For diving sharm el sheikh is the richest most effervescent destination in Africa, offering both luxuries of the modern world whilst seamlessly mixing with traditional Egyptian culture. Naturally when in the red sea diving is compulsory. For diving sharm el sheikh has always been known as one of the most coloured seas of the world. The geological movements of the past have created a unique condition that permitted marine life to grow in a fantastic variety of corals and reef fishes resulting in the widest possible range of colours.
The diving sharm el sheikh offers is spectacular offering everything from house reefs to the Thislegorm within a few hours by boat. The coral reefs and the tropical fish in and around diving sharm el sheikh are among the greatest you can see in the world, especially in Na'ama bay. Na'ama Bay boosts of great hotels, good restaurants and almost all activities imaginable. There are reefs off the beach at Na'ama, but the best places for going snorkelling are the Gardens (Near, Middle and Far) slightly east of Na'ama centre.
When diving sharm el sheikh the White Lagoon is a must, only accessible by boat from Sharm el Sheikh, and is one of the main attractions for everyone next to the Tiran Islands. They belong to an archipelago that has status as protected area, and may not be visited in the future. For divers, the choice goes much further. There are many shipwrecks out here, which means not only rich fish life but also underwater adventures. The Jackson Reef is another great attraction, with its 70 metre drop-off which must be visited when diving sharm el sheikh.
The Red Sea was formed about 25 million years ago when the African and Asian continental plates started to move apart. It continues to widen at a rate of about 1-2 cm per year. Containing more than 1,000 species of fish and has over 2,000 kilometres of fringing reef, making it one of the most bio-diverse seas in the world. Extreme heat in this region results in a very rapid rate of evaporation which results in a high concentration of salt. This makes the Red Sea among the saltiest bodies of water on Earth.
If your going to be diving sharm el sheikh then food is obviously going to be essential when your out of the water, Naama Bay has a plethora of restaurants which are priced at a fraction of the hotels, but are a better choice for dinner. The Marriott has a great outdoor pizza restaurant, Parmizzano's, which is good for lunch or dinner. For a late lunch and a good happy hour pad over to the Hilton, located five minutes walk from the Marriott.
At night after your days diving sharm el sheikh, downtown Naama Bay is a buzz of activity, with tourists crowding into row upon row of restaurants and bars. The Camel Bar is a favourite with the Brits, and its rooftop turns into a lively club at the weekend. The Alf Leila Wa Leila, located a few kilometres from Naama Bay, holds the best shows in Sharm, despite the fact that its prized performer is a male belly dancer named Tito. For late night partying, head to the Hard Rock Café but not too late unless you want to forfeit your day ahead diving sharm el sheikh.
For a town whose tourism market has barely reached adolescence, Sharm has a mature, western approach to tourism, which recognises that service sells. The quality of the service offered when diving sharm el sheikh is second to non, each experience is personal and genuine. Old Sharm is worth seeing once, but it is still in the early development stage, and the vendors are far more aggressive than in Naama Bay.
The best time to go try diving sharm el sheikh is in spring and autumn though it can get a little cool at night. During the summer months July and August it is very hot, but there is less wind than during the winter months. However, according to experiences, the view under water is best in summer and fall. There is almost always a light or even strong wind coming from North. Easyjet are currently offering some of the best flights for early 2009, London Gatwick to Sharm starting from 145GBP.
To find out more about diving holidays across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit Active Diving (http://www.activediving.co.uk/diving_destinations_sharm_el_sheikh.html) and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (14/08/08)
That’s all for now on diving sharm el sheikh
Showing posts with label sharm el sheikh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sharm el sheikh. Show all posts
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
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 cuising 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 cuising 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
Monday, August 11, 2008
Diving sharm – The Wrecks
Diving sharm is a must for anyone who is serious about exploring the underwater world, wreck diving especially is the place whereby the world above the water amalgamates perfectly with the aquatic world to create an awe-inspiring locality of marine life, colours and seemingly new worlds. Diving sharm is, in my opinion the pinnacle of where our everyday world blends with the depths of the ocean.
Wreck diving in the red sea, especially when Diving sharm opens your eyes to feasts amongst the Sinai Peninsula whereby the amount of wrecks present for divers to investigate is endless. Diving sharm offers perhaps the two most famous sunken shipwrecks in the world, the Thislegorm and the Dunraven. Known for the thrill they create when diving as well as the pristine condition and almost untouched state in which the red sea has preserved these vessels.
