Marsa Alam is the gateway to the exciting Southern Red Sea and its myriad pristine reefs. Once the sole preserve of liveaboard boats, this area is now accessible directly from the shore. Diving is a combination of shore dives along the 100km of coastal reef, reached by jeep and truck, or boat day trips to the legendary Elphinstone Reef and Sha’ab Samadai, otherwise known as ‘Dolphin House’. This is virgin diving away from the crowds at its very best.
Learning to Dive
The coastline of the region around Marsa Alam offers a number of sheltered bays and some incredibly scenic fringing reefs. It is possible to learn to dive in Marsa Alam and the shore diving on offer is often particularly suited to novice divers. However, to take full advantage of the stunning dives available here it is recommended to be an advanced or intermediate diver with some experience.
Qualified Divers
Diving in Marsa Alam is world-class and combines the best aspects of shore and boat diving. The coastal reefs are stunning with impressive hard and soft corals, elaborate topography and an amazing abundance and variety of colourful fish.
Shore divers make something of a pilgrimage to Marsa Abu Dabbab, wishing to catch a glimpse of the resident Dugong that feeds on the sea grass found in the middle of the bay. Even without seeing ‘Dennis’, there is enough here to satisfy most divers wanting a relaxing shore dive with plenty to see. The reefs are beautiful and packed with marine life, whilst this site is also well known for its regular sightings of guitar sharks, turtles and eels.
To take advantage of the best this area has to offer, day trips are organised to outer sites. The dramatic walls and drop-offs of Elphinstone Reef are a spectacular dive. The sheer walls of this great finger-like reef plunge steeply into the blue, richly decorated with soft corals, sponges, gorgonians and fans. Sharks often swim by the spot to feed on the abundant reef fish population. The northern plateau is home to schooling hammerheads with frequent sightings of oceanic white tip sharks.
A trip to Sha’ab Samadai or ‘Dolphin House’ is another absolute must. A large, horseshoe-shaped reef creates a shallow, turquoise lagoon that is frequented by a pod of around 60 spinner dolphins. The diving here typically takes place between 10-15 metres on the southwest tip of the main reef. There is a fantastic network of caves and tunnels and a carpet of seagrass that hides moray eels, leopard groupers, goatfish, lionfish, masked butterflyfish and more.
Regaldive work with three well established dive centres in Marsa Alam:
Emperor Divers are based at the Coral Beach Marina Lodge at Port Ghalib. The majority of the diving offered is boat diving, with some shore diving available, depending on conditions.
Orca Divers operate the dive centre at the newly-opened Abu Dabab Diving Lodge. House reef diving is available, as well as shore diving and day trips by RIB.
The Oasis Diving Centre is based at the Oasis Dive Resort and co-managed by Werner Lau and Sinai Divers.
EMPEROR DIVERS
Open in the South since April 2003, award winning Emperor Divers is located at the Coral Beach Marina Lodge at Port Ghalib. Emperor Divers is a British-run, PADI accredited dive centre. Excellent facilities are available.
Emperor Divers offer daily boat diving, as well as a range of courses, introductory dives and snorkelling. Emperor are also able to offer BSAC training courses.
Tekstreme, the technical arm of Emperor Divers, is proud to offer a full range of technical courses through three of the largest training agencies; PADI Tec Rec, BSAC and TDI.
General Information
Learn to Dive Courses >
Advanced Dive Courses >
Technical Dive Courses >
Diving Offers
Book your dive pack or course with Regaldive prior to departure. Our prices are lower than those in resort. You can also take advantage of our great value dive pack offers.
Any dive packs offers listed below are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings, there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
Get €20 Discount - 2010 Voucher
Click here for details and Voucher >
Learn to Dive HALF PRICE Diving Offer!
Book a PADI Open Water course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE! Saving based on standard diving prices. Valid for new bookings from 26 August 2010.
Valid for departure dates:
1 September - 24 December 2010
HALF PRICE Diving Offer 2010 & 2011
Book a 4, 5 or 6 day dive pack and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE! *
Book a PADI Open Water, Fastrack* Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE! * Saving based on standard diving prices. See table below for special offer prices in red. Valid for new bookings from 18 May 2010.
Valid for departure dates:
18 November - 14 December 2010
31 December 2010 - 15 March 2011
1 June - 12 July 2011
*Fastrack materials £45 extra for concessionary place.
