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20 things to do in Sharm el Sheikh in 2020 – PART 1
With direct flights from the UK to Sharm back on offer since the end of 2019, all lovers of Sharm – both staff and tourists alike – are excited. But once you actually get here, what is there to do? 20 things are quite a few, there are only 10 here, so stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow!
1. Dive from the boat in Ras Mohamed – Ras Mohamed National Park features one of the top ten dive sites in the world, Shark & Yolanda Reef amongst other reefs. This one reef (actually made up of four reefs) is exceptional though as it provides stunning corals combined with exciting fish sightings in one place all year round.
2. Dive SS Thistlegorm – This sometimes challenging dive (so you must have a minimum of 20 logged dives to dive the wreck) never ceases to provide divers with excitement and adventure. Exploring the locomotives and the inner holds is a must for even the most hardened wreck junkie.
3. Take your PADI Advanced Open Water certification – Don’t have enough dives for the Thistlegorm, how about completing your Advanced course with a friendly dive center like 100% Project AWARE center Anthias Divers, that specializes in tailor made dive packages, to gain more experience? In only two days, you will be certified to dive to 30 meters and discover all manner of other useful skills.
4. Post on social media – I know that you are on holiday and many of you would rather forgo technology, but on the off chance you are still connected whilst you here, don’t forget to tell your friends how great Sharm is. After the recent years, Sharm needs a team effort to help remind the world what a great place it is.
5. Dive Ras Mohamed by land – Boat diving not your bag? How about a relaxing shore dive from a Bedouin camp in Ras Mohamed? Take in the beautiful contrast of where desert meets the sea as you kit up, and then enjoy a peaceful dive with few other divers.
6. Take your PADI Open Water Course – I almost forgot, Sharm is not just for certified divers. If you are not yet a qualified diver, Sharm is the perfect place to learn to dive. The warm, turquoise waters and many shallow bays make this top diving destination ideal for taking your first underwater breathes in a stress-free environment.
7. Go ice skating – Yes, really! Fancy cooling down in the evening after a sunny day on the boat. There are even two ice skating rinks here for you to test your talents.
8. Enjoy the blue skies – Sharm el Sheikh is one of the few destinations where 365 days of sunshine is pretty much guaranteed. Even without the fabulous diving, this is a definite reason to visit, especially during Europe’s ever longer winter that seems to get colder by the day.
9. Snorkel – Lost for ideas for what to do on your non diving day before you fly home or want to pacify the non-divers in your party? Go snorkeling. The 30-meter visibility provides great views of the reef and its inhabitants, even from the surface.
10. Take a quad bike journey to the desert – If you would prefer to be dry on the last day before you fly (although I really don’t understand why), take a quad bike tour into the desert and enjoy the outstanding Bedouin tea and hospitality.
Still not enough things for you to do in Sharm el Sheikh? Don’t forget to check back for Part 2 tomorrow, where there will be even more ideas. In the meantime, sunny regards from Sharm to keep you all warm.
Inspired? Take a look at www.anthiasdivers.com to find out more!
Diving Talks, Portugal’s internationally acclaimed diving conference, has officially become the second most visible diving event online worldwide, according to aggregated performance data across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other digital platforms.
With a rapidly growing digital presence that includes over 365,000 YouTube views and more than 25,000 social media visitors, Diving Talks has solidified its position as a global reference in diving content, storytelling, and thought leadership.
“In just a few short years, we’ve built more than a conference — we’ve built a global conversation about the future of diving,” said Arlindo Serrão, spokesperson for Diving Talks. “From deep cave expeditions to marine conservation, our speakers are some of the most accomplished and inspiring figures in the underwater world — and now their stories are reaching a truly global audience.”
Global Ranking
Based on comparative visibility across digital media, the current ranking of the top five diving events by online visibility is as follows:
1. ADEX Asia Dive Expo – Long-established brand with multi-platform digital reach across Asia
2. Diving Talks – The fastest-growing platform in Europe, with unmatched video engagement and curated speaker content
3. DEMA Show – The largest trade-only show in the world, with strong B2B digital presence
4. boot Düsseldorf (Dive Segment) – Massive event footprint, with diving as a key but not exclusive focus
5. Salon de la Plongée (Paris Dive Show) – A dominant force in Francophone markets, growing steadily online
An Invitation to Brands
“For dive gear manufacturers, training agencies, destinations, and ocean-focused brands, this is your moment,” added [Spokesperson Name]. “Diving Talks has become one of the most powerful digital platforms in the diving world. If you want your message to be seen, heard, and respected globally — this is where you show up.”
Sponsorship and digital placement opportunities for the upcoming edition are now open, offering brands high-visibility integration into Diving Talks’ growing multimedia ecosystem.
An Expanding Digital Footprint
Diving Talks’ rise has been fueled by a video-first strategy, high-profile speaker interviews, and deep audience engagement through debates, lightning talks, and behind-the-scenes content.