Diving sharm to dive the Thislegorm is well worth it, the ship lays at anchor awaiting further orders and directions from its previous commander, Great Britain. Once a supply vessel, she was laden heavily with an array of military equipment en route to North Africa to replenish British troops with ammunition and vehicles. Sunken by an attack from a German bomber in the late evening of 6th October 1941, the bombs took out the number four hold, ripping the stern apart. Resulting in the sunken treasure which holds some of the most wonderful aquatic life visible when Diving sharm.
Diving sharm is an experience which every diver should explore; the Thislegorm is integral to the overall experience. 126m long with a beam of 17.5m, once with the capability of carrying 4898 tons. She lies on a sandy plain at 30m, with parts of her bridge coming to just 17m. Safety is imperative when diving this piece of history, the currents are strong and the tidal directions can vary greatly, ascent and descents on rope secured by the wreck are obligatory.
Diving sharm for the wreck itself is undisputedly the number one dive site in the world featuring a vast array of military hardware ranging from anti aircraft and bren guns, airplane wings, ammunitions and shells, railway carriages and tenders, Wellington boots, trucks and motorcycles.
Diving sharm for the Thislegorm is awe-inspiring in itself, however additionally the Dunraven offers something slightly different. She was a steam and sail powered vessel en route from Bombay to Newcastle transporting spices and timber when she met with the horse shoe reef at Sha'ab Mahmud. The ship hit the reef after an allegedly drunken dispute involving the Captain, his wife, and his First mate, and caught on fire. The shipwreck has been underwater for more than 130 years; its contents were stripped of by a team of archaeologists in the 80s. Now it resembles a large cave. Inside divers can find schools of yellow goat fish and Giant morays. Due to its long time underwater the hull that is on the top is encrusted with corals and full of marine life, such as schools of bat fish, nudibranchs, pipe fish and the very rare ghost pipe fish.
Diving sharm for its wrecks induces a haze of adrenaline induced speechlessness which is incomparable to any other diving experience, a must for the premier position on any divers must see list.
Author: Emma Parker (11/08/08)
To find out more about Diving sharm and other areas across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.ActiveDiving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (03/08/08)
That’s all for now on Diving sharm
Wreck diving in the red sea, especially when Diving sharm opens your eyes to feasts amongst the Sinai Peninsula whereby the amount of wrecks present for divers to investigate is endless. Diving sharm offers perhaps the two most famous sunken shipwrecks in the world, the Thislegorm and the Dunraven. Known for the thrill they create when diving as well as the pristine condition and almost untouched state in which the red sea has preserved these vessels.
Diving sharm to dive the Thislegorm is well worth it, the ship lays at anchor awaiting further orders and directions from its previous commander, Great Britain. Once a supply vessel, she was laden heavily with an array of military equipment en route to North Africa to replenish British troops with ammunition and vehicles. Sunken by an attack from a German bomber in the late evening of 6th October 1941, the bombs took out the number four hold, ripping the stern apart. Resulting in the sunken treasure which holds some of the most wonderful aquatic life visible when Diving sharm.
Diving sharm is an experience which every diver should explore; the Thislegorm is integral to the overall experience. 126m long with a beam of 17.5m, once with the capability of carrying 4898 tons. She lies on a sandy plain at 30m, with parts of her bridge coming to just 17m. Safety is imperative when diving this piece of history, the currents are strong and the tidal directions can vary greatly, ascent and descents on rope secured by the wreck are obligatory.
Diving sharm for the wreck itself is undisputedly the number one dive site in the world featuring a vast array of military hardware ranging from anti aircraft and bren guns, airplane wings, ammunitions and shells, railway carriages and tenders, Wellington boots, trucks and motorcycles.
Diving sharm for the Thislegorm is awe-inspiring in itself, however additionally the Dunraven offers something slightly different. She was a steam and sail powered vessel en route from Bombay to Newcastle transporting spices and timber when she met with the horse shoe reef at Sha'ab Mahmud. The ship hit the reef after an allegedly drunken dispute involving the Captain, his wife, and his First mate, and caught on fire. The shipwreck has been underwater for more than 130 years; its contents were stripped of by a team of archaeologists in the 80s. Now it resembles a large cave. Inside divers can find schools of yellow goat fish and Giant morays. Due to its long time underwater the hull that is on the top is encrusted with corals and full of marine life, such as schools of bat fish, nudibranchs, pipe fish and the very rare ghost pipe fish.
