Wonderful Dive Port Galib

Wonderful Dive is a professional PADI 5 Star IDC centre situated in the heart of Port Ghalib, Marsa Alam. Since its establishment in 2013, the centre has built a reputation for its human approach and multicultural team, providing a reliable base for both recreational divers and those pursuing professional qualifications.

The centre's location is highly convenient, sitting just five minutes from Marsa Alam airport. It offers direct access to a beautiful house reef right at the foot of the centre, which can be reached via shore dives or by using a speedboat for drift dives along the reef top.

As an IDC centre, the facility is equipped to handle advanced training and professional development. The team is multicultural and speaks English, French, and German, ensuring clear communication for international divers.

Environmental commitment is a core part of their operation. They actively engage in environmental diving and offer specialised cleaning dives to collect plastic and waste from the reefs, helping to protect the local marine ecosystem.

The training programme is extensive, covering the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with the PADI Discover Scuba Diving or the PADI Bubblemaker Experience, progressing through the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver courses.

For those looking to specialise, the centre offers the PADI Deep Diver, PADI Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox), and Adventure Diver courses. Professional training is also a key focus, with the PADI Divemaster Course and Emergency First Response available on-site. The centre also facilitates the PADI ReActivate programme for those needing to refresh their skills.

The centre utilises a variety of vessels to reach different dive sites, including speedboats, zodiacs, and dedicated dive boats. These allow for everything from short trips to the nearby reef to more extensive excursions.

On full-day boat trips, meals and drinks are provided on board. For those looking to explore the canyons and caves of the mainland, the centre also organises Jeep excursions to reach sites like Zerib Kebir.

The centre provides full equipment hire through a partnership with Aqualung. This includes high-quality BCDs, such as integrated weight models, ensuring reliable kit for every diver.

Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time. The facility is well-equipped to support a wide range of diving needs, from entry-level students to experienced professionals.

The marine life around Port Ghalib is abundant and diverse. On the reefs and plateaus, you will encounter large pelagics including Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae), Oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus), and various species of turtles. Schools of Jack (Carangidae), Barracuda (Sphyraena), and various Snappers (Lutjanidae) are common sights along the walls.

The hard and soft coral structures provide a vibrant backdrop, featuring diverse Gorgonian (Gorgonacea) and various soft corals (Alcyonacea). You will often see Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), rays, and large schools of Fusiliers (Caesionidae) moving through the water column.

For those interested in macro life, the crevices and sandy patches host Octopus (Octopoda), Moray eel (Muraenidae), and various Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani). Keep an eye out for smaller creatures like Shrimp (Caridea), Seahorse (Hippocampus), and various species of Butterflyfish (Chaetodon).

In certain bays like Marsa Imbarak and Marsa Shouna, there is the potential to see the Dugong (Dugong dugon) and Guitarfishes (Rhinobatidae) in the shallower areas.

Diving conditions in the area vary by site. Elphinstone is known for having strong currents, which is a factor for divers to consider when planning their ascent and positioning.

Most other sites, such as Maheleg or the various bays, offer much calmer conditions with low or negligible currents, making them suitable for a wide range of experience levels.