Freediving Classes in Egypt — Discover the Underwater World
Egypt has become a top destination for the underwater sport of freediving. While there are several freediving spots throughout the country, one of the best places to take classes in Egypt is on the Sinai Peninsula. Diving adventurers can choose between a trip to the Blue Hole, a liveaboard experience, and diving in an Egyptian national park.
Freediving classes in Egypt can range from a single day outing to a few week expedition. Classes are offered for all levels, from beginners up to instructor level learning. Recreational diving without instruction is also a popular option for experienced divers.
What is Freediving?
Freediving is a form of underwater diving that requires one to hold their breath until coming to the surface. It differs from scuba diving and snorkeling due to the fact that there is no use of a breathing apparatus or oxygen tank. Freediving also allows a person to go deeper than snorkeling would, as there is no diving mask or breathing tube to get air from the surface.
Freediving has evolved into an underwater pastime for those who enjoy photography, fishing, and for those who love adrenaline sports. Water addicts, especially scuba divers, are one of the largest groups that freediving appeals to. People sometimes combine breathing techniques used in yoga as well. The practice of slowing down one’s breath, holding, and controlling the release of the breath are important skills to know and are useful in freediving as well.
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Why is Egypt Great for Freediving?
The Red Sea in Egypt has a variety of spectacular destinations for freediving. The Sinai Peninsula is an ideal location, as it offers not only stunning underwater life but also areas protected from currents and waves. The water visibility makes Egypt desirable, as divers are easily able to experience the vibrant creatures, plants, and other underwater attractions such as shipwrecks. The prices for freediving packages are inexpensive as well, as are the places to stay surrounding the diving spots. There is an airport located nearby and many other tours and outdoor adventures to partake in can be found throughout the country.
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What to Know Before You Go
Before exploring freediving in Egypt, you’ll want to decide what area works best for your level of expertise. Also, do you want a one day trip or would you like to live on a boat for a week or more? Lastly, be sure to account for extra time you’ll want to explore the country — picture desert camel rides and sunrise yoga sessions.
Egypt is a large country filled with history, culture and natural beauty. The Great Sphinx of Giza, the Giza Necropolis, and the Valley of the Kings are among the popular historical sites. There are also many temples, pyramids, museums, and palaces to explore. You can hike Mount Sinai or wander around the city of Cairo, buy some papyrus, or experience culinary delicacies — there is truly something for everyone.
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What to Expect from a Freediving Experience
During your Egyptian freediving experience, you can expect to be surrounded by the enchanting underwater world of the Red Sea. You will have trained professionals teach and show you what makes Dahab such a popular destination for freediving. Most classes and tours vary from one day to one week. You will be taught techniques and safety guidelines before and in the water. Expert divers will be with you the hours that you are in and out of the sea. Depending on your skill level, endurance and interest, you can be in for a longer or shorter amount of the day before heading back to your camp, hotel, or boat if you are staying on a vessel. A sense of freedom and adventure along with rushes of adrenaline are sure to await you!
Top Freediving Spots in Egypt
The Blue Hole
The Blue Hole is a submarine sinkhole located on the southeast peninsula of Sinai, just north of Dahab on the coast of the Red Sea, and has become a mecca for freedivers. The Blue Hole has a maximum depth of 328 feet. “The Saddle,” is a shallow, 20 foot deep, opening that leads free divers out into the sea. There is also a long tunnel named, “The Arch”, which links the Blue Hole to the open sea. The Blue Hole and its surrounding areas also have an abundance of reef fish and coral. This is a favorite diving spot because the reefs protect it from currents and it is easily accessible by shore.
The SS Thistlegorm
The SS Thistlegorm sank near Ras Muhammad, also on the Sinai Peninsula. Freedivers come here to swim across the ship’s decks and weave through its cargo bays. Reef sharks, turtles, and even dolphins have been seen mimicking diver’s movements as they glide about one of the world’s top ten shipwrecks.
Ras Mohamed National Park
This national park lies at the southernmost part of the Sinai Peninsula where the currents of two gulfs meet, making it a ripe environment for a beautiful variety of corals. Shark and Yolanda Reefs are two of the most popular diving sites. The Yolanda Reef gets its name from the Greek cargo ship that sank there in 1985. The body of the ship fell further into the depths, but what remains here are the bathtubs and toilets of the ship, adding to the uniqueness of the spot. During the summer months, divers can be met by barracuda, giant moray eels, turtles, and walls of jackfish, just to name a few of the underwater creatures visitors will find here.
Ras Abu Galum
Also near Dahab, Ras Abu Galum has beautiful beaches with a pristine coral reef and mountainous backdrop making it an amazing area for freediving classes, as well as line-diving, in the Red Sea. Trips include days of recreational diving, overnight camping on the beach, and camel riding to and from Dahab.
Recommended Freediving Operators
The popularity of freediving has created a niche for quite a few businesses in Egypt. Freedive Dahab was the first SSI Freediving Instructor Training center in the world. Their center is located close to the Lighthouse Bay in the heart of Dahab. They have certified thousands of all-level freedivers and hundreds of instructors. They offer freediving training weeks, beginner to instructor packages, and a freediving master class that goes for 2–4 weeks or longer.
Blue Ocean Freedivers, offers a small and relaxed freediving experience for everyone from beginners to national record holders. They have three bases in Dahab: their home base with a pool, a base in the bay in Dahab, and one at the Blue Hole. You can be in a group setting or partake in personal coaching programs.
Freediving World Apnea Center, is located inside Sharm Club Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh. They provide courses, training, coaching, and excursions for all skill levels.
The Mistral is the first Red Sea boat dedicated exclusively to freedivers. It is a liveaboard where people stay on the boat for at least a week while freediving and practicing yoga.
Once you’ve decided on your freediving trip, why not adventure further in Egypt?
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