Tauchen unter Freunden

Located in the Sekalla area of Old Hurghada, Tauchen unter Freunden is a family-run dive resort that has been operating for 20 years. The centre is based at Le Pacha Resort, a 4-star hotel situated just 6 km from the airport, providing a stable and comfortable base for your diving holiday.

As an SSI Dive Resort, the centre prioritises a friendly, small-group environment. Whether you are visiting for a single dive or a multi-day programme, the focus remains on safety, environmental stewardship, and a relaxed, personal atmosphere that sets it apart from larger, more commercial operations.

The centre is led by Ute Renung and operates with a dedicated, professional team including Andrea, Ira, Ashraf, Katzeeee, and Chalid. This small, cohesive group ensures a familiar face is always present, maintaining the family-oriented ethos that defines the centre.

Safety is integrated into the core of their operations through active collaborations with Hypermed for decompression chamber access and Life Boat Medevac for sea-based medical assistance. For those staying at Le Pacha Resort, a doctor is available 24 hours a day, and the Nile Hospital is located just 5 km away.

Instruction is provided in German, and the team is well-versed in the SSI curriculum. The centre's commitment to the marine environment is a guiding principle for the staff, ensuring that diving activities respect the local Red Sea ecosystem.

Tauchen unter Freunden offers a comprehensive range of SSI certifications. Beginners can start with the Scuba Diver course, leading into the foundational Open Water Diver qualification.

For those looking to advance their skills, the centre provides Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Nitrox courses. The training facilities include a dedicated classroom with modern audiovisual equipment to support the eLearning and theoretical components of your studies.

The centre operates several modern and spacious day-boats for daily excursions. These vessels are well-equipped to handle the needs of divers throughout the day, providing a comfortable platform for exploring the surrounding reefs.

On board, you will find essential amenities including snacks, water, and a buffet lunch. The boats are equipped with modern safety gear, oxygen, and first aid kits to ensure peace of mind while out on the water.

The shore-based facilities are designed for efficiency and equipment longevity. The centre maintains a powerful Nitrox membrane installation, and Nitrox is provided at no extra cost to certified divers. Air quality is managed via high-quality Bauer compressors.

For those bringing their own kit, a ventilated drying room is available and monitored overnight. The centre also offers a full range of rental equipment, including 150 aluminium and steel cylinders in 8l, 12l, and 15l capacities with DIN fittings.

Training is conducted in a dedicated classroom equipped with televisions and video playback for theoretical study. The centre also provides complete rental sets for divers who prefer not to travel with their own heavy gear.

The Red Sea reefs surrounding Hurghada are teeming with life, from large pelagics to intricate macro species. You can expect to encounter various reef fish including Anthias, Chromis, Damselfish (Pomacentridae), and Surgeonfish (Acanthuridae). Larger residents such as the Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), Goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), and various species of Grouper (Epinephelus) are often found patrolling the reef structures.

Predators and larger mobile species frequently pass through the area. You may see Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), Tuna (Thunnus), and various Jacks (Carangidae), as well as different types of sharks, including the Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and smaller reef sharks (Carcharhinus). Turtles and rays, such as the Southern stingray (Hypanus americanus) and blue-spotted stingrays, are also common sights on the sandy patches.

The reef architecture is built upon a vibrant foundation of hard corals and soft corals, providing a home for countless colourful inhabitants like Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), Parrotfish (Calotomus), and various Wrasses. You might also spot Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus), Lionfish, and Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) amongst the crevices.

For macro enthusiasts, the smaller details offer significant interest. Keep an eye out for Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), Frogfish (Antennarius), and various species of Moray eel (Muraenidae), including yellow-edged and yellowmouth varieties. Flatworms (Turbellaria) and various species of Stonefish (Synanceia) also add to the diversity of the seabed.