Aquanaut Blue Heaven

Aquanaut Blue Heaven is one of the established names in Hurghada, having operated in the Red Sea since 1992. Located within the Sand Beach Hotel, the centre offers a reliable base for divers wanting to access the diverse marine ecosystems of the area, from shallow coral gardens to deeper offshore reefs.

The centre distinguishes itself by offering multiple ways to reach the water, including traditional boat trips, shore dives, and specialised excursions using a 9m RIB. This variety allows for a flexible approach to exploring the local seascape, whether you are looking for a relaxed reef day or a more targeted excursion.

Managed by Yasser Bahaa Elden Arafa, a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer with over thirty years of experience, the centre is built on a foundation of long-term local knowledge. The team is professional and capable of conducting a wide range of training and guided dives.

Instruction and guiding are handled with a focus on safety, maintaining a ratio of one guide for every four divers. The staff is multilingual, providing instruction and support in English, German, French, and Dutch, making it easy to communicate technical details during briefings or training sessions.

As a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort, the centre offers a complete progression of courses. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the PADI Scuba Diver course, moving through to Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver.

Specialised training is extensive, covering technical and recreational skills such as the PADI Wreck Diver Specialty, Deep Diver Specialty, and Sidemount Diver Specialty. For those looking to refine their skills, the Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty is available. The centre also provides professional training paths, including the Divemaster course, and photography training through the Digital Underwater Photography programme.

The fleet includes a 23m yacht used for daily boat trips and longer excursions, providing a stable platform for divers. On board, you will find snacks, coffee, tea, and non-alcoholic beverages, with lunch provided during full-day boat excursions.

For more agile trips, the centre utilises a 9m RIB, which is particularly useful for reaching specific sites more efficiently. Both vessels are equipped to handle the local conditions, ensuring you get the most out of your time on the water.

The shore-based facilities are well-equipped for both training and recreational diving. You will find a dedicated rinsing area, equipment storage, a drying room, and a classroom for theory sessions. The centre also provides a swimming pool and a beach for surface training or relaxation.

For those hiring kit, a full range is available including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, and dive computers. The centre also stocks torches for night diving. Nitrox is available on-site via a dedicated compressor, and 100% oxygen is kept on hand for safety.

The local waters are home to a high density of pelagic life and reef residents. You can regularly encounter dolphins (Delphinidae), including Spinner dolphins, and various reef sharks (Carcharhinus). Larger fish such as Tuna (Thunnus), Jack (Carangidae), and Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) are often seen patrolling the deeper sections of the walls.

The reef structures themselves are vibrant, covered in hard corals, soft corals, and various species of sponges. You will find plenty of colourful reef fish, including Anthias (Anthias), Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), Parrotfish (Calotomus), and Surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), alongside schooling fish like Glassfish (Atherinidae) and Chromis.

For those interested in macro life, the crevices and sandy patches offer plenty to see. Look out for Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), various species of Moray eel (Muraenidae), and Scorpionfish. Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) and different types of flatworms can also be found amongst the coral gardens.

The area is known for several drift dive sites, particularly around the offshore reefs and islands like Umm Gamar and El Fanous. Divers should be prepared for varying current strengths depending on the specific site and tide.

Water temperatures in the region typically remain around 26°C, though this varies throughout the year. The diving is generally accessible for a wide range of experience levels, from shallow lagoons for beginners to deeper walls for advanced divers.