Scuba Diving Hurghada Dive Holiday Egypt Red Sea

Surrounded by vast deserts, the Red Sea expands 2000 km (1300 miles) from the north, the Gulf of Aqaba, to Bab el Mandeb in the south.

The Gulf of Aqaba ending at the Straits of Tiran reaches a length of 180 km (110 miles).Following the Syrian-African Rift Valley the Gulf is 25 km (14 miles) wide, and 1800 m (6000 feet) deep. Fringing coral reefs developed all along the coast line.

There are many special aspects in this area : Water temperature is relatively constant. During summer maximun 28 º C and in winter not less than 21 º C. Seldom storms and rainfall (occasionally in winter), as well as mild currents prevent sediments to slow coral growth and allow excellent visiblility.

The itinerary of the one-week southern excursions includes reefs like Elphinestone, Abu Dabab, Samadai and Wadi Gamal and start in El Quseir. The so-called deep south safaris depart from the small port of Marsa Alam. In comparison to the reefs around Sinai, Hurghada and Safaga, it is necessary to cruise much longer distances. These reefs are far away of each other and to reach St. John we even have to cruise during the night.

The depth of most of the dives range between 10 - 25m. The exceptions are Elphinestone, Shab Sharm, Furyshoal and St. John’s.

Simply get geared up in the center and walk 50 m to the water edge and you start to dive. Here you will encounter all the sea life you can imagine. All kind of moray eels including the giant moray, schools of juvenile barracudas, sweet lips, rays and many more. It is important to know where to find these treasures.

The bay contains large areas of sand and sea grass. Here you will find a kind of marine life you cannot see on the drop offs and coral gardens. Many different kind of nudibranches and wart slugs, ghost pipe fish, shrimpfish, seahorses, crocodile and stone fish.