Wadi Lahami Azur Resort

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 two different options: Wadi Lahami Azur Resort and Lahami Bay. Both 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

Lahami Bay offers a combination of fine house reef diving and excellent day boat diving. For Wadi Lahami Azur Resort, boat diving is offered from Hamata Port (see below). 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

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.

Lahami Bay House Reef Map

NEW: The jetty at Wadi Lahami Azur Resort gives unprecedented access to a beautiful stretch of untouched house reef directly in front of the hotel. Snorkellers will find plenty to explore in the lovely sandy lagoon at 2–3m depth, looking for blue spotted rays and juvenile coral fish. The sandy bottom slopes gently and is covered by many blocks of corals including some plate corals. Divers will find the outside of the fringing reef irresistible with its steep 10–15m reef wall consisting of little caves and overhangs and a large variety of hard and soft corals. Due a small headland the house reef is relatively protected from waves making it ideal for underwater photography.

The house reefs in Hamata 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

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 two hours of the dive centres although the majority can be reached within one 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 resort's 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 than that of the Northern Red Sea. This creates a relaxed dive environment year round.

Dive Prices

We recommend booking your diving package in advance to avoid disappointment. You can also take advantage of our great value dive pack offers.  Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

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 30ºC. The coolest time is January with the temperature at around 20ºC. Rainfall is negligible and it is invariably sunny but breezes can be cool.

Time

Egypt is 1 or 2 hours ahead of GMT depending on the season as Egypt does not operate Daylight Saving Time.  Please note that Hamata is 3 hours ahead of GMT - one hour ahead of the northerly Egyptian resorts - although this may be subject to change during the period of Ramadan.

Currency

Egyptian pounds or LE.

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.

Flight Information

Direct flights from the UK to Marsa Alam Airport are available on Sundays, November through to April, from Gatwick. There are connecting options via Cairo, into Marsa Alam Airport, which work well for Hamata resorts, southern Red Sea liveaboards, and Cairo extensions. Please speak to the team for more information on this option.

Please speak to our friendly travel consultants for the latest information.

Flight duration: Approx 5–5½ hours

Transfer times: These vary according to the hotel choice. From Marsa Alam Airport to Hamata resorts is approximately 3 hours, we do no recommend transferring from Hurghada Airport to Hamata without an overnight on arrival. 

Departure tax:  N/A

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.