South Egypt
Why
Southern Egypt is a destination made up of a vast area that extends from
the city of Hurghada and south to the border with Sudan.
Island reefs located at a distance for the coastline characterize the area.
The deep reefs reach sea level and create dramatic underwater landscapes
and spectacular vibrant colors that contrast with the deep, clear blue Red Sea.
Some of the sites feature local sharks such as Oceanic sharks,
Hammerhead sharks and the rare Atlantic Thresher shark.
These southern waters are abundant with spectacular reefs, caves and beautiful lagoons.
Southern Egypt is considered one of the most beautiful diving destinations in the world!
מתי
The Red Sea and its northern extensions are located at a relatively far distance
from the equator, therefore there is a big difference in temperatures between the
summer and winter seasons.
Although July and August are very hot, requiring visitors to drink plenty of fluids,
cover their heads and avoid direct exposure to the sun, the months of January to
March are cold and may be less pleasant when coming out of the water, after a dive.
There is no dramatic change in the water temperature that stays at approximately
20-25 degrees throughout the year. The best time to take a diving trip and visit
southern Egypt is during April to December.
How
A diving cruise (all-inclusive) is the best choice for diving in southern Egypt, ensuring you
reach all the fantastic dive sites, as the ship sails from site to site. Usually the ship sails at
night and anchors at the new destination at dawn. Dives are performed throughout the day.
Early mornings and late afternoons are the times when the reefs are most active and the
pelagic sea fish approach these areas in search of prey.
These trips usually let divers enjoy a small number of other divers at the diving sites.
The ship offers comfortable and air-conditioned cabins, delicious food, breathtaking
sunsets and a particularly experiential trip.
The recommended route to reach southern Egypt is with flights to Hurgada, from there
a direct transfer is available to the cruise ship, on which we will spend a week of diving.
כללי על היעד
אופי הצלילות
מה רואים
Cruise Routes
This destination cannot be covered by a single cruise, due to the vast area.
Therefore, it is customary to divide the area into two main routes, north and south.
There are some variations for routes that include dive sites in both regions.
The cruises depart from Hurghada or Marsa Galib in the south, offering several options.
You can join existing cruises and spend time with other divers from around the world or
choose selected trips accompanied by Wild Dive guides.
Famous Five Route:
The island of Jubal and the Rosalie Molar shipwreck, Abu Nahas, Thistlgrom
shipwreck, Ras Mohammed, Brothers Islands, the Salem Express Ferry.
Simply the Best! Route:
A cruise to the three major sites: Brothers Island, Deadalus Reef and Elphinstone Reef.
Southern and St. John Route:
Cruise to the most southern reefs: St. John’s, Zabargad Island and Perry Shuls Reefs.
Southern Shark Route:
St. John’s, Rocky Island, Deadalus Reef and Elphinstone Reef.
Sites
Panorama Reef
One of the classic reefs in the area is located not far from the city of Spaga.
The reef rises to sea level and is surrounded by coral walls that reach a great depth.
You can observe a variety of fish and species of corals, Napoleon fish, schools of
sea turtles and sometimes even white tipped reef sharks.
Salem Express Ferry
The Salem Express Ferry collided into the Hindman Reef in front of Spaga city and sunk
on the night of December 15th, 1991. It is considered one of the greatest disasters in the
Red Sea. The official death toll reached 471, but it is reckoned that there were more than
1,600 souls on board, most of whom were lost that night. In the weeks following the
disaster, the area was scanned by the Egyptian navy and the giant ferry remained in parts
at depths from 12-30 meters, which testify and show evidence of a catastrophic event.
A relatively new and enormous ship lying on its side at the bottom of the ocean, two huge
propellers, 20 meters deep, as well as many penetration points into the ship's hull.
The dive itself is very impressive and all the warnings regarding careful entry into the
penetration points from which the exit can be seen are very true to this unique spot.
Beyond the ship itself, the reef is one of the most spectacular in the region.
Brothers Island
The Little Brother and the Big Brother on which a lighthouse, built by the British is
located, are two isolated islands in the center of the Red Sea, due to the separation of
the African and Asian continents. The islands are mountain peaks, that rise from the
seabed, reaching more than 2000 meters. The location is a shelter for magnificent corals,
huge fan corals, sharks and many kinds of pelagic fish.
Diving at this site requires prior experience of at least 50 dives. Any mistake by a diver
in this isolated location can cost him his life due to lack of awareness of depth, improper
handling of currents or uncontrolled drifts into the open sea.
The islands are a few hundred meters apart and each of them offers several diving spots, and
any entry chosen and diving in the direction of the current ensures a fantastic and diverse dive.
