Within just 20 minutes from the DESERT ROSE there are several pretty dive sites suitable for novice and advanced divers alike. Currents are small and the sites are sheltered from wind and waves. Looking from the sea, we are located a few hundred meters from White Knights dive site. The best sites nearest to us are Ras Bob, Ras Nasrani and a little further along is Ras Gamilla, (translated from Arabic means beautiful head), which offers stunning diving with plenty to see in gentle conditions.

The coral garden in the shallow part of Ras Nasrani is one of the best of its kind to be found in Sharm El Sheikh. Ras Gamilla stretches for nearly a kilometer and can be approached from either direction to ride an effortless current over the table corals and giant gorgonians.

Each reef bears the name of a cartographer who mapped the area in the 19th century. In order of appearance from the sea, they are called; Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse and Jackson reefs. The narrowest strait is the Grafton Passage which is the strip of water between the reefs and Tiran Island itself. It is well indicated on the charts and has lighthouses marking its position. The wider side of the straits lies between the Sinai Coast opposite the town of Nabq and is called the Enterprise Passage. These four reefs are famous for their diversity of marine life and coral formations.

Tiran is the gateway to Jordan and the port of Eilat via the Gulf of Aqaba. Hundreds of big ships pass through these straits without incident every year but occasionally things can go wrong. The most prominent shipwrecks in Tiran are those positioned half in and half out of the water such as landmarks like the Louilla wreck on top of Gordon and the Lara wreck at the far end of Jackson Reef. These two rusting hulks met their fate in the 1980's but have since affectionately become gatekeepers of the first and last reefs of the Straits of Tiran.

The words ‘Ras Mohammed National Park’ have an iconic appeal about them that collectively describe Sharm El Sheikh’s biggest attraction. The Park has become a ‘must see’ on the itinerary of most visitors and few will leave the region of Sharm without finding out what it has to offer. Unlike other national parks, Ras Mohammed has two major draws; the setting above and below the waterline. Each is equally spectacular in scenery and each pulls in thousands of visitors every week.

It is Ras Mohammed's location on the very southern tip of the Sinai Penninsula that makes it a unique underwater experience. Three powerful currents from the Gulf of Suez, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Red Sea collide creating a mix of nutrients and food from great depths. Currents and clean water are essential for healthy sea life and it is these currents that feed the vast shoals of fish that congregate there and keep the corals healthy and vibrant.

There are several separate dive sites in the Park but the iconic one has to be Shark Reef which is constantly swept by a current that splits directly on the reef wall. Jumping in for a dive at exactly the right place on this split current will let you hover in the back pressure from the reef with the shoals of snapper, barracuda, jacks, tuna, batfish etc.

The Red Sea is steeped in maritime history, from ancient times to the Second World War and the latter parts of the 20th Century, many great shipwrecks floundered near to Sharm El Sheikh.

A small journey past Ras Mohammed to Sha’ab Mahmoud lays the wreck of the steam and sail ship SS DUNRAVEN. Floundering in 1876 on passage from Bombay to England, this beautiful all-weather dive is ideal for beginner and experienced divers alike.

Further afield is the famous wreck of SS THISTLEGORM, a 126m WWII vessel that lies 20km away near the Gulf of Suez. This ship is one of the most famous shipwrecks in the world. She starts at 13m at her shallowest point and goes down to 30m at her deepest. Due to her depth and the challenging currents in the area, she is better suited to the more able and experienced diver. Once on the wreck, you will be treated to a time-trap of 1941 wartime cargo and a journey through the annals of history. The marine life here is also worthy in its own right with huge grouper, tuna and small life all taking advantage of both the shelter that the wreck provides as well as the rich food source the daily currents bring. A day on the SS Thistlegorm is a day to remember.

Crossing the Gulf of Suez brings us to Abu Nuhas reef, which translates from Arabic means "father of copper" and relates to an old wreck carrying this as cargo. This reef is and has been a natural shipping hazard for centuries and holds at least four wrecks suitable for diving on, two of which are the famous GHIANNIS D and SS CARNATIC.

Also on our itinerary is the not so well known but truly incredible shipwreck ROSALIE MÖLLER, another WWII ship which sunk on the far side of the Gulf of Suez behind Gubal Island, two days after SS Thistlegorm. This is a wreck only for experienced divers as she lies in 50 meters of water, with the deck at around 30 meters.