Dahab is located 100km south of Sharm el Sheikh, revered as one of the best diving destinations in the Red Sea for both novice and experienced in diving. Dahab diving synonymous with shore diving, offers good value for money and a relaxed pace to enhance the overall diving experience seamlessly. Dahab diving often referred to as the Goa of the Red sea, breads on Dahab's hippie-like image, yet it is as good if not better than what people claim. Those travelling to Dahab are primarily looking to sample Dahab diving, some of the best in the Red Sea.
Dahab diving offers some of the most varied marine life in the world. The sites combine coral garden, arches, canyons and caves, with a huge diversity of reef fish and invertebrates, as well as turtles, rays, moray eels, octopus, and larger fish including Napoleon fish, Barracuda, small sharks and dolphins. 20% of the fauna, and 50% of the Butterfly fish, are found only when Dahab diving, they are unique to that part of the world.
For travelling and Dahab diving which is an experience in its self the total relaxation which the area exudes is immense, settling in is easy and almost a natural result of being in the areas boundaries, so magical is the relaxed way of life. The soundtrack of the waves hitting the shore sound more like the pulse of this wonderfully quiet area.
When in Dahab diving the lagoon is integral, and also a great place for children to swim. The lagoon is formed by a long tongue of beach. On the outside, the ocean begins, allowing good swimming for adults. Still, the lagoon is little visited, a reflection of Dahab being well-equipped with beaches.
The Blue Hole, a few km north of Dahab, is probably Egypt's most infamous diving spot. The hole is a shaft that starts just a metre below the surface of the sea. The dark hole in the centre goes 80 metres straight down, and the main trip for experienced divers is to dive down to a depth of 60 metres, then pass through a tunnel to the outer edge of the reef before returning to the surface. When Dahab diving The Blue Hole is not only for divers, it is chillingly fascinating for snorkelers too. The corals are colourful, fish abundant, and you can tickle your nerves by swimming along the edge of this hole which has no visible bottom.
To find out more about Dahab diving visit http://www.activediving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (06/09/08)
That’s all for now on Dahab diving
Monday, September 8, 2008
family diving holidays
Around a hundred miles from the coast of Africa, Lanzarote is one of the most popular islands for European holidaymakers, not just for the traditional summer weeks but for winter too, as the weather for the island - often in the 70's even in December and January - make it the ideal destination for tourists from Northern Europe to head to especially for family diving holidays to escape the winter blues.
Lanzarote, at 37 miles long and 12 miles wide, has much to offer visitors of all ages, very popular for family diving holidays especially. Due to the location of the island and volcanic eruptions as recent as the 19th century, people often describe parts of the island as lunar. Some say it gives them the feeling of being in another world - ideal for some films and for NASA whom test some of their moon vehicles on the island. Hollywood and NASAs occasional presence on the island offer wonderful nuggets of knowledge to share with children whilst exploring both the island and the underwater world.
A good well publicised movie can really have an impact on the location's tourist industry - and the news that Penelope Cruz had arrived in Lanzarote to film for two weeks was greeted enthusiastically by the Lanzarote holiday industry, the island caters primarily to those on family diving holidays therefore the mixture of underwater and land based activities are endless to keep even the most active families busy.
Punta de Papagayo, a series of wild beaches of fine white sand produce a sensation of shimmering brightness that can be found in the extreme south of the island. At the edge of a volcanic ash covered landscape, the silence seizes this jagged and inhospitable coast. These beaches are considered the best in Lanzarote, families with small children find this an exciting way to teach their children about the planets and how each area of a planet can differ from others. Punta de Papagayo is ideal for family diving holidays as you can both snorkel and dive if your children aren’t old enough to fully complete their PADI open water course.
The wonderful climate throughout the year is conducive to a variety of sports activities, perfect to family diving holidays during the school holidays over Christmas, summer, Easter and October. Take your pick of golf, diving, horse riding, tennis and windsurfing.
And being able to relax on the beach and catch some rays over the Christmas and New Year festivities is enough in itself to tempt many to take a holiday in Lanzarote then.
But now a leading internet site has confirmed what many holidaymakers to Lanzarote already knew - that not only are the beaches great but one Lanzarote beach ranks among the best in the world.
Lanzarote is perfect for family diving holidays because it caters for everyone, those looking for a quiet holiday with diving and relaxing in the evening to those looking to get involved in the local culture whilst discovering completely new diving experiences. There are multiple travel agents able to offer you a range of family diving holidays, in my experience Active Diving offer one of the best packages, being able to offer a plethora of dive courses both BSAC and PADI.
To find out more about how family diving holidays in The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (05/09/08)
That’s all for now on family diving holidays
Lanzarote, at 37 miles long and 12 miles wide, has much to offer visitors of all ages, very popular for family diving holidays especially. Due to the location of the island and volcanic eruptions as recent as the 19th century, people often describe parts of the island as lunar. Some say it gives them the feeling of being in another world - ideal for some films and for NASA whom test some of their moon vehicles on the island. Hollywood and NASAs occasional presence on the island offer wonderful nuggets of knowledge to share with children whilst exploring both the island and the underwater world.
A good well publicised movie can really have an impact on the location's tourist industry - and the news that Penelope Cruz had arrived in Lanzarote to film for two weeks was greeted enthusiastically by the Lanzarote holiday industry, the island caters primarily to those on family diving holidays therefore the mixture of underwater and land based activities are endless to keep even the most active families busy.
