Local Dive Sites of Sharm El Sheikh

Located at the tip of the Sinai peninsula, the EgyptianAmphoras, Pinky Wall, Tower and Sodfa.
resort of Sharm el Sheikh is a popular destination forDespite not having the prestige of the dive sites of
scuba divers. The warm, clear waters make forRas Mohammed and Tiran, my own dive log shows
relatively easy diving and compared to some places inthat there is no shortage of fantastic marine life to
the world, the prices are reasonable.be found at the local dive sites including Napoleon
The diving around Sharm el Sheikh is ideal for all levelsWrasse, Torpedo Rays, Octopus, Devil Rays as well
of divers from those learning to dive up toas an abundance of smaller marine life.
experienced divers. To the north of Sharm el SheikhIt was at Middle Garden on 30th July 2008 that one
are the Tiran straights with their wonderful coralof the most amazing sites at Sharm in recent
gardens and in certain months, it is possible to gomemory was spotted. About 300m off the shore at
looking for Hammerhead Sharks.the Hyatt Regency Hotel a massive baitball of fish
To the south of Sharm el Sheikh lies the Rasstretching from 5m to 22m deep was spotted. It
Mohammed National Park where you will find thewas being attacked by 4 whale sharks. Small fish
areas most popular dive site, Shark and Yolanda. Assuch as sardines form bait balls when threatened and
this dive site is at the southern most point of theis more commonly associated with the "Sardine Run"
Sinai, currents and visibility can vary but it is definitelywhich occurs annually off the KwaZulu Natal coast in
one of the best dive sites in Egypt.South Africa.
However, closer to Sharm el Sheikh are a number ofThe whale sharks were first spotted at around
local dive sites to both the north and south of the8.30am and it wasn't long before dive boats from all
resort. Immediately north of Na'ama Bay are theover were heading to the area to see this spectacle
Gardens; Near Garden, Middle Garden, Fiddle Gardenof nature. Many experienced dive instructors can't
and Far Garden. These dive sites are located eitherremember seeing anything like it in the area and
at or very close to some of the 5* hotels in Sharmthose who were lucky enough to see it, will never
and every day, boats from the various dive centresforget it.
in Sharm will moor here and their divers will enter theTiran and Ras Mohammed remain the focal points for
water here.Sharm el Sheikh diving but the local sites should not
To the south of Na'ama Bay are more dive sitesbe ignored as you are just as likely to have a
along the coast of the Sinai including Ras Katy,memorable dive there too.
Temple, Ras Umm Sid, Paradise, Turtle Bay,