Marine Life Shark attack at Egyptian Red Sea resort

[JustSurfaceInterval]

That was barely fine until he talked about the sewage from the ships en route for Suez and the nets 60 m into the sea to protect against sharks...

 

[Biotech Diver]

That was always in the back of my mind when I was snorkeling alone of the reef in Roatan, probably 200+ yards off shore where the reef drops straight off.

Why? he is certainly already patrolling some other Red Sea reefs...

Not for the shark...
This is an inherent risk for snorkellers when snorkelling on reefs that have a significant drop off and are facing the open sea. Unfortunately, very few are aware of this...

 

[pakno1]

Hi, Basic Open Water Diver here (13 dives) heading out to Sharm this week. Still undecided about whether to dive.

Never thought twice on a couple of trips before but family members warning about Shark Attacks and after reading a few forum posts has got me a bit worried this time! Plan to do Advance course with a bit of day diving - can opting to dive with a guide (Scuba instructor) allay some fears or that would be of no help whatsoever if a Shark wants me for dinner?! Should I avoid seperate snorkeling trips to Ras Mohammed, Tiran Island, Dahab (blue hole) that were planned? How about Snorkeling from beach hotel (Naama Bay)?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[scubaozy]

Hi, Basic Open Water Diver here (13 dives) heading out to Sharm this week. Still undecided about whether to dive.

Never thought twice on a couple of trips before but family members warning about Shark Attacks and after reading a few forum posts has got me a bit worried this time! Plan to do Advance course with a bit of day diving - can opting to dive with a guide (Scuba instructor) allay some fears or that would be of no help whatsoever if a Shark wants me for dinner?! Should I avoid seperate snorkeling trips to Ras Mohammed, Tiran Island, Dahab (blue hole) that were planned? How about Snorkeling from beach hotel (Naama Bay)?

Thanks for any advice.

Diving is much safer than snorkeling, so, if I were you I would dive without any reservations. Several million people visit Red Sea yearly and last 2 years there was 1 incident per year. Looking at those odds, I personally would do other activities as well. Just be mindful and use the basic guidelines like avoiding solitary swimming to reduce the risk.

 

[Anish]

O'boy, this is what Egypt needs now, more dead people in the Red Sea. May Allah have mercy on them...

Red Sea becoming Dead Sea?..Or is that too soon

 

[rjk75]

Is that area one of those shark feeding locations for tourist dollars?

 

[CamC]

Hi, Basic Open Water Diver here (13 dives) heading out to Sharm this week. Still undecided about whether to dive.

Never thought twice on a couple of trips before but family members warning about Shark Attacks and after reading a few forum posts has got me a bit worried this time! Plan to do Advance course with a bit of day diving - can opting to dive with a guide (Scuba instructor) allay some fears or that would be of no help whatsoever if a Shark wants me for dinner?! Should I avoid seperate snorkeling trips to Ras Mohammed, Tiran Island, Dahab (blue hole) that were planned? How about Snorkeling from beach hotel (Naama Bay)?

Thanks for any advice.

Ah, that all sounds very familiar. My first trip to Sharm in 2011 as a newbie came just after a spate of fatal shark attacks in the area, and no matter how much everyone (correctly) tells you that they very, very rarely go for divers it can't help but prey on your mind. In the end I went, of course, and after the first few minutes of unnecessary hyper-vigilance spent more time worrying about my buoyancy than about sharks. I dived all the places you mentioned (and also the unfortunately named Sharks Bay ;-) rather than snorkelling, though, and went home disappointed that I DIDN'T see any sharks.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

@rjk75 No, there are no shark feedings in Egypt.
@pakno1 Unfortunately the press is always keen having shark stories, usually very dramtatic and illustrated with the common picture of a White Shark, regarless of what it really was. Looking at stats will tell you that the most dangerous part of your holiday will not be a shark encounter but the journey from your home the airport.
Furthermore, while learning about this new environment and the life in it, you will realise that sharks are your least concerns. Just thinking of moray eels with their 2 jaws or the Titan Triggerfishs and so on and so on.
As a diver you are not on the menu and they may be curious and come closer but most of the time, they will ignore you.

 

[pakno1]

Ah, that all sounds very familiar. My first trip to Sharm in 2011 as a newbie came just after a spate of fatal shark attacks in the area, and no matter how much everyone (correctly) tells you that they very, very rarely go for divers it can't help but prey on your mind. In the end I went, of course, and after the first few minutes of unnecessary hyper-vigilance spent more time worrying about my buoyancy than about sharks. I dived all the places you mentioned (and also the unfortunately named Sharks Bay ;-) rather than snorkelling, though, and went home disappointed that I DIDN'T see any sharks.

Thank you for the re-assurance. I have been twice before for diving in Egypt but over 6 years ago now... Only now I started getting concerned about sharks after family gave warnings and reading about some horror stories. However, I don't want to miss out so will probably end up overcoming my fears! Plenty of other things can kill you and we do it daily without blinking e.g. driving.

 

[pakno1]

@rjk75 No, there are no shark feedings in Egypt.
@pakno1 Unfortunately the press is always keen having shark stories, usually very dramtatic and illustrated with the common picture of a White Shark, regarless of what it really was. Looking at stats will tell you that the most dangerous part of your holiday will not be a shark encounter but the journey from your home the the airport.
Furthermore, while learning about this new environment and the live in it, you will realise that sharks are the less of your concerns. Just thinking of moray eels with their 2 jaws or the Titan Triggerfishs and so on and so on.
As a diver you are not on the menu and they may be curious and come closer but most of the time, they will ignore you.

Thanks for the re-assurance! Done my basic course but over 6 years ago now, will look to do my advanced when I'm out there after a Scuba Review.