Punta de Papagayo, a series of wild beaches of fine white sand produce a sensation of shimmering brightness that can be found in the extreme south of the island. At the edge of a volcanic ash covered landscape, the silence seizes this jagged and inhospitable coast. These beaches are considered the best in Lanzarote, families with small children find this an exciting way to teach their children about the planets and how each area of a planet can differ from others. Punta de Papagayo is ideal for family diving holidays as you can both snorkel and dive if your children aren’t old enough to fully complete their PADI open water course.
The wonderful climate throughout the year is conducive to a variety of sports activities, perfect to family diving holidays during the school holidays over Christmas, summer, Easter and October. Take your pick of golf, diving, horse riding, tennis and windsurfing.
And being able to relax on the beach and catch some rays over the Christmas and New Year festivities is enough in itself to tempt many to take a holiday in Lanzarote then.
But now a leading internet site has confirmed what many holidaymakers to Lanzarote already knew - that not only are the beaches great but one Lanzarote beach ranks among the best in the world.
Lanzarote is perfect for family diving holidays because it caters for everyone, those looking for a quiet holiday with diving and relaxing in the evening to those looking to get involved in the local culture whilst discovering completely new diving experiences. There are multiple travel agents able to offer you a range of family diving holidays, in my experience Active Diving offer one of the best packages, being able to offer a plethora of dive courses both BSAC and PADI.
To find out more about how family diving holidays in The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (05/09/08)
That’s all for now on family diving holidays
activediving in lanzarote
The name Lanzarote is the direct translation into Spanish of Lancelot (Lancelloto).
At the time of Marcello's arrival a king, Zonzamas, ruled the Island. The name is still borne by the ruins of his palace which stood on a plateau near San Bartolome, considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the Canary Islands. San Bartolome is located a short car journey from where activediving is located in Costa Teguise.
Folklore Music is the traditional music of the Canary Islands. The main musical instrument in Folklore music is the timple, a ukelele-style instrument possibly introduced into the islands by Berber slaves.
activediving in Lanzarote can offer some of the best diving in the Northern Hemisphere, with over 500 species of fish, many wrecks, underwater volcanic caves, good visibility (10 - 30 meters) and water temperatures ranging from 18 to 23 degrees, it is easy to see why. Many of the popular dive sites are easily accessible with both shore and boat diving possible. activediving can offer a range of dive sites and a wealth of local knowledge.
All of our diving spots are some of the most beautiful and thrilling around the island, as you get to relive the experience of Lanzarote´s natural disasters from the last volcano eruption that took place thousands of years ago, to ship wrecks as if they happened only yesterday. Each of the 25 dive sites which activediving use through the week will introduce you to new and exciting things, structures and forms of the lava which has run into the ocean creating, caves, grots, canyons and reefs which go far over 40 metres in depth. During your diving your likely to encounter black corals and endless amounts of Anemones in may different types of colours and forms.
The team in Lanzarote and activediving put a lot of interest in having only small groups of divers based on experience level and on the choice of each diver; you will always have a stress free experience as well as being and safe with activediving. Every diver will have an unforgettable view of the mysterious underwater world here on the island of Lanzarote with activediving.
The Fascinating Volcano-Reefs of Lanzarote are a natural miracle; activediving will show you their magic and more. Their Ecosystem shows an incredible amount of underwater life from Rays, Barracudas, Angel Sharks, Trumpet Fish, Bonitos and many more species of fish which you can see everyday! The water Temperatures are normally between 18 and 24ºc, as a result activediving offer diving all year round.
Our diving options cater for the novice to the experienced, activediving offer some of the best diver training facilities in Lanzarote at our modern diver-training centre, and some of the most spectacular dive locations in the canaries. This combined with our outstanding product quality, excellent safety standards, professional service and our all inclusive pricing policy prove there is truly is no better company with which to learn to dive or to advance your diving skills.
Highlights of Diving in Lanzarote include:
• Fish
Close encounters with grouper, barracuda, angelshark, and rays. It is also possible to see Hammerhead Sharks off the small island of Los Lobos (located between Lanzarote and neighbouring Fuerteventura).
• Caves
There are many underwater caves such as the 'Cathedral'.
• Wrecks
There are many old wrecks located around the coast of Lanzarote as well as a specially created Marine Park (created by sinking several boats) just off the coast at Puerto del Carmen.
• Reefs
The reefs around Lanzarote are teeming with marine life such as Octopus, Anemone, Cuttlefish and Sea Horses Red Coral.
To find out more about travelling activediving in Lanzarote, Sharm el Sheikh or South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (05/09/08)
That’s all for now on diving in Lanzarote with activediving
At the time of Marcello's arrival a king, Zonzamas, ruled the Island. The name is still borne by the ruins of his palace which stood on a plateau near San Bartolome, considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the Canary Islands. San Bartolome is located a short car journey from where activediving is located in Costa Teguise.
