Sharm Scuba Service

Located in Sharm El Sheikh, Sharm Scuba Service has been operating in the Red Sea since 1996. As an SSI Instructor Training Facility, the centre is geared towards both recreational divers looking to explore the local reefs and technical divers aiming for advanced certifications.

The operation is defined by its Italian heritage, providing a familiar atmosphere for many divers. Whether you are diving the deep walls of the Tiran Strait or the famous wrecks of the Gulf of Suez, the service is built around professional standards and a structured approach to diving.

The centre is led by an Italian management team and maintains an Italian-led instructional staff. This provides a specific cultural approach to diving, ensuring guests feel at home while receiving high-level training. The team is proficient in English, Italian, Russian, and Arabic.

Safety is a core component of their operation, with the centre being registered with the CDWS and holding EUF and ISO certifications. They maintain strict safety protocols, including on-site oxygen administration and first aid trained personnel. To ensure close supervision, they maintain a ratio of a maximum of six divers per guide.

As an SSI Instructor Training Facility, the centre offers a complete progression of courses. This begins with foundational training such as Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver, moving through Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver.

For those looking to professionalise, they provide Divemaster and Instructor training. The centre also features a robust technical diving programme, covering specialties such as Nitrox, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and the Tec series, including Tec 40, Tec 45, Tec 50, Tec Trimix, and Tec Trimix 65.

The centre operates the M/Y Nausicaa, a 450 hp monohull vessel launched in 2007. The boat has a capacity for 30 passengers, with space to accommodate more than 20 divers comfortably on board.

During day trips, the vessel provides a comfortable platform for diving, with Italian coffee and meals such as pasta served on board. The boat is equipped to handle various dive profiles, including night dives, and is capable of reaching major sites like the Thistlegorm or the reefs of Dahab.

The reefs are home to a vast array of colourful reef fish, including clownfish (Amphiprion), butterflyfish (Chaetodon), and various species of snapper (Lutjanus). You will often see large groups of fusiliers, jacks (Carangidae), and diverse species of wrasse (Labridae) patrolling the coral structures.

On the walls and through the blue, larger pelagics are a regular occurrence. Divers frequently encounter oceanic whitetip sharks (Triaenodon obesus), grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), and occasionally hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini), manta rays (Mobula alfredi), and giant tunas (Thunnus). In the summer, these sightings of hammerheads, mantas, and giant tunas become more frequent.

The hard and soft coral landscapes are incredibly diverse, featuring gorgonian fans, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and various species of soft corals (Alcyonacea). These structures provide a home for many smaller inhabitants, including moray eels (Muraenidae), sea turtles (Cheloniidae), and eagle rays (Aetobatus).

For macro enthusiasts, the sites offer plenty of interest, with nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani) and various species of shrimp and crabs inhabiting the crevices. You can also find octopus (Octopus vulgaris), scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), and stonefish (Synanceia) tucked away amongst the reef architecture.

Conditions across the diving area vary significantly depending on the site. The Tiran Strait sites, such as Thomas Reef, can experience very strong and unpredictable currents, often requiring drift diving skills.

Some sites, such as the Dahab Canyon, are generally characterised by calm conditions with little to no current, making them accessible for a wide range of divers. However, wreck diving on the Thistlegorm can be subject to strong currents, particularly within the first 15 metres of the water column.