Blu Ocean Dive

Operating for 14 years, Blue Ocean Dive Centers & Resorts has established itself as a key player in the Red Sea diving scene. With four distinct centres, the operation covers several key areas including Abu Dabbab Beach, the Hilton Nubian Marsa Alam, and the Old Palace Resort in Sahl Hasheesh.

The centre provides a versatile diving experience, catering to those looking for daily excursions via boat, shore dives, or specialised night dives. Whether you are looking to explore deep walls, drift along reefs, or investigate historical wrecks, the infrastructure is in place to support a wide range of diving styles.

The team is composed of experienced, international instructors providing a multilingual service to a global community of divers. Their expertise spans the full spectrum of PADI training, ensuring that both novice students and seasoned professionals receive competent guidance.

Beyond standard recreational diving, the centre is heavily involved in professional development. They facilitate the full instructor training pipeline, including the Instructor Development Course (IDC) and the Emergency First Response Instructor programme, helping divers progress toward becoming PADI Specialty Instructors or Master Scuba Diver Trainers.

The training programme is extensive, beginning with introductory courses like Bubblemaker, Seal Team, and Discover Scuba Diving. For those starting their certification journey, they offer the full suite of PADI courses including Open Water Diver, Adventure Diver, and Advanced Open Water Diver.

Specialised training is a core part of the curriculum, with options for the Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty, Deep Specialty, Drift Specialty, Night Specialty, Sidemount Specialty, and Wreck Diver courses. For those looking to advance their career, the centre provides Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and professional instructor development programmes.

The fleet is designed to reach a variety of different environments, from shallow reef flats to offshore walls. You can expect to dive from modern yachts, speedboats, and RIBs, depending on the destination and the nature of the dive.

For those looking to go further afield, the centre also offers liveaboard cruises aboard the Lady M, allowing for extended trips to the more remote reaches of the Red Sea.

A full range of diving equipment is available for hire, covering everything from regulators and BCDs to wetsuits and fins. This makes it easy to travel light or to test out different kit before committing to a purchase.

Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom times, and the centre maintains on-site oxygen safety equipment for emergency use.

The marine life in this region is exceptionally diverse, particularly around the reefs and seagrass meadows. You will regularly encounter sea turtles, Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and various species of groupers (Epinephelus). Large pelagics such as Tuna (Thunnus), Jacks (Carangidae), and barracudas are common, alongside Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) and Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos).

In the deeper waters and along the walls, look for hammerhead sharks, eagle rays (Aetobatus), and various species of rays (Batoidea). The reefs are also home to vibrant schools of fish, including snapper schools, fusiliers (Caesio), and anthias (Anthias), often moving in large, colourful groups.

For those interested in macro life, the crevices and coral heads provide habitats for nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), and various species of octopus (Octopus vulgaris). You may also spot scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), stonefish (Synanceia), and various species of shrimp (Caridea) amongst the reef structure.

The hard and soft coral landscape is a central feature of every dive, with brain coral, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and various sponges (Porifera) creating a complex, living architecture. Anemones (Actiniaria) and sea anemones provide homes for clownfish (Amphiprion) and other small reef inhabitants.

Diving conditions vary significantly depending on the chosen site. Some locations, such as the Giftun Islands and Elphinstone, are known for strong currents that require a higher level of experience. In contrast, sites like Shaab Maksur and Shalaniat typically offer much calmer, gentler conditions.

Certain areas, such as St. John's, can experience almost permanent currents, while others like Shaab Dahara are well-protected from the wind, making them ideal for night diving.