The Salem Express - one of the largest wrecks in the Egyptian Red Sea

The Salem Express is one of the most controversial wreck dives in the Red Sea due to the tragic loss of life which occurred when she sank shortly after midnight on December 15th 1991.

Launched as Fred Scamaroni in 1966 the roll-on, roll-off ferry for vehicles and passengers was built in the French shipyards of La Seyne in 1964. Her name was changed several times to the Nuits Saint George, Lord Sinai, Al Tahara until she finally became the Salem Express in 1988.

The Salem was packed with passengers returning from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, bound for the port of Safaga, when she struck one of the banks of coral that just break the surface south of Hyndman Reef, off Safaga in the Egyptian Red Sea. All rescue actions failed due to the stormy weather that night.

Diving the Salem Express - a unique experience

The Salem Express is one of the largest wrecks in the Egyptian Red Sea. Her port side is just 12 metres from the surface with her starboard side lying on the seabed at a maximum depth of 30 metres. From the surface you can easily make out the port-side hull of the Salem. The Salem is worth two or three dives in a row to explore her to the fullest.

Statue of Pharaonic queen discovered in south Egypt

Egyptian and European archeologists on Saturday announced they had discovered a giant statue of an ancient pharaonic queen on the spectacular south Egypt site of the Colossi of Memnon.

The statue represents Queen Tiy, the wife of 18th dynasty Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and stands 3.62 metres high (almost 12 feet).

It was discovered around the site of the massive Colossi of Memnon twin statues that command the road to Luxor's famed Valley of the Kings.

Two sphinx representing Tiy and Amenhotep III as well as 10 statues in black granite of the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, who protected the pharaohs, we also found by the archeologists and presented to reporters and senior officials.

Culture Minister Faruq Hosni hailed the discovery as a "formidable" entreprise and told reporters he expected the statues to be erected for public view next year.

They will be joined by two 15-metre-high (50 feet) statues, excavated in recent years, which will be placed 100 metres behind the Colossi of Memnon as part of an "open air museum."

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2008 Hurghada Squash Tournament

Hurghada Squash Tournament for Men and Women will take place from 12th until 20th of April 2008.

Supported by the Government and Governor of Hurghada, sponsored by WISPA (Women International Squash Players Association), the Tournament has gained international reputation over the years.

For this edition, various events are planned.

On April 18th, no match is planned but people will enjoy a big live concert in Sakkala square with famous artists such as Heba selim, Saad el Shghayar, or Haytham Shaker.

In paralllel of the event, a photographic shots' competition will be organised. First prize will be 5000 EGP, second 3000 EGP and third 2000 EGP.

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Great news for the Red Sea

Great news for all those at Red Sea Diving College came through in March. They have received the honour - for the second year running - Dive Centre of the Year as voted for by readers of the United Kingdom based DIVER Magazine.

A spokesperson from Red Sea Diving College told us that this was “Fantastic news. We are very thrilled and very proud to receive the DIVER award for a second year running”. “Certainly, we will not rest on our laurels - this award will encourage us to further develop our diving services and our projects in defence of the wonderful marine environment of the Red Sea throughout 2008”.

Staff at the College, based in the heart of Naama Bay, Sharm el Sheikh, are planning lots of exciting new projects to be carried out during the next 12 months.

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El Gouna hosts huge kite surfing Jamboree

El Gouna, the Red Sea’s premier leisure destination, has announced it is set to host a kite surfing jamboree, 18-27th April this year.

Set to be one of the biggest events in the Red Sea area for kite-boarders and their fans, there are a variety of activities scheduled during the week-long event that even non-fans can enjoy getting involved in.

Activities to be staged include:

• The biggest annual jamboree for the kite community; discussing new trends, equipment, rules, organisation and safety in the sport
• Exhibitions showcasing and testing the latest equipment
• Professional and amateur kite-boarding competitions, designed so everyone has a chance of winning and where spectators help the professionals with the judging process
• Photographic and video competitions for those capturing the day and week’s events on film
• Free introductory sessions for those looking to get started in the sport
• A fashion show demonstrating the latest beach fashion trends
• Nightly beach club parties
• Additional day time activities such as boat trips to Tawila Island, wakeboarding, waterskiing, parasailing, beach volleyball, football tournaments and sand buggy competitions

The event itself is being staged by the Red Sea Zone Watersports Academy in El Gouna which is the resort’s only centre that is accredited by the International Kiteboarding Organisation (IKO)..
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Safaga Diving Sites

The area around Safaga has some great diving close to the mainland as well as offshore in the areas of Panorama Reef, Middle Reef and Abu Kafan. Some divers say these equal the great sites of Ras Mohammed and Careless Reef. The whole area is protected and the same rules apply as elsewhere so please follow them.

