Sambo Diving Center

Located in Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam, Sambo Divers provides access to some of the most significant marine habitats in the Red Sea. The centre is positioned to take you from the shallow reef flats and seagrass meadows of the coastline out to the deep walls and plateaus of the offshore reefs.

Whether you are looking for a relaxed day of exploring local shallows or a more challenging drift dive on a prominent reef, the centre operates daily excursions and liveaboard trips. The area is particularly renowned for its high concentration of pelagic species and resident marine life.

Sambo Divers is a PADI affiliated centre staffed by professional, certified instructors. The team is trained to guide divers through a wide variety of environments, from protected bays to high-current offshore sites.

The centre emphasises responsible tourism and environmental respect, encouraging divers to use proper buoyancy and techniques to avoid disturbing the delicate coral structures and the creatures that inhabit them.

The training programme covers the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving, the Bubblemaker Program for younger divers, or work through the Open Water Diver and Scuba Diver courses.

For those looking to advance their skills, the centre offers the Advanced Open Water Diver course, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and specialty training such as the Underwater Navigator, Sidemount Diver, and Boat Diver courses. More experienced divers can pursue the Rescue Diver certification or the professional Divemaster course. The curriculum also includes the Search and Recovery Diver and Emergency First Response programmes.

The centre provides Nitrox for divers looking to extend their bottom time. For those not travelling with their own full kit, a range of equipment is available for hire, including regulators, wetsuits, and fins.

On-site facilities include areas for rinsing kit and preparing for your dives, ensuring you are ready to head out to the boats or the reef.

The Red Sea around Marsa Alam is a premier destination for large pelagics. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, tiger sharks, or blue sharks. During the winter months, the chance of seeing manta rays increases, while whale sharks are frequently spotted between March and May.

The reefs are home to a high density of turtles, including green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, and loggerhead turtles. You can also find various reef sharks such as blacktip reef sharks, whitetip sharks, and grey reef sharks patrolling the shallows and walls.

In the seagrass meadows and protected bays, the marine life is equally diverse. Dugongs are known to inhabit these areas, alongside large populations of Napoleon wrasse, groupers, and various species of sea turtles.

Macro life and smaller residents include a variety of colourful fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. The coral structures themselves provide a complex habitat for many species, from small reef fish to large barracuda.

Conditions vary significantly between the different dive sites. Offshore reefs like Elphinstone are known for having strong currents, which generally requires an advanced certification to navigate safely. In contrast, sites like Marsa Mubarak and Abu Dabbab offer much calmer, protected waters.

Seasonal variations affect the activity of certain species. For example, the winter months (November to April) often provide clearer water and more active dolphin populations at the Dolphin House and Sataya Reef.