Egypt / Extra Divers Equinox
DIVING IN SOUTHERN EGYPT NEAR ELPHINSTONE REEF
The Extra Divers dive centre is on the hotel premises of the Three Corners Equinox Resort, directly on the beach of a wide bay. Divers absolutely get their money’s worth here, as they can choose between diving on the house reef or taking a trip by Zodiac, minibus, or on the daily boat to the most beautiful dive sites in southern Egypt. All boat tours depart directly from the hotel’s own jetty.
The reefs around Marsa Alam are among the best diving locations in Egypt. Fringing reefs on the coast, hard and soft coral gardens, and drop-offs such as the famous Elphinstone Reef promise dives that are rich in diversity.
Diving/Dive spots
Directly in front of the centre is the resort’s diverse reef, almost 900 metres long. The depths here, from 5 to 40m, include a variety of features: seagrass meadows, individual blocks of coral and coral gardens, with rays, moray eels, turtles, barracudas, eagle rays, pipefish and much more. The entry point, conveniently, is via the beach. Even the famous dugongs of Abu Dabab have discovered this reef for themselves and will pass by if you’re lucky.
The well-known sites of Abu Dabab and Elphinstone Reef can be reached within a few minutes by boat. Elphinstone Reef is known for providing good opportunities to encounter hammerhead and oceanic whitetip sharks. Early morning dives are often organised on Elphinstone Reef – so that you’re almost alone on the reef! In addition, an organised day trip by minibus is offered once a week to the 65-metre-long wreck of the Hamada at Abu Gusum. The wreck lies in shallow water between 5 and 18 metres deep and is overgrown with beautiful coral.
In front of the centre there are large wash basins for equipment, as well as lockers for guests. The resort’s reef is ideal for snorkelers, trial divers and dive students.
Team & Education
The dive centre is under professional multilingual management by Mohamed and his team. Training is compliant with SSI, PADI, CMAS and Pro-NRC, and is conducted in German, English, Italian and Arabic. Training and diving for children (aged 8 and over) are also offered.
Facilities
• 60 sets of modern Aqua Lung equipment
• 12 and 15-litre aluminium tanks (DIN, INT connection)
• resort reef, minibus, speedboat, boat for day trips
• oxygen & first aid kits
• Nitrox at no additional cost (for certified nitrox divers)
• underwater camera hire
• on-site workshop
Payment on-site
Cash in euros, USD and Egyptian pounds or with credit card in (visa/Eurocard) plus 2% credit card surcharge.
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.
