The Eel Garden is a popular and exciting dive site located a few hundred meters north of the Lighthouse in Dahab, Egypt. It’s known for its vast population of garden eels and offers a diverse underwater environment for divers of various experience levels.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of Eel Garden:
Location: Situated a few hundred meters north of the Lighthouse in Dahab, Egypt. Accessible by the promenade or a small internal road.
Entry and Conditions: Entry is through a small underwater channel after a short walk or swim over the reef plate. Ideal diving conditions occur when there’s minimal wind, ensuring calm currents on the surface and underwater.
The Dive:
Depth: The dive starts with a shallow lagoon at around 3 meters (10 feet) and gradually slopes down to a maximum depth of around 20 meters (66 feet).
Visibility: Visibility is generally good, allowing divers to appreciate the underwater landscape.
Highlights:
Garden Eels: The star attraction! Hundreds of garden eels carpet the sandy seabed, swaying gently in the current.
Rich Marine Life: Beyond the eels, the reef boasts a variety of colorful fish species like clownfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, and even occasional sightings of larger creatures like Napoleon wrasse and stingrays.
Coral Formations: The dive includes vibrant coral formations, including table corals, adding to the visual appeal.
Suitability: The Eel Garden is suitable for Open Water divers due to its relatively shallow depths and calm conditions (outside of windy periods). However, some dive centers might require a certain number of dives before participating.
Tips for Diving Eel Garden:
Maintain buoyancy control: Be mindful of your buoyancy to avoid damaging the delicate coral formations.
Respect the eels: Don’t touch or get too close to the garden eels, as they can retreat into their burrows if startled.
Enjoy the variety: While the eels are a highlight, take time to appreciate the entire reef ecosystem with its diverse marine life.
Overall, the Eel Garden offers a delightful and accessible dive experience in Dahab. It’s perfect for spotting unique marine creatures, enjoying vibrant coral formations, and having a relaxing dive in a beautiful underwater environment.