Orca Coral Garden

Orca Dive Club Coral Garden is a dedicated diving complex situated in a beautiful bay in Safaga. Unlike many larger, more transient centres, this site is designed specifically around the needs of divers and snorkelers, offering a focused environment for those looking to explore the Red Sea.

The resort consists of a 32-room bungalow complex located within the Gassous Bay. Because the accommodation is integrated into the diving centre, the distance from your room to the water is exceptionally short, allowing for a seamless transition from breakfast to the boat or the house reef.

The centre operates with a focus on a relaxed, professional atmosphere, catering to both recreational divers and those pursuing technical certifications. The facility is managed by ORCA, a group with decades of experience in the region.

While the staff is experienced in handling a variety of diver levels, the environment is designed to be laid-back. After a day on the water, the Beach Bar and the onsite bungalow complex provide space to decompress and discuss the day's dives.

Training at Coral Garden covers the full spectrum of diver progression. For those starting their journey, the centre provides Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver courses.

For more experienced divers, the centre offers Tec Diving programmes, allowing you to progress into technical diving disciplines. This makes the centre a viable base for both holiday divers and those looking to advance their certification levels.

The centre is well-equipped for both local reef dives and more ambitious excursions. For those travelling light, 20 complete sets of equipment are available for hire. The cylinder bank is substantial, consisting of 120 steel cylinders in 12 and 15-litre volumes.

On the compressor side, the centre utilises a Bauer compressor with a capacity of 340 l/min. Nitrox is available on-site, provided via a dedicated unit to support extended bottom times for recreational and technical divers alike.

The reefs around Safaga are vibrant, characterised by a healthy mix of stony corals and soft coral (Alcyonacea). You will find a diverse array of reef life, including various species of butterflyfish (Chaetodon), snappers, and schooling reef fish that move in large groups across the reef flat.

Larger pelagics and interesting residents are a regular feature of the area. Divers often encounter sea turtles (Cheloniidae), eagle rays (Aetobatus), and various sharks, including whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) and grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos). Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) and tuna (Thunnus) are also known to patrol the deeper sections.

On the seabed and within the reef structure, look for giant moray eels, blue-spotted rays, and goatfish. The architecture of the reef is enhanced by giant sea fans (Gorgoniidae) and various sea anemones (Actiniaria), which provide habitat for clownfish (Amphiprion) and longnose hawkfish.