Diving in Egypt

Diving has become one of the most popular leisure sports in the world. The numbers of diving fans increases every year as does the number of diving centers. Diving initially started in South France and then moved to other countries including Britain, Scotland, and Egypt among others.

Diving became a tourist attraction in many diving supported countries. People who are interested in diving usually pick the country with the best diving sites for them. Diving introduces people to another medium where different plants and animal life exist. Underwater is very quiet and many people enjoy diving because it makes them escape from the civilized and noisy world. Others enjoy the 3 dimensions movement that diving allows. When underwater, you become weightless and have zero buoyancy; moreover, you can move up and down only by filling and emptying your lungs. This is similar to outer space experience. Some people consider diving an adventure where they can venture into the unknown. Many divers are motivated when they realise what they can discover underwater. They become especially challenged when they find out the many important discoveries made by amateur divers. Old shipwrecks also attract many divers. However, the more sophisticated divers dive to study, research, and explore new areas and search for the unknown.

Diving is a sport that can be done by anyone; however, some precautions should be taken. Many people consider diving as an adventure that might carry some risks. Diving requires a certain degree of physical fitness. You do not have to be athletic to exercise such a sport, but occasional exercises will do. Diving is also usually practiced in a group. Tourists who do not have experience in diving are given a short training course. First, they are trained in a sheltered area, normally swimming pools, before going into the real adventure. The training also includes instruction on the diving equipment and usage. This course is enough for beginners; however, to pursue a higher level of diving, further training is given enabling which will enable you to dive without an instructor. For a more sophisticated level, an Advanced Diver Grade could be sought leading to an instructor level. Although diving can be done by anyone, people who suffer from certain diseases like epilepsy, mental illness, diabetes and heart diseases are not advised to exercise diving. Nonetheless, medical examinations are required before any training.

Most divers go down to 9 meters (thirty feet) underwater. This depth is sufficient to see the beauty of the sea. Usually the sea has blue green shades that keep the sunrays from penetrating the sea. Colours are muted as the sunlight filters the depths. However, the sea regains all its colors by an underwater lamp and only then would you be able to see the most colourful layer of the sea.

Diving in the Red Sea was first started by Austrian zoologist Dr. Hans Hass, a well-known underwater moviemaker.

However, diving tourism started in the 1950s when Greeks and Italians workers, residing in Egypt, started diving for spearfishing. However, the real tourism boom started in the 1980s when Hurghada was reopened.

Although spearfishing is now banned; many of the protected areas have been reopened for tourism diving with harsh restriction. Diving in Red Sea is a fascinating experience but to return thus, laws have to be respected. The underwater world despite all its beauty could be dangerous and hostile if you did not understand its codes and respect them. In the Red Sea coral reefs has to be protected and the divers have to respect that.

Coral Reefs are the theme of diving in the Red Sea, and are the main tourist attraction. Almost 2,000 kilometer in length, the coral reefs along the Red Sea cost are the fringing types. They are in the form of fringes that lie parallel to the shoreline. These reefs are distant from land forming underwater islands which extend to within a few feet of the water surface. They are coral plates that vary in size from between 10 meters to 1 Kilometer. These coral islands are very well illustrated in Sharm El Sheikh, Ras Mohamed, Gubal and Giftun.

Red Sea:
The Red Sea has tropical sun, warm water, beautiful corals, colourful fish, and crystal visibility. The weather is usually hot and dry. This combination makes a very good diving environment. The Red Sea is divided into areas and each having different diving spots.

Sharm El Sheikh:
There are dozens of diving sites in Sharm El Sheikh

1. The Strait of Tiran:
is among the finest diving sites in the Red Sea. It lies at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. There are four main coral reefs in this region; Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef, Thomas Reef and Gordon Reef. All named after the English officers who drew the first marine map of this region. This area is full of infinite number of corals, reef and pelagic.

Jackson Reef: is located in the northernmost reef in Tiran and is known for its wrecks. Kormoran; for instance, a German ship which sank in 1984, is about 80 meters long and easily reached by scuba divers. Turtles and sharks could be observed. This area is also suitable for snorkeling.

Woodhouse reef: located between Thomas Reef and Jackson Reef is narrow and long. The site requires a drift dive and good weather to enjoy a the dive. The water in this area is clear and offers beautiful sights of sea turtles, jackfish and many corals; moreover, it is one of the best site to observe sharks.

Thomas Reef: this part requires drift diving. It has no mooring points and it is characterized with many caves and crevices.

Gordon Reef: the diving in this spot is safe as there is fixed mooring sheltered from the wind. This site is known for the wreck of the Lovilla (or Lullia) which sank in 1981. It is a good place for snorkeling.