Ras Abu Soma
Fringing reef sloping gently to the drop off offers numerous quality dive sites, including the ever popular Emperor Divers House Reef. Schooling reef fish, exhibitionist octopus and resident morays, stonefish and turtles are included in the reef's attractions. Sightings of eagle rays are not uncommon and easy access from the dive centre to the water via the purpose built jetty makes this one of our most popular sites!

Tobia Kebir
Large oblong reef with a chain of ergs stretching southwards. Emerging from a shallow sandy bottom this site offers interesting diving with schooling fish, morays and groupers and many broomtail wrasse. A dive site for all levels and interests.



Tobia Soraya
South of Tobia Kebir, run a chain of pinnacles forming a Y shape. Stingrays, trigger fish and big shoals of banner fish with gorgonians and acroporas in the background are a good build up to the swim throughs and canyons between the ergs, which this site offers.

Panorama Reef
One of the highlights of the area. Huge coral formations with walls dropping to over 200m. Numerous grottos and overhangs, gorgonians and soft corals. Jacks, barracudas and reef sharks often visit the area. Panorama is also the home of Anemone City, ranging from 14m up to 5m over 40 Magnificent anemones offer homes to hundreds of feisty clownfish. A stunning spot for your safety stop! The north plateau is a stunning array of purple soft corals and a south bound current offers a thrilling drift!

Abu Kafan
Possibly the best dive in Safaga, a 300m long, narrow barrier features a 'plateau' in both north and south extremes, teeming with anthias and soft corals. Superb wall diving dropping off to over 300m with overhangs covered in soft and black coral and giant gorgonians. Frequent sightings of jacks, tuna, barracuda, reef sharks and the occasional hammerhead.



Wreck of the Salem Express
A Ferry carrying pilgrims returning from Mecca, sank in 1991 after hitting the reef at night. 300 victims perished in one of the greatest marine tragedies of all time. Divers are asked to dive the wreck considerately with respect for the great loss of life and penetration of the wreck is forbidden. The propellers make an impressive sight and the covering of hard corals now colonising the wreck show the power of the ocean to make new life out of this tragedy. Fish life is now abundant and the funnels of the wreck with large "S" and the name on the bow are clearly visible. The site is reasonably sheltered and is not exposed to strong current and can be dived at all levels from 12m to 30m.



If you want to read more about Safaga diving sites from Emperor Divers click here

Hurghada Dive Sites

The area either side of the Straits of Gubal is mainly the preserve of liveaboards. Flanked in the west by the islands of Gubal and Shedwan and in the east by the reef systems of Shab Ali and Shab Mahmoud, it is normally well beyond the day boat range of either Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada. However, some boats do make the day trip from Sharm to reach the world famous wreck of the Thistlegorm, taking approximately 12-14 hours in total. Crossing the straits can be rough and sometimes downright impossible in all but the largest ships. The areas around Shedwan Island are closed to diving as this is a military area.

Umm Gammar (27°21.155’N, 33°54.550’E)
This offshore Island is surrounded by good diving on all sides. The south end has a shallow plateau where the moorings are positioned, this location is the most used. For first timers at Umm Gamar the dive will take place from the plateau, moving eastwards to the drop off then north along the wall. After a short swim against the current you reach three pinnacles close together, chimneys reach through the pinnacles toward the surface. After exploring this area you take advantage of the light current to drift back to the corner of the plateau where three small ergs are found, covered in glass fish. Finish the dive on the plateau exploring the numerous coral heads and reef fish. The plateau is home to Napoleons, Emperor Angels and free swimming Morays. The east and west side have awesome drift dives and the northern tip or "halg" has a magnificent coral garden but is only accessible in very good weather. Big groupers and lots of sweepers live in the multiple caves found along the eastern and western walls and drop offs of this tiny island's fringing reef.