Folklore Music is the traditional music of the Canary Islands. The main musical instrument in Folklore music is the timple, a ukelele-style instrument possibly introduced into the islands by Berber slaves.
activediving in Lanzarote can offer some of the best diving in the Northern Hemisphere, with over 500 species of fish, many wrecks, underwater volcanic caves, good visibility (10 - 30 meters) and water temperatures ranging from 18 to 23 degrees, it is easy to see why. Many of the popular dive sites are easily accessible with both shore and boat diving possible. activediving can offer a range of dive sites and a wealth of local knowledge.
All of our diving spots are some of the most beautiful and thrilling around the island, as you get to relive the experience of Lanzarote´s natural disasters from the last volcano eruption that took place thousands of years ago, to ship wrecks as if they happened only yesterday. Each of the 25 dive sites which activediving use through the week will introduce you to new and exciting things, structures and forms of the lava which has run into the ocean creating, caves, grots, canyons and reefs which go far over 40 metres in depth. During your diving your likely to encounter black corals and endless amounts of Anemones in may different types of colours and forms.
The team in Lanzarote and activediving put a lot of interest in having only small groups of divers based on experience level and on the choice of each diver; you will always have a stress free experience as well as being and safe with activediving. Every diver will have an unforgettable view of the mysterious underwater world here on the island of Lanzarote with activediving.
The Fascinating Volcano-Reefs of Lanzarote are a natural miracle; activediving will show you their magic and more. Their Ecosystem shows an incredible amount of underwater life from Rays, Barracudas, Angel Sharks, Trumpet Fish, Bonitos and many more species of fish which you can see everyday! The water Temperatures are normally between 18 and 24ºc, as a result activediving offer diving all year round.
Our diving options cater for the novice to the experienced, activediving offer some of the best diver training facilities in Lanzarote at our modern diver-training centre, and some of the most spectacular dive locations in the canaries. This combined with our outstanding product quality, excellent safety standards, professional service and our all inclusive pricing policy prove there is truly is no better company with which to learn to dive or to advance your diving skills.
Highlights of Diving in Lanzarote include:
• Fish
Close encounters with grouper, barracuda, angelshark, and rays. It is also possible to see Hammerhead Sharks off the small island of Los Lobos (located between Lanzarote and neighbouring Fuerteventura).
• Caves
There are many underwater caves such as the 'Cathedral'.
• Wrecks
There are many old wrecks located around the coast of Lanzarote as well as a specially created Marine Park (created by sinking several boats) just off the coast at Puerto del Carmen.
• Reefs
The reefs around Lanzarote are teeming with marine life such as Octopus, Anemone, Cuttlefish and Sea Horses Red Coral.
To find out more about travelling activediving in Lanzarote, Sharm el Sheikh or South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (05/09/08)
That’s all for now on diving in Lanzarote with activediving
Active Diving – Travelling Solo in Sharm el Sheikh
Regarded as the centre of Egypt, the outstanding diving destination of Sharm el sheikh on the Red sea offers spectacular underwater views and marine life. Sharm el Sheikh has fetched an unsurpassed reputation for diving across the because of its calm, emerald green waters and plethora of marine life in residence. Active Diving offer holidays across the red sea, Sharm el Sheikh offering something for everyone, especially solo travellers.
Whilst travelling through Egypt there are countless ways of meeting fellow travellers, Active Diving brings each of their divers together to ensure a community is created, including each diver whether beginner or experienced. Accommodation in Egypt is often the core area to meet other travellers, especially the popular mentioned in the guide books. Many of the independent travellers are in pairs or on their own and it's perfectly acceptable to join them without any ill feeling.
The red sea boasts some of the best diving in the world, Active Diving and their team can guide you through this vibrant and varied underwater life throughout. The first port of call for Sharm el Sheikh diving is Na'ama Beach, Shark's Bay, Sharm El- Moya, Ras um Sid, and the Terrazina Beach. The Tiran Island is an excellent scuba diving spot at Sharm el Sheikh. Don't be disappointed if you are not a professional diver, there are many tour operators in the UK whom can arrange courses for when you arrive (Active Diving: http://www.activediving.co.uk).
Exploring the spectacular reefs of Ras Nourani under the guidance of expert divers leaves an indelible impression on the minds of the visitors ensuring Sharm el Sheikh diving is a memorable experience for all. Sharm el Sheikh diving is unsurpassed in Egypt and renowned for diving across the globe. The red sea had been a source of wonder and mystery throughout the world for various reasons; however it is now a particularly interesting site because of the plethora of marine treasures hidden beneath its emerald waters. Active Diving are established in Sharm el Sheikh, with some of the most experienced divers in the area guiding and teaching, ensuring your experience will be second to non.
Sharm el Sheikh diving is most definitely in the land of dreams, filled with crystal clear water, splendid corals, awesome underwater vegetation and atypical Piscean species which will not only please your eyes but present you with an opportunity of witnessing some of the best surprises in the sea.
In the popular tourist areas cheap hotels are in abundance. There is a wide range of choice for people on all budgets. There are many dormitory style rooms for those are on the tightest of budgets, however for not much more it is perfectly achievable to get a single room. Active Diving can help you find the right accommodation for your needs and budget, allowing you to concentrate on the diving.
Because Egyptians don't drink much you'll find a majority of the hotels devoid of drunken revelry, but you will find a multitude of late night conversations about where to go and what to see under the water. Active Diving have many guides to the diving in Egypt on their website (http://www.activediving.co.uk/diving_destinations_sharm_el_sheikh.html).
