Near Garden

I recently had the pleasure of diving at Near Garden, and it was an absolutely breathtaking experience! Located just a 15-minute boat ride north from Naama Bay jetty, this dive site is perfect for divers of all levels and offers an exhilarating underwater adventure.

As we entered the water, the excitement built as we drifted along a steep wall adorned with stunning coral pinnacles. Each pinnacle was alive with activity, showcasing vibrant glassfish, colorful anemones, and delicate soft corals. The cleaning stations were particularly fascinating, with shrimps diligently attending to their aquatic neighbors. The gorgonian sea fans, gracefully extending towards the drop-off, added an artistic touch to the scene and thrived in the gentle current flowing north.

Descending into the beautiful coral garden, I was thrilled to encounter an incredible variety of marine life. The garden was home to moray eels peeking curiously from their hideaways, graceful stingrays gliding over the sandy bottom, and the enchanting hawksbill turtles that made my dive truly memorable. I even spotted a white tip reef shark, which was a thrilling highlight of the experience!

Near Garden is also known for its potential sightings of larger creatures like Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. Although I didn’t see any during my dive, the possibility of encountering these magnificent animals added an element of excitement to the adventure.

Overall, diving at Near Garden is a must for anyone looking to explore the wonders of the underwater world. With its vibrant coral formations, rich marine life, and the thrill of a drift dive, it's an experience I highly recommend. I can’t wait to return and dive here again!... Show More

Visited Jul. 2024

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I recently had the pleasure of exploring "Near Garden," one of the fascinating bays located north of Naama Bay in Sharm el Sheikh. This dive site is part of a series of bays known as "The Gardens," each with its own unique features.

As we descended into the water at Near Garden, we were met with a captivating reef wall that extended to a depth of 8-10 meters. From there, the seabed slowly sloped down to the drop-off at 18-20 meters. The topography of this site was truly remarkable, with pinnacles scattered throughout the dive. Starting at 18 meters and keeping the reef on our left side, we discovered a breathtaking red anemone that was truly a sight to behold. Just ahead, there was a pinnacle teeming with glassfish, making it a perfect spot for underwater photographers to capture stunning shots. As we explored further, we encountered a variety of marine life, including nudibranch, shrimps, blennies, Christmas tree worms, and banded pipefish, among many others.

As we reached the corner of the dive site, the drop-off ridge extended into a flat bottom adorned with large fan corals at approximately 22 meters. We turned our dive and made our way back towards a row of pinnacles, marking the beginning of the bay and the boundary of Near Garden. Due to the typically strong currents in this area, the soft corals thrive, creating a colorful and vibrant underwater scene. Additionally, there is a section in the shallows known as the "dead area," a name that has been passed down since the early dive guide maps. Keep a keen eye out during your dive, as mantas are known to frequent this site during the summer months.

Overall, exploring Near Garden was a truly incredible experience. The diverse marine life, stunning coral formations, and unique topography made it a dive site worth exploring. If you find yourself in Sharm el Sheikh, I highly recommend diving at Near Garden in "The Gardens" to witness the beauty of this underwater paradise.... Show More

Visited Jul. 2023

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