Careless Reef (27°18.700’N, 33°56.200’E)
An offshore reef Careless has two large ergs rising from a shallow plateau surrounded by sheer walls rising from the deep. The area is unprotected and the reef can only be reached in good weather. The current at the surface is usually from the north but below it can come from any direction. To the north, the drop off is a forest of coral and to the south the plateau slopes gently away with small pinnacles of coral. The whole area swarms with fish of all types, there are numerous giant morays encountered here, white tip reef sharks and schooling reef fish as well as huge groupers and the occasional hammerhead in the early morning.



Torfa Fanus (East)
This narrow reef creates a huge calm lagoon, a great place to stop for lunch and catch the sun before the second dive of the day. The lagoon itself and the enclosing reef wall is relatively uninteresting and naturally lifeless but on the seaward side the area bursts with all manner of sea creatures. Swim through the gap between the first erg and the reef wall and head across the coral garden to the second erg, home to hordes of glass fish and the very occasional frog fish. Continue with the reef wall on your left to see the gorgonians on the corner of the reef where it turns west, if you have enough air continue along the north face where the corals are pristine, if not return with the reef on your right and explore the first erg before returning to the boat. Dolphins are often encountered anywhere around this reef so keep an eye out.



Fanus West
The other end (west) of the Fanus reef has two main ergs and several smaller pinnacles off its western end. You can follow the reef wall round and explore the reef face and coral gardens which is full of marauding jacks. Or if you feel energetic you can swim the 50m to the furthest erg which is well worth a visit, explore the remaining erg and pinnacles on the way back. Again watch out for dolphins at anytime during the dive as they can be frequent visitors.

Wreck of the El Minya (Harbour Wreck)
An Egyptian minesweeper sunk by Israeli fighters while lying at anchor in 1969, this wreck lies in 30m on a rock sea bed. The current here can be strong from the north and the visibility poor. There is a large debris field which contains a lot of 'LIVE" munitions, worth a look, but carefully. The wreck is only 70m long so there is plenty of time to explore everything including the blast hole on the starboard side, which can be penetrated. Penetration is not recommended elsewhere on this wreck. There is not much in the way of coral growth on the wreck but it does have its resident fish life. The blast hole gives shelter to shoals of glassfish and a lone anemone and resident clownfish are also in this area. Above the wreck are shoals of jacks and small barracuda.

Small Giftun (27°11.030’N, 33°58.530’E)
With the current carrying you, this dive is a relaxing exploration along a magnificent wall, where you can 'fly over' extensive stretches of large fan corals and if you look out into the blue it's not uncommon to see large tunas and trevallies. The dive leads to a sandy plateau dotted with numerous coral formations. Here it is common to see turtles, moray eels, crocodilefish and spotted stingrays, as well as schooling fusiliers and goatfish. Often done as a drift dive but can also be done as a normal dive where the boat is moored up. An excellent site for technical diving and courses.




Abu Hashish
A shallow erg field lays on the south side of the island where lots of blue spotted stingrays, puffer fishes and morays are found swimming through a pinnacle landscape. A dramatic drift dive can be made along the eastern wall with the chance to see big fish out in the blue.

If you want to read more about hurghada dive sites from Emperor Divers click here

Sharm el Sheikh diving sites

The diving in the Sharm El Sheikh area runs from Ras Mohammed at the tip of the Sinai peninsula and runs north up the east coast to the Tiran Reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba. This area benefits from the shelter of the land and conditions are usually calm to moderate, unlike the western coast of Sinai which can get rough, as the winds blow down the length of the Gulf of Suez. Most of the diving is in the Ras Mohammed national park so do not touch the coral or feed the fish otherwise you may find yourselves with a ticket from the rangers. Where ever you dive around the Sinai you are in for some excitement, fantastic coral and great diving.


Jackson Reef
Most northerly of the reefs of Tiran and the northern limit of day boats from Sharm El Sheikh. The wreck of the "Lara" lies at the northern end. There is superb wall diving along its entire perimeter, with numerous buttresses and gullies. Sightings of sharks, turtles and other big fish are not uncommon and you will find a huge diversity of different corals and sponges as well as clouds of trigger fish, masked puffers and banner fish. At the point you may be lucky and spot a Hammerhead in summer.



