Diving around Alexandria can be categorized by four different dive types.In the Eastern Harbor and near to the shore, divers can discover ancient ruins from the pharaohs, Romans and Greeks. The most popular dive site in the area in Cleopatra’s Underwater City which is full of sphinx statues and Roman columns. This city, which was built by Alexander the Great in 300BC, collapsed into the sea after an ancient earthquake. Other ancient sites include Lighthouse and Fort Qaitbey.To the east of the city, a couple of wrecks from the Napoleonic-era Battle of the Nile offer an interesting diversion for advanced divers. For beginners, the shallow wreck of a WWII airplane gives a glimpse of the area’s modern history.Further out, Omu Sukan is Alexandria’s premier wildlife dive. In this area, a family of curious eagle rays greats divers. A white-tip reef shark has also been known to make an appearance.Finally, three hours west of Alexandria, Siwa Oasis gives divers the chance at a freshwater dive in the middle of the Sahara Desert. The crystal clear waters contain the remains of a Roman construction and the occasional freshwater fish. This dive can be combined with an overnight trip to a Bedouin village for a fascinating excursion.Diving in Alexandria is sought after by history buffs, but can also be a challenge. Visibility in the area is often less than five meters. In addition, government permits must be obtained prior to diving. The governing agency often changes the rules for the permits without notice if they fear divers are collecting artifacts for private collections.
Alexandria Sea Life
Alexandria is not known for its marine life. If you want reefs and colorful fish, head to Egypt’s Red Sea. In Alexandria, you are more likely to spot ancient statues in the form of a sphinx than a lion fish. With that said, Omur Sukan, which is a site further removed from shore, has a family of commonly seen eagle rays. A reef shark or two might also make an appearance. In addition, at the Siwa Oasis, a few freshwater fish or two can be seen. Overall, if you want to see a variety of marine life in Alexandria, check your expectations. Divers come to the area to discover the history that remains buried beneath the sea, not to see a plethora of marine life.
How To Get There
Borg el Arab Airport services Alexandria. Flights destined for Alexandria mostly originate in the Middle East or North Africa. In addition, transportation from Borg el Arab to the city center is limited to an expensive taxi journey.If you are arriving from Europe, Asia or North America, a better port of entry is Cairo International Airport. Frequent buses and trains depart from Cairo for the 2-3 hour journey to Alexandria.Once you reach Alexandria, taxis and local buses may be used to travel from point A to point B.
