Dive the Southern Red Sea

The Red Sea is simply the best diving closest to the UK with the added advantage of almost guaranteed sunshine, hence the regular influx from the UK. Just a few short years ago, rather alarmingly Hurghada was just a sleepy coastal village and then tourism arrived. The result has been an explosion of hotel building and consequently this former fishing village has morphed into a sort of second rate Torremolinos of the Red Sea. The good news is that you need never go there, the closest approach being the direct flight into Hurghada airport, whence you will be driven a further 20 minutes south to the peaceful oasis that is the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh.

Set in 48 acres of palm-filled grounds about 6 miles south of Hurghada, the hotel’s design is inspired by traditional Arabian architecture, with shady marble colonnades and domed pavilions.

The suites are located in bungalows scattered around the grounds. All are spacious and have private courtyard-gardens and luxurious bathrooms, while the superior suites also have their own pools. The resort’s large main swimming pool overlooks the sea and a long stretch of private sandy beach.

The excellent spa offers a range of massages, treatments and beauty therapies, plus a sauna and steam room. There is also a state-of-the-art gym, a tennis court, a kids’ club featuring bowling, slides and mini-basketball, and a golf course 20 miles away.

Other activities include desert safaris and full-day excursions to ancient Coptic monasteries or to Luxor. Fine Mediterranean and Oriental cuisine is served at the main restaurant, which has views of the sea. There is also an Indian restaurant, an al fresco poolside restaurant, and a bar.

The diving is really typical Red Sea. Perfect reefs littered with colourful hard and soft corals right into the sunlit shallows, endless Morays and Turtles, gentle drifts and even the rarity of a dolphin dive, all in crystal clear waters. Perhaps the greatest surprise is the house reef, not only ideal for learning but teaming with life. And there is a newly opened dive centre to take care of all of your diving needs.