Watch out for the tourist restaurants where although the food may look familiar it will be expensive to find out. A night trip up Mount Sinai-walking in the dark gives everybody a sense of camaraderie and can be done outside of precious diving hours, allowing you to get the most from your holiday in Sharm. Active Diving can recommend the best local restaurants to visit upon your arrival, showing you some local cuisine and culture rather than an interpretation of British cuisine.
To find out more about travelling solo with Active Diving in Sharm el Sheikh, Lanzarote or South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (29/08/08)
That’s all for now on how you the travelling solo with Active Diving
Whilst travelling through Egypt there are countless ways of meeting fellow travellers, Active Diving brings each of their divers together to ensure a community is created, including each diver whether beginner or experienced. Accommodation in Egypt is often the core area to meet other travellers, especially the popular mentioned in the guide books. Many of the independent travellers are in pairs or on their own and it's perfectly acceptable to join them without any ill feeling.
The red sea boasts some of the best diving in the world, Active Diving and their team can guide you through this vibrant and varied underwater life throughout. The first port of call for Sharm el Sheikh diving is Na'ama Beach, Shark's Bay, Sharm El- Moya, Ras um Sid, and the Terrazina Beach. The Tiran Island is an excellent scuba diving spot at Sharm el Sheikh. Don't be disappointed if you are not a professional diver, there are many tour operators in the UK whom can arrange courses for when you arrive (Active Diving: http://www.activediving.co.uk).
Exploring the spectacular reefs of Ras Nourani under the guidance of expert divers leaves an indelible impression on the minds of the visitors ensuring Sharm el Sheikh diving is a memorable experience for all. Sharm el Sheikh diving is unsurpassed in Egypt and renowned for diving across the globe. The red sea had been a source of wonder and mystery throughout the world for various reasons; however it is now a particularly interesting site because of the plethora of marine treasures hidden beneath its emerald waters. Active Diving are established in Sharm el Sheikh, with some of the most experienced divers in the area guiding and teaching, ensuring your experience will be second to non.
Sharm el Sheikh diving is most definitely in the land of dreams, filled with crystal clear water, splendid corals, awesome underwater vegetation and atypical Piscean species which will not only please your eyes but present you with an opportunity of witnessing some of the best surprises in the sea.
In the popular tourist areas cheap hotels are in abundance. There is a wide range of choice for people on all budgets. There are many dormitory style rooms for those are on the tightest of budgets, however for not much more it is perfectly achievable to get a single room. Active Diving can help you find the right accommodation for your needs and budget, allowing you to concentrate on the diving.
Because Egyptians don't drink much you'll find a majority of the hotels devoid of drunken revelry, but you will find a multitude of late night conversations about where to go and what to see under the water. Active Diving have many guides to the diving in Egypt on their website (http://www.activediving.co.uk/diving_destinations_sharm_el_sheikh.html).
Watch out for the tourist restaurants where although the food may look familiar it will be expensive to find out. A night trip up Mount Sinai-walking in the dark gives everybody a sense of camaraderie and can be done outside of precious diving hours, allowing you to get the most from your holiday in Sharm. Active Diving can recommend the best local restaurants to visit upon your arrival, showing you some local cuisine and culture rather than an interpretation of British cuisine.
To find out more about travelling solo with Active Diving in Sharm el Sheikh, Lanzarote or South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (29/08/08)
That’s all for now on how you the travelling solo with Active Diving
national geographic diving courses
PADI offer a specialist dive course for those divers whom wish to increase their buoyancy control and observation skills whilst being able to get closer to the marine life without causing any disruption.
By taking part in one of the national geographic diving courses you will learn begin a journey of underwater exploration more advanced than your previous qualifications, spotting new life and sights under the water in sites you may have dived multiple times. The core lesson from national geographic diving courses is to conserve the diving environment whilst exploring the underwater world through adventurous experiences that may involve increased danger or risk.
By demonstrating human stewardship and conservation whilst diving as a result of completing one of the national geographic diving courses you will be able to study the unknown whilst protecting the natural environment from loss or waste.
Loren Eisley in 1957 summed up the importance of the underwater world in one pristine sentence, “If there is magic on the planet it is contained in water”.
You will learn as part of the national geographic diving courses how to hover horizontally, with your feet slightly elevated and with your head slightly elevated. You will also demonstrate that you can complete the exploration project by gathering info and image and create a visual representation of the dive site detailing specific features.
Once you have completed these sections you will need to demonstrate that you can either navigate a square or rectangle patter using compass headings and natural references to return to the starting point or locate and identify a range of plants and marine life during your dive in either fresh or salt water.
The range of national geographic diving courses available worldwide are varied in the marine life you will encounter however the course completion will result in the same abilities, the means of being able to conserve and explore whilst altering the scene before you as little as possible. Leonardo Da Vinci coined the term well “Water is the driving force of all nature” and therefore for us to learn how to interact in that environment without altering the scene is somewhat of a gift that in my opinion all divers should adhere to.
