Fish and Friends

Fish and Friends is one of the long-standing dive centres in Dahab, having been established in 1997. Its position directly on the beach provides a seamless transition from the shore to the water, making it an ideal base for those looking to explore the Red Sea's famous coastal reef systems.

The centre operates with a focus on environmental respect and safety, catering to a wide spectrum of experience levels. Whether you are looking for a relaxed shore dive on the reef flat or a more ambitious safari to remote locations like Ras Abu Galum, the setup is designed to handle both local excursions and longer expeditions.

As a PADI affiliated centre, Fish and Friends provides a structured training environment for everyone from those taking their first breaths underwater to aspiring professionals. The team manages a variety of programmes, including Discover Scuba Diving and full Divemaster training.

The centre is well-equipped to handle group dives and individual needs, offering private guide options for those who prefer a more tailored experience. They also organise specialised safaris to sites such as Gabr El Bint and the SS Thistlegorm, ensuring all logistics and transport are managed for the group.

The training catalogue is comprehensive, covering the full PADI progression. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Scuba Diver course, moving through to Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water. For those looking to deepen their expertise, the centre offers the PADI Deep Diver Specialty and the Nitrox Course.

Professional divers can pursue the Divemaster programme, with different options available depending on the duration and equipment requirements. The centre also provides specialised instruction for Side Mount diving and Emergency First Response training. All courses include the necessary certification and equipment, with the exception of the Divemaster programme.

The centre operates boat dives to reach offshore reefs and the SS Thistlegorm wreck. These trips are designed to take you to more distant sites like Ras Mohamed and Gabr El Bint, which are part of the safari offerings. On these excursions, lunch and non-alcoholic drinks are provided on board.

Full equipment hire is available on-site for divers who do not wish to travel with their own kit. This includes all the necessary components for a complete dive setup. For those looking to refresh their skills, refresher sessions are available for divers who have not been in the water for six months.

The centre is also set up for night diving, with the necessary equipment and guidance provided. For those training for professional levels, such as the Divemaster course, specific equipment requirements are noted during the enrolment process.

The reefs are teeming with a diverse array of fish, including large schools of snapper, jacks (Carangidae), and trevallies. You will often see colourful reef fish such as butterflyfish, anthias, and bannerfish darting amongst the corals. Larger inhabitants like groupers (Epinephelus), Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and various species of triggerfish (Balistidae) are also frequently encountered.

For those watching the blue water, pelagics such as tuna (Thunnus), sharks (Selachimorpha), and rays (Batoidea) may pass by. You might spot whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), or even the occasional whale shark. Schools of fusilier (Caesio) and barracuda, including yellowfin and juvenile varieties, add to the movement around the walls.

Macro life enthusiasts can look for smaller treasures such as nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), and various species of octopus (Octopus vulgaris). Scorpionfish, stonefish (Synanceia), and various species of shrimp (Caridea) often blend into the reef structure, requiring a keen eye to spot.

The underwater scenery is defined by a rich variety of hard and soft corals, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and sponges (Porifera). Anemones (Actiniaria) provide homes for clownfish, while various species of sea anemones and brain corals create a complex, textured environment for the local marine life.

Diving in the area is primarily conducted from the shore or via boat trips to offshore reefs. The centre offers night diving sessions for those looking to experience the reef after sunset.

Safari trips to locations like Ras Abu Galum involve a combination of vehicle and camel transport to reach more isolated, pristine reef systems.