VIP Shrouq

Located on the seafront of the Cleopatra Luxury Resort in Sharm El Sheikh, VIP Diving College is one of the more experienced diving operations in the Sinai Peninsula. As an SSI affiliated centre, it provides a structured environment for both recreational divers and those pursuing professional instructor pathways.

The centre is designed to cater to a wide range of experience levels, from those taking their first breaths underwater to seasoned technical divers. Whether you are looking for day trips to local reefs or multi-day safaris to more remote offshore locations, the operation is built around high standards of safety and professional instruction.

The team at VIP Diving College is experienced in handling a diverse international clientele, with instruction and communication available in English, Russian, Italian, German, and Arabic. This multilingual approach ensures that technical details and safety briefings are clearly understood by all divers.

The centre's training programmes are comprehensive, covering everything from the initial Try Scuba sessions to advanced professional levels such as Divemaster and Open Water Instructor. For those looking to refine their skills, they offer specific training modules like Perfect Buoyancy and Navigation to ensure you are well-prepared for more challenging environments.

As an SSI centre, the college offers a complete curriculum of certifications. Beginners can start with Try Scuba, Basic Diver, or the Open Water Diver course. For those looking to progress, the Advanced Open Water Diver and Specialty courses are widely available, including Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, and Night Diving & Limited Visibility.

Professional divers can pursue the full career path through the Dive Guide | Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and Open Water Instructor programmes. The centre also provides specialised training such as the Specialty Enriched Air Nitrox, Specialty React Right, and Specialty Diver Stress and Rescue to ensure a high standard of safety and competence.

The M/Y VIP Shrouq is a 32-metre motor yacht built in 2021, specifically configured for diving safaris. This vessel can accommodate up to 20 divers across 10 air-conditioned cabins, each featuring a private bathroom with hot and cold water and a mini-bar. The boat is powered by two 500 HP MAN Marine main engines and two 40 HP Tiger Marine outboards, allowing for efficient transit to offshore sites.

On deck, you will find a partially shaded outdoor lounge and a solarium for relaxing between dives. The yacht is fully equipped for life at sea, featuring a water maker, a mini-bar, and an audio/video system. Catering is provided on board with a focus on international and Italian cuisine, including fresh fish, served as either a buffet or table service. Nitrox is available on board to support extended bottom times during your safari.

The shore-based facilities include a dedicated classroom equipped with modern audiovisual tools for theory sessions. For practical training, the centre maintains a specially designed training pool, which is ideal for mastering skills before heading into the open sea.

Technical support is provided by a modern compressor room featuring two 270 L/min compressors. Nitrox 32% is readily available for divers looking to extend their no-decompression limits. For those who prefer not to carry their own kit, a full range of equipment is available for hire, including masks, snorkels, fins, and wetsuits.

The reefs are teeming with a vast array of colourful reef fish, including various species of snapper, butterflyfish (Chaetodon), and damselfish. You will frequently see schools of fusilier, sergeant majors, and colourful wrasse (Labridae) moving through the coral gardens. Larger pelagics such as tuna (Thunnus), jacks (Carangidae), and various species of sharks, including reef sharks (Carcharhinus) and whitetip sharks (Triaenodon obesus), are often encountered in the deeper waters.

Macro life enthusiasts will find plenty to explore among the crevices and sandy patches. Look for octopuses (Octopus vulgaris), various species of shrimp (Caridea), and nudibranchs. Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), stonefish (Synanceia), and various species of pipefish and ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae) provide excellent opportunities for close-up observation.

The hard and soft coral structures provide the essential backdrop for this life, with massive Porites coral heads, gorgonian fans, and various sea anemones (Actiniaria) hosting clownfish (Amphiprion). You may also encounter sea turtles (Cheloniidae) and various rays, including blue spotted stingrays, patrolling the reef flats and sandy bottom.

Diving in this region is characterised by varying current conditions, ranging from calm water to fast-moving currents or gentle drift dives. These conditions are particularly notable around the offshore reefs and the Straits of Tiran.

While the area is a year-round destination, divers should be prepared for the natural movement of the water, which can influence the type of dive planned, especially when visiting sites like Ras Mohammed or the offshore islands.