Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt - The Red Sea

3rd-10th October 2026

The first time I dived in the Red Sea, I felt like I’d entered an aquarium. The crystal clear water and vibrant marine life make it a photographer’s paradise! Darren and I have visited Egypt every November for the past three years, and there’s a reason we keep going back. We’ve had unforgettable encounters here with eagle rays, sharks, Napoleon wrasse, turtles plus so much more.

The Red Sea is also home to one of the world’s most iconic shipwrecks, the SS Thistlegorm. This is a 126m long British cargo ship that was sunk by German bombers in WWII while anchored in shallow water. The maximum depth is 30m making it easily accessible to recreational divers. Inside you can find trucks, armoured vehicles, tanks, motorcycles and even a big pile of wellington boots! Aside from the wreckage, the site is home to a huge array of marine life meaning this site has something for everyone. If you’re a shipwreck lover, you don’t want to miss this opportunity!

We will also be visiting some of our favourite sites in the Straits of Tiran and Ras Mohammed national park such as Gordon reef, Jackson reef, Ras Fanar and Shark & Yolanda reef. We know that finding a dive centre and organising everything can be stressful so we will plan everything for you and use our expertise to make sure you get the most out of diving in the Red Sea. We hope it will be the highlight of your year!

We will also be running action cam, photography and editing workshops for anyone wanting to learn but these are completely optional.

We get a lot of questions from people who are planning to travel solo, but are a little apprehensive to join on their own. If this is you, please don’t worry! The majority of our guests are solo travellers who are all in exactly the same position and it’s super important to Darren and I that everyone feels included during the trip and has the best time possible!

There are a limited number of spots available for this trip, so if you’d like to join, just drop either myself or Darren a message and we will give you the details for securing your spot. Please note that we are unable to hold spots - you can only secure your spot by paying the £500 deposit :)

Diving in The Red Sea

Diving in Sharm el Sheikh is like entering an underwater garden. The bottom is abundant with swaying soft corals and sea anemones.

Above the corals it’s not uncommon to see spotted eagle rays gliding past or huge Napoleon wrasse. Rarer encounters can also include white-tip reef sharks, dolphins, mantas or even Mola-Mola. With the Red Sea, you never know what you’re going to get!

The Red Sea is also the perfect place to learn underwater photography or videography. The water is calm and clear which makes such a difference when it comes to getting good shots. Currents are rare, making it easier to carry your camera and allowing you to stop and film your subject for as long as you want. Clown fish are my favourites as you may have guessed from my pictures, and Sharm is full of them in their gorgeous little bubble anemones!

This isn’t just a destination for photographers though, it’s also a perfect dive trip if you’re still relatively new to diving and want to enjoy the most beautiful reefs. To join this trip the minimum requirement is being Advanced open water certified with Nitrox as we will be visiting deeper sites like the thistlegorm wreck. If you don’t have your Nitrox yet, that’s fine but you will need to get it during the trip before we go to Thistlegorm as it is a legal requirement for this site.

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Meet your hosts…

Darren Schlotter

Darren has extensive experience in the Dive industry, having worked as an Instructor for over 12 years and risen to become the Senior Course Director at the biggest PADI dive centre in the world. Darren’s outgoing personality and natural ability with people make him a favourite among students and fun to be around both in and out of the water.

PADI Platinum Course Director

Ella Houston

Ella has worked in the Dive Industry for over three years, first as a Divemaster, and then as an Instructor at Bans Diving Resort. Over that time, she has nurtured her true passion; underwater photography. She loves searching for new dive destinations to share with her audience and ex-students - these dive expeditions are the highlight of her year!

PADI Staff Instructor & Underwater Photographer

Accommodation - Turquoise Beach Hotel 3*

Located on El Sharm Maya Bay, most popular for its diving spots, Turquoise Beach Hotel is situated on the Red Sea shore. It offers a pristine private beach, an indoor and outdoor pool with a sun-lounger terrace. All the rooms and apartments overlook the garden, sea or pool. Each accommodation is equipped with a satellite TV, a wardrobe and a telephone. The apartment includes a living room with sofa. Some rooms include a balcony or patio. We plan to have a buffet breakfast every morning and a delicious Lunch on the dive boat. For dinner, we will head out into Sharm to find some nice restaurants to enjoy.

