Egypt

Marsa Shagra house reef (archive photo)

Egyptian Dive Operators Affected by Regional Unrest

Despite the conflicts not being close to the main Red Sea dive resorts, many operators we spoke to at the Boot show in Germany reported an increase in cancellations and a noticeable slowdown in bookings.

One operator based in Marsa Alam wrote that after the Boot show they had attended additional exhibitions and met many people who were enthusiastic about diving in Egypt. However, a handful expressed reluctance, choosing not to visit this year due to the political climate.

One of the submerged tanks in the underwater museum
One of the submerged tanks in the underwater museum

Hurghada establishes underwater military museum

The museum, a collaborative effort between the local government of the Red Sea province and Egypt's Ministry of Environment, spans three newly designated diving sites near the resort city of Hurghada.

The goal of the new museum

The primary objective of the initiative, as conveyed by the Red Sea province's governor earlier in the week, is to redirect the highly popular diving activities in Hurghada away from coral reefs. These reefs have suffered erosion due to decades of extensive tourism. The strategy involves introducing alternative dive sites in close proximity.

A depiction shows Tutcetus rayanensis, belonging to the extinct group of early whales called basilosauridae, in its appearance around 41 million years ago within the Tethys Ocean.

Fossil triggers monumental change in our comprehension of whales' evolutionary history

With an estimated weight of 412.3 pounds (187 kilograms) and a length of 8.2 feet (2.5 meters), this newly documented species is roughly the size of a modern-day bottlenose dolphin.

Named Tutcetus rayanensis, this creature belonged to the extinct basilosauridae family, which was one of the earliest groups to become fully aquatic. As revealed in a study published in Communications Biology on Thursday, this diminutive specimen is considerably older than other basilosaurids from the Eocene Epoch.

Tornado Marine Fleet's MV Hurricane
File photo of the stricken vessel: Tornado Marine Fleet's MV Hurricane

Three Britons confirmed dead after fire on Egypt diving boat

The boat's operator, Tornado Marine Fleet, said 15 British passengers had been on board along with 12 crew members and two guides. Twenty-six other people, including 12 Britons, were rescued from the boat, called Hurricane, which was off the coast of Marsa Alam, authorities said.

An adult green turtle from the Karpaz nesting beach
An adult green turtle from the Karpaz nesting beach

Egyptian lagoon is preferred foraging ground for Cyprus' green turtles

Researchers have discovered that Lake Bardawil in Egypt is the preferred foraging spot for female turtles that lay eggs at key rookeries in Cyprus.

Situated at the northern coast of the Sinai Peninsula, Lake Bardawil is a large, shallow lagoon with an artificial opening that connects to the sea. Initially created as a fishery in the 1950s, it became an ideal seagrass habitat for adult green turtles.

Soma Bay in Egypt

Arabian Picasso triggerfish with bluestreak cleaner wrasse, Soma Bay, Egypt. Photo by Lawson Wood.

I first visited the Red Sea as part of a marine biological expedition with Dr Paul Cragg back in 1973. After having run safaris out of Israel and ending up living there for several years working on the legendary liveaboard dive boats Lady Jenny III and Lady Jenny V, my love for the Red Sea has never diminished. Now, some 45 years later, a return trip to the Red Sea was increasing my heartbeat in anticipation.

Sphinx and Giza pyramids
Sphinx and Giza pyramids

Egypt relaxes photography restrictions for tourists

Egyptian nationals and foreign tourists alike have complained that authorities have requested permits for shooting in public areas, and at times seized cameras and forbidden shooting even if a permit is in place.

In a statement, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Enani announced that 'photography enthusiasts', foreign residents in Egypt and tourists will be able to take pictures in public without permits and that “no one will be allowed to ask you why you are filming in public”

Hurghada (Egypt): hotels in the southern part of the town
Aireal view of southern part of Hurghada with hotels

Egypt closes part of Red Sea coast after fatal shark attack

The Associated Press reported that the governor of the Red Sea province closed the area for three days.  All "sea activities" have been banned, including diving, snorkelling, wind surfing, kite sailing and fishing boats.

According to reports, an 68-year-old woman from Austria was swimming in the Red Sea near the resort of Sahl Hasheesh when she was attacked by a shark.

Southern Egyptian Red Sea: Safari to the Deep South & Remote Islands

Soft corals, Rocky Island, Red Sea, Egypt. Photo by Scott Bennett
Soft corals, Rocky Island, Red Sea, Egypt. Photo by Scott Bennett

“WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG?” I repeatedly asked myself during a recent trip to the Red Sea. One of the globe’s most iconic dive destinations, its spectacular coral gardens, prolific fish life and legendary visibility is beloved by divers the world over. Yet, despite nearly 30 years of diving experience, I somehow had not gotten around to it—definitely on my radar, but inexplicably regulated to the “someday” file.