Visit Date: September 2012

This was my first encounter Sept. 6, 10 am we were getting ready to start a drift dive when a pod of seven to eight Dolphins appeared behind our boat at the platform, we literally jumped into them, they followed us down and stayed around us for a good 10 minutes they were at arms length so close you could notice they were aiming at eye contact. There was just 2 of us divers and I suspect even Ian a hardened veteran guiding us was overwhelmed, I was day dreaming for the rest of the dive and on the way back to the boat we came head on with an enormous Napoleon. On the second dive at Torfa El Erg we saw the largest Ballonfish ever. What a day.

I had a premonition something special was going to happen because the day before at Poseidon Gardens besides stunning corals we were seeing beautiful king size fish all over, Janna my dive guide ( I was the only diver that day, all the others were snorkelers ) eventually got tired pointing at each one and she just threw up her arms. Those 2 days certainly made up for the otherwise uneventful dives.

I came for diving staying at the nearby Mosaique in the New Marina and pre-booked a 5 day-10 dive package, easy check in show your credentials. pp, ins, certif and log. The pre ordered 15 l alu tank was promptly supplied for each dive (at extra cost ). You leave your equipment in a box marked with your name on this comfortable and freshly painted boat the - Captain Maged -. The crew is most amicable and helpful, the cook would put the best Chef at Kentucky Fried Chicken to test ! Pick up from my hotel was around 8 am and the boats would depart from the Abydos Marina just a10 minutes drive away. The sea was a bit agitated but calm once we moored at the sites, temperatures 37C during mid-day, 31 in the shade on the boat, not much cooling down in the evening, sea around 29 according to my dive computer and blue skies of course.

Visit Date: January 2012

Booked a discover scuba diving trip with Colona Divers at Rihana Inn. Very friendly staff at the office and booking was efficient and fast. Trip started from hotel at 8am on time and the van picked up several people on the way to the docks. They had a nice boat with two decks. Staff seemed very professional and got a nice welcoming overview once we got on our way. Group divided into snorkeling, discover scuba and divers with PADI license. The boat anchored at the same open water reef with divers heading out first. Our instructor, Penny, was great and supportive with us first timers. Good explanations of what to expect and encouraging help with the under water tests required to scuba. Dived with the help of instructor basically in the same places and depth as the other divers. After first dive nice lunch served at the boat. Boat staff also very helpful with equipment and positive attitude. Second dive was great and everything went smoothly. Great experience and can definitely recommend Colona Divers!