Group Offer
Book 10 dive packs and get one FREE. Go to the Regaldive Groups page>
Offer does not apply if concessionary rate dive packs taken.
| Standard Prices |
Offer Dates 18 Nov -14 Dec '10 31 Dec - 15 Mar '11 1 Jun - 12 Jul '11 |
||
| 2 Divers (price per person) |
Single Diver | ||
| Dive Pack Prices | |||
| 1 day | £45 | £38 | £38 |
| 2 days | £90 | £76 | £76 |
| 3 days | £125 | £106 | £106 |
| 4 days | £167 | £125* | £141 |
| 5 days | £191 | £143* | £162 |
| 6 days | £229 | £172* | £194 |
| 5 days snorkelling (includes mask & fins) | £128 | £128 | £128 |
| Learn to Dive Courses | |||
| Discover Scuba Diving | £63 | £53 | £53 |
| PADI Scuba Diver | £136 | £115 | £115 |
| Referral Course | £136 | £115 | £115 |
| Referral Course (includes equipment for course only) + 3 days diving | £240 | £203 | £203 |
| PADI Open Water | £257 | £193* | £218 |
| PADI Scuba Diver upgrade to Open Water | £136 | £115 | £115 |
| PADI Open Water Fastrack | £275 | £229** | £240 |
| PADI Open Water - Fastrack + 2 days diving | £338 | £276** | £293 |
| PADI Open Water - Fastrack + 3 days diving | £369 | £299** | £320 |
| PADI Open Water - Fastrack + Advanced | £432 | £372 | £372 |
| Advanced Courses | |||
| PADI Advanced (includes equipment for course only) + 1 day diving | £229 | £172* | £194 |
| PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver (includes 2 dives) | £70 | £70 | £70 |
| PADI Rescue Diver | £229 | £229 | £229 |
| Emergency First Response (1 day) | £70 | £70 | £70 |
| * This is a Buy One Get One Half Price offer giving greater savings (based on standard prices). ** This is a Buy One Get One Half Price offer (based on standard prices). Fastrack materials (£45) included for both divers. |
|||
| Groups Policy: Book 10 get 1 FREE. Click here to visit the Regaldive Groups Page | |||
Please note:
- Packages for qualified divers include guide, tanks, weights and air for 2 boat, fast rib or shore dives per day. Dives are on consecutive days. For 'Special Trips' and 'Extras payable locally in resort', please see below.
- Check Dive / Scuba Review: Most dive governing bodies recommend a scuba / skills review if no diving has taken place for 6 months. A Scuba Review can be prebooked at a cost of £63. A check dive will be carried out in resort for all divers and a charge of €10 will apply.
- All courses listed include equipment rental.
- Fastrack & Fastrack course plus 2 or 3 days diving includes equipment hire for the whole duration, all learning materials, logbook and dive planner.
- Additional costs for courses: PADI Open Water manual: £28, PADI Advanced Open Water Manual: £26, Rescue Diver Course: £28, Enriched Air Diver Course: £35, PADI Certification fee €35 (paid locally).
- Extras payable locally in resort:-
- Night dive: €38 (subject to availability)
- Third daily dive: €20
- Nitrox per fill: €5
- Equipment hire pppd (excludes computer & torch): €25
- Environmental government fee pppd: €2
- Dolphin House Marine Park fee per visit: €15
- Lunch on boat (incl. drinks): 45LE
- Sales tax in resort: 10%
- Special trips (prices shown are available with pre-booked diving.)
- Elphinstone: €35
- Dolphin House: €45 (Includes Marine Park Fee)
Technical Courses
The following are a selection of technical courses we can offer. Please e-mail info@regal-diving.co.uk or call 01353 659 999 for a wide selection of other technical courses.
| Nitrox Speciality (Crew pack paid locally) | £70 - £87 |
| TDI Advanced Nitrox | £321 |
| TDI Decompression Proc | £321 |
| TDI Combined TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression procedures | £548 |
| TDI Extended Range | £492 |
| TDI Bsic Trimix | £727 |
| TDI Advanced Trimix | £856 |
| TDI CCR Course | £727 |
| 1 day technical diving | £77 |
Please note:
- Price for 1 day technical diving includes: 1 dive with dive guide, equipment and all nitrox fills. Not included: Sofnolime and helium, diving extra's (i.e. Special trip supplements, marine park fees, lunch etc.)
- Not included for courses: €30 for manual & €35 certification fee payable in resort on completion of each course.