Diving sharm for its wrecks induces a haze of adrenaline induced speechlessness which is incomparable to any other diving experience, a must for the premier position on any divers must see list.
Author: Emma Parker (11/08/08)
To find out more about Diving sharm and other areas across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.ActiveDiving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (03/08/08)
That’s all for now on Diving sharm
Scuba diving in the red sea
Think of scuba diving and images of James Bond wearing fins and sneaking up on the villain come to mind. Or, maybe your first thought is of Jacques Cousteau investigating the creatures of a coral reef. Both scenarios have entered popular culture for good reason - both reflect the adventure and wonder that characterize scuba diving. Over the last ten years awareness in scuba diving has grown in leaps and bounds, red sea diving is becoming the Mecca for many European travellers.
Though many regard Jules Verne's description of underwater diving as pure science fiction, equipment-assisted diving had been around for more than 100 years earlier. But it wasn't until the WWII years when Emile Gagnan, with some help from a then-obscure French navel lieutenant - Jacques Cousteau - invented the first scuba gear, the Aqualung.
To anyone standing on its shore and gazing out across its heavenly waters, the Red Sea may seem to be a mislabelling. Its blueness is eternal and anything less red cannot be fantasized. The Red Sea, where the desert meets the ocean, is truly one of the planet’s most exotic and fascinating natural seascape environments. The Red Sea is located between Asia and Africa. At its most northerly point forms the Sinai Peninsula and stretches over 1000 miles south to join the Indian Ocean, between Ethiopia and Yemen. In the north and west are desert plains, while in the south a mountainous region (2642 meters high), which is part of the mountain range stretching from deep in Saudi Arabia, across the Sinai and then into Nubia of the African continent. Red sea diving holds an oasis of living creatures, reefs, and coral formation. Its use as a highway between East and West has attracted man since the beginning of time.
Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) developed rapidly after the war and sport diving arose in tandem. From the 1960s to the present, buoyancy compensators, wetsuits and dry suits, along with a host of supplemental gear was born or advanced. Red sea diving requires a lot more than just selecting good equipment, basic physiology and physics, safety practices, venomous sea creatures are just a few of the essential topics of study. Anyone who 'just wants to get down there' won't be stopped by anyone... but the deep. The sea will claim them quickly enough.
Young children can be taught the basics, using SASY (Supplied Air Snorkelling for Youth) and other child-oriented gear. Teens to the mature can participate in diving and see all that the fascinating coral reefs and ocean depths have to show whilst red sea diving. Even elderly novices, with proper precautions, can safely enjoy shallow dives and see sights found nowhere else on Earth.
Certification isn't required, but is highly recommended. A good scuba diving class can teach anyone willing to learn in a few hours how to prepare gear, to breath properly, descend and ascend safely and avoid common dangers. You'll learn to clear your mask, use your regulator properly, life-saving tips and much more. http://www.activediving.co.uk offer red sea diving holidays where people of all ages and experience the wonders of the sea.
A 20-hour course from a PADI red sea dive club (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) whom are a recognized school can teach you skills useful your entire life. The cost is a few hundred pounds, but certification - once gained - is good for life. From there you can discover dive sites all over the world, some of the most diverse being located in south Africa and Lanzarote.
As a bonus, you'll learn to select dive gear. A mask, regulator, buoyancy compensator (BC), dive watch or computer, air supply (snorkel or tank) and fins are essential. But you'll also learn to judge wetsuits and dry suits, knives or guns, and you can even pick up a lot of tips about underwater photography. Instructors are always experienced divers, from experience with travelling with Active Diving I have found that always use the more experienced and established dive centres to ensure their customers have local guides with thorough knowledge of the area.
