10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DIVING IN THE RED SEA ALL YEAR AROUND
The Red Sea is the place where I fell in love with diving 15 years ago, after having worked for more than three years on irrational fears.
I had no clue -back then- of how much scuba diving would have shaped my personal and work life. Learn to dive short programs are widely available and are great tasters for who is new to diving or maybe put off by the idea of joining a full course. That was exactly what has happened to me. Do you relate?
After more than 1000 dives worldwide under my belt, I am still in love with the Egyptian and Sudanese Red Sea. These are true meccas for diving maniacs, regardless of their experience level and their sightings wishes, in the right season.
Let’s have a look together at what you need to know when planning your next Red Sea diving holiday.
1. HOW TO GET TO THE RED SEA
There are several direct flight options available from Europe. You can book all sections of your journey independently – flights, hotel, liveaboard and diving.
In this area, options are so many that it is often hard to find the perfect fit for our needs. That is why it is always better to let a reputable diving specialized travel agency to take care of the core arrangements for your diving holiday.
2. WHAT IS THE DIVING LIKE NOW
OUTSTANDING!
After a quiet period, especially in the South Sinai area where Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab are located, reefs have had the chance to flourish.
This has naturally led to many more big pelagic sightings, not only limited to the peak season, but likely to happen also during cooler months.
Here are our top dive spots for outstanding dives in the Red Sea depending on what you would like to see:
Stunning reefs: St. John’s or Ras Mohammed (Egypt)
Wrecks: Thistlegorm, Abu Nuhas, Salm Express (ideally combine most of them in a liveaboard cruise)
Hammerhead sharks: Daedalus (Egypt), Shab Ruumi (Sudan)
Dolphins: Fuy Shoal oder um Ras Mohammed (Egypt)
Thresher sharks: Brothers (Egypt)
Manta rays: Daedalus or Brothers (Egypt)
Of course the right timing is key!
3. WHEN TO VISIT?
All year round!
The usual Red Sea Suspects are a guaranteed heartwarming sighting all year round, so if at home is freezing cold and you love healthy colourful reef life, astonishing visibility up to 60m/197ft and virtually no thermocline, the Egyptian Red Sea is always a PERFECT idea.
The Summer months are famous for schooling fish. Expect to be surrounded by circling barracuda, massive tuna, mating jackfish, walls of snappers, batfish and the cute unicorn fish. It is not rare to be surprised by a whaleshark too, whilst you are taking photo of a nudibranch!
In April – October, the water temperatures span between 26 – 29 degrees C/79-84 F, with air temperatures ranging from 30 – 40 C/ 86 – 104 F with a pleasant, dry sea breeze.
In November – March, the water temperatures are between 22 – 25 C with air temperatures ranging from 25 – 30 C.
Definitely not cold by any standard.
4. WHAT WETSUIT DO I NEED
It’s up to you!
Many Red Sea divers enjoy diving in the Red Sea in the summer months in just a rash vest and shorts – it really adds to the feeling of freedom that is experienced through scuba diving.
Other divers prefer the exposure protection of a shorty wetsuit or a full 2-3 mm wetsuit.
In the cooler months, a 5 mm full wetsuit keeps most divers toasty warm, however guides or particularly cold sensitive divers may be also seen wearing 7mm semidry wetsuits and neoprene drysuits.
5. BEST DIVE SITES TO VISIT
Most of the available ones!
One of the best things about Red Sea diving is that it really does have something for everyone.
Wreck Diving – SS Thistlegorm, SS Dunraven, Million Hope, Ghiannis D, Carnatic, Rosalie Muller, Salem Express and many more.
Shallow Reefs – The local Coral Gardens including dive resorts house reefs provide endless opportunities to beginners, children and photographers alike.
National Parks and Protected Areas – The Straits of Tiran and Ras Mohamed in the Northern Red Sea, Elphinstone Reef, Brothers Islands and Daedalus Reef in the Southern spots, which are spots for schooling hammerheads, grey reef sharks, ocean white tip sharks, silky, thresher sharks, manta rays and dolphins!
6. LIVEABOARD OR LAND BASED
For the slightly more adventurous amongst us divers, the choice is easy - a Liveaboard.
Accommodation, meals and diving rolled in to one; following the pattern of eat, sleep, dive, repeat. This is the perfect trip for many and the Red Sea is a top great value for money destination for liveaboard diving, including un-missable deals thorough the year.
Liveaboard holidays are a great way to meet fellow divers and visit some of the harder to reach sites, such as one of the world class shipwrecks in Abu Nuhas areas or the Brother Islands.
Perhaps the thought of being on a boat for a whole week with other divers not appeal to you. In this case, the “Liveaboard-on-land-concept” would be perfect for you
There are great options for excellent quality dive resorts in most Red Sea areas. Some are situated in the heart o buzzling night life spots, others are in more remote areas. In both cases divers have everything they need all in one place: dive activities, accommodation and full board options within the same premises where the dive centre.
7. TO LEARN OR NOT TO LEARN
There are over 300 dive centers based in the Red Sea, so learning to dive or continuing your education here is a great choice, both for yourself and your no-yet diving travel buddies. With multinational dive instructors who dive almost every day, beginner and certified divers will be in very capable hands. The warm waters and astounding visibility make it a true beginners’ paradise, avoiding potential stress caused by difficult overall
8. SOLO TRAVEL
You are not travelling alone, you are visiting your Scuba Family!
Unfortunately, anything bad can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere, even at your door steps. Are we all staying home for that reason? Hopefully not! So it’s better to take a chance and see the World, isn’t it?
On that note though: Egypt is SAFE
Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada host many events and conferences, including the recent World Youth Forum in Sinai.
This event brought thousands of youths and world leaders from around the globe, representing over 60 delegations. They wouldn’t come if it wasn’t safe.
Cultural, sports and entertainment events are also booming in El Gouna area. Desert activities are not to be missed during your dry days, across the whole Red Sea.
9. GROUP TRAVEL
Of course if you are already part of a group, this is a top destination.
Both liveaboard and land based, the Red Sea offers ideal location for group trips. Dive boats are large, zodiac drivers are top notch and all operators provide great group discounts including gratuities, flexibility in itinerary planning and possibility to complete diving courses onboard too
10. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Some of the historical diving pioneers in the Red Sea have turned past years of lower business into opportunities to become more environmentally friendly.
That includes the ongoing banning of single use plastic items from hospitality businesses, both on land and on boats. This is a true green revolutionary move in Egypt, where reusable or biodegradable goods suppliers are nearly inexistent.
On a wider level, Egypt has become the first country in Africa and the 11th worldwide to officially adopt the UN sustained Green Fins global initiative. The initiative helps identify and mitigate environmental risks by providing consultation and support, based on individual assessments, to dive and snorkel operators.
Within CDWS (the governmental body regulating diving, snorkeling and water sports activities in Egypt), the Egyptian marine tourism industry is proactively playing its part in protecting coral reefs from the human impact associated with diving and snorkeling, which is confirmed by the most recent online divers’ reviews, who praise the ongoing changes towards a responsible diving travel tourism in the country.
Have you been to the Red Sea? Is it on your bucket list?
We look forward to hear your ideas about the Red Sea!
Leave us a comment or get in touch with us: service@divingspecials.com published by Ornella, January 2020
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