in the Red Sea situated 12 km north of Dahab. The Blue Hole has an almost circular shape 150 meters wide and 110 meters deep and connects with the sea through a tunnel 26 meters long at a depth of 52 meters (for technical divers only). The best way to enjoy this dive site is by doing a drift dive starting at El Bells (situated 250 meters north) and finishing the dive in the Blue Hole. El Bells is a half open chimney that reaches a depth of 30 meters and have an arch at 26 meters. The wall is there magnificent. It is vertical and in part overhanging with a rich growth of black corals and elephant ear sponges and sea fans. In the deep blue, chance is to spot Yellowfin Tunas, Orangespotted Trevallies, school of Red Sea Fusiliers, and the resident Napoleon Wrasses.
  By getting shallower and closer to the lip of the Blue Hole the attraction is also lying on the rich sloping reef. The saddle which allows the entrance to the inside of the Blue Hole is 7 meters deep only. Here is a beautiful coral garden teeming of life. The end of the dive will enable you to skirt around the inner walls of the Blue Hole where you could observe Octopus, many Starfishes and Scorpionfishes.
• The Canyon - This site takes its name from a long, narrow and very beautiful canyon created by an ancient volcanic activity. The huge fissure now overgrown with hard and soft corals runs north to south from the shallow reef just off shore to a depth of around 54 meters on the reef slope further out (ideal for technical divers).
  Access to the site is through a shallow and sandy lagoon laying a few steps form the shore line. It is inhabited by a rich fauna comprising Butterflyfishes, Bluespine Unicornfishes, Cornetfishes and even juvenile Barracudas. On the most western point there is a saddle serving as an entry (and exit) point to the open sea and a coral garden. Among the large range of reef fish here, some notable residents include the Pufferfish, Snappers, Lyretail and Coral Grouper, Basslets and Red Sea Anthias.
  The entry to the Canyon is done through it largest point at 22 meters. The progression through the Canyon is easy and the light effect caused by the sun rays is surreal.
  The exit of the Canyon is done through a huge hard coral block with a man-sized opening in this coral hummock. The numerous small cracks of this coral block allow the air bubbles emitted by scuba divers to escape giving a fantastic touch to the scenery.
• Eel Garden - This dive site is named after the huge population of Garden Eels. These small creatures swaying in the gentle current stretch for food particles passing by and disappear gently when divers are coming close by. After swimming over the reef platform the entry of the dive site is through a small channel that leads to the main reef. The sandy bottom is home for the garden eels that come out and wave with the water and friendly Batfishes. The reef slope has got an excellent selection of coral growth with both stony and soft species and this colorful and shallow reef boasts large numbers of Lionfishes, Damsels, Parrots, Groupers, Scorpionfishes and plenty of Sand Gobies. The whole area is great for photography.
• The Islands - The Islands dive site is a remarkable site for the richness and development of its hard coral reef which creates a real labyrinth to dive through. The landscape offers the opportunity to observe a large variety of Porites and Brain corals within the Island and Acropora table corals over the sandy plateau. Box fish and Crododile fish are part of the common representatives of reef fauna that can be seen through the three pools and the sand road that lead to the small immerged hard coral island that gave the site its name. A resident school of juvenile Barracudas and blue fin Trevallies are frequently spotted.

Gabr El Bint

Gabr El Bint means the "Tomb of the girl" and it is the southern dive site of Dahab. Part of the attraction of this site is the novelty of the commute- by camel loaded down with high-tech diving gear along the inaccessible coastline between Dahab and Nabeq.
The first dive is done to the north of a hard coral buttress that you can see from the shore. The underwater landscape is fantastic with a wall running around the north point of a curving bay and descending to more than 50 meters depth decorated with table corals, black coral. Within the bay, the wall begins at around depth of 8 to 20 meters and give life to shelters and small caves, it is of outstanding beauty.
The second dive is done south of the hard coral buttress. In shore, a large sandy lagoon dotted with coral heads lies just next to a hard coral buttress. It is an excellent place to spot Rays and numerous Crocodile fishes. The upper reef slope widens with a true forest of soft corals. It is exceptional and teeming of life. Beautiful Gorgonians and impressive Cabbage corals lie down between 12 and 30 meters.
This is one of the most unusual sites along the Sinai coast.

Ras Mamlach

The reef starts at about 12 m, with a beautiful coral garden and on to a steep wall that bottoms out at 70 m plus. Beautiful fan and table corals covered with soft corals and the intensive blue of the Gulf of Aqaba create a fantastic picture. The variety of the underwater life opens a new world; Barracudas, Jackfish, Groupers and much, much more. Two dives are not enough to see everything!

