diving sites

Ras Mohammad National Park is located on the southern tip of Sinai peninsula, right between Suez and Aqaba gulfs. The underwater world of Ras Mohammad displays great variety of fish life, with the specific conditions of temperature and currents,bringing abundancy of food. Around 150 different pelagic species live here around the fantastic corals. Here are the places of most enjoyable,yet demanding dives. The sea floor plunges almost sheer to a depth of 600 metres. Shark and Yolanda Reefs are the park's two main attractions with resident population of tuna, barracudas,jackfish and snappers.Dive sites of Ras Mohamad start with Marsa Ghazlani at the northern boundary,following south to Ras Ghazlani rich in hard and soft corals,then Marsa Bareka,Ras Zaatar,Jackfish Alley,Eel Garden,Shark observatory,Shark and Yolanda reefs at the southernmost tip of Sinai peninsula.

Exceptionality of underwater world in Straits of Tiran is out the discussions, although the strong current and considerable depths mean that this area is for the experienced divers. At the same time currents play a vital role in the local ecosystem, they carry into the area a lot of plankton which is highly attractive to numerous marine species. This helps to create the ideal environment for an abundant flora and fauna as well. Gordon Reef and Thomas Reef, Woodhouse Reef and Jackson Reef are peaks of submerged mountains,rising from the depth of several hundreds meters to the surface.Most of the time diving is possible on the more sheltered eastern side of these reefs,referred to as`inside`,so consider yourself lucky if conditions allow for diving on the `outside`where strong currents sweep the coral walls and often sharks are regulars in here.

The famous World War II wreck,Thistlegorm,needs little introduction to divers.Almost everyone heard of this magnificient display of war supplies,that was sunk by German bombers in 1941 just before reaching its destination,the British Army in North Africa.She stands upright on sea bed in depth of 30 meters,and offers amazing variety of fish besides its cargo,consisting of trucks,motorbikes,airplane spares and considerable amount of ammunition.The wreck was discovered by diving pioneer Jacques Yves Cousteau in 1955,but was forgotten until its re-discovery in 1993.Since then it is one of the items on `must do` list for many divers visiting the Red Sea,and arguably the most famous wreck in the world.Thistlegorm is magnificient dive in spite of high seas and strong currents in the area,meaning experience in diving is required.

Another wreck in Sharm area is SS Dunraven,a merchant ship that hit the reef of Shaab Ali on the way from India in 1876.She lies upside down between depths of 18 and 30 meters,just below the reef wall on sandy bottom.She was discovered some 100 years after tragic error in navigation meant the end of journey for her cargo of wool and spices.The wreck is almost entirely covered in coral,and its fragments can be seen scattered around on the sand.Diving on Dunraven as well as Thistlegorm requires earlier departure from Sharm el Sheikh,because of their relatively remote locations,and often the sea conditions are less then ideal.

Dahab means `gold` in arabic,and it`s small town located 100 km north of Sharm el Sheikh,making it ideal place for day trip,whether diving,snorkeling or just relaxing.Dahab is famous for its relaxed attitude as well as its dive sites,some of them ratinng as world top dives.

Notorious Blue Hole is located some 20 minutes driving north,its vertical cavity reaches a depth of 100+ metres,with an exit at 53 metres to the open sea.It is necessary to have special training to attempt this passage out,and it is reserved for technical divers only.It is possible to dive inside the Blue hole without going beyond limits of recreational diving,admiring the internal walls carpeted with sponges and stone coral formations in the play of sunlight.

Equally famous is the Canyon,deep crevice in reef where at depth of 14 m coral forms domelike entrance to narrow crack reaching depth ot 50 metres,with exits at 30 and 52 metres.

Other dive sites in Dahab include Bells,north of Blue Hole,south of Canyon are Abu Helal and Abu Talha,Eel Garden and Lighthouse Reef,located on the northern end of Bedouin village.