Hamata

The small town of Hamata lends its name to the region opposite the Fury Shoal Reef system.  This is the most southerly diving resort in the Egyptian Red Sea. The remoteness of this area, situated 180 km South of Marsa Alam, makes it the ultimate in ‘get away from it all’ diving.

Until recently, the pristine sites of this area were the sole preserve of liveaboard boats and have consequently remained relatively unvisited. There are very few resorts this far south, but Regaldive offer  three different options - Zabargad Dive Resort, Wadi Lahami Azur Resort and Lahami Bay. All offer relaxed, uncrowded diving in a remote and unspoiled area.

The legendary Fury Shoal is right on Hamata's doorstep, offering over 35 memorable dive sites. There are over 80 types of coral to discover in this region, all in excellent condition and inhabited by a rich variety of marine species.

Learning to Dive

There are a variety of dive sites that offer novice divers the opportunity to dive on sheltered reefs. However, in order to take full advantage of the stunning dives available here, it is recommended to be an advanced or intermediate diver.

Qualified Divers

Zabargad Dive Resort and Lahami Bay offer a combination of fine house reef diving and excellent day boat diving. For Wadi Lahami Azur Resort, house reef diving is available at the nearby Zabargad Dive Resort, with boat diving offered from Hamata Port. The remote nature of these resorts, combined with their location opposite the Fury Shoal Reef system, offers divers what is arguably the best land based diving available in the Egyptian Red Sea.

House Reef Diving

The house reef at Zabargad Dive Resort is accessed from the dive centre jetty and offers a superb coral reef environment just 100 metres from the dive centre. The fringing reef  runs parallel to the shore in both directions and starts at roughly 8 metres dropping to 20 metres. The reef is particularly good at night when numerous nocturnal species can be seen in large numbers feeding off the reef. The lack of current, fine visibility and abundance of interesting marine life makes this an excellent site for photographers.

Lahami Bay enjoys easy access to a wonderful house reef, which is made up of an attractive fringing reef and coral outcrops rising from the sandy plateau. This creates beautiful swim throughs and offers the opportunity to explore different areas on numerous repeat dives. Between the beach entry point and the start of the reef the sea grass provides a sheltered habitat for seahorses.

Both house reefs enable divers the flexibility to dive to their own schedule, and maximise their time in the water.  There is an amazing array of hard and soft corals to be appreciated, all within a short walk of your hotel room.  Night dives are also available on the house reefs and provide an exciting opportunity to watch Spanish dancers, lionfish and lobster.

Boat Diving

Zabargad Dive Resort, Wadi Lahami Azur Resort and Lahami Bay share many of the same dive sites on Fury Shoal. There are over 35 uncrowded boat dives accessible from either resort. All of the dives sites are within 2 hours of the dive centres although the majority can be reached within 1 hour of the shore by large, purpose built day boats.  Dive sites this far South offer some of the finest coral in the Red Sea.  There are over 80 varieties of healthy soft and hard coral that have formed over millennia into spectacular coral gardens and pinnacles, which in turn support a vast array of marine life.

One of the sites, Gota Soraya is rated as one of the best wall dives in the Red Sea, with large caves full of Glass Fish, Sweepers and an abundance of corals. Divers can expect to see a wide variety of marine species including dolphin, which occasionally come in as close as the resorts house reefs. There is a good chance of enjoying encounters with a variety of shark species along with large shoals of mackerel in season. Turtles hatch along this coastline and sightings are common.

Ultimately, divers come away remembering immaculate uncrowded reefs supporting an abundance of marine life including many species rarely found elsewhere. This far south, the water temperature during the winter months is significantly higher then that of the Northern Red Sea. This creates a relaxed dive environment year round.

Regaldive work with three well managed dive centres in the Hamata area:

Orca Divers Zabargad are based at Zabargad Dive Resort.  They offer house reef diving on site and day boat diving from Hamata Port, a ten minute transfer away.

Baracuda are based at Lahami Bay Beach Resort & Gardens.  They offer beach entry house reef diving and day boat diving.

Orca Divers Wadi Lahami are based at the Wadi Lahami Azur Resort in Hamata.  They offer house reef diving at Zabargad and day boat diving from Hamata Port, a ten minute transfer away.

ORCA DIVERS ZABARGAD

Orca Divers run the dive centre at Zabargad Dive Resort.  House reef diving is available from the dive centre jetty, with boat diving offered from Hamata Port jetty just ten minutes transfer from the centre. Divers with fewer than 30 dives logged must be guided.

Orca Divers is a PADI and CMAS centre, offering a range of courses from novice through to Divemaster, and technical diving courses including Nitrox and Draeger Rebreather. Orca Divers also offer free Nitrox fills for qualified divers, making it an ideal centre for Nitrox divers, and those wanting to learn.

Equipment hire is available. Steel tanks with DIN fittings are standard, with International adapters available free of charge.  The team at Orca and Prince Ali, the dive centre donkey, will endeavour to make your diving days as relaxing as possible, by transporting all of your equipment to and from the house reef jetty as required.

Please note that it is compulsory at Orca Divers to dive with a dive computer.  All divers with fewer than 30 dives logged 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.