Thomas Reef
Between Gordon and Woodhouse reefs, smaller round reef with walls plunging deep and fully covered with soft coral, gorgonians and colourful fish life. It is almost possible to circumnavigate this reef in one dive. The east wall plunges dramatically to great depths with a mass of brightly coloured soft corals. The west wall is darker with overhangs and caves but is a great drift dive with sightings of Trevally and Tuna in the blue and schooling reef fish close to the reef.

White Knight
The reef wall drops away to a sandy plateau at about 13m, at the center is a gully with swim throughs at 10m and 35m. There is an eel garden to the north. This sheltered site is home for trigger fish, groupers and the occasional manta.


Ras Ghazlani
At the Northern Tip of Marsa Bareika, Ras Ghazalani rates as one of the most beautiful dive sites in the Ras Mohamed area. Having been closed to divers for many years, this site has an extraordinary array of beautiful table corals, glass fish covered pinnacles and an overall stunning landscape. Keep your eyes open for the huge Blackspotted Pufferfish, Malabar Groupers and the occasional Eagle Ray. A very gentle drift dive, this site makes a perfect end to your diving day.

Ras Mohammed
Really several dive sites, Ras Mohammed has earned itself a reputation as one of the top diving areas in the world, here at the tip of the Sinai where the vast bodies of water, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba meet has created an ecosystem like no other and wall diving is at its very best.



Shark Observatory
The site is not aptly named as it is not noted for its shark sightings, however, it is a fantastic dive. Beneath the towering cliffs that continue below the surface to disappear into the deep abyss the wall is covered with soft coral and honeycombed with numerous gullies and canyons that are home to hoards of glass fish and hatchet fish herded by red mouth grouper. An overhang, fringed with sea fans at 10m, is a great place to watch the Trevallies, Jacks and Turtles passing in the blue. At the southern end Anemone city is worth a visit.



To read more about Sharm dive sites from Emperor Divers click here

Dahab diving sites

The sleepy town of Dahab (meaning gold in Arabic) sits at the foot of the rose hued Sinai mountains about 100km north of Sharm El Sheikh. Once a simple Bedouin encampment it now boasts modern facilities and some new hotels but still retains its ethnic charm. Dahab sits on the Gulf of Aqaba and some of the deepest waters in the Red Sea are in the area, dropping in places to over 1800mts. It is here you will get the opportunity to sight a busy reef life just a few meters beyond the fringing reef.


Blue Hole - El Bells
One of the most famous dive sites in the Red Sea situated 12 km north of Dahab. The Blue Hole has an almost circular shape 150 meters wide and 110 meters deep and connects with the sea through a tunnel 26 meters long at a depth of 52 meters (for technical divers only). The best way to enjoy this dive site is by doing a drift dive starting at El Bells (situated 250 meters north) and finishing the dive in the Blue Hole. El Bells is a half open chimney that reaches a depth of 30 meters and have an arch at 26 meters. The wall is there magnificent. It is vertical and in part overhanging with a rich growth of black corals and elephant ear sponges and sea fans. In the deep blue, chance is to spot Yellowfin Tunas, Orangespotted Trevallies, school of Red Sea Fusiliers, and the resident Napoleon Wrasses.
By getting shallower and closer to the lip of the Blue Hole the attraction is also lying on the rich sloping reef. The saddle which allows the entrance to the inside of the Blue Hole is 7 meters deep only. Here is a beautiful coral garden teeming of life. The end of the dive will enable you to skirt around the inner walls of the Blue Hole where you could observe Octopus, many Starfishes and Scorpionfishes.


The Canyon
This site takes its name from a long, narrow and very beautiful canyon created by an ancient volcanic activity. The huge fissure now overgrown with hard and soft corals runs north to south from the shallow reef just off shore to a depth of around 54 meters on the reef slope further out (ideal for technical divers).
Access to the site is through a shallow and sandy lagoon laying a few steps form the shore line. It is inhabited by a rich fauna comprising Butterflyfishes, Bluespine Unicornfishes, Cornetfishes and even juvenile Barracudas. On the most western point there is a saddle serving as an entry (and exit) point to the open sea and a coral garden. Among the large range of reef fish here, some notable residents include the Pufferfish, Snappers, Lyretail and Coral Grouper, Basslets and Red Sea Anthias.