Nuweiba

Sites include:

• Ras El Shetan - Devils Head - North of Nuweiba is one of the best known dive sites. The southern side of the reef starts at 12 metres where we hit the reef plateau covered by an incredible variety of hard corals and drops down sharply to a depth of 40 metres in the canyon; it is the home of octopus, puffer fish and moon groupers. This scenery leaves fantastic memories.
  The northern side of the reef which reveals a completely different structure. There is a beautiful coral garden with colourful and healthy coral blocks. The table corals are impressive ranging in size from a few centimetres to 3 metres in diameter. Along with various other hard and soft corals it has often been likened to a "Japanese garden", home to many fish including the very brightly coloured Lemon Goby and the Blue Green Puller.
• El Magana - The reef starts just 20 metres from the beach at a depth of 5 metres. Our first dive takes us to the left side along a wall where the reef drops to 35 metres. A break in the coral plate forms a canyon, which we fin through at a depth of around 20-25m from where we head back through a coral garden to the exit. After a surface interval we start the second dive heading right this time along the coral reef plate. This is a very similar site to the first with some large fish and plenty of healthy corals. Both reefs are mainly hard corals and with a little bit of luck you can spot Napoleons, barracudas and seahorses.
• M.F.O. Pipeline - M.F.O. is an abbreviation for "Multi-National Force and Observers".
  The dive starts along two desalination pipes that were put there by the Israeli Army in the late seventies. Both pipes start at 5 metres and stretch out horizontally, sloping gradually down to 12 metres and 20 metres respectively. The pipes are around 5 metres apart and over the years have become overgrown with soft corals and small table corals. This has attracted an abundance of fish to shelter around the pipes.
  A short swim north from the pipes we find the reef at a depth between 14 and 20 metres with a collection of small pinnacles, coral heads and masses of soft corals blanketing the bottom. The fish life is abundant with Jackfish, Grouper, Parrotfish and sometimes Leopard rays.
• Abou Lou Lou - The house reef lies just to the left of the jetty, off the hotels private beach. The main reef lies between 5 and 20 metres of depth, ideal for beginners and experienced divers alike, because of the concentration and diversity of the fish life present. Puffers, Morays, Groupers, Surgeonfish, Shrimps and crabs just to mention a few. A more appropriate name would be "Lion Fish City" as you spot easily more than 20 Lion Fish on any given dive! As darkness descends on Abou Lou Lou it becomes a "must" dive site.
• Sinkers - During the seventies the Israeli Navy decided to place a large mooring buoy just off the beach, but unfortunately the water was deeper than expected and they dropped the 25 meter chain in 35 metres of water. The buoy disappeared under the surface and since then it hangs suspended at a depth of 8 - 12 metres. Slowly circling the big chains, you can admire the wonderful coloured soft corals that cover the whole length up to the buoy. Continuously schools of blue fusilier fishes shoot up and down full speed as they are chased by jackfish. As you reach the buoy itself it's hard to focus on one thing because of the profusion of fish life including Glass Fish, Damsels and Banded Boxer Shrimps.
• El Mazeriq - The site is about 7 km south of Nuweiba. After a gentle shore entry through a break in the coral plate one sees rolling coral "hills" bottoming out in sandy bottomed "valleys". Beautiful hard corals form the hills, which you will swim over and around exploring the valleys at between 20 - 25 metres. At the end of the dive is a spectacular five meter high brain coral, affectionately named Brian's Brain.

Ras Abu Galum

Different and important ecosystems are present in the protected area of Ras Abu Galum such as well developed coral, beautiful coastline bordered by high mountains. Ras Abu Galum can be reached by camels. The one day camel dive safari is the most popular and the best way to enjoy this famous dive location where two or even three dives can be done in summer. After reaching the Blue Hole by jeep, and loading the camels with the diving equipment, the camel ride will take you on a path along the fascinating rocky coast for an hour and a half. The dives will give you the opportunity to see a fantastic underwater landscape. On the North part of the coast after entering in a pool with sandy bottom, swim over the small ridge of coral and at about 6 meters a huge Madrepore tower with plenty of glassfish will be in front of you. Then a hard coral plateau with massive pore coral, beautiful table coral, Broccoli coral start will where Breams and Parrots and Angelfishes make their home.
On the south part of the dive site, the plateau gives place to a fantastic drop off with beautiful tower of coral on the top. Huge pufferfishes, school of Trevallies, Emperorfishes and Snappers are living here.

Fury Shoals

A network of hard coral formations make up the complex reef system of the Fury Shoals. Inhabited by a variety of pelagic fish, dolphins and several species of shark, Fury Shoals is a diverse coral garden and a spectacular dive site. Aside from the endless colourful sea life, the lagoon also contains the wrecks of a tugboat and a sailing ship for your exploration.

For an easy introduction to cavern diving, there is probably no finer setting than the reefs of the Fury Shoals (and the nearby St Johns). At a few special places, divers can explore capacious swim-throughs, gulleys and canyons, at the same time enjoying some of the most impressive hard coral scenery anywhere in the world.

Sites include:

• Abu Galawa Soraya - The northern edge of the Fury Shoal group, this reef has a fantastic hard coral garden and the wreck of a private sailing boat on the western side, which is packed with glass fish.
• Shaab Claudio - In the centre of Fury Shoal, famous for its large labyrinths of swim throughs. Huge porite corals and a resident Napoleon. Often white tip reef sharks can be spotted as well as an anemone and clownfish settlement on a small pinnacle a little off the reef to the south.

