Red Sea Life

Located within the Desert Rose Resort in Sahl Hasheesh, Red Sea Life has been a fixture of the Hurghada diving scene since 2009. The centre operates from a local marina, providing easy access to some of the most iconic reef systems and offshore sites in the region.

Whether you are looking to complete your first certification or are an experienced diver seeking a challenging drift dive, the centre is structured to handle a variety of requirements. They cater to small groups, ensuring that the focus remains on safety and the specific needs of each diver during daily boat excursions.

As a PADI 5-Star centre, Red Sea Life maintains a professional team of multilingual instructors. You can communicate with your guides in English, German, French, Arabic, or Russian, ensuring that technical details and dive plans are clearly understood.

With over 15 years of experience in the Red Sea, the instructors are well-versed in the local topography and marine life. They manage everything from the introductory Bubble Maker and Discover Scuba Diving programmes to advanced professional training for those aiming for the Divemaster level.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver or the Scuba Diver course, while those looking to progress can undertake the Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diver, or Rescue Diver training.

For specialist interests, the centre offers a wide array of specialties including Wreck Diver, Nitrox, Night Diver, and Sidemount Rec Diver. They also provide technical and skill-based training such as Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Navigator, and Dry Suit Diver, alongside conservation-focused programmes like Coral Reef Conservation and PADI AWARE.

The centre provides a range of shore-based services to support your diving. Nitrox is available for use, which is a standard requirement for many of the deeper profiles found at sites like Elphinstone or the wreck dives.

For those not travelling with a full rig, kit hire is available. The centre also provides free hotel transfers for guests staying at various resorts in the Hurghada and Sahl Hasheesh areas, including the Desert Rose, Sunrise, and Pickalbatros groups.

The reefs are home to a vast array of colourful marine life, including various species of Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), Parrotfish (Calotomus), and Surgeonfish (Acanthuridae). You will frequently see schools of Jack (Carangidae), Tuna (Thunnus), and Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) patrolling the blue water.

Large pelagics are a highlight of the more exposed sites. Depending on your luck, you may encounter Spinner dolphin (Delphinidae), Eagle rays, or even hammerhead sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks. In the deeper sections, look out for Groupers (Epinephelus) and Napoleon wrasse.

The macro life is equally diverse, particularly during night dives. Divers can search for Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), Moray eel (Muraenidae), and various species of Octopus, including the red octopus. Stonefish and Lionfish (Pterois volitans) are also commonly found amongst the coral structures.

The seabed and reef walls are beautifully decorated with hard and soft corals, as well as large gorgonian fans that add texture to the underwater landscape.

Diving conditions in the area can vary significantly depending on the site. While many reef plateaus offer calm, sheltered environments, offshore sites like Shaab Pinky, Small Giftun Drift, and Elphinstone Reef are known for moderate to strong currents.

These currents can make certain sites excellent for drift diving, but they require a certain level of experience and buoyancy control to navigate comfortably. The centre's itinerary is often dictated by these local conditions to ensure the best possible experience for each diver's level.