Because of movement of the in the Earth’s surface about 30 million years ago red sea diving is now possible. In that time, the Arab peninsula started to part from Africa along a thin break line which was filled by the ocean’s water. However, "Mother Nature" did not stop there. Twenty million years ago another geological movement started. The Arab peninsula which parted from Africa, started to move to the north. That movement struck resistance in Turkey and swung to the east, and another break line was formed. This one stretching all the way from the northern part of Israel, through the Jordan valley to the Dead Sea, and finally through the Gulf of Eilat to Ras Mohamad at the southern point of the Sinai. The young age of the Gulf of Eilat is what makes it so deep, 100 meters in Dahab and 1800 meters north of the Straits of Tiran. On the other hand, the old Gulf of Suez is relatively shallow, with a 85 meters maximum depth. The Red Sea is still widening at about one-half inch per year, the rift is the youngest region of continental breakup on the planet, allowing geologists to learn about processes that occurred in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans hundreds of millions of years earlier.
Water temperatures for Red Sea diving remain unusually constant year round, averaging 22C in the summer. Low pressure systems develop in the Sahara Desert and draw hot dry east winds from Asia which cause the temperature to rise frequently along with sand storms. At the same time, lows develop over the Red Sea, bringing moist cold air from the south and creating clouds, haze, and more often rain. The northern land mass is the primary influence over temperature in the gulf, but this decreases to the south the closer you get to open sea. The open sea’s cooling effect creates an interesting temperature pattern: maximum summer temperatures are lower in the south while minimum temperatures are higher in the north with the opposite occurring during the winter. In any case, the coldest moth of the year is January and the warmest months are July and August. Red Sea diving is notorious among seafarers for its high speed surface winds and aggressively short irregular motion. It may be calm on the inward shore, but journeys to exposed sites like The Brothers islands, a remote off-shore site east of El Quseir, can be perilous and boats have been seen literally to fall apart under the force of the journey.
Cargo vessels, oil tankers, fishing boats, and passenger liners all move their trade across this great waterway, but for many, the true enchantment of the Red Sea is hidden just below its surface. Red sea diving opens your eyes to over 1000 species of invertebrates and around 200 recorded coral types to be found. Moreover, the Red Sea boasts over a thousand species of fish, more species than any other proportional body of water. Not surprisingly, therefore, Red Sea diving is considered by many to offer the very best of the marine world. The Red Sea diving attracts photographers, marine scientists, and leisure seekers from all over the world, hoping to experience and explore the incalculable wonders of the colourful, abounding marine life and the Red Sea’s lavish coral reefs. In places, the exceptional living reef stretches way out to sea, forming a elaborate system of caves, lagoons, gardens, and plateaus. Some of these coral summits plunge dramatically thousands of feet to the ocean floor. Red Sea diving is not all a delight however, as it has its troubles which you will have to stay away from. There is minimal danger from marine animals in the Red Sea, and with a little common sense, even these dangers can be eliminated. Some of the marine animals are dangerous to touch, others dangerous to eat, and some are dangerous to come face to face with. There are fire corals and stinging hydroids which can be extremely painful if accidentally touched as well.
Snorkelling is a popular way to view the edge of the reef, especially for those with limited confidence in their swimming ability. Sharks, manta rays, turtles, and eels will take pieces of bread from your hand, and brilliantly coloured schools of fish team all around in bewildering colour. However, most divers will tell you that there is nothing to beat the thrill of experiencing the depth of the reef and the abounding marine life to be found Red Sea diving. The lure of the reef is such that many novice divers become totally "hooked" and cannot imagine why they have never joined in the fun before. Furthermore, when asked to compare their local diving conditions with those in the Red Sea, they find it a "paradise" with clear visibility, little wave action, and warm temperatures all year long.
Red sea diving relies on the water as does the rest of Egypt, Surrounding cities are totally dependent on it for household and industrial supplies, and tremendous desalination plants are in operation. These supply drinking water which has been purified to a high standard, as well as non-potable domestic water. Sea water is also used in large quantities by oil refineries and cement works situated along the coastline. The danger of pollution is always present in the Red Sea, particularly from oil spillage. A Royal Decree forbids the discharge of any pollutant substances, including oil, within 100 miles of the Saudi Arabian coastline.
Currently, the areas of the Eastern Desert and around the Red Sea have received a great deal of overdue attention. A joint expedition from the University of Delaware and Leiden University and Leiden University has been working at the ancient Red Sea port of Berinike. The past season the Delaware-Leiden team excavated in two areas, opened a total of seven trenches, and found four public buildings. One of the sites contained offering tables, an incense burner, a stela stand and an almost life-size bronze figure of a cloaked woman clasping a snake. Scraps of colourful textile from the Fourth and Fifth centuries A.D. have also been found. In addition, evidence of trade appears in the form of imported coconuts, pepper, and rice. So, while the edges of the Red Sea are being explored, the sea itself is being plunged in a survey of sunken wrecks. The Institute for Nautical Archaeology in Egypt, is continuing the underwater survey started last season, plotting the locations of shipwrecks along the Red Sea coast.
Red sea divers understand first hand that it cannot be compared to anywhere else in the world. Even the leisured gazer, speculating the inaccessible blue/red abnormality, can be said to have been given something to think about. The underwater amazement of the Red Sea remains a living tapestry of resounding corals and exotic fish, waiting for you to discover its secrets.
To find out more about diving holidays across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.ActiveDiving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (04/08/08)
That’s all for now on Red Sea Diving
Though many regard Jules Verne's description of underwater diving as pure science fiction, equipment-assisted diving had been around for more than 100 years earlier. But it wasn't until the WWII years when Emile Gagnan, with some help from a then-obscure French navel lieutenant - Jacques Cousteau - invented the first scuba gear, the Aqualung.
To anyone standing on its shore and gazing out across its heavenly waters, the Red Sea may seem to be a mislabelling. Its blueness is eternal and anything less red cannot be fantasized. The Red Sea, where the desert meets the ocean, is truly one of the planet’s most exotic and fascinating natural seascape environments. The Red Sea is located between Asia and Africa. At its most northerly point forms the Sinai Peninsula and stretches over 1000 miles south to join the Indian Ocean, between Ethiopia and Yemen. In the north and west are desert plains, while in the south a mountainous region (2642 meters high), which is part of the mountain range stretching from deep in Saudi Arabia, across the Sinai and then into Nubia of the African continent. Red sea diving holds an oasis of living creatures, reefs, and coral formation. Its use as a highway between East and West has attracted man since the beginning of time.
Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) developed rapidly after the war and sport diving arose in tandem. From the 1960s to the present, buoyancy compensators, wetsuits and dry suits, along with a host of supplemental gear was born or advanced. Red sea diving requires a lot more than just selecting good equipment, basic physiology and physics, safety practices, venomous sea creatures are just a few of the essential topics of study. Anyone who 'just wants to get down there' won't be stopped by anyone... but the deep. The sea will claim them quickly enough.
Young children can be taught the basics, using SASY (Supplied Air Snorkelling for Youth) and other child-oriented gear. Teens to the mature can participate in diving and see all that the fascinating coral reefs and ocean depths have to show whilst red sea diving. Even elderly novices, with proper precautions, can safely enjoy shallow dives and see sights found nowhere else on Earth.
Certification isn't required, but is highly recommended. A good scuba diving class can teach anyone willing to learn in a few hours how to prepare gear, to breath properly, descend and ascend safely and avoid common dangers. You'll learn to clear your mask, use your regulator properly, life-saving tips and much more. http://www.activediving.co.uk offer red sea diving holidays where people of all ages and experience the wonders of the sea.
A 20-hour course from a PADI red sea dive club (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) whom are a recognized school can teach you skills useful your entire life. The cost is a few hundred pounds, but certification - once gained - is good for life. From there you can discover dive sites all over the world, some of the most diverse being located in south Africa and Lanzarote.
As a bonus, you'll learn to select dive gear. A mask, regulator, buoyancy compensator (BC), dive watch or computer, air supply (snorkel or tank) and fins are essential. But you'll also learn to judge wetsuits and dry suits, knives or guns, and you can even pick up a lot of tips about underwater photography. Instructors are always experienced divers, from experience with travelling with Active Diving I have found that always use the more experienced and established dive centres to ensure their customers have local guides with thorough knowledge of the area.
Because of movement of the in the Earth’s surface about 30 million years ago red sea diving is now possible. In that time, the Arab peninsula started to part from Africa along a thin break line which was filled by the ocean’s water. However, "Mother Nature" did not stop there. Twenty million years ago another geological movement started. The Arab peninsula which parted from Africa, started to move to the north. That movement struck resistance in Turkey and swung to the east, and another break line was formed. This one stretching all the way from the northern part of Israel, through the Jordan valley to the Dead Sea, and finally through the Gulf of Eilat to Ras Mohamad at the southern point of the Sinai. The young age of the Gulf of Eilat is what makes it so deep, 100 meters in Dahab and 1800 meters north of the Straits of Tiran. On the other hand, the old Gulf of Suez is relatively shallow, with a 85 meters maximum depth. The Red Sea is still widening at about one-half inch per year, the rift is the youngest region of continental breakup on the planet, allowing geologists to learn about processes that occurred in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans hundreds of millions of years earlier.
Water temperatures for Red Sea diving remain unusually constant year round, averaging 22C in the summer. Low pressure systems develop in the Sahara Desert and draw hot dry east winds from Asia which cause the temperature to rise frequently along with sand storms. At the same time, lows develop over the Red Sea, bringing moist cold air from the south and creating clouds, haze, and more often rain. The northern land mass is the primary influence over temperature in the gulf, but this decreases to the south the closer you get to open sea. The open sea’s cooling effect creates an interesting temperature pattern: maximum summer temperatures are lower in the south while minimum temperatures are higher in the north with the opposite occurring during the winter. In any case, the coldest moth of the year is January and the warmest months are July and August. Red Sea diving is notorious among seafarers for its high speed surface winds and aggressively short irregular motion. It may be calm on the inward shore, but journeys to exposed sites like The Brothers islands, a remote off-shore site east of El Quseir, can be perilous and boats have been seen literally to fall apart under the force of the journey.
Cargo vessels, oil tankers, fishing boats, and passenger liners all move their trade across this great waterway, but for many, the true enchantment of the Red Sea is hidden just below its surface. Red sea diving opens your eyes to over 1000 species of invertebrates and around 200 recorded coral types to be found. Moreover, the Red Sea boasts over a thousand species of fish, more species than any other proportional body of water. Not surprisingly, therefore, Red Sea diving is considered by many to offer the very best of the marine world. The Red Sea diving attracts photographers, marine scientists, and leisure seekers from all over the world, hoping to experience and explore the incalculable wonders of the colourful, abounding marine life and the Red Sea’s lavish coral reefs. In places, the exceptional living reef stretches way out to sea, forming a elaborate system of caves, lagoons, gardens, and plateaus. Some of these coral summits plunge dramatically thousands of feet to the ocean floor. Red Sea diving is not all a delight however, as it has its troubles which you will have to stay away from. There is minimal danger from marine animals in the Red Sea, and with a little common sense, even these dangers can be eliminated. Some of the marine animals are dangerous to touch, others dangerous to eat, and some are dangerous to come face to face with. There are fire corals and stinging hydroids which can be extremely painful if accidentally touched as well.
Snorkelling is a popular way to view the edge of the reef, especially for those with limited confidence in their swimming ability. Sharks, manta rays, turtles, and eels will take pieces of bread from your hand, and brilliantly coloured schools of fish team all around in bewildering colour. However, most divers will tell you that there is nothing to beat the thrill of experiencing the depth of the reef and the abounding marine life to be found Red Sea diving. The lure of the reef is such that many novice divers become totally "hooked" and cannot imagine why they have never joined in the fun before. Furthermore, when asked to compare their local diving conditions with those in the Red Sea, they find it a "paradise" with clear visibility, little wave action, and warm temperatures all year long.
Red sea diving relies on the water as does the rest of Egypt, Surrounding cities are totally dependent on it for household and industrial supplies, and tremendous desalination plants are in operation. These supply drinking water which has been purified to a high standard, as well as non-potable domestic water. Sea water is also used in large quantities by oil refineries and cement works situated along the coastline. The danger of pollution is always present in the Red Sea, particularly from oil spillage. A Royal Decree forbids the discharge of any pollutant substances, including oil, within 100 miles of the Saudi Arabian coastline.
Currently, the areas of the Eastern Desert and around the Red Sea have received a great deal of overdue attention. A joint expedition from the University of Delaware and Leiden University and Leiden University has been working at the ancient Red Sea port of Berinike. The past season the Delaware-Leiden team excavated in two areas, opened a total of seven trenches, and found four public buildings. One of the sites contained offering tables, an incense burner, a stela stand and an almost life-size bronze figure of a cloaked woman clasping a snake. Scraps of colourful textile from the Fourth and Fifth centuries A.D. have also been found. In addition, evidence of trade appears in the form of imported coconuts, pepper, and rice. So, while the edges of the Red Sea are being explored, the sea itself is being plunged in a survey of sunken wrecks. The Institute for Nautical Archaeology in Egypt, is continuing the underwater survey started last season, plotting the locations of shipwrecks along the Red Sea coast.
