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The deep blue of the Red Sea

August 6, 2017 | Michael Turtle | 9 Comments

Diving at El Gouna, Red Sea, Egypt

Every morning I wake up here in the Egyptian town of El Gouna with a view of the water. My hotel, Captain’s Inn, is one of the smallest of the 17 on offer and looks out on the main marina.

Luxury boats of the wealthy are moored here and I can see them being washed by workers even though their owners may be far away; smaller boats used for private daytrips or other trades come in and out through the deep channel; and larger boats for divers and their equipment prepare before breakfast for their trips out to nearby reefs.

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

The sun seems to always shine in El Gouna and the water of the marina and the Red Sea beyond is almost too glary as I pull back the curtains shortly after waking. But to avoid the sea here is to miss out on one of the most beautiful opportunities available at El Gouna. Above the surface, the kite surfers race across the small waves and the European tourists escaping the cold paddle in the shallows. Beneath the surface, though… Oh, so many wonders!

Some of the best diving in the world is in the Red Sea, just off the coast of Egypt. There are a few places along the east of the country that you can use a base but El Gouna seems as good as any.

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

I’m not much of a diver so I’ve opted to explore the sea life with a snorkel instead. Two times I head out on expeditions. The first is on one of the larger dive boats with Orca Dive Club. A sun deck above and comfortable lounges on deck level make for a pleasant journey. When we arrive at a small special reef, I jump in and the colours of the fish are astounding. There are so many of them, with such a variety, I have to check I haven’t jumped into an aquarium.

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

The second time I head out into the water from El Gouna is much more low-key. This time it’s just me and a captain from Sail La Vie. We’re on a small catamaran – just the right size for the two of us – and we’re at the mercy of the wind. We don’t go out as far but there are still great spots to snorkel within an easy sail from shore.

I thought I would leave you with a few photos from my snorkelling off the coast of El Gouna.

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

El Gouna diving, Red Sea, Egypt

Time Travel Turtle was a guest of El Gouna, Red Sea, Egypt and Holiday Designers but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Carmen |

    May 30, 2014 at 1:57 am

    Reply

    Great photos – what camera do you use?

  2. Povonte |

    May 30, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    Reply

    Amazing picture! That closure experience is very cute!!!! – Thanks for sharing.

  3. Laura @Travelocafe |

    June 2, 2014 at 3:57 am

    Reply

    The underwater pics are really cool. Wow!

  4. wesley |

    June 7, 2014 at 8:59 pm

    Reply

    Amazing picture! What camera do you use=

    • Michael Turtle |

      June 12, 2014 at 7:10 pm

      Reply

      I took these underwater photos with my new GoPro… still working out how to use it properly, though! 🙂

  5. Sand In My Suitcase |

    July 11, 2014 at 4:46 pm

    Reply

    A few years ago, we enjoyed scuba diving in the Red Sea while relaxing in Sharm El Sheikh after touring Egypt’s temples. The waters offer some of the best diving in the world – especially at Ras Mohammad National Park. Your photos are lovely…

    • Michael Turtle |

      July 12, 2014 at 7:03 am

      Reply

      Great tip – Ras Mohammad National Park. I hadn’t heard of it before but that’s good to know!

  6. Janice Stringer |

    September 6, 2014 at 7:54 am

    Reply

    Hi Michael,
    Do you enjoy skin diving – the cross between snorkeling and scuba? The corals looked amazing but where were the fishes? 🙂

  7. Maurice Murphy |

    October 7, 2014 at 12:43 am

    Reply

    For the chance to snorkel or dive, I’m all in! I’m booking my flight right away to this magnificent place.

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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