Diving in the Red Sea

Egypt may conjure up visions of a dry, desert climate. But some of its most beautiful landscape lies under water, in the depths of the Red Sea. Created about 30 million years ago, the Red Sea came to be when the Arabian Peninsula pulled away from Africa along a thin break line. Now, the Red Sea still widens about half an inch every year and is home to a rich world of marine life.

Professional diving schools and guides take boatloads of tourists out to sea every day. Most of the diving is conducted by shore-based, day-boat dive operators, though some companies offer live-aboard dive boats. There are numerous diving sites to choose from around the country, ranging from Mangrove Bay's stony coral and grouper fish (located just 19 miles south of El-Quseir) to The Caves' soft coral (located on the Dahab Coast, next to the Lagona Hotel).

Because many guides organize tours locally, either through hotels or small diving shops, it's best to narrow down possible choices by finding an area that you'd like to dive in. Check out Egypt's government website to find out what you'll see?and how deep you'll have to dive?before you pack your flippers. The good news: most diving companies offer cheaper rates for snorkeling, so be sure to ask about options if you'd skim?rather than dive?into the depths of Egypt's water.