Some of the most popular places to complete some of the national geographic diving courses is whilst discovering Palaus walls, Mexican cenotes, Sabas pinnacles, New Zealands archways,
Maldives Seamounts or in Bonne Terre Mine. Another popular destination to complete one of the national geographic diving courses is in The Red Sea amongst some of the richest marine life on the planet. Dahab and Sharm el Sheikh offer each of the courses
To find out more about how you can take part in national geographic diving courses visit http://www.activediving.co.uk/diving_padi_courses.html and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (06/09/08)
That’s all for now on national geographic diving courses
By taking part in one of the national geographic diving courses you will learn begin a journey of underwater exploration more advanced than your previous qualifications, spotting new life and sights under the water in sites you may have dived multiple times. The core lesson from national geographic diving courses is to conserve the diving environment whilst exploring the underwater world through adventurous experiences that may involve increased danger or risk.
By demonstrating human stewardship and conservation whilst diving as a result of completing one of the national geographic diving courses you will be able to study the unknown whilst protecting the natural environment from loss or waste.
Loren Eisley in 1957 summed up the importance of the underwater world in one pristine sentence, “If there is magic on the planet it is contained in water”.
You will learn as part of the national geographic diving courses how to hover horizontally, with your feet slightly elevated and with your head slightly elevated. You will also demonstrate that you can complete the exploration project by gathering info and image and create a visual representation of the dive site detailing specific features.
Once you have completed these sections you will need to demonstrate that you can either navigate a square or rectangle patter using compass headings and natural references to return to the starting point or locate and identify a range of plants and marine life during your dive in either fresh or salt water.
The range of national geographic diving courses available worldwide are varied in the marine life you will encounter however the course completion will result in the same abilities, the means of being able to conserve and explore whilst altering the scene before you as little as possible. Leonardo Da Vinci coined the term well “Water is the driving force of all nature” and therefore for us to learn how to interact in that environment without altering the scene is somewhat of a gift that in my opinion all divers should adhere to.
Some of the most popular places to complete some of the national geographic diving courses is whilst discovering Palaus walls, Mexican cenotes, Sabas pinnacles, New Zealands archways,
Maldives Seamounts or in Bonne Terre Mine. Another popular destination to complete one of the national geographic diving courses is in The Red Sea amongst some of the richest marine life on the planet. Dahab and Sharm el Sheikh offer each of the courses
To find out more about how you can take part in national geographic diving courses visit http://www.activediving.co.uk/diving_padi_courses.html and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (06/09/08)
That’s all for now on national geographic diving courses
Scuba holidays in Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam, situated in the south-east of Egypt is the perfect destination of where to spend your Scuba holidays. The dive sites are located close by for all levels of divers, from beginner’s right up to the deepest technical diver. The sites are uncrowded in comparison to other dive areas such the Great Barrier reef. Equally all of the sites offer great snorkelling possibilities too for those whom are too young to dive or would rather stay close to the surface. Perhaps one of the most magnetic possibilities for Scuba holidays Marsa Alam is the possibility of getting up close to one of the most magnificent creatures in the ocean, The Whale Shark.
Found commonly throughout April, May and June, whale sharks are gentle and often stay around divers for an extended period, showing more interest then fear by our presence.
The "Small Bay of the Market" (Marsa Shouni Soraya) has a distinctive shape offering a variety of dive sites ideal for new and experienced divers alike during their Scuba holidays. There is also a sheltered lagoon where baby eagle rays have been regularly spotted. The signature table corals harbour a massive array of life and its reefs are teeming with shrimps, scorpion fishes and barracuda. The bay has a resident hawksbill turtle and dolphins are regular visitors, Whale sharks are sometimes spotted just outside the bay also.
You can decide on a Scuba holidays in Marsa Alam throughout the year, however it is best during the summer months. Sometime around April to May the visibility is greatly reduced due to Plankton Bloom, but if you want to encounter whale sharks you must visit Marsa Alam by the beginning of summer and end of spring. Renowned for its diverse marine life and incredible coral reefs, Marsa Alam is a ruby by the Red Sea. I recently travelled to Marsa as one of Active Divings last minute Scuba holidays (087 123 11 122, http://.www.activediving.co.uk).
Throughout the year the average temperature remains in its thirties and forties. While the hottest month is August, the coolest month is January with the temperature dipping during the night. Generally windy, Marsa Alam witnesses a rough sea during November and the waves at times might be large. Featuring prominently in the tourist map of the world, Marsa Alam is fast becoming a hot spot for all tourists.
Diving is a very popular sport and everywhere in the world people especially all divers participate in the sport with much zest and vigor. Marsa Alam provides special diving facilities to all visitors, there are numerous diving spots here in Marsa Alam. The place is known to attract people from all over the world and people get thrilled to see the sea and thus cannot wait to explore the diving opportunities here. The Red Sea coast is a popular tourist destination here and provides excellent diving opportunities to all enthusiasts.
The clear blue waters of Red Sea, the coral reefs and the underwater wonders are all reasons why Scuba holidays are so popular to the destination. There are plenty of diving resorts, diving centres and camps that are all ready to help you out with your adventure! You can also opt for some certified courses on scuba diving in Marsa Alam predominantly offered by PADI.
You can go for scuba diving either from shore or you can also take the boats that take you on full day or half-day trips. There are plenty of excellent diving sites and some thrilling drop offs. Here are some popular diving sites in Marsa Alam for your Scuba holidays:
Marsa Mubarak
The largest and most versatile dive site accessible from Port Ghalib offers seven wildly different diving experiences offering the chance to see everything from puffer fishes to dugongs, giant green sea turtles to trunk fishes and everything in-between. Offering sea grass, pinnacles, coral gardens and reef walls this dive site offers a change of seeing just about all the flora and fauna the Red Sea has to offer.
