Elite Diving

Located in Sharm El Sheikh, Elite Diving has been a staple of the Sinai Peninsula diving scene since 2005. Originally established through the acquisition of Divers United, the centre has grown into a highly recognised PADI 5 Star IDC centre, meaning it is authorised to train the next generation of diving professionals.

The centre is managed by the British founders' son, Gwyn, a PADI Staff Instructor and BSAC Open Water Instructor. This family-run approach ensures a personal touch that is often lost in larger, more commercial operations, focusing on a safe and friendly atmosphere for every diver.

The team is led by Gwyn, who brings extensive experience from both PADI and BSAC training backgrounds. The centre's long-standing history in the Red Sea, with the founders having dived the area since 1984, provides a deep level of local knowledge that informs every excursion.

Elite Diving operates with a strong commitment to environmental protection, strictly enforcing a non-contact policy to preserve the delicate coral ecosystems. As an IDC centre, the instructors are highly qualified to provide advanced training and professional development for those looking to progress in their careers.

The centre offers the complete spectrum of PADI training, beginning with the Open Water Diver course and progressing through to the Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver certifications. For those looking to enter the professional ranks, Divemaster and Instructor Development Courses (IDC) are available on-site.

You can also specialise your training with PADI specialties including Nitrox, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Shark Awareness. Unlike many centres that rely on pool sessions, Elite Diving conducts confined water training in natural, shallow, life-rich environments.

For those travelling light, a full range of rental kit is available, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, and boots. You can also hire dive computers on-site.

Nitrox is available for use, with 15-litre cylinders specifically offered for those looking to extend their bottom time. The centre also provides daily hotel transfers for all scheduled dives and courses.

The reefs are teeming with life, from large pelagics to colourful reef residents. You will regularly encounter various sharks, including whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), and oceanic whitetip sharks. During the summer months, from June to August, the area becomes a hotspot for larger species.

Large pelagics are a constant draw, with sightings of Tuna (Thunnus), Jack (Carangidae), and various species of barracudas. You may also see Hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) during the spring and summer, and Manta ray (Mobula alfredi) is often observed in April. Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) sightings are possible during various migration windows throughout the year.

The reef structure itself is a masterpiece of hard and soft corals, including various gorgonian fans and sponges. You will find schools of colourful fish such as Anthias (Anthias), various species of Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), and large schools of fusiliers navigating the coral gardens.

For macro enthusiasts, the environment supports a diverse array of smaller creatures. Look out for octopus (Octopus vulgaris), scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), lionfish (Pterois volitans), and various species of shrimp and nudibranchs tucked into the crevices of the reef.

Diving in the Sharm El Sheikh area can involve significant currents. Sites such as Ras Um Sid, Ras Nasrani, and the reefs within Ras Mohammed are known for strong or moderate currents, which can make them more suitable for experienced divers.

The topography varies from shallow reef flats to dramatic vertical walls and deep canyons, requiring divers to be mindful of their buoyancy and positioning, especially during drift dives.