The room options available are single, double, or twin.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Sharm el Sheikh

Prepare equipment for the next day

Scuba review (If needed)

Dinner and games night

Day 2

8.30am - Head to the pier for our first day of diving at Ras Mohammed National park

9.30am - First dive at Marsa Berieka

11.30am - Second dive at Ras Gozlani

1pm - Lunch on the boat

3pm - Optional third dive

5pm - Return to hotel

8pm - Action Cam workshop / video editing

Day 3

8am - Head to the pier for our second day of diving in the Straits of Tiran

9.30am - First dive at Gordon Reef

11.30am - Second dive at Jackson Reef

1pm - Lunch on the boat

3pm - Optional third dive

5pm - Return to hotel

8pm - Photography workshop

Day 4

8.30am - Head to the pier for our third day of diving in Ras Mohammed National Park

9.30am - First dive at Ras Fanar

11.30pm - Second dive at Anemone city and Shark reef

1pm - Lunch on the boat

3pm - Optional third dive

5pm - Return to hotel

Day 5

4.30am - Thistlegorm wreck, one of the best wrecks in the world!

5pm - Return to hotel

8pm - Lightroom Classic editing Workshop

Day 6

8.30am - Head to the pier for our last day of diving.

10am - First dive at Jackfish Alley

11.30am - Second dive at Shark and Yolanda reef

1pm - Lunch on the boat

3pm - Optional third dive

5pm - Return to hotel

7pm - Drinks at Farsha - the coolest bar in Sharm

Day 7

Full day of relaxation for our no-fly time

Day 8

Trip ends :(

- Please note that this is a rough itinerary and dive sites are subject to change depending on boat schedule and conditions -

Pricing and Inclusions

Single room - £1150

Double/Twin room* - £1050

Please note that if you opt for the twin room, we will allocate you to share with someone of the same gender.

You must be minimum Advanced open water certified by the time of the trip!

A £500 deposit is due at the time of booking which is non-refundable after 2 weeks. The rest of the payment can be processed at a later date with the final payment due a minimum of 8 weeks before departure.

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What’s included

  • 10 dives by boat

  • 7 Nights Accommodation

  • Buffet breakfast

  • Lunch on the boat plus snacks, tea, coffee, soft drinks

  • Thistlegorm dives on Nitrox

  • Rental equipment

  • National park fees

  • Dive guide ratio 6:1

  • 12L Air tanks plus weights

  • Jetty Fee

  • Photography workshops

  • Photos and videos taken by me

What’s NOT included

  • International flights to and from Sharm el Sheikh

  • Travel/Dive Insurance

  • Scuba review if needed - 117 Euro

  • 3rd dive per day - 30 euro per dive

  • Dinner

  • Alcohol

  • Tips

  • Nitrox - 3 euro/tank

  • 15L air tank - 5 euro/tank

  • 15L nitrox tank - 7 euro/tank

  • Nitrox course - TBC

  • Jackfish Alley

  • Ras Za'atar

  • Ras Za'atar

  • Ras Fanar

  • Jackfish Alley

  • SS Thistlegorm

  • Ras Ghozlani

  • Ras Fanar

  • Dunraven Wreck

  • Ras Fanar

  • Gordon Reef

  • Shark & Yolanda

  • SS Thistlegorm

  • Dunraven wreck

  • Marsa Bereika

  • Jackson Reef

FAQs

  • This trip is best suited to Advanced Open Water divers (or equivalent) with a reasonable level of confidence in the water. Some dives may involve currents and deeper profiles to 30m, so you should feel comfortable managing your buoyancy and equipment without close supervision. If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out — we’re happy to advise. Nitrox will also be necessary for our Thistlegorm dives but you can get this qualification while on the trip.