Red sea divers understand first hand that it cannot be compared to anywhere else in the world. Even the leisured gazer, speculating the inaccessible blue/red abnormality, can be said to have been given something to think about. The underwater amazement of the Red Sea remains a living tapestry of resounding corals and exotic fish, waiting for you to discover its secrets.
To find out more about diving holidays across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.ActiveDiving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (04/08/08)
That’s all for now on Red Sea Diving
diving in sharm el sheikh
The location most commonly referred to when discussing any scuba diving destination has to be diving in sharm el sheikh. The red sea boasts some of the best diving in the world, the diving in sharm el sheikh offers a variety of dive sites from reefs and walls to wrecks. Situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula it marks where the red sea and the gulfs of Suez and Aqaba split in two. Diving is readily available everywhere, there are nearly fifty dive Centres in the region ensuring the opportunity cannot be missed.
Directly located on the eastern Red Sea coast, it is one of the best liked place for divers thanks to many diving sites accessible in a few minutes from the majority of accommodation. Liveaboards are common however unnecessary for the more popular dives in the area. The diving in sharm el sheikh is famous for its transparent and mild water, the abundance of colours and the presence of many different kinds of coral. Not to mention when diving in sharm el sheikh the abundance of marine life is astounding from sharks to dolphins and turtles.
Another massive attraction for those wanting to go diving in sharm el sheikh is the temperature of the water, its good all year round making diving and snorkelling possible constantly. In the depths when diving in sharm el sheikh it is very easy to find a number of wrecks. In these waters besides all the bentonic species it is very easy to meet big pelagic, tiny fishes, barracudas and sharks.
In Sharm el Sheikh, both diving and snorkelling can be rewarding just by stepping out from the beach or your house reef as part of the accommodation, which is a common occurrence. There are great reefs in Na'ama Bay, Ras Um Sid and Shark's Bay. But you will soon see plenty of offers for short or long excursions. Not only does this offer variation, but also experiences that should not be missed. When joining an excursion for snorkelling and diving in sharm el sheikh remember to note that the value for snorkellers can sometimes be limited. Many visitors diving in sharm el sheikh take dive courses while there. The quality of the courses vary somewhat, but many are of good quality. For many foreigners, prices are attractive, but not for all. Western countries with many dive centres, often offer better prices as well as better preparation for cold-water diving. If you do choose to take a course whilst there I recommend seeking a PADI or BSAC registered centre, Active Diving have a handful of outfits across the Red Sea and will be able to help you arrange this before you leave the UK (http://www.activediving.co.uk, 087 123 11 122).
More Europeans learn to dive here than anywhere else in the world and diving is ideal for beginners. Whatever your experience, dive centres require you to do one local dive before they will take you on a boat trip in order to give you an opportunity to orient yourself to Red Sea diving. The popularity of some of the more popular sites when diving in sharm el sheikh does mean that the water can get rather crowded, particularly once the day boats arrive. The dive sites are diverse and covered in coral formations and a range of marine life, including jacks, snappers and barracudas. The areas covered by Sharm are from the Straits of Tiran through to the marine park of Ras Mohammed. The Straits of Tiran have four circular reefs rising out of deep water and surrounded by steep drop offs. Ras Mohammed has steep coastal cliffs that drop away underwater to depths of over seventy metres. There are coral gardens that are shallow and calm as well as some excellent drifts in strong currents. For the more advanced diver, with day boats going as far as the wreck of the Thislegorm if you are willing to get up early for a four-hour boat trip. There is also the possibility of diving the Dunraven, which takes 2 1/2 hours by boat.
When not diving, if you have not had enough of the water it is possible to snorkel, swim, and do other water sports such as parasailing and banana boat rides. The resorts are quite lively with restaurants, bars, discos and shops and food and drink is relatively cheap. There are also various organised day trips such as quad biking or jeep safaris in the Sinai desert, trips to Mount Sinai and the 6th Century St Catherine’s Monastery. Close to the resort is a nature reserve where there are lakes and mangroves.