Marsa Shouni Kebir
Offering some of the most picturesque dive sites in the southern Red Sea, the "Large Bay of the Market" is probably most famous for the massive variety of rays that call its sea grass plane home. Eagle, leopard, feather-tail, grey and thorny rays are all regularly spotted alongside a large school of golden trevallies and a menagerie of different snake eels. Turtles are abundant here and there is a great chance to meet "George", a giant green sea turtle who sleeps in the same spot most mornings on the South Reef.
Ras El Torfa (Abu Syel)
A protected area for mooring along the dynamic fringing reef offers three very different dives with incredible topography and stunning corals, the highlight being and enormous ball of rock and coral perched at the end of an enormous coral tongue. Its location encourages pelagic and schooling fishes in enormous schools and white tip reef sharks and even mantas have been spotted here.
Marsa Morena
The "Bay of the Moray Eel" offers several widely contrasting dives from caves to pinnacles. The unique angle of the bay encourages greater than normal water movement encouraging an abundance of life and regular eagle ray and barracuda sightings, whilst its shallow sandy plateau holds rarities like the stargazer and velvet fish as well as a wealth of soles, flounders and torpedo rays.
Abu Dabab Reefs
With a beautiful coral garden, dramatic cave system and a small wreck the Abu Dabab reef system truly has it all. Several large Napoleon wrasse patrol its reefs and some enormous moray eels guard its coral blocks. Its exposed northern reefs are abundant with fish attracting large pelagics including sharks.
Marsa Abu Dabab
A world famous selection of dive sites boasting an unbelievable number of giant turtles as well as the chance to spot Dugongs and Guitar sharks. A must for anyone visiting the southern Red Sea the bay has now closed to boats and access from the shore now offers a much more peaceful and relaxed diving experience.
Elphinstone
A large cigar-shaped offshore reef that offers wall diving that is both exhilarating and spectacular with regular sightings of large pelagics including oceanic whitetip sharks, tuna and barracuda as well as hammerheads, napoleons and turtles; all drawn to the reef by its strong currents and abundance of fish life.
Sha'ab Samadai
A short ride by bus and boat from Port Ghalib is Sha'ab Samadai, a horseshoe shaped reef known locally as Dolphin House. Offering truly spectacular diving including the awe inspiring cathedral swim-through and a remarkable collection of hard and soft coral, anemone cities and a resident napoleon wrasse this can be a highlight of your stay. The reef is also used regularly by a pod of spinner dolphins and there can be an opportunity to snorkel with them between dives.
Make the most out of your Scuba holidays in Marsa Alam and enrol yourself on a PADI Open Water course with Active Diving before you leave to make the most out of your Scuba holidays this summer (087 123 11 122, http://www.activediving.co.uk)
Author: Emma Parker (22/08/08)
That’s all for now on Scuba holidays
Found commonly throughout April, May and June, whale sharks are gentle and often stay around divers for an extended period, showing more interest then fear by our presence.
The "Small Bay of the Market" (Marsa Shouni Soraya) has a distinctive shape offering a variety of dive sites ideal for new and experienced divers alike during their Scuba holidays. There is also a sheltered lagoon where baby eagle rays have been regularly spotted. The signature table corals harbour a massive array of life and its reefs are teeming with shrimps, scorpion fishes and barracuda. The bay has a resident hawksbill turtle and dolphins are regular visitors, Whale sharks are sometimes spotted just outside the bay also.
You can decide on a Scuba holidays in Marsa Alam throughout the year, however it is best during the summer months. Sometime around April to May the visibility is greatly reduced due to Plankton Bloom, but if you want to encounter whale sharks you must visit Marsa Alam by the beginning of summer and end of spring. Renowned for its diverse marine life and incredible coral reefs, Marsa Alam is a ruby by the Red Sea. I recently travelled to Marsa as one of Active Divings last minute Scuba holidays (087 123 11 122, http://.www.activediving.co.uk).
Throughout the year the average temperature remains in its thirties and forties. While the hottest month is August, the coolest month is January with the temperature dipping during the night. Generally windy, Marsa Alam witnesses a rough sea during November and the waves at times might be large. Featuring prominently in the tourist map of the world, Marsa Alam is fast becoming a hot spot for all tourists.
Diving is a very popular sport and everywhere in the world people especially all divers participate in the sport with much zest and vigor. Marsa Alam provides special diving facilities to all visitors, there are numerous diving spots here in Marsa Alam. The place is known to attract people from all over the world and people get thrilled to see the sea and thus cannot wait to explore the diving opportunities here. The Red Sea coast is a popular tourist destination here and provides excellent diving opportunities to all enthusiasts.
The clear blue waters of Red Sea, the coral reefs and the underwater wonders are all reasons why Scuba holidays are so popular to the destination. There are plenty of diving resorts, diving centres and camps that are all ready to help you out with your adventure! You can also opt for some certified courses on scuba diving in Marsa Alam predominantly offered by PADI.
