For those looking for superb diving away from the crowds, specialist operator Regaldive is newly offering Abu Dabbab Diving Lodge on Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
Comprised of a collection of wooden bungalows, the Lodge is far removed from the usual big resorts offered on this stretch of coastline. Abu Dabbab’s location also means that it opens up dive sites usually only the preserve of liveaboards, such as nearby Elphinstone, with its silvertip sharks and pods of dolphins, one of Egypt’s most-celebrated sites.
Abu Dabbab Diving Lodge is a charming and characterful choice for divers in the sought-after location of Abu Dabbab Bay, a sweeping bay of white sand fringed by coral reefs. A welcome change from nearby resorts, the Lodge features just 62 wooden bungalows set among gardens of tropical plants. Informal and relaxing, each bungalow has a double bed and bathroom, while the Lodge also boasts an outdoor pool, restaurant and 1km-long private beach.
The Lodge and its diving centre, both run by Blue Ocean, has access to the excellent house reef from one of Egypt’s finest beaches. Here divers might see dugong or green turtles feasting on the seagrass. The calm conditions make it suitable for divers of all abilities and for families on their first diving holiday too. However, Abu Dabbab’s biggest draw is its proximity to some of the southern Red Sea’s finest dive sites, usually accessible only by liveaboard. The celebrated site of Elphinstone with its teeming marine life is only 25 minutes away by speed boat, and here experienced divers might expect to see scalloped hammerhead sharks, colourful corals and barracuda.
www.regal-diving.co.uk