On the eastern side of the big brother is a flat area, known as a great place to meet with packs
of Hammerhead sharks, large schools of fish and rare Atlantic Thresher sharks.
Aida II Shipwreck
The ship collided into this large island in 1957 and sank almost immediately. The
ship's 77 crew members were rescued unharmed. The ship hangs, almost defying the
rules of nature, at a sharp angle between 25 and 60 meters. Forty years later, the ship
became part of the reef, the wooden decks were eaten away and eventually disappeared
and the hull remained completely intact, enabling the iron ribs to allow relatively easy
access. Overall, this mystical shipwreck site is covered in an amazing combination of
corals and is a superb dive site.
Currents must be considered whilst diving around Little Brother Island and buoyancy
marking is a necessity. This is a beautiful reef and the southwestern side is characterized
by encounters with sharks and soft corals in unusual sizes. The northeastern side is a
sandy knee with huge trees of black coral.
One of the attractions is the top of the reef, situated approximately six meters below sea
level. It is known to be one of the most beautiful dive sites in the region where you can
meet sharks, barracudas and giant turtles that are also common in this area.
Deadalus Reef
A night cruise south of Brothers Island leads to one of the most exciting dive sites
in the Red Sea, about 80 kilometers off the east coast of the African continent.
Encounters with various species of sharks are guaranteed on every dive. In good
conditions, experienced divers are able to surround this 800 meter long reef that has
a beautiful lighthouse in its center.
Be sure to check your buoyancy marking, dive with the current, and do not drift away
from the reef to the open sea, be ensure to take in to account weather conditions and
abide by computer time. A fairy tale experience!
Elphinstone Reef
One of the finest sites in southern Egypt, located approximately 10 kilometers
off the east coast of Marsa Alam. This site features a cigar-shaped reef with
vertical walls from east and west and slopes on the northern and southern sides.
The site is a beautiful coral garden of soft and hard corals. This is one of the best
places in the world to encounter Oceanic White Tip sharks, one of the most beautiful
and impressive sharks. The sharks do not hesitate to get very close to the divers and
their tendency to show curiosity is one of the reasons that is not customary perform
night dives at this spot.
At the northern area you can watch shy Hammerhead sharks.
Zabargad Island
The largest island in southern Egypt, located 70 kilometers from the coastline,
its highest point reaches 235 meters above sea level. Its name derives from the
topaz stones and evidence of their mining can be found on the mountain slopes.
In the southeast of the island is a turquoise bay, called Turtle Bay, which is relatively
protected from the open sea. The site has a 15 meter coral wall with a gentle 30 meter
slope. The slope is home to many tunnels and niches, perfect hiding places for reef fish,
octopus and of course turtles that visit the island to lay their eggs, in August. The reef
also has passages leading into the lagoon.
During calm seas you can dive outside the bay where there are steep walls, to observe
manta rays that arrive to the cleaning stations at depths between 15 – 30 meters. Oceanic
White Tip sharks are also a common sight here.
At the northern part of the island at a depth of 10-24 meters, lays the remains of a
70-meter long Russian cargo ship, Khanka. The mast of the ship reaches up to two
meters below sea level and allows safe and comfortable mooring.
Rocky Island
A small 500 meter long rocky island, located approximately 5 kilometers
south-east of the large island, Zabargad. Scuba diving on the north side,
especially early in the morning, is interesting due to the huge schools of
pelagic fish that swim tens of meters from the reef and attract predators.
Due to currents and difficult sea conditions, diving at Rocky Island is
recommended for experienced divers.
The southern side is more protected and full of caves and crevices. Almost
vertical reef walls and pillars of coral that you can dive between, surround
the island. Reef sharks are commonly spotted here.
St. John’s Reefs
A paradise for divers, with an unusual area of caves and canyons at Umm
Chararim. The site is at a maximum depth of 15 meters and includes an
amazing maze, games of light from the sunrays, exciting passageways and
Mother Nature's playground. Here you can spot Napoleon fish and young
reef sharks that use the caves as hiding places during the day.
St. John's is classed as Egypt's most vibrant and beautiful reefs, home to a
mixture of soft and hard species of coral, crystal clear water, sharks and
pelagic fish in almost every dive.
Fury Shoals
An extensive diving area that extends south of Egypt to the border of
Sudan and includes about 20 large reefs over an area of 30 kilometers.
Shaab Claudio- a reef on the south side, one of the most beautiful reefs
in the Red Sea, offering comfortable diving conditions.
The south of the reef has a wide 8 meter dive passage, full of schools of
yellow fish. A vast coral garden and Napoleon fish characterize the west side.
