Local Sites
Boat Dive
Large horseshoe-shaped reef surrounded by an exceptionally well-preserved hard and soft coral garden. Sha’ab Samadai is the mating and breeding site for spinner dolphins and one of the most protected national parks of the Red Sea. To protect the animals, the interior of the reef has been divided into 3 zones. Zone A is only for the dolphins, Zone B is the snorkeling zone, Zone C is for divers. On the south-west side of the reef there is a chain of numerous outlying reefs that extend to below the surface and are therefore the starting point for a dive in the beautiful hard and soft coral garden. One of these reef blocks is streaked by a cave system which is reserved for experienced divers. Spinner dolphins, turtles, anemone fish, moray eels, seaweed ghost pipefish and much more can be seen.
Boat Dive
Departure is from the diving center at “The Oasis”, and mode of travel with a minibus approximately 22 km to Marsa Alam. There we transfer onto the boat with a further travel time of approximately 1:30 hrs to Elphinstone Reef. Elphinstone Reef, which rises steeply from the depths, can be divided into 4 diving regions. The northern plateau descends steeply from around 2 m to 22 m, and then gradually slopes down to about 37 m in depth. 10 – 25 m wide and approximately 80 m long, it is covered in beautiful soft coral. Similarly, the south plateau gradually slopes down from 18 m to approximately 35 m in depth. The western wall is home to turtles and moray eels. The eastern side is characterized by an impressive landscape, populated with a multitude of Red Sea anthias. During the months from June until November, sightings of white tip reef sharks are a common occurrence at Elphinstone Reef. Hammerhead as well as Oceanic white-tip shark (Longimanus) sharks have also been observed during this time. Method of entering the water is either directly from the boat, or from the inflatable. Mostly moderate to strong currents can be encountered!
Shore Dive
The bay of “Abu Dabbab” is reached by minibus, located only a short distance away. Here we have the possibility of diving both the north and south side. North side: Entry is from the shore, and takes us over a sandy slope to the reef, which drops further to a depth of 30 m. This reef is also commonly known as the “Aquarium”. Most of the dive is concentrated between a depth of 10 -20 m, where the multitude of marine life is most fascinating. South side: Entry also takes place from the shore here. The dive begins along the reef which starts at approximately 5 m, and then crosses over a unique meadow of sea-grass. Giant green turtles and guitar sharks can be seen, while searching for the impressive dugong! Other residents of the sandy plateau, such as the pyramid box fish and crocodile fish, are worthwhile seeing. This site is also suitable and excellent for snorkeling.
Shore Dive – Difficult entrance
“Marsa Abu Dabbour” , which is lies to the north, is reached by minibus in approximately 15 min. Due to the unique method of entry, this site can only be dived during calm surface conditions, and is only suitable for experienced divers. This unusual method of entry and exit, involves abseiling using a guideline down a canyon approximately 5 m deep, after which it opens up, welcoming the diver to a profusion of colorful coral and reef life. One can descend to a depth of 30 m after passing a sand eel garden. The south side offers sightings of a wide variety of reef fish, such as groupers, basslets and wrasses. A large hill covered by a rich combination of coral and fish of the Red Sea , can be found on the north side. This site is suitable for 2 dives, and is famous for sightings of large moray eels and Scorpion fish.
Shore Dive
After a 20 minute journey, we arrive at Marsa Assalai. Marsa Assalai is a large bay with a sandy bottom, and offers easy access to the reef. The bay slopes down gently over a meadow of sea-grass to a wonderful reef. This is the perfect site for an easy and relaxed dive. Here, one can enjoy all the color and richness in variety, of marine life.
Shore Dive
After a 20 minute journey by minibus in a southerly direction, we arrive at Marsa Egla. This dive site is suitable for drift diving. The point of entry is behind a small hill, with a connecting short cut over the reef plate. This “one way dive” takes one in a southerly direction into the bay, past wonderful coral and a large number of anemone fish. This site is also known as “Nemo City”.
Shore Dive – Difficult entry
The journey north, to the bay of “Marsa Murena”, takes approximately 15 – 20 minutes. The narrow point of entry takes place over a sandy bottom and is recognized by its descent line. This site cannot be dived however, in rough surface conditions. It is otherwise suitable for 2 dives. The north side is covered with numerous magnificent fire coral. The reef wall levels out at around 25 m and then continues as a deep slope in an east/west direction. Sightings of sharks are common here. The south side starts as a gradually sloping sandy bottom, passing a meadow of sea-grass where interesting reef residents can be seen. It continues to a coral block, where several cleaning stations can be found. This part of the reef is known for it‘s plethora of soft coral.
Shore Dive
We drive for at least 30 minutes down south. The large sandy bay of “Marsa Samadai” offers easy access to the site. The site slopes down gently, as one drifts in a northerly direction over a meadow of sea-grass and its’ inhabitants. Numerous small fish can be found next to some beautiful coral blocks. The large number of coral blocks along the route, are covered with a wide variety of hard coral. This site is also especially suitable for snorkeling.
Shore Dive
The bay of “Marsa Shagra”, located to the south, is reached within only 5 minutes with the minibus. This is the ideal site to dive especially when surface conditions are too rough elsewhere. “Marsa Shagra” is a bay with sandy bottom which slopes between the north and south parts of the reef to a depth of 30 m. Numerous pufferfish and crocodile fish can be seen in certain areas, while occasionally baby black tip reef sharks are sighted over the northern reef plate. The possibility also exits for guests to do drift diving at “Marsa Shagra”. Divers are taken by inflatable to the outer reef, and drift back into the bay in a “one way” direction. Before ascending, it is worthwhile spending a short time scanning over the sandy bottom, where various types of flounders and other bottom dwellers can be seen. This site is also suitable for snorkeling.
Shore Dive
We drive approximately 20 minutes by minibus in a northerly direction before arriving at a beautiful, large, sandy bay. On the northern as well as the southern side, it is possible to gain easy access to the reef wall, characterized by small chasms, from about 6 m. After passing a number of pinnacles covered with hard and soft coral, one eventually arrives at the outer reef, which drops down to 30 m depth. Among the hard and soft coral, one can find a variety of reef fish such as parrot fish, broom tail wrasse, large groupers, cuttle fish and spotted moray eels. This site is also suitable for snorkeling.
Boat Dive
Semi-open cave system with an outlying coral garden in the fringing reef. The tunnels within the cave system are only sometimes closed at the top so that a direct ascent to the surface would theoretically be possible. Due to the shallow depth and the incoming light, which brings out the full color of the corals, one seems to dive through a fairy tale world.
Shore Dive
Directly in front of the diving Center there is a wonderful house reef. Here a super conditions for beach dives, night dives and open water dives during courses. Dives are made from the jetty which is built out over the edge of the reef. The sea is about 12 m deep here. The reef slopes slowly down before dropping off sharply into the blue! The reef can be dived to the north or to the south. Along with some very pretty hard and soft corals there are also large numbers of typical Red Sea fish. A real highlight are the large pelagic fish traveling along the “aquatic road” in north/south direction. Along with turtles and dolphins, more and more manta rays have been sighted.
