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Dive Review of Emperor Divers/Marina Lodge in
Red Sea/Port Ghalib

Emperor Divers/Marina Lodge: "Don't Be Afraid to Visit the Red Sea!", Oct, 2016,

by Randall S Preissig, TX, US (Top Contributor Top Contributor 38 reports with 15 Helpful votes). Report 9165.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling 5 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Please see my other reports on other parts of this trip under "Africa".
FIRST, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO GO TO EGYPT, especially diving. The dive areas are far removed from the tourist areas--and both are heavily protected and safe. There has never been an incident related to dive operations. You are safer in Cairo than Chicago and international airlines have the same security everywhere.
Second, due to the dramatic drop off in tourism, not only are there bargains galore(several on our trip got 25% and 50% off their trip!) and no crowds anywhere (you can walk straight into the Egyptian Museum and on to the King Tut exhibit instead of waiting an hour to enter and another 2 hours to see Tut), but there has been a remarkable resurgence in sea life due to the 80% (some say higher) drop in dive tourism. Counting my liveaboard trips, I saw my first sailfish, my first dugong and plenty of oceanic white tip sharks and had several incredible dolphin encounters. Several others saw thresher sharks. This was (much) better than when I dove the Red Sea in the "good old days" of 1992. I am very happy (as was everyone else) to have chosen this time. Hurry up--sadly, this won't last forever.
The booking staff at Emperor was incredible!! I had to reschedule my trip when another operator on my trip cancelled at the last minute. 18 months later and many emails and Emperor fit 2 dive days at El Gaona and 4 at Port Ghalib in between other trips I already had scheduled. Great value on package deals.
I did four days of diving out of Port Ghalib. The day boats left at 9am and returned at 4 or 5PM. THEY TRAVELED AS FAR AS IT TOOK TO GET US TO GREAT DIVING. This included Shoni Kaber, where I snorkled and dove with my first dugong. Green frogfish, octopus out hunting, a dolphin or two, stonefish and more. The coral was extremely healthy.
The only negative I could find was the scarcity of large schools of fish. Over fishing is to blame and steps are being taking to correct this.
Go now and see the Red Sea at its best!
Websites Emperor Divers   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Red Sea, Raja Amphat, Lembeh, Komodo, Thailand, Sipadan, PNG, BVI, Bahamas, Tahiti, Palau, Australia, Hawaii, Myamar, Fiji, Cocos, Galapagos, Socorro, 3 Caymans, Bonaire, Cozumel, Belize, Etc.
Closest Airport Marsa Alam Getting There Best to fly to Hurghada and take a 3 hour taxi/van to Port Ghalib. You can fly into Marsa Alam.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas calm
Water Temp 84-86°F / 29-30°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 30-60 Ft/ 9-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 100 ft. limit, but rarely needed to go below 60-70.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 5 stars
UW Photo Comments Large rinse tank. Crew careful with equipment.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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