Butterfly Sharm

Located in the Sharks Bay area of Sharm El Sheikh, Butterfly Diving Centre operates from the Sharks Bay Oasis Hotel. This position provides direct access to the reef, making it a convenient base for both training and exploration.

The centre is established as a dual-affiliation school, holding both PADI and CMAS certifications. This allows them to cater to a wide range of diver requirements, from initial entry-level courses to more advanced professional training.

The team is led by Usama Fathy, a PADI Instructor and CMAS Course Director who oversees the safety and instructional standards of the centre. He is supported by a dedicated crew including Rageb, a Divemaster with a focus on marine life, and Hasan, a Divemaster and underwater photographer who can help you document your dives.

Logistical support is provided by Kalousha, the tank boy, who manages the equipment and cylinder handling. The centre's approach is built around a friendly, community-focused atmosphere where the staff aims to build lasting connections with the divers they host.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of training programmes through both PADI and CMAS. For those new to the water, the curriculum begins with Discover Scuba Diving, leading into Open Water Diver and Scuba Diver certifications.

For more experienced divers, the school provides Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diver, and Rescue Diver courses. Professional training is also available for those looking to progress towards becoming a Divemaster. Additionally, the centre provides specialized training such as Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care, PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider, and Search and Recovery Diver.

The reefs around Sharm El Sheikh are home to an immense variety of life, from large pelagics to delicate macro species. You will regularly encounter schools of fusilier, snappers, and various species of trevally, alongside larger inhabitants like tuna (Thunnus), jackfish, and barracudas. Large groupers (Epinephelus) and Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) are often found near the reef structures.

The hard coral (Scleractinia) and soft coral (Alcyonacea) ecosystems are vibrant, featuring gorgonian fans, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and various sponges (Porifera). These structures provide a home for colourful reef fish such as butterflyfish (Chaetodon), angelfish (Pomacanthidae), and parrotfish (Calotomus), as well as anemonefish (Amphiprion) living within sea anemones (Actiniaria).

For those interested in larger animals, the area sees sightings of reef sharks (Carcharhinus), including whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) and blacktip sharks. You may also encounter eagle rays (Aetobatus), stingrays, and occasional turtles. Large pelagic species, including various types of tuna and sharks, pass through the area frequently.

Macro enthusiasts can find plenty to observe, including octopuses (Octopus vulgaris), various species of moray eels (Muraenidae), and scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae). Look closely for nudibranchs, shrimps, and garden eels (Gorgasia) tucked into the sand or reef crevices, as well as pygmy sweepers and ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae).