Wadi El Gimal

Wadi Gimal is situated approximately 47 km south of Marsa Alam and 110 km south of the Marsa Alam airport. Positioned directly opposite Wadi Gimal Island, the centre sits at the very entrance of the Wadi Gimal National Park.

Established in 1999, the centre operates as a modest, family-run business. This scale allows for a more personal approach to diving, focused on maintaining the natural beauty of the surrounding marine environment through strict non-contact policies and responsible waste management.

The centre is run by an international team capable of communicating in English, German, Italian, French, and Arabic. This multilingual approach ensures that instruction and dive briefings are clear for a wide range of visiting divers.

As a PADI affiliated centre, they provide a structured environment for both recreational diving and professional development. The team emphasises marine conservation education, ensuring divers understand the importance of protecting the reef ecosystems they visit.

The course catalogue covers the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with PADI Discover Scuba Diving or the PADI Scuba Diver Course, leading into the Open Water Diver qualification.

For those looking to extend their capabilities, the centre offers Advanced Open Water Diver courses, including options to include Nitrox. More advanced training is available through the PADI Rescue Diver and Emergency First Response programmes. Professional divers can pursue their Divemaster certification on-site.

The centre provides full equipment hire for those not travelling with their own kit. This includes everything required for a complete dive setup.

On-site safety is prioritised with oxygen availability for dive emergencies. The centre is also located directly on the beach of the Shams Alam Hotel, adjacent to its own private marina, which simplifies the logistics of getting to and from the water.

The reefs are home to a vibrant array of tropical fish and colourful corals. You will regularly encounter various species of reef fish, including Parrotfish (Calotomus), Damselfish (Pomacentridae), and Anthias (Anthias), alongside schools of Fusilier (Caesio) and Jacks (Carangidae).

Large pelagics and iconic species are a highlight of the area. Divers may spot Dolphins (Delphinidae), such as the Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) or Spinner dolphin, as well as various Sharks (Selachimorpha), including Reef shark (Carcharhinus), Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), and Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos). Larger visitors like Manta ray (Mobula alfredi) or even Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) are possible depending on the season.

Sea turtles are a constant presence in these waters, including the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). You may also see Southern stingray (Hypanus americanus), Eagle ray (Aetobatus), and various other rays (Batoidea) patrolling the sandy patches.

For those interested in macro life, the crevices and reef flats host a wealth of smaller creatures. Look out for Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), and various species of Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae). Other interesting finds include Ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae), Frogfish (Antennarius), and various species of shrimp (Caridea).