Diving facts Diving spots within 50 km: More than 30 (per holiday destination) Best time to travel: October through December Scuba diving (price): From USD 16 (excl. equipment) Trial dive (price): From USD 50 (incl. equipment) Recommended diving suit: Wetsuit, 5 to 7 mm Flight connections: Timetable Marsa Alam Timetable Hurghada Edelweiss recommendation Abu Dabbab near Marsa Alam is deemed to be one of the nicest bays on the Red Sea. The famous coral reef above the wide sandy beach is a real highlight for divers and snorkellers. The seagrass beds in the middle of the bay attract large numbers of Cheloniidae (sea turtles) as well as the incredibly rare dugong. Special dugong tours are available in Marsa Alam and Hurghada (approx. 160 miles away). Diving with sharks in Elphinstone The cigar-shaped Elphinstone reef off the coast of Marsa Alam is among the world’s most exciting dive sites. It features crystal-clear water and an abundance of exotic animals, including dolphins, barracuda – and sharks. Not just any sharks, but whitetip and hammerhead sharks, which are almost extinct. Due to changing currents, the numerous caves and underwater plateaus are recommended for experienced advanced divers only. Divers can expect a unique, adrenaline-filled experience. A wreck diving paradise The Red Sea may well hold the record for sunken ships: reefs, shallow waters and other obstacles make the waters treacherous, causing many ships to run aground. As many as seven wrecks lie at Abu Nuhas, less than 25 miles from Hurghada. The oldest and most beautiful wreck on the reef is the Carnatic, a British steamship, which ran aground in 1869. The French steamship Aida lies off the coast of the Brother Islands, approx. 80 miles north of Marsa Alam and approx. 90 miles southeast of Hurghada. Northeast of Hurghada lies the Thistlegorm, arguably one of the most famous wreck dives in the Red Sea. The British merchant navy ship was sunk by a German bomber plane in 1941. The freight on board was trucks, cars and motorcycles. There are even two shipwrecks on the seafloor of Hurghada Harbour. Red Sea diving safari Reefs, wrecks and diverse underwater wildlife – everything divers could wish for! A diving safari is a journey through the literal highs and lows of the Red Sea. Departing from Hurghada, the first dive site is Shaab El Erg, which is known to offer frequent dolphin sightings. From there, the safari continues on to the Thistlegorm and the ship graveyard Abu Nuhas. The wrecks off the coast of the Brother Islands are home to grey reef sharks and thresher sharks. The seagrass meadow of Shaab Shona provides a lovely end to the safari.