Its YouTube channel is now the most-watched in the diving conference space, attracting both recreational divers and technical specialists from around the globe.
The conference continues to grow its presence across platforms and is investing in new digital initiatives to further expand its global community.
Looking Ahead
With the next edition already in the works and an ambitious content strategy in place, Diving Talks is poised to challenge for the top spot in online visibility — setting a new standard for how diving events connect with the world.
Contact:
Arlindo Serrao
arlindo.serrao@portugaldive.com
www.divingtalks.com
The DAN.PADI programme brings ocean knowledge to all through a free eLearning platform
The DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project has been officially recognised as an Ocean Decade Action by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, joining the prestigious Ocean Literacy With All (OLWA) programme under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
This endorsement is a significant recognition of the scientific value and social relevance of the programme. It also plays a vital role in extending the project’s reach and impact, helping to spread marine culture across all ages, languages and nationalities – a goal at the heart of DAN Europe and PADI’s shared vision to achieve balance between humanity and ocean.
The DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project is an international educational initiative designed to raise awareness and empower younger generations to become stewards of the ocean. Through a dynamic e-learning experience, its mission is to make ocean knowledge accessible and engaging by combining science, sustainability and storytelling. The programme features high quality content developed by DAN Europe in collaboration with university professors and marine science researchers. Available in English and Italian, it is currently being used by DAN and PADI instructors in schools, dive centres and youth initiatives.
It consists of four core learning modules:
- Citizen Science – Encouraging students to take an active part in marine research.
- Plastic Pollution – highlighting the impact of human waste on marine ecosystems.
- Climate Change – Understanding the ocean’s role in the global climate crisis.
- Underwater Archaeology – exploring history through underwater cultural heritage.
The project is based on a successful initiative – Scuola D’Amare – launched in Italy in 2019 by a local PADI association, with the approval of MIUR (Italian Ministry of Education). 180 PADI instructors were trained to deliver the programme, which used diving as a gateway to environmental education and discovery. In just five years, Scuola D’Amare has introduced over 80,000 students in 17 regions to the wonders of the Mediterranean Sea.
From this successful start, the project evolved into the DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project – a scalable, international programme that embeds ocean literacy into diving education. The aim is not only to equip students with environmental knowledge, but also to instill a deep, personal sense of responsibility for ocean conservation.
Now, with UNESCO’s official endorsement, the programme is expanding its original scope to provide wider access to ocean education for people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. With freely accessible content, the programme pushes the boundaries of traditional learning environments and aims to inspire curiosity and promote awareness of the ocean far beyond schools and into communities around the world.
This collaboration brings together DAN Europe’s expertise in dive safety and scientific outreach with PADI’s global reach, supported by a network of 128,000 dive instructors and more than 30 million certified divers in 186 countries over the last 50 years. Together, the two organisations aim to embed ocean literacy into the educational journeys of new generations and global communities, promoting sustainable ocean use, climate action and collective responsibility.
“UNESCO’s support is a powerful boost to our mission,” said Laura Marroni, Exec. Vice President of DAN Europe. “It strengthens our ability to spread marine culture on a global scale – reaching new audiences, in new places, and inspiring a deeper connection with the sea.”
“This recognition by UNESCO reinforces the critical role divers play as ambassadors for ocean protection,” said David Murray, Managing Director of PADI EMEA. “Through the DAN.PADI Ocean Literacy Project, we are making ocean education more inclusive, accessible, and impactful—empowering individuals of all ages to become true Ocean Torchbearers. Together, we’re creating positive ocean change in everyday life, not just for divers, but for the global community.”
Go to https://oceanliteracy.edu.daneurope.org/index to access the programme.
The platform is also accessible via the TalentLMS app, available for iOS and Android. When using the app for the first time, mobile users must enter the full domain https://oceanliteracy.edu.daneurope.org/ to log in and begin their learning journey. Whether learning on desktop or mobile, course progress is automatically synced across devices for a seamless experience.
About DAN Europe
DAN Europe (Divers Alert Network Europe) is an international non-profit medical and research organisation devoted to the health and safety of divers. Since 1983, it has provided medical assistance, scientific research, education and innovative safety initiatives to the global diving community. DAN Europe is also an advocate for environmental responsibility and the responsible practice of diving.
About PADI
PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) is the largest purpose-driven diving organization with a global network of 6,600 dive centers and resorts, 128,000 professional members and more than 30 million certified divers to date. Committed to our blue planet, PADI makes the wonder of the underwater world accessible to all, empowering people around the world to experience, explore and take meaningful action, as Ocean TorchbearersTM, to protect the world beneath the surface. For over 50 years, PADI is undeniably The Way the World Learns to Dive®, setting the standard for the highest quality dive training, underwater safety and conservation initiatives while evolving the sport of diving into a passionate lifestyle. For divers by divers, PADI is obsessed with transforming lives and, with its global foundation, PADI AWARETM, creating positive ocean change. Seek Adventure. Save the Ocean.
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