You can go for scuba diving either from shore or you can also take the boats that take you on full day or half-day trips. There are plenty of excellent diving sites and some thrilling drop offs. Here are some popular diving sites in Marsa Alam for your Scuba holidays:
Marsa Mubarak
The largest and most versatile dive site accessible from Port Ghalib offers seven wildly different diving experiences offering the chance to see everything from puffer fishes to dugongs, giant green sea turtles to trunk fishes and everything in-between. Offering sea grass, pinnacles, coral gardens and reef walls this dive site offers a change of seeing just about all the flora and fauna the Red Sea has to offer.
Marsa Shouni Kebir
Offering some of the most picturesque dive sites in the southern Red Sea, the "Large Bay of the Market" is probably most famous for the massive variety of rays that call its sea grass plane home. Eagle, leopard, feather-tail, grey and thorny rays are all regularly spotted alongside a large school of golden trevallies and a menagerie of different snake eels. Turtles are abundant here and there is a great chance to meet "George", a giant green sea turtle who sleeps in the same spot most mornings on the South Reef.
Ras El Torfa (Abu Syel)
A protected area for mooring along the dynamic fringing reef offers three very different dives with incredible topography and stunning corals, the highlight being and enormous ball of rock and coral perched at the end of an enormous coral tongue. Its location encourages pelagic and schooling fishes in enormous schools and white tip reef sharks and even mantas have been spotted here.
Marsa Morena
The "Bay of the Moray Eel" offers several widely contrasting dives from caves to pinnacles. The unique angle of the bay encourages greater than normal water movement encouraging an abundance of life and regular eagle ray and barracuda sightings, whilst its shallow sandy plateau holds rarities like the stargazer and velvet fish as well as a wealth of soles, flounders and torpedo rays.
Abu Dabab Reefs
With a beautiful coral garden, dramatic cave system and a small wreck the Abu Dabab reef system truly has it all. Several large Napoleon wrasse patrol its reefs and some enormous moray eels guard its coral blocks. Its exposed northern reefs are abundant with fish attracting large pelagics including sharks.
Marsa Abu Dabab
A world famous selection of dive sites boasting an unbelievable number of giant turtles as well as the chance to spot Dugongs and Guitar sharks. A must for anyone visiting the southern Red Sea the bay has now closed to boats and access from the shore now offers a much more peaceful and relaxed diving experience.
Elphinstone
A large cigar-shaped offshore reef that offers wall diving that is both exhilarating and spectacular with regular sightings of large pelagics including oceanic whitetip sharks, tuna and barracuda as well as hammerheads, napoleons and turtles; all drawn to the reef by its strong currents and abundance of fish life.
Sha'ab Samadai
A short ride by bus and boat from Port Ghalib is Sha'ab Samadai, a horseshoe shaped reef known locally as Dolphin House. Offering truly spectacular diving including the awe inspiring cathedral swim-through and a remarkable collection of hard and soft coral, anemone cities and a resident napoleon wrasse this can be a highlight of your stay. The reef is also used regularly by a pod of spinner dolphins and there can be an opportunity to snorkel with them between dives.
Make the most out of your Scuba holidays in Marsa Alam and enrol yourself on a PADI Open Water course with Active Diving before you leave to make the most out of your Scuba holidays this summer (087 123 11 122, http://www.activediving.co.uk)
Author: Emma Parker (22/08/08)
That’s all for now on Scuba holidays
padi beginners course Sharm
Sharm is considered one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, competing with the great barrier reef. The marine life on offer is endless and accessible across the coast however for many people the thought of scuba diving is enough to frighten them out of their wits, Clunky clobber, open water, sharks — scuba-diving ticks all of these boxes. However at the same time the draw of the ocean is difficult to ignore, the thought of swimming with dolphins and fish of every colour can draw anyone into a world of mystery and wonder.
Many people learn whilst on holiday in the Maldives or the Great Barrier Reef however with the increase in cheaper flights to Europe Sharm el Sheikh is increasingly replacing beach holidays for UK travellers to learn to dive. A television presenter for GMTV was one of these people, claiming to be hydro, claustro and sharkophobic she was happy to say “Thanks, but no thanks” when diving was offered to her however with some special persuasion whilst filming in Sharm two years ago she decided to give it a go.
Accosted by the hotel diving instructor she was shown “some the most extraordinary images” taken right in front of her hotel, “it was impossible not to be impressed. Seeing marine life in books and on television is fascinating. Seeing things that are swimming beneath the waves in front of your hotel beach somehow makes them more tangible”. She finally decided to enrol on a padi beginners course.
Before she could see these images in real life there were 3 obstacles she needed to overcome; the fear of open water; a mask and breathing through a tube, and of course, the sharks. The padi beginners course would help her achieve this whilst easing all beginners into the water at their own pace. She was adamant that however much logic told her that great whites do not live in the seas around Mauritius “what if one got blown off course from Cape Town?”. A Life coach, Pete Cohen helped the presenter get to the bottom of her phobias, he simply posed the question: “Were you born with a fear of large expanses of water, small spaces and big fish?” The answer, naturally enough, was no. “You learnt them,” he said. “Picked them up from society and now you simply play them out in your daily life, and scuba- diving brings all three crashing together. You can dive; you just have to unlearn your fears.”