Speciality Courses
| Nitrox Specialty | £70 |
| Oxygen Provider | £52 |
| UW Photography (2 dives) * | £70 |
| Digital Photography (level 1 & 2) * | £83 |
| Equipment Specialist | £45 |
| Night Diver (3 dives) | £104 |
| Deep Diver (4 dives) | £139 |
| UW Navigation (3 dives) | £104 |
| Drift Diver (2 dives) | £70 |
| UW Naturalist (2 dives) | £70 |
| Multilevel Diver (2 dives) | £70 |
| Wreck Diver (4 dives) ** | £139 |
| Search & Recovery (4 dives) | £139 |
| Boat Diver (2 dives) | £70 |
| Aware Fish ID (2 dives) | £70 |
| Peak Performance Buoyancy (2 dives) | £70 |
Please note:
* UW Photography & Digital Photography Speciality does not include camera rental.
** Some wreck dives may incur a supplement in resort.
*** Manuals / crewpacks for all specialities (where applicable) are not included in the course cost and must be purchased locally.
**** Certification fee payable in resort on completion of each course €35.
ORCA DIVE CLUB
Orca Divers are a well-established company in the Red Sea. They operate the dive centre at the Abu Dabab Diving Lodge.
Orca Divers offer a range of PADI and CMAS courses. They also provide FREE Nitrox fills for qualified divers. House reef diving is available, as well as shore diving along the fringing reefs. Regular trips are offerd by RIB to Elphinstone and Dolphin House. Divers with fewer than 30 logged dives must be guided.
General Information
Learn to Dive Courses >
Advanced Dive Courses >
Technical Dive Courses >
Diving Offers
Book your dive pack or course with Regaldive prior to departure. Our prices are lower than those in resort. You can also take advantage of our great value dive pack offers.
Any dive packs offers listed below are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings, there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
HALF PRICE Diving Offer
Book a 5 or 6 day dive pack and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE (shore & house reef diving only).
Book a PADI Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE! Saving based on standard diving prices. See table below for special offer prices in red. Valid for new bookings from 25 May 2010.
Valid for departure dates:
17 November - 16 December 2010
5 January - 8 April 2011
1 June - 8 July 2011
Group Offer
Book 11 dive packs and get one FREE. Go to the Regaldive Groups page>
| Standard Prices | Offer Dates 17 Nov - 16 Dec '10 5 Jan - 8 Apr '11 1 Jun - 8 Jul '11 |
|
| 2 Divers (price per person) |
||
| Shore & House Reef Diving | ||
| 3 days | £95 | - |
| 4 days | £126 | - |
| 5 days | £158 | £119* |
| 6 days | £186 | £140* |
| House Reef Diving | ||
| 3 dives | £49 | - |
| 5 dives | £81 | - |
| 6 dives | £95 | - |
| 10 dives | £158 | - |
| Learn to Dive Courses | ||
| PADI Scuba Diver (includes equipment | £134 | - |
| Referral Course (includes equipment) | £145 | - |
| PADI Open Water (includes equipment) | £238 | £179* |
| Advanced Courses | ||
| PADI Advanced (excludes equipment) | £169 | £127* |
| PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver (theory only) | £71 | - |
| PADI Rescue Diver (excludes equipment) | £258 | - |
| * This is a Buy One Get One Half Price offer giving greater savings (based on standard prices). | ||
| Groups Policy: Book 11 get 1 FREE. Click here to visit the Regaldive Groups Page | ||
Please note:
- Shore & House Reef diving packages consisists of two unguided dives per day, including tanks and weights. Divers with less than 30 logged dives must be guided (€5 per dive). For 'Special Trips' and 'Extras payable locally in resort', please see below.
- House reef dives are unguided & include tanks and weights. Divers with less than 30 logged dives must be guided (€5 per dive).
- Check Dive / Scuba Review: Most dive governing bodies recommend a scuba / skills review if no diving has taken place for 6 months. A Scuba Review can be prebooked at a cost of £59 - £68.
- Additional costs for courses: PADI Open Water manual: £28, PADI Advanced Open Water Manual: £26, Rescue Diver Course: £28, Enriched Air Diver Course: £35, PADI Certification fee €44 (paid locally).
- Extras payable locally in resort:-
- Nitrox (32%): FREE
- Equipment hire including computer: €12 per dive
- RIB dive outside bay: €15
- RIB dive per dive: €15
- House reef RIB dive - one way: €6
- Guide: €5 per dive
- Environmental fee pppd: €3
- Reef tax: €3 per day
- Special trips (prices shown are available with pre-booked diving.)
