TRAVELSPECIAL
Classic Red Sea reef top , dominated by
Acropora corals
Egypt , Red Sea – resort-based
While the liveaboards continue to ply their trade throughout the winter , you could argue it ’ s a good time to go shore-based . So , do you choose Sharm el Sheikh , Hurghada or the Marsa Alam region in the deep south ? It depends very much on your own predilections , and whatever tempting offers your friendly tour-operator can throw your way .
Arguably the best non-liveaboard diving during the summer months is to be had around the protected bays or marsas of the deep south , but the area is snoozeville in the evenings . People tend to hunker around their resorts and try to warm up for the next day . Up in Sharm , you ’ ve got a better choice of restaurants and bars in which to relax , and there ’ s a lot more to do in the unlikely event that a days diving is cancelled .
Why winter ?
While water temperatures drop into the low twenties and northerly winds pick up , Egypt ’ s diving industry has the infrastructure , the savvy and the hospitality to make it work . Let ’ s not forget , these are the closest coral reefs to Europe , almost always in good visibility with a natural beauty that rivals any other diving destination in the world . You just need to be prepared for cooler water – wear a 7mm wetsuit and have a selection of fluffy fleeces for the après-dive .
Costs
Thanks to the post pandemic hike in flight prices , there ’ s no such thing as a sub- £ 500 Red Sea holiday any more . The new target should be more in the region of £ 1,000 , but ask your tour-operator for the latest intel on prices during the January / February lull . We recommend Scuba Travel , scubatravel . com whose knowledgeable staff have a wealth of knowledge and contacts in this area . For a club-friendly dive centre , check out the multi award-winning Elite Diving , a family business owned and operated by Alun and Moyra Evans , elite-diving . com �
Cautiously approaching a zebra shark , Stegostoma tigrinum
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