Best place for certified but novice diver, seeking good coral reef experience

[MusikAnimal]

My girlfriend and I are certified PADI open-water divers, but both clock under 20 dives, so I'd still consider ourselves novice. It seems many of the gems in the Red Sea are reserved for experienced divers with advanced certifications.

I will be in the area this May. Our biggest thing is seeing colourful, lively coral reefs, hopefully of course accompanied by some exotic sea life. When we dove Flinders Reef in Australia we were gravely disappointed to see all the coral was dead. I want to make up that experience this time around. Fish life can come and go, but reefs are either alive or not, so I guess that's what we're trying to find out... where the good, still lively reefs are.

People have pointed at Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and Marsa Alam. All three appear to have airports, which is necessary for us. I guess the question is are there any particular dive spots and dive shops that would meet our needs?

Thank you in advance!

 

[diverLux]

Hi again,

I would recommend you select a base as a start, some suggestions where I have been;

Coraya Bay near Port Ghalib and Marsa Alam airport; there are 5 hotels from the Jaz Group in the bay all excellent , the on-site dive centre is Coraya Divers, the bay is protected from high winds, more dive sites can be reached by minibus Abu Dabbab, Marsa Egla, or by day boats leaving from nearby Port Ghalib Om Osaiel, Marsa Shoni ....... dive the bay on your own it's very easy ! bring a compass and buoy I take you have a dive computer ?

Makadi Bay 20 minutes by car south of Hurghada airport, again the Jaz Group of hotels or Fort Arabesque and the on site dive centre I-Dive, dive from the beach or day boat in the bay or to the outer reefs ...... to many to mention

El Gouna 20 mins north of Hurghada no beach diving here all diving is by day boats from the Abydos marina , Poseidon and Dolphin House at Sha'ab El Erg are just fantastic

El Quseir 1h30 from Hurghada or 50 mins from Marsa Alam airport; hotels Mövenpick, Radisson Blu and my favored Flamenco all next to each other ....

Sharm El Sheikh Iberotel Club Fanara and Diving & Discovery on site, dive the house reef from the beach or Ras Um Sid next door from the El Fanar Beach Club pontoon. day boats go out to famous Ras Mohammed and Tiran

also visit scubadviser.com
happy diving

---------- Post added January 9th, 2015 at 10:07 AM ----------

Just wanted to add, most resorts along the coast have their own dive centre on site and would pick you up at your hotel for free.


El Quseir, Extra Divers at Mövenpick , SUBEX Diving at Radisson Blu, diving.de at Flamenco or my favored Pharaoh Dive Club at Roots Luxury Camp


When I am in the Port Ghalib area I do shore diving with Seaworld Diving or day boat diving with Colona Divers at the port.

 

[sphyrnidus]

I second this. There are a lot of friendly dive sites. One of my friends was an instructor at El Gouna. This is nice beginners diving.
Hurghada is less interesting, lots of dead coral.

 

[Nathan Moulds]

Have a look at Dahab too.

I live and work here (PADI instructor and Tec Instructor)

 

[Tippytoes12]

we did two trips to Dahab when we were first certified and loved it there so much. The town is very ethnic and interesting , its perfect for newbie divers. The more southerly sites are also extremely good. You will love Egypt. When you are more experienced a liveaboard to the off shore sites such as the Brothers and Daedalus will show you world class diving : manta rays , hammerheads , oceanic white tips , thresher sharks with the most pristine coral imaginable.

Have a wonderful trip

 

[diverLux]

Dahab is great indeed, I didn't mention it because it seems to be off-limits for personal insurance purpose, mea culpa......


stayed several times at the Happy Life Village, excellent diving from the nearby shores and house reef, also did the Blue Hole, great hotel too ! I can't get flights to Sharm from home at the moment but as soon as they resume I will be going again. Lagona Divers are on site.

---------- Post added January 16th, 2015 at 11:56 AM ----------

Forgot to mention, the photo of the camel was taken at the beach of the Happy Life Village.

 

[MusikAnimal]

Dahab is great indeed, I didn't mention it because it seems to be off-limits for personal insurance purpose, mea culpa......


stayed several times at the Happy Life Village, excellent diving from the nearby shores and house reef, also did the Blue Hole, great hotel too ! I can't get flights to Sharm from home at the moment but as soon as they resume I will be going again. Lagona Divers are on site.

---------- Post added January 16th, 2015 at 11:56 AM ----------

Forgot to mention, the photo of the camel was taken at the beach of the Happy Life Village.

Thank you very much for all the info! Super late reply here.... I have looked into Dahab and it seems by far the best for us for diving. However everything else seems very sub-par... I am going with my girlfriend. I read that the town is falling apart, the hotels and restaurants are struggling to stay open, no nightlife, and that the place is not "romantic" by any means. Can anyone attest to that? Sorry to go off-topic...

I guess there probably isn't a happy medium? The other place you mentioned that stood out was El Gouna, and while it seems diving with dolphins is a sure thing, there's no guarantee of thriving coral or other sea life. I'm torn!

And above all there's the issue of safety. We are Americans and I don't know what that means to the people near the borders of Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Thank you for all the advice!

~Leon

 

[Steve A]

We are out in Sharm again the last two weeks of April for our 6th visit in 2 1/2 years. Last time was October 2014. To me its great diving wether its a house reef or ras Mohamed or Jackson reef at teran. Loads of sites easily accessible by day boat.
Quite a few English and Russian divers but have yet to meet an American diver out there but sure you will be fine. Ive always felt safe there as anywhere to be honest but I don't go off the beaten track. Everyone is so friendly and the diving is fantastic. There are one or two sites that have seen some damage but hopefully these will recover. You can also do the Thistlegorm or Dunraven from Sharm
If you are looking for a good resort with a decent house reef the Reef Oasis Blue Bay is good as is Barons Resort or Sensatori. ROBB is on far garden, Barons Resort and Sensatori is on ras ghamila and 10 minutes by rib to straights of teran
You can visit Dehab from Sharm no problem but don't think your insurance would cover you (we have never felt the need to leave Sharm)

 

[Lynne.Cda]

When were you last there? I'm a newbie so the diving sounds to be my level. The talk about strong currents at some of the other sites has me worried.

 

[Sami Solla]

We are out in Sharm again the last two weeks of April for our 6th visit in 2 1/2 years. Last time was October 2014. To me its great diving wether its a house reef or ras Mohamed or Jackson reef at teran. Loads of sites easily accessible by day boat.
Quite a few English and Russian divers but have yet to meet an American diver out there but sure you will be fine. Ive always felt safe there as anywhere to be honest but I don't go off the beaten track. Everyone is so friendly and the diving is fantastic. There are one or two sites that have seen some damage but hopefully these will recover. You can also do the Thistlegorm or Dunraven from Sharm
If you are looking for a good resort with a decent house reef the Reef Oasis Blue Bay is good as is Barons Resort or Sensatori. ROBB is on far garden, Barons Resort and Sensatori is on ras ghamila and 10 minutes by rib to straights of teran
You can visit Dehab from Sharm no problem but don't think your insurance would cover you (we have never felt the need to leave Sharm)

Might want to check from insurance company. I am managing dive center here in Dahab and our customers have no issues about insurance. We also sell daily insurances for both diving and travel. Issued in UK, no problem at all.
Dahab under stars, having bedouin dinner.. cant get more romantic than that.
Like said, diving is really nice here. Town is quiet and not by any means "party" destination. We have couple of bars but thats it. Diving, outdoors and long walks on beach, thats Dahab.
If you want resort life, we have Meridien 5* resort but also loads of nice luxury level villas etc.
I could go on and onbut, need to go for a dive now.. Have a nice trip where ever you go!