The entry to the Canyon is done through it largest point at 22 meters. The progression through the Canyon is easy and the light effect caused by the sun rays is surreal.
The exit of the Canyon is done through a huge hard coral block with a man-sized opening in this coral hummock. The numerous small cracks of this coral block allow the air bubbles emitted by scuba divers to escape giving a fantastic touch to the scenery.

Eel Garden
This dive site is named after the huge population of Garden Eels. These small creatures swaying in the gentle current stretch for food particles passing by and disappear gently when divers are coming close by. After swimming over the reef platform the entry of the dive site is through a small channel that leads to the main reef. The sandy bottom is home for the garden eels that come out and wave with the water and friendly Batfishes. The reef slope has got an excellent selection of coral growth with both stony and soft species and this colorful and shallow reef boasts large numbers of Lionfishes, Damsels, Parrots, Groupers, Scorpionfishes and plenty of Sand Gobies. The whole area is great for photography.

The Lighthouse
Located just off shore at the lighthouse of Dahab bay it features an extending sloping reef with a good range of depths which can suit all level of divers. Look out for Seamoth (Pegasus) and Schrimpfishes on the sandy slope as you step in the water. Large pinnacles, huge cabbage coral and coral heads extend out of the point reaching depth of more than 25 meters with a diverse fish life with Surgeon and Unicornfishes, Wrasses, Triggerfishes, Breams and Morays.



The sloping coral wall and the coral garden at the northern part of the reef is very healthy and boast both hard and soft species of coral and host a varied fish life like Cornetfish, Angelfish, Goatfish and school of Common Bigeyes feeding from the mild current. It is home as well to Spanish dancers very popular among the photographers.
The shallow wall of the fringing reef plate, the gentle sloping reef and the abundance of marine life make the Lighthouse an excellent site for night diving.

Masbat
This dive site located in the heart of Dahab city is the ideal place to spot numerous Thorny Seahorses and Pipefishes on the very shallow ridge covered of sea grass and funnel weed.
Among the inhabitants of this ridge are the Peppered, Snow-flake and Undulated Morays, juvenile Scorpionfishes and sea urchins.
The field of sea grass which covered a wide part of the dive site serves as nursery grounds for many species of crustaceans and fishes and colorful Ascidians. At the southern tip of this pasture of the marine plants the reef margin is starting.
Large coral pinnacles and rich soft coral growth with beautiful Acropora will be found along the wall. Among the huge coral formation, there is a small swim-through at around 30 meters. You could find Potatoes Groupers, Giant Morays and Unicornfishes and school of Red Sea fusiliers during your dive.

The Islands
The Islands dive site is a remarkable site for the richness and development of its hard coral reef which creates a real labyrinth to dive through. The landscape offers the opportunity to observe a large variety of Porites and Brain corals within the Island and Acropora table corals over the sandy plateau. Box fish and Crododile fish are part of the common representatives of reef fauna that can be seen through the three pools and the sand road that lead to the small immerged hard coral island that gave the site its name. A resident school of juvenile Barracudas and blue fin Trevallies are frequently spotted.

Golden Blocks
Golden Blocks is a pleasant dive site with a nice variety of landscape. It has a mix of sandy areas and coral gardens with plenty of different species of soft coral like Leather corals, smooth Alcyonarians, Brocoli soft coral and Feather coral. The name of this dive site is due to the two impressive coral towers covered of Anthias where the dive begins. After a patch of seagrass, among the coral garden, there are three sandy alleys. The first one starts at 10 meter and drops down to 40 meter. The second slope is like a small canyon with an interesting coral head. At the third one, you will se an imposing Gorgonian Sea Fan at 20 meters. Red sea Bannerfishes, splendid Nudibranchs, delicate Anemones and white spotted Puffers animate this interesting reef. This site is perfect for photography with a surprising wealth of life that could be captured on pictures.

Moray Gardens
This dive site is situated in a protected bay 30 min south of Dahab just between Golden Blocks and 3 Pools. The bay is always sheltered from the wind. This gentle dive condition makes it an easy and relax dive that can suit both beginners and experienced divers.
The dive starts with a sandy slope followed first by a coral formation which is a good place to look for Scorpionfishes and Anemonefishes and then by an extensive patch of sea grass where Hawksbill Turtles have been seen. There are beautiful table coral and coral garden at a depth of 25m where it is common to see the Red Sea Nembrotha (nudibranch).



