INDepth Dive Guide - Dahab, Taba and Nuweiba, Red Sea, Egypt

Map Photo: Jane Morgan

North of the Strait of Tiran, the Egyptian Red Sea pours itself a tall drink, shrugs off the more excitable sort of traveller and gets seriously mellow. With an established local community at its heart and a growing band of resident technical divers, Dahab is the place where you can experience the real Sinai, stripped of Sharm’s neon kitsch. Further up the coast, you can find current-free, coral-rich diving at the enclaves of Nuweiba and Taba, which are increasingly popular with underwater photographers in search of willing fish and camera-friendly conditions. As with the shallow fringes of Jordan to the east, these areas have proved fertile ground for divers in search of small, unusual creatures. Whatever your interest, this part of the Sinai Peninsula is worthy of serious consideration if you want to find a little part of the Red Sea to call your own.

NEED TO KNOW

Flight time > Approximately five hours
Time difference from UK > One hour ahead in summer and two in winter
Currency > Egyptian pound
Exchange rate > £1 = 10 Egyptian pounds
Summer water temperature > 26–28ºC
Average visibility > 30–40m

DIVE TRIP BOOKINGS

THE SEASONS

While the Red Sea can be dived year-round, land temperatures can vary considerably from a sweltering 50º C in the height of summer to decidedly chilly in the evenings in the winter. Water temperatures range between 20 and 28ºC, so in summer you can get away with a shortie while in the winter a good 7mm and hood are required.

WHAT TO PACK

The usual lightweight clothing is sufficient during the day, although in the winter months when the wind picks up a fleece is a good idea. Night-time in the desert can be quite chilly and warm clothing is necessary from November though to April. The Egyptian currency is the Egyptian pound and Dollars and Euros are also widely accepted. Most hotels will also take credit/debit cards.

DIVE SAYS...

Taking it easy is what these three diving destinations are about. Current-free, macro-abundant sites all accessible by shore. Ideal for new divers, photographers and those just looking for a more relaxed type of diving holiday. Topside, these areas also offer a more mellow approach than the 24-hour tourist resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. However, it has to be said that those who look for quality wreck dives, current-action sites and big animals will be disappointed and are best advised to head south on their underwater travels.

Please find the individual locations in the associated articles below: