Dahab Diving

Dahab often referred to as the Goa of the Red sea, Dahab diving breeds on Dahab's hippie-like image, yet it is as good, if not better than people claim. The average age of Dahab's tourists are probably around 20, but far older visitors can feel just as welcome. Dahab is one of the most versatile diving locations 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 nowhere else in the world.

Dahab is definitely one of my favourite places in the world for total relaxation, the ultimate getaway from the daily grind. The amazing setting and the people around you; this place doesn't get boring even on days when you do absolutely nothing. Swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, drinking coffee and eating food, with only the pulse of the waves surrounding you 24 hours a day. Of course Dahab diving is second to non in my opinion and the ultimate getaway from the daily grind.

Dahab diving offers a plethora of experiences for all levels of ability. The Lagoon is a nice spot to watch, 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, not far 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. It 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. People die here almost every year, mainly from nitrogen narcosis. It is apparently too easy to start diving all by yourself. This should only be done after years of training or with an experienced guide next to you. 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.

Ra's Abu Galum is a nice addition to your visit for Dahab diving, it’s a camel ride north of the Blue Hole. It is a genuine Bedouin village, with ramshackle huts on a sandy bank next to the ocean. There might be a few hundred people living here. What is perhaps most memorable in this area is that the boys and girls playing naked on the beach, swimming like dolphins, and appearing totally free. Their attitudes resemble little the strict rules of relations between men and women in the rest Egypt.

Taking into account of the experience you’re gaining when travelling in Dahab diving you should be aware that your usual home comforts are not always accessible, Dahab is a great place for eating, but hotels are often basic; the few middle class hotels have a dull touch. But the clue here is to settle for the simple standards, and enjoy everything else (the restaurants, the clubs, the large gardens and the amazing atmosphere).

Practically all restaurants here follow the same concept, they are open-air places next to the beach whereby you will be seated on large pillows right on the ground. You may pick out the fish of the night from stands at the entrance, and when you finally finish your meal, you can stay as long as you like.

Dahab diving offers a relaxed environment, the heat lightened by a constant breeze with the temperatures ranging from the mid-80's at night to the upper 90's during the day. In the shade it is very comfortable with the breeze; clearly visible from the coast is Saudi Arabia, Right across the gulf.

Dahab diving provides a stark contrast to other diving destinations, the teal water of the red sea on one site and the orange of the desert leading up to craggy mountains. Being able to walk into the water from the hotel is equally attractive, ensure diving is accessible constantly, there are dozens of dive shops and the sea is swarming with divers.

When in Dahab diving your likely to see grey moray eels, lots of lion fish, split-tail rays, crocodile fish, cleaners shrimps, wrass of all different colours, shapes and sizes, as well as unicorn fish, grouper, puffer fish, clown fish, pipe fish, angel fish, sergeant fish and scorpion fish. You’re equally likely to see octopi and giant clams. The coral visible when in and around Dahab diving is amazing, the table coral, which looks like a tree where in all the branches are horizontal and the same height, creating a “table” look provide excellent cover for interesting fish to lurk below in the shade.

Overall from each person I have met throughout my diving travels the general consensus is that the Red Sea especially when in Dahab diving rivals the Great Barrier Reef and is a “must dive” location for all SCUBA divers. The best description I can think of to describe the wonders of Dahab diving would be like swimming inside the most abundant aquarium on earth.

To find out more about Sharm el Sheik and diving across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk/diving_destinations_dahab.html and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (15/08/08)

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Sharm el Sheikh diving with Whale Sharks

The Egyptian city of Sharm El Sheikh holds a plethora of wonders; however the most priceless beauty of all is hidden beneath the water. The lethal combination of the sea, sand and sun creates a place of beauty and a paradise for the majority of water sports lovers, diving especially. Sharm El Sheikh diving is perhaps the most accessible in Egypt, often the first port of call for divers looking to experience The Red Sea.

It’s an established fact that Sharm El Sheikh diving is a diver’s paradise. With a bounty of marine flora and fauna the divers get to enjoy some of the best sites below the sea. The place has more than fifty diving spots but scuba is essentially offered at the best diving destinations which are well equipped with modern apparatus.

The whale shark is often seen by divers in the Red Sea, especially the Sharm El Sheikh area. However the highest concentration of whale sharks to be found anywhere in the world is in the Philippines.
The red sea boasts some of the best diving in the world; Sharm El Sheikh diving offers a large amount of this with a 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). Equally there are plenty of dive schools in the area for once you arrive, it is definitely worth getting your PADI Open Water certification either before you arrive of once your there to ensure you can sample some of the best diving in Egypt.

