Nemo

Safaga, Egypt

The team at Nemo are exactly who you want when you’re looking for a relaxed, easygoing dive trip in Egypt. We love their no-fuss attitude, and the fact that you can roll out of bed and practically into your BCD – their small hotel and dive centre are right on the beach. It’s perfect for divers who prefer a quieter vibe than some of the busier spots further north, but still want solid diving. They run daily trips on their boat, De Dory, which is usually moored a short walk away in the yacht harbour. We always head out early, before the crowds, aiming for sites like Panorama Reef, where we’ve seen grey reef sharks cruising the drop-off, or the Salem Express, a truly moody wreck dive. The guides know these reefs inside out and are great at spotting the smaller stuff, too – nudibranchs tucked into crevices, moray eels peeking from their holes. If you’re learning, they’re patient instructors, making sure you’re comfortable before you’re finning through a school of bigeye trevally. Ask them about conditions; sometimes a morning dive at Tobia Arbaa (Seven Pillars) is calmer, letting you really take your time weaving through the coral bommies.