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View allWhy divers trust Aquarius
Travellers' Choice winner on TripAdvisor, with consistent 5-star ratings across all seven bases.
Instructor Development Centre status — qualified to train PADI Instructors. Service quality and professional standards.
30+ years operating in the Egyptian Red Sea. Family-run. Same instructors return year after year.
English, German, Italian, French, Russian and Arabic. PADI courses available in all six.
Red Sea Diving — Frequently Asked Questions
October offers the best balance of warm water (26-28°C), excellent visibility (often 30m+), and calm seas. Whale shark season peaks May–August, with June and July most reliable. See full month-by-month guide.
Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh are ideal for beginners with calm shallow reefs directly from the shore. Hurghada offers more dive site variety, while Sharm El Sheikh's Ras Mohammed is better suited for experienced divers. PADI Open Water in the Red Sea.
Yes. Whale shark sightings near Hurghada are most common from May to August, peaking in June and July. Sightings outside this summer window are rare and unpredictable. Whale shark complete guide.
Certified divers can join guided dive trips immediately. If you are not certified, you can complete a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience in one day, or a full Open Water certification in 3-4 days. Full PADI Open Water guide.
Sharm wins on dive variety and pelagic action — Ras Mohammed and Tiran are world-class. Hurghada wins on dive site quantity and the Thistlegorm wreck access. For first-time divers, Hurghada is more relaxed and less crowded. For experienced divers seeking pelagic encounters, Sharm. Aquarius operates from both, so we'll match you to the right base. Hurghada sites · Sharm sites.
Pricing varies by destination and trip type. As a rough guide: shore dives at house reef from £25 per dive, half-day boat trips from £50, full-day boats from £75, special trips (Thistlegorm, Dahab Blue Hole) £130-150. Equipment rental approximately £30/day. PADI Open Water certification typically £350-450. See current Hurghada pricing · Sharm pricing.
Yes. The Egyptian Red Sea diving industry is well-regulated by the CDWS (Chamber for Diving and Watersports) with mandatory permits, mooring systems (HEPCA), and operator inspections. Major dive centres maintain high safety standards, and Egypt's resort areas (Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Marsa Alam) are stable tourist destinations.
Year-round between 21°C (January-February) and 30°C (July-August). A 5mm wetsuit is right for winter, 3mm for spring/autumn, shorty or rashguard for peak summer. Below the thermocline (forms at ~25m in summer) water is 3-4°C cooler. Month-by-month conditions.