Heading north takes you to an interesting reef with sandy alleys streaming down and a coral slope with a black coral at 30 meters. It is very common to dive with a shoal of Fusiliers around, to meet some Bluefin Trevallies, and see many Groupers and thousands of Basslet and Anthias. On the shallower part of the reef, there is an amazing coral garden with numerous table corals and colorful pinnacles. Look out for the Bluespotted Shield Slug and Network Pipefish.
Heading south from the entry point, swim over a huge hard coral garden and find a surprising glassfish pinnacle at about 22 m. This section of the reef is perfect to spot octopus. Coming on shallower depth a sandy road will take you back to the entry/exit point enjoying this living aquarium with Sergeant fishes, Cornetfishes and juvenile yellowfin Barraducas.
By the end of the dive the sandy slope is perfect for the safety stop and allows you to often see Seamoths in buddy pair and on the last shallow coral block an amazing Ornate Ghost Pipefish.

Three Pools
The name of this dive site comes from the three real natural pools formed in the reef. These pools have a sea grass and sandy bottom no deeper than 4 meters. Look out for hidden Moses Sole on the sandy bottom. After passing the third pool here is the open sea with hard coral slope and sandy alley on your left. Cabbage corals, Porites and Brain Corals are part of the incredible coral garden. Good chance to encounter Triggerfishes, numerous Butterfly fishes and Puffers. It is a place where the snorkelers could also enjoy the beautiful underwater world.

Umm Sid
This dive site is situated between The Three Pools and Caves dive sites.
The entry follows a narrow sandy slope and the reef plates start on both side of it. On the right side a huge coral block starts from 15 meters and reach 5 meters depth and is covered of a good variety of soft and hard corals, Sponges and Damselfishes and Anthias.
The dive is done toward the north section. Following the sandy slope there is a small garden of Eels and a patch of sea grass with double-ended Pipefish. Along the reef plate, look out for Scorpionfishes and coral Groupers. The Red Sea fusiliers and Unicorns are very common here as well. Swimming over the sandy plateau, you will be surprised by the quantity and quality and sizes of the Acroporas (table coral). Soft corals like Alcynarians and yellow Broccoli covered numerous colorful pinnacles. Giant morays can be spotted among the different coral blocks.
The short wall is full of life with Goatfishes, Bigeye Emperors, Snappers, Butterflyfishes, Chromis, Anemonefishes, Cornetfishes, Red tooth Trigger. A very colorful dive.

The Caves
This site is the last of the series of sites on the southern coast of Dahab before the Gabr El Bint National Park. It centers on two shallow and large open front caverns, deeply undercutting the reef table close to shore. They are well worth a visit: there are covered with soft corals, sponges and black corals and inhabited by a resident huge Pufferfish and the shy Peppered Morays. The dive along of the reef sections on both sides of the caverns is as interesting as the caves. Inlets and surf tubes lead onto the sloping body of the main reef where a large cover of hard and soft coral and lively population of reef and schooling fishes are present.

Ras Abu Galum
Different and important ecosystems are present in the protected area of Ras Abu Galum such as well developed coral, beautiful coastline bordered by high mountains. Ras Abu Galum can be reached by camels. The one day camel dive safari is the most popular and the best way to enjoy this famous dive location where two or even three dives can be done in summer. After reaching the Blue Hole by jeep, and loading the camels with the diving equipment, the camel ride will take you on a path along the fascinating rocky coast for an hour and a half. The dives will give you the opportunity to see a fantastic underwater landscape. On the North part of the coast after entering in a pool with sandy bottom, swim over the small ridge of coral and at about 6 meters a huge Madrepore tower with plenty of glassfish will be in front of you. Then a hard coral plateau with massive pore coral, beautiful table coral, Broccoli coral start will where Breams and Parrots and Angelfishes make their home.
On the south part of the dive site, the plateau gives place to a fantastic drop off with beautiful tower of coral on the top. Huge pufferfishes, school of Trevallies, Emperorfishes and Snappers are living here.