St Johns

St. Johns Reef is a chain of reefs with a wealth of dive sites close by; renowned for being as far South as you will get. Because all its dive sites are close to each other, you can easily travel from one place to the next, adding variety and diversity to your dives with drop-offs, tunnels and dramatic hard-coral formations.

The reef formation at St Johns is not the only thing that will leave a lasting impression on you; the marine life and colours of the soft corals are amongst the best in the Red Sea. There's a strong chance that dolphins and pelagics will join your dives, placing St Johns firmly in your treasure trove of memories.

Sites include:

• Habili Ali - This dive offers giant gorgonians and black corals whilst grey reef, silvertip and schools of hammerhead sharks might be found on the west side.
• Habili Gafaar - A mass of soft corals teeming with shoals of snappers, butterfly fish and barracudas. Mantas, grey reef and silvertip sharks can be seen in the blue.
• Gota Kebir - This is a massive reef, famous for its tunnels and south plateau, where jacks and barracudas can be seen and the occasional manta. The tunnels are ideal for novice cave divers.
• Gota Soraya - One of the best wall dives in the Red Sea, with overhangs and cracks in the reef wall full of glass fish and sweepers and an abundance of corals, grey reef, silvertips and hammerhead sharks.

St Johns Caves

St Johns Caves, or Umm Kharalim, makes for a memorable dive. Here shallow cracks in the reef plate open into caverns and overhangs. It's truly unique and a photographer's paradise with silvery slivers of sunlight filtering through into the tunnels.

Rocky Island

Tiny rock emerging a few feet out of the water, it offers one of the most incredible underwater scenarios of the whole Red Sea. Steep walls falling into the deep blue, currents, soft corals and a great abundance of pelagics and all kinds of fish.

Zabargad

Enormous mountain coming out of the water surrounded by a lagoon and circling reef. A couple of wrecks and some decent diving with a great variety of both corals and reef fish.

Abu Dabab

A collection of 7 reefs. Offers sheltered diving in rough weather conditions. Popular overnight location due to close proximity to the famous Elphinstone reef with a very good chance to see Spanish dancers on the night dive. Many swim throughs and caves. Often sightings of reef sharks on the southern outer reefs.

Shaab Sharm (Gota Sharm)

Often used as a stopping point on the trips down/back from St John's to Marsa Ghalib Port, Shaab Sharm is a large oval reef with walls - both a good day or night dive.

Shaab Marsa Alam

Ideal for divers of all levels. There's an old wooden shipwreck to investigate, a swim-through and sometimes dolphins and sharks visit the area.

Shaab Samadai or Dolphin House

This horseshoe shaped reef creates a shallow turquoise lagoon where a large school of spinner dolphins can often be seen. Several dives are found on its outer walls. The western tip provides a large group of pinnacles rising to the surface from a carpet of seagrass, populated by schools of reef fish.

Abu Galawa Soraya

The 'Small Father of the Pool" is a stunning reef with a lot of variety. The small wreck of a 17mt sailing boat sitting at 18mt depth offers a lot of fish life while still remaining intact after more than 25 years. Soft and hard corals abound in sections of the reef, and there are plenty of pinnacles to explore offering dive options at depths down to 24mt.

Abu Galawa Kebir

The "Small Father of the Pool" is close to its smaller sister, Abu Galawa Soraya and can be popular for liveabaord boats seeking overnight shelter. The Tien Hsing Chinese tugboat would be one of the most famous wrecks in the Red Sea if it was located further North, due to some stunning soft and hard coral bouquets running the length of the 34mt tug.

But the wreck is not the only reason to visit, as the large reef provides plenty of opportunity for other dives along the walls, pinnacles and swim-thrus typical of the stunning reefs of Fury Shoals.

Sha'ab Maksur

A large and varied reef that is often compared to the Red Sea classic Elphinstone. Offering more protection from the waves than the aforementioned however, steep drop offs and strong currents make it a dive where some experience is beneficial. North and South plateaus start at around 20mt and extend to around 40mt, although the South plateau has some pinnacles on that can be enjoyed on the ascent and safety stop.

On the plateaus and drifting down the east wall, you can encounter some species that make a proud entry to your logbook. Hammerheads, reef sharks, mantas and whale sharks have all visited Maksour!

Sha'ab Claudio

Sha'ab Claudio can be found on most Deep South liveaboard itineraries, and is rated as a top dive site by most in the know. It is an easy dive with little current and no need for depth, but it captivates divers and enthralls photographers with it's shallow swim-thru system perfect for leisurely exploration. With 5 entrances and exits and shallow in depth, you're never 'lost' and you can just enjoy the shafts of light dancing through the caverns. Rays, nudibranchs, large napoleon wrasse and morays are all frequently spotted here.

Sha'ab Sataya

Situated south of Fury Shoal, this huge natural lagoon is formed by a massive reef (sha'ab) rising from the depths. The fame of Sataya is rising, with steep drop offs along with pelagic sightings, and protected pinnacles smothered in soft and hard corals. But the real stars can be the huge pods of spinner dolphins that frequent here, meaning Sataya has become the 'Dolphin House' of Hamata.