Why I Love Recreational Diving in The Red Sea

There’s nothing like the feeling of diving underwater for the first time. I was 27 and very hesitant to try it. But, once I embraced the unknown and took the plunge (literally!), I discovered the most serene state of relaxation that I never knew possible. 

The silence underwater is indescribably beautiful and allows you to be fully present, not thinking about anything else. 

As an avid recreational diver, I love the peace I feel as I float in a world so vast. I’m filled with anticipation of what I’ll see next. It’s thrilling yet relaxing at the same time! There are many amazing places across the globe for recreational diving. But how do you possibly choose? For me, it’s easy: the Red Sea. There are many reasons why I believe the Red Sea in Egypt is so special, and I can’t wait to share my experiences with you. Let’s dive in!

Recreational Diving at The Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh

Egypt is on many bucket lists, and it’s easy to see why. With its rich history and unique landscapes, there’s so much to see and do. Sharm El Sheikh is a resort town off the coast of the Red Sea and is considered Egypt’s diving capital. There are 76 recognized dive sites in this area alone! It’s a place that recreational divers dream about visiting to explore the underwater secrets of the Red Sea. 

The Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is an enchanting oasis situated between the desert and ocean. Atop a beautiful hillside, the resort welcomes you with gorgeous sea views and tropical palm trees, paving the way for your Arabian adventure. When it comes to luxury accommodations, the Four Seasons always does it right. Among my top travel destinations, it’s one of my favorite places to stay. (If you follow me on Instagram, you already know this!) 

So, what keeps me always coming back for more year after year?

Dive Center’s On-Site Reef

The best part about this coastal gem of a resort? Its crystal-clear waters with access to a protected marine reserve and world-class reef recreational diving. The resort is located at a reef and an underwater shipwreck site. The SS Thistlegorm sunk during WWII and is one of the top 10 shipwreck diving sites. In addition to the ship itself, you can see tuna, sea turtles, batfish, and moray eels. The on-site dive center Sinai Blues makes diving underwater a breeze. A private yacht will take you directly to your destination. It’s a dream come true for recreational divers and is also an ideal spot for beginners or those who haven’t taken a dive for a while.

Luxury Diving Experience 

I often hear other guests say, “This is truly luxury diving here.” The only kind of diving they provide here is where everything is taken care of for you. My wetsuit and diving equipment are stored at the diving center, where the staff helps me dress and prepares my gear for each dive trip—everything down to the weight belt around my waist, fins on my feet, and my mask. The crew gets everything ready for you on the yacht for your recreational diving experience, so you don’t have to worry about a thing! 

Impeccable Dive Instructors 

The instructors’ professionalism, kindness, and perfection are hard to beat. This place holds special memories for me, as I completed my scuba diving certification license here (PADI advanced open water certification). My instructor Petra (from the Netherlands!) was just ideal for me: calm, kind, and empathetic. 

I’ve been coming to this resort since 2003, so by now, I’ve known some of the instructors for many years. All are wonderful, and some have superpowers or special talents, but I’ll leave those for you to find out! It’s important to understand your recreational diving limits before taking your first dive. With a great instructor, you’ll always know the recreational diver depth limit for a safe and enjoyable recreational diving experience.

Magical Creature Encounters Under the Sea as a Recreational Diver 

Water is magical, and there’s an abundance of sea life to explore while recreational diving. I’ve been diving with sharks of many kinds, numbers, and sizes, but have never had a scary experience when diving underwater—just beauty, peace, adventure, and bliss. Once I was surrounded by 11 hammerhead sharks! While I dive, I’m actually not worried about the sharks. They’ve often been around me, and they’re simply majestic as they swim past me. 

In fact, the first sea creature I got to see underwater was a shark! This didn’t upset me at all. I just continued with my dive. After the shark passed, my instructor spotted an octopus and let me hold it. I was surprised because I’d been taught not to touch anything while diving underwater, and now this! I was very careful and just fascinated by this moment. Touching an octopus was an unforgettable experience—I don’t know how else to describe it! I love to pet animals—but never guessed that I would one day get to pet an octopus in one of the most beautiful locations in the world. 

Another enchanting underwater experience I had was in the very first years of my recreational diving. I saw a submarine-looking figure approaching me. I looked to my dive instructor as he swam towards it, and so did I, as you want to stay close to your instructor when you’re a beginner. 

I didn’t know what this creature was, but it was huge! It swam towards me, then beside me, and away into the depths. Later my instructor told me it was a whale shark that must have been 12–15 meters long! He assured me they only eat plankton, small fish, and shrimp (thankfully, I wasn’t on the menu). I was thrilled to encounter an animal so massive that it looked like a submarine to me! 

The Way of K

If you feel nervous about diving, I recommend starting with snorkeling. Then move on to your introduction dive. The good thing about an introduction dive is that you don’t have to know anything about the buttons and hoses yourself. The instructor regulates everything necessary, and you just puff/breathe through your mouthpiece and look out of your diving goggles into the depths of the sea, or better said, onto the seabed. 

It’s also completely ok to recognize that perhaps diving is just not for you. We all have different limits and passions. 

Explore New Depths with Recreational Diving 

Are you considering diving into the deep? Here’s my advice – don’t wait one more day to book your recreational diving trip! Choose a location you’ve always wondered and dreamed about, and just go for it.

For me, diving at various Four Seasons around the world has been my dream come true. I have the most special memories of dives at the Four Seasons Costa Rica, Four Seasons Sharm el Sheikh, and from the Four Seasons Explorer Yacht Maldives. The limits are endless for a recreational diver with the vast oceans of the world. Where will you start making your memories? Let me know in the comments or on my Instagram!