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Steve Millard discovers Makadi Bay house reef

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Makadi bay is a tranquil, horse shoe shaped bay nestled between the sand dunes of the desert and the exquisite, clear, life-filled Red Sea between Safaga and Hurghada in Egypt. It is within travelling distance of many wonderful experiences such as dolphin safaris, wreck dives and cave diving. It also boasts its own tropical house reef ideal for Freediving, snorkeling and SCUBA.

The atmosphere in the area is one of relaxation, calm, peace and serenity, away from the hustle and bustle of Western life. Gentle ocean breezes and the sound of waves, the Egyptian mountains standing proud in the background, some amazing sunsets meaning it all equates to a sense of wellbeing when in the area.

In future blogs, we can look at the opportunities in this area and surrounding areas, but this post will concentrate on the house reef and diving opportunities there.

The reef is easily accessible from the shore, you can quite literally don equipment and walk to the water from the centre. The depth is a gentle shelf, ideal for snorkelers near the edges, and it drops down very gradually giving suitable depths for all recreational SCUBA and freediving levels. Under the area roped off for the power craft you can easily get 30-40 metres of depth, and only a short swim further you are at whatever depth you want, certainly more than 100 metres as anyone remembering the Freediving world championships held there just over a decade ago will know.

The water visibility is fantastic as shown in the pictures, but a small torch could be useful as there are many parts of the reef with great hiding places for the resident octopus, moray and lion fish amongst others. The octopus are a particular favourite of mine as they have an amazing ability to change colour and shape and blend in with their backgrounds.

The health of this reef means that there are many big shoals of fish too, trevally, glass fish, angel fish and more; the shoals are spectacular, you can completely immerse yourself in them as if you are part of the shoal.

To help the reef further a few areas have had artificial reefs added, and these have already blossomed with a wide variety of reef life; a great idea to add them to a couple of the flatter areas.

There is at least one resident turtle on the reef too, who gently glides past every now and again on his travels. We have spotted eagle rays, and whip tail rays, crocodile fish and many nudibranchs for the keenest of eyes. All of the usual ‘suspects’ can be found there too, and because the bay is so sheltered and calm it is a photographer’s dream to be able to get themselves set up for great shots.

Once the dive has finished, a one minute walk, wash the kit in the well maintained cleaning tanks, and you can be at the café or bar before you have dried off completely. Great location indeed.

Our recommendation in the bay for the perfect dive school is IDive which a 5 star PADI IDC Centre, and is owned by Carlo Cogliati and Erika Marchino who are two great, approachable and loveable personalities, making the back bone of a very experienced and professional team. They have a host of other instructors and staff, all of whom are dedicated and passionate about giving the best experience possible for customers coming to the centre. They know the area incredibly well and will be able to look after your needs.

You can find out more about diving with IDive below:

Steve Millard is a leading UK based AIDA and PADI Freediving Instructor Trainer who is the owner of Apneists UK freediving group - www.freedivers.co.uk. Currently Press officer to the British Freediving Association and Performance mermaids lead coach.

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The ‘Big Scuba Day Out’ – The Ultimate Day for Water Lovers!

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Big Scuba Day Out

Get ready for an unforgettable day of adventure, exploration, and all things scuba and watersports! Oyster Diving’s Big Scuba Day Out is taking place on Sunday, 4th May 2025, at Mercers Park, near London —and best of all, entry is completely FREE!

Whether you’re a seasoned diver, a total beginner, or just looking for a fun day out by the water, this event has something for everyone — including lovely walks around the lake with your four-legged friends!

Come and experience the latest dive gear from some of the world’s leading brands, including Santi, Suex, Apeks, Aqualung, Garmin, GoPro and XDeep. Get hands-on with dive scooters, cutting-edge dive computers, and high-performance gear designed to take your underwater adventures to the next level.

Take part in fun dives with expert guides try out other exclusive demo kit. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills, try out new equipment, or simply enjoy the stunning underwater world of Mercers Park, this is the perfect opportunity.

A special raffle in aid of the Shark Trust will include prizes such as PADI branded goodies, Apeks 30m reel and wet notes, and Shearwater Peregrine TX worth £689!

As a special highlight for those wanting to “live the dream”, Course Director Mark Taylor and PADI Regional Manager Emma Samuelsson will be giving an exclusive talk at 12:00 PM about how to become a PADI Pro, including Divemaster and Instructor pathways. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion for diving into a career, this is the perfect chance to get insider knowledge from one of the best in the industry.

Not just for divers, the Big Scuba Day Out also offers a variety of watersports courtesy of www.aquasports.co.uk. Try your hand at kayaking, paddleboarding, or other exciting water activities.

After all the action, relax on the beautiful lake terrace, where you can enjoy a selection of delicious food and licensed bar while soaking in the breathtaking views.

Don’t miss this incredible day of diving, watersports, and fun for the whole family. For full details and to register your interest, visit Oyster Diving’s website. https://oysterdiving.com/diving-club/uk-diving-trips/the-big-scuba-day-out-4th-may/.

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Experience a night Dive at the West Rock Shipwreck with Euro-Divers

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shipwreck

There’s something magical about night diving— the ocean transforms into a whole new world, alive with mystery and wonder. At Euro-Divers Meeru, we love sharing this unique experience with our guests, and the West Rock Shipwreck is one of our favourite sites for night diving.

Here’s why:

Setting the Scene

The adventure begins at 17:30 as divers gather on the boat. After thoroughly checking our equipment, the boat departs for the dive site. The 15-minute journey is a treat, with the calm sea and the soft glow of the setting sun creating the perfect atmosphere.

Arriving at West Rock, the boat gently moors above the wreck. As our team briefs you on the dive, we will walk you through the special night diving techniques, such as using a torch and maintaining buddy contact, ensuring you feel confident and prepared. While we wait for the sun to set, there is time to relax with a cup of tea or coffee and take in the breathtaking colours of the Maldivian sunset.

shipwreck

The Dive Begins

Once darkness settles, it’s time to dive. The West Rock Shipwreck—a small cargo freighter sunk in 1999—rests at 20 meters on a sandy plateau. Over the years, it has become a vibrant reef, teeming with marine life.

As we descend, the beams of our torches cut through the dark water, revealing the wreck’s coral-covered surfaces. It is always thrilling to see the wreck come to life under the light. Colourful nudibranchs, scorpionfish, frogfish, and shrimps are just a few of the creatures that call this wreck home.

We often find parrotfish and pufferfish inside the wreck settled in for the night, while lionfish and moray eels lurk in the shadows. We frequently spot larger residents, too—Napoleon wrasse or even a resting nurse shark, peacefully tucked away beneath the ship’s hull. Every corner of the wreck offers something new to discover.

Underwater Galaxy

As the dive comes to an end, we have one final highlight to share. During the safety stop at 5 metres, we may ask you to switch off your torch and gently move your hands through the water. This action stirs up bioluminescent plankton, lighting up like tiny stars surrounding you— a magical, otherworldly experience that never fails to amaze.

Post-Dive Bliss

Emerging from the dive, we are welcomed by the cool night air and a canopy of stars. The boat crew helps us as we climb aboard, where hot tea or coffee awaits to warm us up. The journey back to shore is filled with shared stories and a sense of camaraderie that only diving together can create.

Night dives like this one at the West Rock Shipwreck offer more than just an exploration of marine life; they remind us of the beauty and mystery of the underwater world.

For more information, contact the Euro-Divers Meeru team at meeru@euro-divers.com or visit www.euro-divers.com.

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