Diver's Home Page

About Us

Try-a-Dive

Diver Training

Existing Diver?

How to Join Us

Club Activities

Useful Links

Contact Us

Kit for Sale

Hurghada lies on the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea, Its warm clear waters promote the growth of many species of fish and coral, and with its close proximity to the Gulf of Suez, there are also many shipwrecks in evidence.

Although I have dived the Red Sea several times, this was my first time in the Hurghada area.
We stayed in the La Perla hotel, a small but friendly place, and used the James and Mac dive center, located in Giftun Village a short 10 min bus ride away.
The vast majority of the divers using the center were German, although all nationalities are catered for .
The centre is well set up and organized, but we did have a problem with one of their cameras though, it rewound the film into the can after only 4 shots, so beware!

The diving is about an hours boat ride away, and is everything you would imagine about a coral reef, with many different types of corals, and many colourful fish in abundance. All the pictures you see here were taken in the area.

The highlights of the week for me, had to be the wrecks. It is not often you can see a wreck from one end to the other, without actually swimming its entire length.
Even those who prefer the reefs will enjoy them, as they are covered in corals, and the holes, nooks and crannies they create, act as a haven for the fish which colonize them.
Given time, the wrecks will eventually be totally covered, and will become part of the reef it once hit. It is just one example of how nature copes with tragedy, and takes its revenge.

Away from the wrecks, the reefs are a fantastic sight. The fish are a hive of activity, constantly feeding off the microscopic plankton, and dart for a safe hole as you approach, only to re emerge once you are a safe distance away. Unfortunately Coral damage is evident in some places, due to the sheer volume of dive boats that use the area, but this should stop now that buoys are being installed by the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association, H.E.P.C.A. for the boats to moor to, instead of them throwing anchors out.

The food was wonderful, a mixture of all nationalities, you can even get a burger, or fried chicken & pizza if you want.
Be adventurous and try something different. One of the local dishes is called foul, and is made from beans in various guises. Don't be put off, try it, it is quite nice.
Being a fishing port the seafood is plentiful and very tasty.

A word of advice. DON'T! drink the water, it will make you s**t like nothing else on earth. Bottled water is easily available, be sure to drink plenty to avoid de hydration.

The best way to get about is by small mini bus. They have no timetable and just run up and down Hurghada all day. The fare is 1 Egyptian pound per person wherever you go. Don't be conned by claims that it is a "special taxi" The fare is government controlled and some of the drivers try it on.

The bazaars are an experience. Get ready for the constant hassle of people wanting you to enter their shop. Be prepared to haggle over everything, and Don't be scared of having a go if you are not used to it, remember it is a way of life. At the end of your stay you will be an experienced hand at it, and wonder what all the hesitation was about.

Martin.