The Dive Connection Ltd

Located on the coast of the Red Sea, approximately 22 kilometres north of Hurghada, The Dive Connection has been a fixture of the El Gouna diving scene since 2004. The centre is situated directly on the beach at the Labranda Club Paradisio, providing a relaxed base for both recreational and technical divers.

As the only German-speaking PADI 5 Star IDC centre in the area, it combines professional standards with a family atmosphere. Whether you are looking to complete your first Open Water Diver course or are a seasoned technical diver requiring helium and specialized gas blending, the centre is equipped to handle high-level requirements.

The centre is led by Nikolai Baumann and Andrea Schubert, two instructors with decades of experience in the Red Sea. Nikolai is a PADI Course Director and a technical instructor with over 40 years of diving experience, specialising in rebreather and technical training. Andrea has been a long-standing guide and instructor in the region since 2001.

The team operates with a focus on individual attention, avoiding mass tourism diving models. They offer small groups and provide a guide for every diver, regardless of the number of dives planned. The staff is multilingual, with instruction and communication available in German, English, French, Dutch, and Arabic.

The centre offers a complete range of PADI training, starting from Discover Scuba Diving and Bubblemaker through to Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver. For those looking to progress their career, they provide Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and Open Water Scuba Instructor courses, as well as Instructor Development Courses.

Technical diving is a core specialty here, with a deep catalogue of advanced certifications. This includes PADI Rebreather courses (from introductory to Instructor level), Tec 40, 45, 50, and 60 CCR, as well as Tec Deep Diver and Tec Trimix training. They also offer specialty courses such as Sidemount, Nitrox, Wreck Diver, and Underwater Navigation.

The dive boat is equipped with comfortable bathrooms and toilets for use during trips. The centre manages all logistics for the boat, including the transport of your equipment to and from the vessel. Nitrox 32% is available for certified divers, and the boat is set up to support the specific needs of the group on board.

The shore base is well-equipped for both recreational and technical divers. For those diving technical profiles, the centre provides a full gas logistics station, including a gas blender for Nitrox and Trimix, an O2 pump, and a supply of helium. They also support various rebreather models, including Poseidon Discovery MK6/SE7EN, and can provide support for Dräger Dolphin, Submatix, AP, and rEvo.

Full equipment hire is available on-site for those not travelling with their own kit. To make the experience easier, the centre provides a complimentary equipment washing service for guests staying during their holiday. For those preferring more capacity, 15-litre steel cylinders are available depending on availability.

The local reefs are vibrant, with corals and a variety of fish species providing a constant backdrop. You can expect to see turtles and blue-spotted rays patrolling the seabed, alongside various species of large fish and dolphins passing through the area.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants add detail to the dives, with Glassfish (Atherinidae) often seen in large groups. The reef structure itself is built upon diverse coral formations that support a complex ecosystem of marine life.

The Red Sea offers reliable diving conditions with water temperatures typically ranging between 24°C and 29°C. The area is known for its clarity, though specific visibility can vary depending on the season and local conditions.