Middle Garden, Sharm El Sheikh: gentle Red Sea reef exploration

Positioned directly in front of the Sharm Hyatt Resort, nestled between the more prominent Near and Far Gardens, Middle Garden provides a sheltered and relatively calm diving environment. Your descent begins over a shallow sandy plateau at approximately 10 metres, gradually sloping downwards. This initial area is often a good place to start orienting yourself, allowing your eyes to adjust to the vibrant Red Sea light as you prepare for the deeper sections of the dive.

As you follow the gentle incline, the sandy plateau transitions into a more dramatic drop-off, reaching a maximum depth of 20 metres. This wall section is where the reef truly comes alive, showcasing a diverse array of corals and an abundance of resident reef fish. The transition from soft sand to the vertical reef face creates diverse habitats, supporting a wide range of marine organisms, from the small invertebrates to the larger predatory fish that patrol the drop-off.

The topography of Middle Garden, with its sheltered position, often provides a calm and comfortable dive, making it particularly suitable for divers of all experience levels to build confidence and explore at their own pace. The way the reef forms here allows for a relaxed profile, ensuring that you can spend ample time observing the intricate details of the coral gardens without being rushed. This offers a different rhythm compared to some of the more current-swept sites in the region.

Come summer, Middle Garden becomes a focal point for much larger pelagic visitors. While exploring the outer edges of the reef and the deeper sections of the drop-off, keep a keen eye trained into the blue. It's during these warmer months that you stand a chance of encountering graceful manta rays (Manta birostris) gliding effortlessly through the water, iridescent eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) passing by, and if fortune truly smiles upon you, even majestic whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) making their transient appearances. These encounters are often a highlight for any diver visiting the Red Sea.