To read more about Dahab Diving sites from Emperor Divers click here

Nuweiba divesites

Abou Lou Lou House Reef

The house reef lies just to the left of the jetty, off the hotels private beach. The main reef lies between 5 and 20 metres of depth, ideal for beginners and experienced divers alike, because of the concentration and diversity of the fish life present. Puffers, Morays, Groupers, Surgeonfish, Shrimps and crabs just to mention a few. A more appropriate name would be "Lion Fish City" as you spot easily more than 20 Lion Fish on any given dive! As darkness descends on Abou Lou Lou it becomes a "must" dive site.

Sinkers
During the seventies the Israeli Navy decided to place a large mooring buoy just off the beach, but unfortunately the water was deeper than expected and they dropped the 25 meter chain in 35 metres of water. The buoy disappeared under the surface and since then it hangs suspended at a depth of 8 - 12 metres. Slowly circling the big chains, you can admire the wonderful coloured soft corals that cover the whole length up to the buoy. Continuously schools of blue fusilier fishes shoot up and down full speed as they are chased by jackfish. As you reach the buoy itself it's hard to focus on one thing because of the profusion of fish life including Glass Fish, Damsels and Banded Boxer Shrimps.

El Mazeriq
The site is about 7 km south of Nuweiba. After a gentle shore entry through a break in the coral plate one sees rolling coral "hills" bottoming out in sandy bottomed "valleys". Beautiful hard corals form the hills, which you will swim over and around exploring the valleys at between 20 - 25 metres. At the end of the dive is a spectacular five meter high brain coral, affectionately named Brian's Brain.

Ras El Shetan - Devils Head
North of Nuweiba, about 30 minutes drive, is one of the best known dive sites. This is a Bedouin Camp and we usually come here for a 2 tank dive outing. The southern side of the reef starts at 12 metres where we hit the reef plateau covered by an incredible variety of hard corals and drops down sharply to a depth of 40 metres in the canyon; it is the home of octopus, puffer fish and moon groupers. This scenery leaves fantastic memories.



After the surface interval we start the second dive on the northern side of the reef which reveals a completely different structure. Swimming straight out from where we set up the equipment we descend over a patch of sea grass and a beautiful coral garden looms in front of us. It is a coral garden full with colourful and healthy coral blocks. The table corals are impressive ranging in size from a few centimetres to 3 metres in diameter. Along with various other hard and soft corals it has often been likened to a "Japanese garden", home to many fish including the very brightly coloured Lemon Goby and the Blue Green Puller.

El Magana
25 minutes by car towards Taba is El Magana, a site next to a very basic beach camp with 2 dive sites. The reef starts just 20 metres from the beach at a depth of 5 metres. Our first dive takes us to the left side along a wall where the reef drops to 35 metres. A break in the coral plate forms a canyon which we fin through at a depth of around 20-25m from where we head back through a coral garden to the exit. After a surface interval we commence the second dive heading right this time along the coral reef plate. This is a very similar site to the first with some large fish and plenty of healthy corals. Both reefs are mainly hard corals and with a little bit of luck you can spot Napoleons, Barracudas and Seahorses.





Ras Mamlach
Situated in the Abu Galum National Park, this is the highlight of a week's diving. It's a 1 ½ hour drive along the desert road by Jeep to get there but it's a worthwhile trip. The reef starts at about 12 m, with a beautiful coral garden and on to a steep wall that bottoms out at 70 m plus. Beautiful fan and table corals covered with soft corals and the intensive blue of the Gulf of Aqaba create a fantastic picture. The variety of the underwater life opens a new world; Barracudas, Jackfish, Groupers and much, much more. Two dives are not enough to see everything!

To read more about Nuwiba divesites from Emperor Divers click here

Petra History

Petra wasn't exactly a lost city. But by the early 1800s only the Bedouin herdsmen of the desert in what is now Jordan visited this ancient capital of the Nabataeans. To the world at large, its location was a mystery. The fabled city was said to lie concealed in a gorge somewhere between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba -- but maps were as hazy as the blowing sands.

Then in 1812, Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt disguised himself as "Ibrahim ibn Abd Allah," a bearded, turban-wearing, Arabic-speaking pilgrim. So convincing was his masquerade that no one stopped him from entering Petra, the "city in the rock," which no outsider had seen since the 12th century.