- Elphinstone Reef ** (RIB fee only) : €20
- Dolphin House (2 boat dives): €65
- **Please note that Orca Divers require divers to have 50 dives logged in order to dive Elphinstone reef.
OASIS DIVING CENTRE
Situated in the wonderfully unique Oasis Hotel, 20km north of Marsa Alam, the Oasis dive centre is a joint project between Werner Lau and Sinai divers, both synonymous with excellent service & professionalism. Oasis offers all levels of instruction, as well as specialty courses and FREE NITROX (32%) fills for qualified divers.
The stunning house reef is ideal for beginners, as dives can be made straight from the jetty. Introductory dives are conducted in a 4-5m deep ‘aquarium’ just off the beach in a nearby bay.
This area has everything experienced divers could wish for, and there are regular jeep and boat trips to legendary sites such as Elphinstone, Dolphin House & Abu Dabab.
General Information
Learn to Dive Courses >
Advanced Dive Courses >
Technical Dive Courses >
Diving Offers
Book your dive pack or course with Regaldive prior to departure. Our prices are lower than those in resort. You can also take advantage of our great value dive pack offers.
Any dive packs offers listed below are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings, there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
Group Offer
Book 10 dive packs and get one FREE. Go to the Regaldive Groups page>
| Standard Prices | |
| House Reef Dive Pack | |
| 4 days house reef diving (12 dives) | £85 |
| 5 days house reef diving (15 dives) | £102 |
| 6 days house reef diving (18 dives) | £127 |
| Jeep & House Reef | |
| 3 days jeep & house reef diving (9 dives) | £144 |
| 4 days jeep & house reef diving (12 dives) | £170 |
| 5 days jeep & house reef diving (15 dives) | £212 |
| 6 days jeep & house reef diving (18 dives) | £255 |
| Learn to Dive Courses | |
| PADI Scuba Diver | £154 |
| Referral Course | £154 |
| PADI Open Water | £238 |
| PADI Scuba Diver upgrade to Open Water | £154 |
| Advanced Courses | |
| PADI Advanced (includes equipment) | £170 |
| PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Diver | £74 |
| PADI Rescue Diver | £255 |
| Groups Policy: Book 10 get 1 FREE. Click here to visit the Regaldive Groups Page | |
Please note:
- House Reef dive packs Include one dive (the first one) guided at the house reef and a further 11, 14, 17 (corresponding to 4, 5 & 6 day House reef dive pack) unguided dives on the house reef including night dives and early morning dives (from 5:00 am until 8:00 pm). For 'Special Trips' and 'Extras payable locally in resort', please see below.
- Jeep & House reef dive packs includes: Two guided dives per day by jeep (1 dive in the morning & 1 dive in the afternoon or a 2-tank-dive). In addition and FREE of charge: One dive (the first one) guided at the house reef and a further 2, 3, 4 or 5 (corresponding to 3, 4, 5 & 6 day dive packs) unguided dives on the house reef including night dives and early morning dives (from 5:00 am until 8:00 pm).
- For all dives (house reef & jeep) it is compulsory to dive with a computer and a surface marker buoy. Check dive is compulsory and integrated in the first dive.
- All 'Learn to Dive Courses' listed include equipment rental. PADI Advanced course includes equipment.
- Additional costs for courses: PADI Open Water manual: £28, PADI Advanced Open Water Manual: £26, Rescue Diver Course: £28, Enriched Air Diver Course: £35, PADI Certification fee €30 (paid locally).
- Extras payable locally in resort:-
- Nitrox per 12L tank: 32% FREE
- Equipment hire pppd (excludes computer, torch & SMB): €25
- Day trip by boat - 2 dives: (a) €40 (house reef dive pack ) & (b) €30 (house reef & shore dive pack)
- Lunch on boat: €5
- Environmental tax pppd: €3
- Dolphin House government fee per visit: €15
- Sales tax in resort: 10%
- Special trips (prices shown are available with pre-booked diving.)
- Elphinstone (Boat Trip - 2 dives): (a) €65 (house reef dive pack) & (b) €50 (house reef and shore dive pack)
- Dolphin House (Boat Trip - 2 dives incl. €15 entrance fee): (a) €60 & (b) €50
Getting Around
All the hotels that Regaldive feature are remote. Hotels are self-contained units with restaurants, bars and sports facilities available, depending on the hotel. Getting around from your hotel base is difficult.
