Destination Report: Hurghada
HURGHADA
“It is not unusual to encounter dolphins on dives around Hurghada and some dive centres even go
as far as guarantee encounters with such creatures as seahorses on particular dive trips.”
The diving capital of the Egyptian mainland, Hurghada is a gateway to
THE EL MINYA harbour wreck lies at a depth of 30m on a rocky sea
some of the best sites in the Southern Red Sea, as well as classic wreck
bed. Sunk by Israeli fi ghters while lying at anchor in 1969, the 70m-long
and reef dives in the north. From beginner scuba experiences to deep
El Minya can be extensively explored in one dive, including inside a blast
and cave technical diving exploration, Hurghada is a diving destination of
hole on its starboard side.
variety in underwater topography, marine life and wrecks.
CARELESS REEF is another signature dive of Hurghada, also know as
Most of the dive sites around Hurghada can be reached within 40 minutes
Moray Eel House. Two coral towers merge at a plateau at 16m where you
by boat, off ering an excellent mix of options for full day and half-day
will fi nd a large population of giant moray eels.
trips. Unlike Egypt’s other major dive resort of Sharm el Sheikh, boats
leave from private jetties belonging to the many beachside resorts where
A huge number of divers depart Hurghada for some of the Red Seas most
centres are generally based.
celebrated sites. The town’s new marina has added another level of luxury
for liveaboard travellers with a wealth of shops, cafes, restaurants and
The area is famed for having impressive local reefs, particularly within
bars to chill out on the last day in Caribbean-colonial style surroundings.
the protected marine park of Giftun Island. It is not unusual to encounter
All of this is just a short walk from the dive deck of your liveaboard.
dolphins on dives around Hurghada and some dive centres even go as far
However, it is worth noting that the liveaboard mooring area of the
as guarantee encounters with such creatures as seahorses on particular
marina is relatively quiet, as it is far enough away from the hustle of the
dive trips.
busiest marina bars.
DIVES NOThyphen.capTOhyphen.capBE MISSED AROUND THE AREA INCLUDE:
Northern liveaboard itineraries from Hurghada usually head to the Straits
of Gubal and cover the famous wreck peppered zone of Abu Nuhas,
SMALL GIFTUN off ers several good dives; the most famous being the
which includes dives on the Carnatic, Giannis D and the Chrisola K. The
drift dive around its giant fan coral to the east of the island. If you venture
world-celebrated Thistlegorm wreck also features on such trips.
on the plateau, you are virtually guaranteed to see Napoleons and moray
eels. Check out the blue and deeper water and you may be lucky to see The marine parks of the South off er some of the best sites for underwater
a passing whale shark, barracuda or oceanic white tip shark. The island is life in the Red Sea. Most popular liveaboard trips include the south
also popular with technical divers for its sheer walls, caves and canyons. marine park including life fi lled reefs such as Elphinstone, Samadai,
ShaabMakhsour, Shaab Claude, Staya and St Johns. Deep south trips head
GOTA ABU RAMADA is a network of coral gardens where you will
towards the stunning sites of Rocky and Zabargad Islands.
fi nd the famous Aquarium dive site. Ranging from depths of between
5m and 16m, you will fi nd yellowfi sh, banner fi sh, blue cheek butterfl y
At the central part of the Red Sea you will fi nd marine parks and the
fi sh, masked butterfl y fi sh, yellow snapper, goatfi sh, crocodilefi sh and
famous pelagic haunt of the Brother Islands. These sites are often exposed
sweet lips. Some of the larger visitors to the Aquarium include giant
to strong currents and may require a minimum qualifi cation of advanced
morays, jackfi sh, turtles and eagle rays. In September, watch out for titan
open water or equivalent, plus 50 logged dives.
triggerfi sh carefully guarding their nests.
Issue 5 March - April ‘10 www.cdws.travel 47
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54