He found a city whose golden age had begun in the second century B.C., its prosperity stemming from expansive trade. Commerce brought cross-pollination from many other cultures and influenced Petra's architecture, which blended Arabic traditions with Hellenistic and Egyptian styles to create astonishing tombs, temples, and theaters -- all carved into cliffs of Nubian sandstone.

In the first century A.D., Rome took control of Petra, and the Nabataeans' territory soon yielded much of the Empire's profits. Six centuries later, earthquakes hit the city, and it was eventually abandoned.

The city is approached through a snaking mountain fissure, varying from 16 to 650 feet deep. After nearly a mile, the passage suddenly opens to reveal one of the world's most dramatic sights, al-Khazneh, the Treasury, thought to have been the tomb of a Nabataean king. Its facade -- some 100 feet wide and 140 feet high -- is embellished with soaring columns and statues of gods, mythological figures, and animals. Carved into the soft rock, the building takes on an otherworldly appearance when the sun strikes it, a rose glow that seems to come from within the rock itself.

The route into Petra next opens on a broad canyon where the Nabataeans built the bulk of their hidden city. The city includes a 7,000-seat theater, temples, and more royal tombs, all carved in rose-colored rock. Over everything hangs a hush, the silence of a lost world.

Golf in Egypt: Egyptian working women … in golf?

Some have written about the need for Egyptians to work in the golf industry. Until now, most Egyptians working in the industry have been men who started out at a young age as caddies in one of the old clubs — Gezirah Sporting, Mena House or Alexandria Sporting. These men have become golf teachers; very few make a good living at it.

But the top teaching pros in Egypt, the head greenskeepers (the professional person in charge of keeping the course in good condition), and nearly all of the club managers are from abroad. All are men. They often have university degrees, and have passed the rigorous requirements to join the professional golf associations in the countries where they come from. Most are excellent players, having played — or dreamed of playing —on the professional tours. They all have outstanding English-language skills, even if they are not native speakers.
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One of the most intriguing stories of an Egyptian looking to golf as a lifelong occupation is about a young woman from Alexandria — Naela El Attar — who started playing golf at a very young age and is now seeking to make it a career. When we asked Naela to tell us the story of how she, at five years old, started to play golf, she nonchalantly answered, “Well, I used to play tennis.” At five? Yes, at five.

But a relative drew her into the game of golf and it has been her passion ever since. “Every summer it was the beach and golf,” Naela says of growing up in Alexandria.

KSA, Egypt among the leading destinations in tourism growth

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer figures indicate that the Middle East clocked up 46 million international tourist arrivals in 2007, and that the region continues to be one of the tourism success stories of the decade so far, reported Travel and Tourism News.

“The region is emerging as a strong destination with visitor numbers climbing much faster than the world total, with Saudi Arabia and Egypt among the leading destinations in growth in 2007,” says the UNWTO report. Worldwide there were 898 million international tourism arrivals in 2007, a six percent increase over 2006.

“Economic and tourism growth are driven by emerging markets and developing economies. While mature markets remain the leading destinations in the world, the faster growth rate of new markets confirms UNWTO’s main message of tourism’s potential for the developing world,” said UNWTO’s Secretary General Francesco Frangialli.

Of the additional 52 million worldwide arrivals, Europe received some 19 million and Asia and the Pacific 17 million. The Americas was up by around six million, Africa by three million and the Middle East by five million.

Tackling the Rubbish

We all know that the amount of rubbish in the Red Sea region is unsightly, unhealthy and unacceptable; but things are being done to help tackle the problem…

One such initiative is the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), now open in Marsa Alam. The Facility is part of HEPCA’s Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Red Sea, undertaken in cooperation with USAID, the EEAA, the National Parks of Egypt and the Association for the Protection of the Environment, and with private donations.

Separated waste items are collected at source and transported in our stunning new trucks to the Facility. Organic waste is passed on to the local community for animal feed. Non-organic waste is sorted, processed and traded through to recycling firms where possible, or otherwise placed into a managed dumpsite for non-recyclables.

Contracts with hotels, dive centres and other tourism establishments in the Marsa Alam region are currently being concluded. The Solid Waste Management Strategy not only focuses on the collection and recycling of waste, but also provides valuable employment opportunities to the local community. A second MRF is due to open in the Hurghada area later this year.