On the 21st of October I headed over to Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh with my family for a really enjoyable holiday in the warm waters of the Red Sea. While this was family holiday time I did manage to fit in an early morning dive each morning during the week – three dives in Nama bay with Althias Divers and three dives on the Ritz Carlton house reef.
Each of these two dive locations had their own distinct characteristics. Nama Bay had much more larger life to be seen, such as Puffer fish, large trumpet fish, Wrasse, Moray Eels, Lion fish, Eagle Rays, and I am fairly confident that I observed a black tip reef shark. The dives in Nama bay also featured some sections of coral reefs… but the coral was present in patchy groups spaced out on a sandy seabed. All of my video footage was taken while enjoying these laid back dives in Nama bay.
The Ritz Carlton house reef was a very different environment. There was a solid reef wall and it was in superb condition. Fantastic coral (hard and soft) formations with really vibrant colours. However there was little larger life on display during these dives – but did sport plenty of smaller tropical fish. However the reef itself at this site really became the bright, clean and rich star of these dives.
Overall each of the 6 dives during the week lasted just on or a little over an hour each in 28c. The dives were my first single tank (11L ali’s) recreational dives in the ocean since diving in the Maldives back in 2009. I really kicked back and dived just in a rash guard and thermal shorts. A big departure from my normal dry suit, twinsets and stages. This really did accomplish quite a pleasant relaxed vibe!
Thanks go to Anthias Divers in Nama Bay and the dive centre at the Ritz Carlton – both were very good operations and they certainly let me “stay” in the water long after others had hit the towels.
Nice easy laid back recreational dives… just what I was looking for on a fun family vacation.
Grif
