Octopus World Dahab Dive Center
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Dahab · Egypt · Red Sea
Max. depth · 22 mDiving The Bells, Sharm El Sheikh: Red Sea Wall Adventure
Descend into a dramatic gorging opening at The Bells before drifting along a vibrant wall, a gateway to the famous Blue Hole.
What makes this site special
- Dramatic gorging entry through the reef table
- Vertical reef wall with large overhangs
- Rich growth of black corals and gorgonian corals
- Abundant anemones supporting diverse life
- Opportunity to observe Spanish dancers at night
- Natural progression towards the Blue Hole
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The Bells about the site
Your dive at The Bells begins with an immediate sense of drama, as you drop into a deep, sloping gorge that cuts through the reef table. This striking entry point opens into a clear blue pool at the surface, before you descend through the narrow channel. The gorge remains open to the sea for a significant portion of the descent, creating a unique visual experience as light filters in from above.
As you continue your vertical journey, the gorge narrows and eventually closes at a depth of 18 metres, only to open out again at 22 metres. This transition marks your gateway to the main wall. Emerging from the confined space, you are met with the vast expanse of the open sea, ready to begin your traverse along the vibrant reef.
Turning to your right, you find yourself alongside a vertical reef wall that plunges into the depths. This wall is punctuated by large overhangs, providing shelter and a canvas for prolific growth. You'll observe a dense covering of black corals, their delicate branches reaching out from the rock, alongside numerous impressive gorgonian corals that sway gently with any subtle water movement.
The wall itself is teeming with life, much of it hiding within the crevices and under the ledges. Anemones are particularly abundant here, their tentacles waving as they host their symbiotic residents. These anemone fields become particularly animated at night, revealing the vibrant colours of Spanish dancers (Hexabranchus sanguineus) as they emerge from their daytime hiding places.
Throughout the dive, you'll be treated to a dynamic reef environment. As you progress along the wall, the topography gradually inclines, leading you towards the famous Blue Hole. This natural transition provides a gentle ascent profile, allowing you to gradually decompress while still enjoying the rich marine scenery.
Sea anemoneActiniariaSpongePoriferaAnthiasAnthiasSea fanGorgoniidaeSoft coralAlcyonaceaBlack coralAntipatharia
Diving conditions
The Bells is accessible for divers boasting a DIVER LEVEL 2 certification. Maximum depth for this dive is 22 metres. While specific current information for The Bells is not detailed, currents in the region can vary from weak to very strong depending on the site, so be prepared for potential movement.
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Frequently asked questions about The Bells
When should you dive The Bells, and what current conditions should you expect?
A night dive at The Bells gives you the opportunity to observe Spanish dancers as they emerge from daytime hiding places around the abundant anemones. Current conditions can vary in the region from weak to very strong depending on the site, so you should be prepared for potential movement during the dive.
What certification level do you need to dive The Bells?
The Bells is accessible to you when you hold a Diver Level 2 certification. This certification level is the stated access requirement for the site. The dive begins with a dramatic descent through a gorge in the reef table and continues to a vertical reef wall with overhangs.
How deep is The Bells, and how does the profile change?
The Bells reaches a maximum depth of 22 metres. On the descent, the gorge narrows and closes at 18 metres, then opens again at 22 metres before you emerge beside the main wall. Along the wall, the topography gradually inclines, giving you a gradual ascent profile toward the Blue Hole.
What can you see while diving The Bells?
At The Bells, you can see a dramatic gorge, a vertical reef wall, large overhangs, black corals, gorgonian corals, and abundant anemones. Crevices and ledges shelter marine life, while anemones host symbiotic residents. During a night dive, Spanish dancers may emerge, adding movement and colour to the reef.