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 (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.  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>

Please note:

1. Boat diving packages consists of two unguided boat 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.
2. House reef dives are unguided & include tanks and weights. Divers with less than 30 logged dives must be guided (€5 per dive).
3. 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. 
4. 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).
5. Extras payable locally in resort:-
   • Nitrox (32%):  FREE
   • Tax and permission fee pppd:  €5 per day
   • Guide:  €5 per dive
   • Dive computer hire:  €3.5 per dive
   • Equipment hire including computer:  €12 per dive 
   • Third dive:  €18
   • Lunch on boat:  20LE
   • Decompression chamber maintenance:  €7 per week (optional)
   • Service charge in resort:  10%

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BARACUDA DIVE CENTRE

Baracuda dive centre is ideally located at Lahami Bay Beach Resort, and offers house reef and day boat diving.  The centre is extremely well organised, and offers dive training to PADI, CMAS and TDI standards.

A range of courses is available, from novice to Divemaster. An excellent range of well-maintained equipment is available for hire. DIN fittings standard, with International adapters available free of charge.

Lahami Bay has a fringing house reef accessible directly from the beach.  Outer parts of the house reef are also accessible by small boat.  Minimum numbers apply for these trips, and a supplement is payable in resort. 

Please note that it is compulsory at Baracuda to dive with a dive computer. All divers with fewer than 30 dives logged must be guided (€6 per person per dive).

General Information

Learn to Dive Courses >
Advanced Dive Courses >
Technical Dive Courses >

Dive Packs

Book your dive pack or course with Regaldive prior to departure. Our prices are lower than those in resort.

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 12 dive packs and get one FREE. Go to the Regaldive Groups page>

Please note:

1. Packages for qualified divers include two unguided dives per day, including tanks and weights. Divers with less than 30 logged dives must be guided (€6 per dive). It is compulsory to dive with a computer.  For 'Special Trips' and 'Extras payable locally in resort', please see below.
2. 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 £70. A check dive will be carried out in resort for all divers.
3. All 'Learn to Dive Courses' listed include equipment rental. Advanced courses do not include equipment
4. Additional costs for courses: PADI Open Water manual: £28,  PADI Advanced Open Water Manual: £26,  Rescue Diver Course: £28,  PADI Certification fee €65 (paid locally).
5. Extras payable locally in resort:-
   • Nitrox per fill (32%):  €4
   • Reef Tax pppd:  €3
   • House reef boat / rib supplement:  €9 per dive
   • House reef dive (beach entry):  €22
   • Night dive:  €31 (subject to availability)
   • Dive computer hire:  €8 per day
   • Equipment hire:  €30 per day (includes computer)
   • Lunch on boat:  25 LE
   • Decompression chamber maintenance:  €7 per week
   • Sales tax in resort:  10%

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ORCA DIVERS WADI LAHAMI

Orca Divers run the dive centre at the Wadi Lahami Azur Resort.  House reef diving is available from nearby Zabargad Dive Resort, with boat diving offered from Hamata Port jetty just ten minutes transfer from the centre. Divers with fewer than 30 dives logged must be guided.

Orca Divers is a PADI and CMAS centre, offering a range of courses from novice through to Divemaster, and technical diving courses including Nitrox and Draeger Rebreather. Orca Divers also offer free Nitrox fills for qualified divers, making it an ideal centre for Nitrox divers, and those wanting to learn.

Equipment hire is available. Steel tanks with DIN fittings are standard, with International adapters available free of charge. Please note that it is compulsory at Orca Divers to dive with a dive computer.  All divers with fewer than 30 dives logged 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.

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 (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.  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>

Please note:

1. Boat diving packages consists of two unguided boat 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.
2. House reef dives are unguided & include tanks and weights. Divers with less than 30 logged dives must be guided (€5 per dive).
3. 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. 
4. 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).
5. Extras payable locally in resort:-
   • Nitrox (32%):  FREE
   • Tax and permission fee pppd:  €5 per day
   • Guide:  €5 per dive
   • Dive computer hire:  €3.5 per dive
   • Equipment hire including computer:  €12 per dive 
   • Third dive:  €18
   • Lunch on boat:  20LE
   • Decompression chamber maintenance:  €7 per week (optional)
   • Service charge in resort:  10%

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The Hamata region offers the most southerly accommodation for divers in the Egyptian Red Sea.  A remote region, Hamata is an area of natural beauty, and offers access to superb dive sites previously visited only by liveaboards.

Getting Around

Remote and removed from the outside world, the hotels this far south are generally self-contained.  Entertainment is very much centred around the individual hotels

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.  Please note that Hamata is 3 hours ahead of GMT - one hour ahead of the northerly Egyptian resorts.

Currency

Egyptian pounds or LE. Approximately £1 = 8LE

We recommend that you take some money in Cash to Egypt.  Please note that Scottish notes 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

Flight Information

From London Gatwick & Manchester direct to Marsa Alam every Monday & Wednesday. Alternatively, there are flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Hurghada every Friday. Regional departures to Hurghada are also available,. Please call Regaldive for details.

Flight duration: 5 hours

Transfer: Approx 2.5 hours from Marsa Alam airport and 5.5 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 Sinai.

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

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. 

Download your voucher here >

Available at Sharm, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Nuweiba.

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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.

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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.