Ilios Dive Club

Ilios Dive Club is established within the Steigenberger ALDAU Resort in Hurghada, offering a professional base for exploring the Red Sea. The centre operates with a focus on high standards, supported by more than 30 years of experience in the professional diving sector.

The facility covers approximately 360m² and is designed to handle both recreational excursions and formal training. Whether you are looking for daily reef dives or more structured professional development, the centre provides the necessary infrastructure to support your diving holiday.

The centre is led by a management team with over 35 years of experience in diver training. This depth of knowledge ensures that both recreational and professional students receive instruction based on long-standing industry expertise.

As a PADI affiliated centre, the team provides instruction in English, German, and French. The centre is also Green Fins certified, reflecting a commitment to environmentally responsible diving practices in the Red Sea.

Training is conducted in small groups to maintain a safe and positive learning environment. The centre also provides specialised programmes for divers with disabilities, ensuring accessibility for a wider range of the diving community.

The centre offers a complete range of PADI certifications, starting from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water Diver through to Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver. For those looking to progress their skills, courses such as Adventure Diver, Deep Diver, and Underwater Navigator are available.

Professional training is a core component of the centre, with pathways leading through Divemaster and into the Instructor Development Course (IDC). Specialized training is also provided, including the Wreck Diver course, allowing divers to expand their capabilities in specific environments.

The shore-based facilities include two multimedia classrooms for theory sessions and two dedicated equipment rooms for client use. There is a workshop on-site and a large rinsing area to maintain kit after dives.

For those looking to extend their bottom time, a Nitrox filling station is available on-site. The centre is equipped to handle various diving needs, providing a professional environment for preparing for daily excursions or technical training.

The reefs around Hurghada are home to a vast array of marine life, including large pelagics and schooling fish. You will regularly encounter Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), groupers (Epinephelus), and various species of moray eels (Muraenidae). Schools of Glassfish (Atherinidae) and Emperor Angelfish are common, alongside Tuna (Thunnus) and various species of shark, such as whitetip sharks.

On the reef walls and plateaus, the scenery is defined by hard corals and soft corals. You can observe blue-spotted stingrays (Hypanus americanus), sea turtles, and various species of rays. Dolphins (Delphinidae) are frequently spotted in the area, particularly around Gota Shaab El Erg and El Fanous.

Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to observe, including Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), and various species of Stonefish (Synanceia). The sites also host a variety of smaller life such as pipefish, nudibranchs, and pygmy slugs.

Seasonality plays a role in certain sightings, with Manta rays appearing between February and March.

Diving in the area includes a variety of conditions, from shallow, protected lagoons like Elfasmah to more demanding environments. Some sites, such as Carless Reef, can experience demanding currents that require a certain level of experience.

Other locations, such as El Mina, are known for ripping currents, requiring divers to monitor their air consumption closely. The northern tip of Umm Gamar is a magnificent coral garden but is typically only accessible during periods of good weather.