In order to get out the fear of diving it’s most sensible to give snorkelling a go either as part of a padi beginners course or before you enrol, banishing all thoughts of sharks and any threatening ideology. It’s not nearly as scary as you might think, after this an attempt at breathing through full scuba apparatus in a pool would be recommended. There is a lot of gear that comes with scuba diving however learning as part of a padi beginners course you will learn in bite-size chunks in a safe environment.
You will discover that the tank really does supply air evenly just like breathing on land and that the mouthpiece is actually rather comfortable, equally you will learn what to do if your mask becomes dislodged and fills up with water. The instructor of the padi beginners course will always be around to give you guidance and explain how everything works.
Once you have got over those issues as part of your padi beginners course you will then be ready to attempt either an open water dive of a dive within a local lagoon for example if you have a house reef which is particularly common in Egypt. Once you reach the dive site if on boat its likely you will be required to roll back off the boat, this is nowhere near as scary as you might think, once splashing in the water the marine world will become available to you. The first underwater experience in open water is likely to be a memory you will never forget.
Once under the water with the rest of the members of your padi beginners course you will notice the lack of sharks and hungry beasts coming to get you, but you will notice the mesmerizing multi-coloured fish swimming happily past you as if you’re not even there looking more extraordinary than any of Versace’s wilder designs. It is impossible not to be bowled over by the 360degree beauty around you, the intricate coral, the soaring rock structures, the unbelievable eels being cleaned by little prawns, and simply the utter peace of being there, hearing your own rhythmic breathing. The constant concentration on breathing and visual stimulation creates an environment that’s difficult to compete with, highlighting why scuba is so often compared to yoga.
When it gets to the time to ascent, you won’t want to leave – the experience is the most relaxing thing you will ever do and your first thought will be “When can I do it again?”
Learning to dive in Sharm is perfect for those whom are nervous or keen to see all sorts of marine life from the initial submersion. To find out more about how you can take part in a padi beginners course across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (22/08/08)
That’s all for now on how you the padi beginners course
Many people learn whilst on holiday in the Maldives or the Great Barrier Reef however with the increase in cheaper flights to Europe Sharm el Sheikh is increasingly replacing beach holidays for UK travellers to learn to dive. A television presenter for GMTV was one of these people, claiming to be hydro, claustro and sharkophobic she was happy to say “Thanks, but no thanks” when diving was offered to her however with some special persuasion whilst filming in Sharm two years ago she decided to give it a go.
Accosted by the hotel diving instructor she was shown “some the most extraordinary images” taken right in front of her hotel, “it was impossible not to be impressed. Seeing marine life in books and on television is fascinating. Seeing things that are swimming beneath the waves in front of your hotel beach somehow makes them more tangible”. She finally decided to enrol on a padi beginners course.
Before she could see these images in real life there were 3 obstacles she needed to overcome; the fear of open water; a mask and breathing through a tube, and of course, the sharks. The padi beginners course would help her achieve this whilst easing all beginners into the water at their own pace. She was adamant that however much logic told her that great whites do not live in the seas around Mauritius “what if one got blown off course from Cape Town?”. A Life coach, Pete Cohen helped the presenter get to the bottom of her phobias, he simply posed the question: “Were you born with a fear of large expanses of water, small spaces and big fish?” The answer, naturally enough, was no. “You learnt them,” he said. “Picked them up from society and now you simply play them out in your daily life, and scuba- diving brings all three crashing together. You can dive; you just have to unlearn your fears.”
In order to get out the fear of diving it’s most sensible to give snorkelling a go either as part of a padi beginners course or before you enrol, banishing all thoughts of sharks and any threatening ideology. It’s not nearly as scary as you might think, after this an attempt at breathing through full scuba apparatus in a pool would be recommended. There is a lot of gear that comes with scuba diving however learning as part of a padi beginners course you will learn in bite-size chunks in a safe environment.
You will discover that the tank really does supply air evenly just like breathing on land and that the mouthpiece is actually rather comfortable, equally you will learn what to do if your mask becomes dislodged and fills up with water. The instructor of the padi beginners course will always be around to give you guidance and explain how everything works.
Once you have got over those issues as part of your padi beginners course you will then be ready to attempt either an open water dive of a dive within a local lagoon for example if you have a house reef which is particularly common in Egypt. Once you reach the dive site if on boat its likely you will be required to roll back off the boat, this is nowhere near as scary as you might think, once splashing in the water the marine world will become available to you. The first underwater experience in open water is likely to be a memory you will never forget.
Once under the water with the rest of the members of your padi beginners course you will notice the lack of sharks and hungry beasts coming to get you, but you will notice the mesmerizing multi-coloured fish swimming happily past you as if you’re not even there looking more extraordinary than any of Versace’s wilder designs. It is impossible not to be bowled over by the 360degree beauty around you, the intricate coral, the soaring rock structures, the unbelievable eels being cleaned by little prawns, and simply the utter peace of being there, hearing your own rhythmic breathing. The constant concentration on breathing and visual stimulation creates an environment that’s difficult to compete with, highlighting why scuba is so often compared to yoga.
When it gets to the time to ascent, you won’t want to leave – the experience is the most relaxing thing you will ever do and your first thought will be “When can I do it again?”
Learning to dive in Sharm is perfect for those whom are nervous or keen to see all sorts of marine life from the initial submersion. To find out more about how you can take part in a padi beginners course across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (22/08/08)
That’s all for now on how you the padi beginners course
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