Red Sea Diving Safari
Looking for a dive vacation with an environmental thrust? Check out the Red Sea Diving Safari in Marsa Alam, Egypt. Marsa Alam is on the southern coastline of Egypt, smack on the Red Sea. Development in the area is relatively new, and many of the reefs are still intact. In fact, the house reef off of Al Shagra (where the Red Sea Diving Safari camp is located) is pristine. Definitely the best house reef I've ever dove. House dives are unlimited during the day, including zodiac pick up and drop off so you can explore more of the reef on each tank. The water is crystal clear. Coral and pelagic life proliferates. On one dive, I saw two baby white tip reef sharks- they weren't even the length of my arm. Almost made me think sharks were cute.
Dolphins are known to frequent the area, and one excursion you can sign up for is a day trip to Dolphin House- a reef where you can almost always find and swim with dolphins. If you want more sharks, sign up for the Elphinstone tour- I've seen white tips and hammerheads there myself, and I've heard reports of Oceanic White Tips. Truck dives up and down the coast are arranged daily, offering a wide variety of dive sites, including some excellent cave diving.
The resort is very truly an eco-lodge, with a variety of housing options. You can opt for a tent on the beach- large colonial tents with cots, candles and a few with electric light bulbs. This is a great way to go as you're right on the water and have an incredible view out your front 'door'. Want four walls? Go with the huts, located right behind the tents. They all have beds, electricity and fans. Or you can step it up to a chalet- these are located on the bluff overlooking the resort. The chalets are much larger and provide you with your own bathroom. The tents and huts share facilities with other guests. Not one for shared bathrooms myself, but too broke to afford a chalet, I found the facilities surprisingly clean and relatively private. Whichever option you choose you'll have an amazing view and an incredible time.
The restaurant is centrally located offering buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you want to try something else, a short walk down the beach will bring you to a large tourist resort replete with restaurants, beach volleyball and sun loungers.
And if you just want to chill out Bedouin style, in between the two resorts (though part of the eco-lodge premises) is a hut serving cold drinks and shisha- a perfect way to spend that requisite surface time.
The Red Sea Diving Safari also has eco-lodges in Nakari and Wadi Lahami. Visit their website at http://www.redsea-divingsafari.com/.