Shaab Maksour - a Reef in the northern part of Perry Shul with steep walls, with
sea conditions and currents suitable for experienced divers. This is a great spot to
observe Grey Reef sharks and large tuna fish.
Ras Galawa- a beautiful diving site, famous for the Chinese tug boat that sank in 1943,
one of southern Egypt's renowned dive sites that is also perfect for night dives.
There are not many diving destinations in the world that offer quality diving as found in
Southern Egypt. Impressive coral walls, caves and turrets, significant currents, clear blue
waters and interesting shipwrecks. A tremendous combination of vibrant reefs inhabited
by schools of fish, reef fish and large sea creatures – just how a healthy ecosystem should
look.
The reefs in Southern Egypt are spectacular in color as are the green turtles, the many
species of fish and the dolphins - all of which are absolutely impressive.
However, many divers who choose to dive here are most interested in encounters with the
famous sharks that dominate the region, including reef sharks and pelagic sharks such as
the grey reef sharks, silver tips, hammerheads, leopard sharks, silky sharks, and even the
rare thresher shark.
The highlight for many dive enthusiasts is the Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Longimanus).
Diving with them is truly a unique experience, mainly due to their great curiosity, they
are not afraid of approaching the divers and enjoy swimming around them for lengths
of time.
International Time
GMT + 2 hours.
The difference in hours may change according to summer and winter
clocks, we recommend you check the exact time for your planned trip.
Entry Visa
Make sure your passport is valid for at least an additional six months.
Make sure there are no torn pages and that your passport photo is clear and affixed
properly. Trips to this destenation must be accompanied by a valid Egyptian visa.
The most convenient, insured and cheap way is to issue the visa in advance
online. click here for more info. This is also possible at the airport or land border.
Without a visa, you cannot join the trip. make sure you stamp your visa on arrival
to the country. for more information please contact the nearest embassy in your
country. Additionally, please check for updates prior to your departure, as this
information, as in the past, may be modified by the Egypitian government
without prior notice.
Personal Documents
A passport with at least 6 months validity.
Travel and diving insurance - can be purchased on this site.
A credit card is accepted in most places (but only on some
of the boats) saving the need to carry excess cash.
Diving certificate, valid diving insurance and a dive log book.
Photocopy of your passport, diving certificates and travel insurance.
Make sure to keep it in a separate file from the original documents.
Diving Equipment
It is recommended to bring your own equipment with which you are
accustomed to using, especially a mask and a dive computer. Check
your diving equipment prior to your departure. Rented scuba diving
equipment must be booked in advance and entails an additional fee.
The thickness of your wetsuit should be according to your personal
comfort. We recommend a thick 2 piece 5 mm wetsuit.
Important items for diving trips: an inflatable buoy to mark the location
connected to the roller and a reef anchor rope against strong currents, a
whistle attached to your BCD and simple gloves to grip the reef if necessary.
Photography
This is certainly a destination to document. The Red Sea is a spectacular
destination to photograph above and below water, some say it is an
photographer's paradise! You do not have to be an expert photographer
in order to take fantastic photos to capture some amazing, unique and
unforgettable moments. Diving packages are available for most kinds of
cameras, for photography above and under water. Easy-to-use extreme
cameras are also a popular choice.
Clothing
It is unnecessary to pack a lot of clothing on a dive holiday. A light garment
to wear in the day between dives is recommended. One or two buttoned shirts
for the evening can be useful. It is recommended to wear warm sports cloths
and a pair of socks during your flights. You can avoid bringing shoes and in
most cases, a sport sandal is sufficient. Towels and bedding are provided by
hotels and on the boats.
Egypt is a Muslim country and it is advisable to consider the sensitivities in
terms of clothing, especially in public places, markets and restaurants.
Medication and First Aid
Pre-equip yourself with enough personal medication; the chance of obtaining
specific drugs is small. Do not forget to stock up on seasickness pills if necessary.
Pack a high factor sunscreen to protect you from prolonged sun exposure.
Vaccines - It is recommended to keep up to date with your Ministry of Health
website regarding vaccines for Egypt.
Flights
When you receive your flight ticket, please ensure that your name is spelled
exactly as in your passport! You must arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before
departure. The number of bags and their weight should comply with airline
restrictions to avoid overweight charges. Weight regulations are strict on domestic
flights and entail a nominal fee for every extra kilo.
Transportation, Arrival and Pick Up
A representative on our behalf will be waiting for you at Hurghada airport
to coordinate a transfer to the boat or hotel, according to the itinerary. In the
itinerary that you receive from us, you will find details of the trip and the
phone number of the contact person who will await you.