Author: Emma Parker (11/08/08)
To find out more about diving in sharm el sheikh and other areas across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.ActiveDiving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (03/08/08)
That’s all for now on diving in sharm el sheikh
Directly located on the eastern Red Sea coast, it is one of the best liked place for divers thanks to many diving sites accessible in a few minutes from the majority of accommodation. Liveaboards are common however unnecessary for the more popular dives in the area. The diving in sharm el sheikh is famous for its transparent and mild water, the abundance of colours and the presence of many different kinds of coral. Not to mention when diving in sharm el sheikh the abundance of marine life is astounding from sharks to dolphins and turtles.
Another massive attraction for those wanting to go diving in sharm el sheikh is the temperature of the water, its good all year round making diving and snorkelling possible constantly. In the depths when diving in sharm el sheikh it is very easy to find a number of wrecks. In these waters besides all the bentonic species it is very easy to meet big pelagic, tiny fishes, barracudas and sharks.
In Sharm el Sheikh, both diving and snorkelling can be rewarding just by stepping out from the beach or your house reef as part of the accommodation, which is a common occurrence. There are great reefs in Na'ama Bay, Ras Um Sid and Shark's Bay. But you will soon see plenty of offers for short or long excursions. Not only does this offer variation, but also experiences that should not be missed. When joining an excursion for snorkelling and diving in sharm el sheikh remember to note that the value for snorkellers can sometimes be limited. Many visitors diving in sharm el sheikh take dive courses while there. The quality of the courses vary somewhat, but many are of good quality. For many foreigners, prices are attractive, but not for all. Western countries with many dive centres, often offer better prices as well as better preparation for cold-water diving. If you do choose to take a course whilst there I recommend seeking a PADI or BSAC registered centre, Active Diving have a handful of outfits across the Red Sea and will be able to help you arrange this before you leave the UK (http://www.activediving.co.uk, 087 123 11 122).
More Europeans learn to dive here than anywhere else in the world and diving is ideal for beginners. Whatever your experience, dive centres require you to do one local dive before they will take you on a boat trip in order to give you an opportunity to orient yourself to Red Sea diving. The popularity of some of the more popular sites when diving in sharm el sheikh does mean that the water can get rather crowded, particularly once the day boats arrive. The dive sites are diverse and covered in coral formations and a range of marine life, including jacks, snappers and barracudas. The areas covered by Sharm are from the Straits of Tiran through to the marine park of Ras Mohammed. The Straits of Tiran have four circular reefs rising out of deep water and surrounded by steep drop offs. Ras Mohammed has steep coastal cliffs that drop away underwater to depths of over seventy metres. There are coral gardens that are shallow and calm as well as some excellent drifts in strong currents. For the more advanced diver, with day boats going as far as the wreck of the Thislegorm if you are willing to get up early for a four-hour boat trip. There is also the possibility of diving the Dunraven, which takes 2 1/2 hours by boat.
When not diving, if you have not had enough of the water it is possible to snorkel, swim, and do other water sports such as parasailing and banana boat rides. The resorts are quite lively with restaurants, bars, discos and shops and food and drink is relatively cheap. There are also various organised day trips such as quad biking or jeep safaris in the Sinai desert, trips to Mount Sinai and the 6th Century St Catherine’s Monastery. Close to the resort is a nature reserve where there are lakes and mangroves.
Author: Emma Parker (11/08/08)
To find out more about diving in sharm el sheikh and other areas across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.ActiveDiving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (03/08/08)
That’s all for now on diving in sharm el sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh diving
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 watersports 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 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.
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 a plethora marine treasures hidden beneath its emerald waters.
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 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 Sharm el Sheikh diving spots have to be reached by a boat. Not to worry, because the calm waters of the red sea ensure the area is suitable for amateurs and experienced divers alike. 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 Thistlegorm 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.
To find out more about diving holidays across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.ActiveDiving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (08/08/08)
That’s all for now on Sharm el Sheikh diving
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 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.
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 a plethora marine treasures hidden beneath its emerald waters.
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 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 Sharm el Sheikh diving spots have to be reached by a boat. Not to worry, because the calm waters of the red sea ensure the area is suitable for amateurs and experienced divers alike. 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 Thistlegorm 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.
To find out more about diving holidays across The Red Sea, Lanzarote and South Africa visit http://www.ActiveDiving.co.uk and quote: ART
Author: Emma Parker (08/08/08)
That’s all for now on Sharm el Sheikh diving
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