Climate
The hottest time of the year is July and August with air temperature of over 30 degrees C. The coolest time is January with the temperature at around 20 degrees C. Rainfall is negligable and it is invariably sunny but breezes can be cool.
Time
Egypt is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
Currency
Egyptian pounds or LE. Approximately £1 = 8LE
We recommend that you take some money in Cash to Egypt. Please note that Scottish notes and Australian Travellers Cheques are not accepted in Egypt.
Tipping
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to travellers for personal recognition of the services offered. We would advise that you allow approx. £10 for gratuities for local staff for the duration of your stay.
Rough Price Guide
- Local beer 20LE
- Foreign imported beer c.20LE
- Snack meal (pizza/sandwich) 20LE
- Bottle of mineral water 5LE
- Soft drink 8LE
Egypt Factbox
| Area: | 1, 001, 450 sq. km |
| Population: | 67 million |
| Language: | Arabic, English |
| Time: | GMT + 2 |
| Electricity: | 220v. Round pin adaptors |
Flight Information
From London Gatwick direct to Marsa Alam every Wednesday and from Manchester direct to Marsa Alam every Thursday. Alternatively, there are flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Hurghada every Friday. Regional departures from Manchester are also available. Please call Regaldive for details.
Flight duration: 5 hours
Transfer: Varies according to hotel. Minimum transfer time 10 minutes. Approx. 3 hours from Hurghada airport.
Departure tax: n/a
Passports
Passengers travelling to Egypt must have six months valid on their passport from the date of departure from Egypt.
Visas
A single entry tourist visa for Egypt is required for all nationalities. For British passport holders with British citizenship, Egyptian visas can be obtained conveniently and inexpensively on arrival at Marsa Alam and Hurghada airports.
Other nationalities should check with consular office.
Vaccinations
There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Egypt, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio. Though malaria does exist in Egypt, it is generally not present in the coastal resorts.
Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic.
Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.
Red Sea Offers
Red Sea Dive Pack Offers
Various dates available
Regaldive are committed to saving you money on your dive holiday!
Book your dive pack or course before you go to save money. Our prices are lower than those you will pay in resort. You can also save £££'s with our great value special offers and discounts.
All special offers have limited availability, so book early to avoid disappointment!
Emperor Divers, Red Sea
€20 OFF SPECIAL DIVE TRIPS, DIVE COURSES & EQUIPMENT RENTAL - 2010 Voucher Offer
This voucher entitles the holder to €20 off special dive trips, dive courses and equipment rental. Valid until 31st December 2010.
Available at Sharm, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Nuweiba.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Learn to Dive HALF PRICE Diving Offer!
Book a PADI Open Water course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE! Saving based on standard diving prices. Valid for new bookings from 26 August 2010.
Valid for departure dates:
1 September - 24 December 2010
Available at Sharm, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Nuweiba.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HALF PRICE Diving Offer 2010 & 2011
Book a 4, 5 or 6 day dive pack and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE! *
Book a PADI Open Water, Fastrack* Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE! * Saving based on standard diving prices. Valid for new bookings from 18 May 2010.
Valid for departure dates:
18 November - 14 December 2010
31 December 2010 - 15 March 2011
1 June - 12 July 2011
*Fastrack materials £45 extra for concessionary place.
Available at Sharm, Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam and Nuweiba.
All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
Divers' Lodge, Hurghada - FREE Diving
Book a 5 or 6 day dive pack or a PADI Open Water, Open Water Fastrack* or Advanced Course and your buddy can book the same FREE! Valid for departure dates:
19 November -17 December 2010
7 January - 1 April 2011
6 May - 8 July 2011
*Fastrack materials £45 extra for concessionary place.
All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
Orca Dive Club - HALF PRICE Diving
Book a 5 or 6 day dive pack and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE (boat, or boat & house reef, or house reef only).
Book a PADI Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE! Saving based on standard diving prices. Valid for new bookings from 25 May 2010.
Valid for departure dates:
17 November - 16 December 2010
5 January - 8 April 2011
1 June - 8 July 2011
Available at Soma Bay, Abu Dabab & Hamata.
All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
Sinai Divers, Dahab - HALF PRICE Diving
Book a 5 or 6 day dive pack (shore dives only or shore + boat dives) and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE!
Book a PADI Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE!
Valid for departure dates:
20 November - 17 December 2010
8 January - 13 March 2011
7 May - 19 June 2011
19 November - 17 December 2011
Valid for new bookings from 28 May 2010.
All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.