Communication
The resorts and boats offer internet access, however please take into account
that access maybe limited and not at the level you are accustomed to. If you
need to stay connected, we recommend you purchase a local SIM card at the
airport on arrival. The Sim cards are relatively cheap and ensure internet access.
Please install the SIM in the store and check that it is in working order.
Weather
The Red Sea and its northern extensions are located at a relatively far distance
from the equator, therefore there is a big difference in temperatures between the
summer and winter seasons. Although July and August are very hot, requiring
visitors to drink plenty of fluids, cover their heads and avoid direct exposure to
the sun, the months of January to March are cold and may be less pleasant when
coming out of the water, after a dive. There is no dramatic change in the water
temperature that stays at approximately 25c degrees throughout the year. The best
time to take a diving trip and visit southern Egypt is during April to December.
Sea Conditions
Sea conditions in the Southern Egypt are variable. Winds change according to
season and sea conditions can change within hours due to strong northern winds
that are common throughout the year causing small waves that travel fast against
the ocean swells. In most cases, the sea conditions require mooring on the protected
side of the reefs and boats exit and sail against the waves to the open areas where
the most beautiful sites are usually located. Site-to-site cruises can be challenging.
It should be noted that there are long interludes where the Red Sea is quiet and pleasant.
Electrical Supply
230V, we recommend to bring a universal adapter to avoid problems. There
are different types of sockets and you should prepare for this in advance. On
most boats, you will find charging stations that suit a variety of electronical devices.
Money
The local currency is the Egyptian Pound. Most of tourist service providers accept
Dollars and Euros, price lists are usually in these currencies. We recommend
you stock up on small notes to but souvenirs at the local bazaars Tourist service
providers, boats and hotels accept credit cards.
Local Taxes
Apart from border tax, all taxes are included in Egyptian prices.
This law may change without prior notice.
Tips
Tips are commonly paid to tourist service providers. In restaurants,
a 10 percent tip is the normal going rate. For a few days stay at a resort
or on a boat, it is usual to leave $10 per person, according to the level of
service. It is recommended to give the tip openly before departure when
the local team assembles to say goodbye.
What NOT To Bring
Elements with religious characteristics that offend Islam
Pornography
Alcoholic drinks
Animals
Narcotic drugs
Weapons and ammunition
Emergency Numbers and Decompression Chambers
Check with your tour guide and local operator about the local
evacuation procedure and essential phone numbers.
Are cruises in Egypt suitable for non-divers?
Most of the reefs in the Red Sea reach sea level, therefore sometimes snorkeling
offers beautiful and impressive views, just like dives. Pleasant weather conditions
encourages staying in the water for a length of time during the day. Activities and
the nature of the trip are suited for divers, therefore it is worth making sure that
those who do not dive enjoy this kind of activity. Cruises are suitable for lovers
of nature and anyone who enjoys spectacular views, delicious food and relaxation.
Do I need to be an experienced diver to participate in such a trip?
Diving in southern Egypt is not simple and in most dives the seabed cannot be
visualized, the currents are strong and variable during dives. The sea level can
be unpleasant before descent and at the end of the dive. This destination requires
prior experience of at least 50 dives and an advanced diving certificate.
Do I Need Nitrox Certification?
Most modern boats offer 32% enriched oxygen. During an intensive week of
diving is highly recommended to use nitrox. Using the dive computer in regular
air mode whilst breathing nitrox increases safety ranges. Moreover, there is no
dramatic effect on the overall time spent in water that derives from the amount
of air in the tank. Use of Nitrox is according to the diver's personal preference.
Do we Disembark the Boat?
There are no planned disembarks from the boat, however there are some
opportunities to visit small islands or secluded beaches during the cruise.
Do I Need Medical Approval to Dive?
In principle, the requirement for medical approval is international with a medical
statement accepted by diving organizations. If the answers to all the questions in
your health declaration are negative, then there is no problem. If there are positive
answers, consult your diving doctor and get approval. If you are over 45, a medical
certificate is required.
Should I Purchase My Own Diving Equipment?
The answer to this question is according to the amount of dives. Naturally, when
planning a scuba diving trip you can decide to purchase full or partial scuba
equipment. We recommend to purchase your own mask and personal dive computer.
We would be happy to be at your service and offer advice on purchasing equipment.
Do I Need Booties?
As a rule, you should dive as usual. If you have booties and compatible fins
the answer is yes. Keep in mind that diving on dive cruises offer direct sea
access without the need to access from the beach or cross reefs with sea urchins,
so you can use fins that does not require diving boots.
