Diving from Sharm el Sheik

Sharm el Sheik
diving features

Napoleon wrasse
Anthias
Clownfish
Snappers

SHARM'S TOP DIVE SITE: The Thistlegorm wreck

DESTINATION OVERVIEW
Sharm el Sheik was once an isolated bay used solely by Egyptian fishermen but later became the Red Sea's first destination for divers. As time has gone by, it has grown and developed at a rate of knots. It is still the premier dive destination in the country but has also become a magnet for all sorts of sun-loving holiday makers.

Sharm can be divided into three main areas. There is the bay of Sharm el Maya where the port and fishing fleet is located. Then there's the larger, more populated Na'ama Bay. Most of the hotels and tourists are here, and if you like it quiet, it's not for you. Finally there's Sharm el Moya which retains it's Egyptian flavour with bazaars, supermarkets and restaurants.

No matter where you stay, a wide choice of well known dive sites are easily reached. The most frequented is world-famous Ras Mohammed. A national park was established in 1983 to protect the coral reefs and fragile environment both on land and underwater. A little further south, the Straights of Gubal reveal a mass of wrecks including the equally famous Thistlegorm The Straights of Tiran, Gordon, Woodhouse and many, many other well known and much loved reefs are close to Sharm. Each is full of life, with hard and soft corals that support a huge variety of marine species.

Seasons
Year round
Visibility:
10 – 40 metres
Water temperature:
20 – 28º C.
Deco chambers:
Sharm el Sheik, Hurgahda, El Gouna

Charter flights from across Europe are cheap and frequent
Dive operators and accommodation options change more often than most people can keep track of. Most are good, some are not... try to get a recommendation especially if you are booking a liveaboard.

PROS AND CONS
As the planet's most northern coral reef system, the reasons to head to any part of Egypt are obvious. The reasons to go to Sharm are all about what style of dive holiday you want. This is now a very busy resort area so for families or couples who want lively nights and lots of activities apart from diving, it's a great destination. If you want peace and quiet, you won't find that in Sharm.

SCUBA DIVING
Blistering summers mean that the water temperatures are high, the water is clear and the seas are crowded, mostly with boats and divers. In the winter months, the conditions can be difficult due to the winds and rough seas. The reefs are much quieter both above and below the waterline.

OPINION
We spent several holidays in Sharm before it became quite so well known and loved it. However, lively beach resorts that attract sun-worshippers are not the type of place we choose to visit any more. Some of our friends that have teenage kids visit and dive Sharm el Sheik every year and they love it.