Egypt / Extra Divers Akassia
The beautiful Extra Divers dive centre is located directly within the two popular hotels, Akassia Swiss Resort and Sentido Akassia Beach, which share a spectacular house reef. The resort is ideally situated approximately 25 km south of El Quseir and 36 km from Marsa Alam Airport.
All well-known dive sites around El Quseir and Port Ghalib are easily and quickly accessible by minibus or boat.
The house reef directly at the hotel beach offers breathtaking dives with crystal-clear water and a sensational drop-off. With a bit of luck, eagle rays, dolphins, and even whale sharks can regularly be spotted.
Diving/Dive spots
The colourful house reef lies right at the hotel and is easily accessible via two short jetties (north and south). When currents permit, wonderful drift dives between the two jetties are possible – ideal for those seeking relaxed and varied dives.
The reef stretches from north to south and impresses with a steep wall resembling a folded curtain – with numerous crevices offering exciting encounters and a rich variety of marine life.
Dive depths vary from 5 to 30 metres, making it perfect for beginners and advanced divers alike. The reef drops off to over 50 metres in depth. Near the southern jetty, at around 35 metres, there is a small cave to explore.
Thanks to the usually gentle north-south currents, visibility on the house reef is generally excellent. The two jetties, about 400 metres apart, are perfect for comfortable one-way dives.
The reef is home to intact soft and hard corals and a wide range of fish species. With some luck, divers may encounter eagle rays, barracudas, turtles, or Napoleon wrasse in the blue water.
House reef diving is suitable for all certification levels. Beginners are required to dive with a guide up to their 25th dive, while experienced divers may dive independently.
Port Ghalib harbour lies about 40 minutes’ drive south of our centre. From there, we run daily boat trips.
Minibus trips (half- and full-day) depart directly from the dive centre.
Speedboat excursions to the world-famous Elphinstone Reef start from our partner centre at the Three Corners Equinox Resort.
We continuously work on expanding our offerings – more beach and boat dive sites are already in planning. Please ask at reception for the latest options and updates!
Team & Education
Extra Divers Akassia is led by our experienced base manager, Rico.
Our qualified international team provides training in small groups with great commitment and passion, following SSI and PADI standards – from Open Water Diver courses up to Instructor level, including all popular specialties.
We regularly offer beginner try-dives, and children from 8 years old can discover the underwater world with us. Nitrox is available free of charge for certified divers.
Facilities
• Mares rental equipment
• 12-litre aluminium tanks (DIN and INT adapters available), 10 and 15-litre steel tanks on request
• Two Bauer Verticus HD compressors (soundproofed), each delivering 540 l/min
• NRC Nitrox membrane system & compressor
• Free Nitrox 32 for all certified Nitrox divers
• Oxygen and first aid kits on all tours, at the jetty, and in the dive centre
• Flexible house reef diving
• Minibus trips with 1 or 2 dives
• Daily boat trips from Port Ghalib
• Speedboat tours on request (e.g. Elphinstone Reef)
Payment on-site
Cash in €uro, US$ or Egyptian LE.
2% fee per transaction for credit card payments (Master/Visa).
Important Notice: New entertainment tax in Egypt
Unfortunately, the Egyptian parliament quickly, secretly and without warning passed a new type of entertainment tax, which must be paid to the Egyptian tax office from July 16, 2023.
Unfortunately, this amusement tax also applies to all diving services and so we, like all other diving centers on the Red Sea, must pay this tax to the state from July 16, 2023.
The tax rate is 10% on the full invoice amount and unfortunately, we must collect this 10% on the final invoice amount from July 16th. All other taxes such as the statutory sales tax (value add tax) of currently 14%. are still included in our prices.
Environement
A marine fee of approximately €5 per day/person (house reef or boat & minibus) and a harbour fee of €3 per day/person (for boat trips) are charged locally.