  • We’ll typically dive up to 3 times per day, depending on conditions and the schedule. Each day is carefully planned to maximise the best dive sites and marine life encounters, while still allowing time to relax and enjoy the experience.

  • These trips are designed for passionate, like-minded divers who want more than just a standard dive holiday. Whether you’re into underwater photography, big animal encounters, or simply want to explore incredible locations with a great group of people — this is for you.

  • This is a fully hosted, curated experience. Instead of just turning up and diving, you’ll benefit from our experience, planning, and guidance throughout the trip. From selecting the best dive sites to helping you improve your diving or photography, everything is designed to elevate your experience — plus, you’ll be part of a fun, supportive group.

  • Absolutely — many of our guests join solo. These trips are a great way to meet like-minded people, and we create a welcoming, social environment from day one.

  • Yes — dive insurance is required for all guests. We recommend DAN insurance. Travel insurance is also strongly recommended.

Cancellation Policy

  • If you change your mind within 14 days of paying the initial deposit, it will be returned in full.

  • After 14 days the initial deposit and subsequent payments become non-refundable.

  • The full amount must be paid at least 90 days before departure.

  • In the unlikely event that Ella and Darren are unable to host the trip, they will endeavour to find someone of similar experience to replace them.

  • In the unlikely event of cancellation either by you or by Ella and Darren, you are responsible for any costs or losses associated with international travel and it is recommended that you obtain travel insurance.

  • If the trip is cancelled by the operator, you will receive a full refund or credit towards a future trip.

Terms and conditions

  • No refunds shall be made for any services or activities that the participant has chosen not to partake in during the trip.

  • Spot reservation fee is non-transferrable.

  • The itinerary may be altered due to weather, sea conditions, current strength, safety concerns, government regulations, or operational decisions.

  • Ella and Darren are not liable for any delays, program changes, natural hazards, accidents, machinery breakdowns, weather conditions, park closures or other unforeseen incidents.

  • Ella and Darren reserve the right to publish content on social media and their website featuring participants unless a guest opts out in writing.

  • The trip requires 10 paid participants to run, if the minimum is not reached, Ella and Darren reserve the right to cancel the trip and issue full refunds.

  • Participants are responsible for ensuring they meet Egypt passport, visa and entry requirements.

  • Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own international flights to Sharm el Sheikh and accommodations before/after the trip and any required transit arrangements.

  • No refunds are issued for missed flights, missed embarkation or late arrival.

  • All divers must hold a valid certification appropriate for the planned dive depths.

  • Ella and Darren recommend a minimum of 20 logged dives as certain sites will require more experience.

  • Divers must be medically fit to dive. A dive medical may be required if you answer “yes” to any items on the diver medical questionnaire.

  • Dive accident insurance is mandatory for diving in areas such as Sharm.

  • Guests participate in diving and all trip activities at their own risk.

  • Participants agree to adhere to all safety briefings, dive plans, and instructions from guides and crew.

  • Guests are responsible for bringing properly functioning gear or renting appropriate gear.

  • Diving, boating and travel in remote areas carry inherent risks. By joining the trip, participants acknowledge and accept these risks.

  • There is no guarantee of specific wildlife sightings or dive conditions.

  • Comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, delays, baggage, and medical emergencies is strongly reccommended.

  • Participants must disclose any medical conditions that may affect their safety during the trip.

  • Emergency evacuation from remote areas may take time and involve significant cost. These costs are the guest’s responsibility unless covered by insurance.

  • Disruptive, unsafe, or aggressive behaviour may result in removal from the trip without refund.

  • Participants must follow local marine park rules, avoid touching marine life, and respect reef-safe diving practices.

  • Guests may be required to sign a liability release from the boat operator and Ella and Darren as a condition of joining the trip.

  • Participants agree to indemnify the organisers against claims arising from personal actions, negligence, or failure to follow safety instructions.