Whale sharks as a species, despite their size pose little to no threat towards humans. They are actually quite gentle and can often be found playful towards divers. There are unconfirmed reports of whale sharks lying still in and around the Sharm El Sheikh area, upside down on the surface to allow divers to scrape parasites and other organisms from their bellies. The only risk posed to divers and snorkellers when with whale sharks is the possibility of being struck by the shark’s large tail fin.
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. But its now an interesting site of Egypt because of a plethora marine treasures hidden beneath its emerald waters.
When in Sharm El Sheikh diving the reefs at Ras Mohammed are a must, they are magnificent, their beauty and diversity always amazes me. Thousands of colourful fish and other marine creatures together form a complete ecosystem. You will find microscopic creatures to whale sharks all looking for food or hiding from predators. The coral spreads its wings in many forms, shapes and colours. From the largest colonies of hard corals to the tiniest swaying soft ones. 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.
Within 2 hours of Sharm El Sheikh diving is the Tiran and Ras Mohammed reefs, two of the most renowned diving spots in the world.. Ras Mohammed is the southern tip of Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Gulf of Suez. Ras Mohammed is another destination where the underwater reefs drop beneath to seventy metres. The Straits of Tiran are perhaps the best of Scuba diving spots with its four stupefying circular coral reefs. You will find schools of barracuda and a variety of sharks. It may be worth arranging a diving safari with a dive school in order to get away from the sometimes overcrowded dive sites allowing you to catch a glimpse of less popular sites:
- Active Diving
- Red Sea Diving College
- Red Sea Diving Safari
- Oonas Dive Centre
Most of the scuba diving spots have to be reached by a boat. Not to worry, because the calm waters of the red sea is suitable for the amateurs too. The dive sites are endowed with intricate coral formations and an assortment of marine life like snappers, jacks and barracudas. The shallow coral gardens around are also interesting to be explored. For the expert scuba divers the Thislegorm or the Dunraven, a bit far away from the coast are the ideal spots of relaxing and looking over the wonderful sea life. All in all I would recommend a visit to Egypt for the Sharm El Sheikh diving alone, the fact that the city offers a plethora of alternative activities, nightlife and a culture that welcomes anyone and everyone ensures that your experience will be a memorable one.
Without a doubt Whale Sharks are some of the most magnificent creatures in the ocean, managing to maintain absolute grace and serenity despite their enormous size, an astounding experience for anyone diving or snorkelling.
To find out more about diving with Whale sharks across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk/diving_whale_sharks.html and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (15/08/08)
That’s all for now on Sharm El Sheikh diving

learn to scuba dive

You are about to enter a new world …. A world full of many wondrous and awe-inspiring sights …. a world beyond imagination….beginning to learn to scuba dive.
No matter how many television documentaries you have seen about the underwater world, nothing can compare to the real thing. Once you learn to scuba dive your eyes will be opened like never before to the underwater world. You are about to experience the adventure of a lifetime, one which will leave you with a great feeling of personal satisfaction and an adrenalin rush so high words will fail you … a truly exhilarating experience.
Active Diving’s learn to scuba dive program caters for all budding scuba divers. Our dive facilities are always in demand for the diver that wishes to learn to dive or increase his/her diving skills through the PADI learn to scuba dive courses

PADI Scuba Diver (learn to scuba dive in 2days)
This is the first level of diver certification. On completion you will be licensed to dive anywhere in the world under the supervision of a PADI professional to a maximum depth of 12 meters.
During this course you will learn to scuba dive through all the basic underwater skills necessary to enable you to enjoy scuba diving safely in three confined [shallow] water modules. You will then put these skills into practice, and have a lot of fun, in two Open Water dives. Alongside the water sessions are onboard video assisted lessons and three multiple choice quizzes.
From this level you can easily continue on towards the Open Water Diver, which allows you to dive to 18 meters.

PADI Open Water Course (learn to scuba dive in 3/4 days)
The course consists of five confined [shallow] water modules and four Open Water dives. By the end of the course students will be comfortable with the equipment and be able to relax and enjoy diving in less demanding conditions, even using a compass to plan and navigate a simple dive route.
The use of a video reduces classroom time, giving you more opportunity to get wet, and four multiple choice quizzes lead you in easy stages to the final theory exam.
Now you can dive - but how do you take underwater photos, recover that anchor, name that fish …? As an Open Water Diver you will want to learn to scuba dive as well as discovering more about the underwater world - the way forward is through Adventure Dives.

PADI Advanced Open Water Course (3 days)
Your lifetime of diving pleasure and fun is just beginning. The PADI Adventures in Diving Program is designed to increase your diving experience and knowledge in a controlled and safe environment.
Each Adventure Dive stands alone, allowing you to explore individual interests. Completion of three Adventure Dives earns you the PADI Adventures Diver rating. Completion of five Adventure Dives, including the Deep and Navigation dives earns you the PADI Advanced Diver certification. Adventure Dives completed with other PADI Dive Centres will be counted towards either of these certifications.
Each Adventure Dive includes knowledge development through the use of the PADI Adventures in Diver manual, Instructor presentation and video. This is followed by an Open Water dive designed to put your knowledge into practice in a safe and enjoyable way.
Join our Adventure Vibe with ACTIVE DIVING!!
To find out more about how you can learn to scuba dive across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.activediving.co.uk and quote: ART

Author: Dean Thomas (15/08/08)

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