Dive Site: Near Garden

Dive site facts: Near Garden

Depth

2–30 m

Typical dive

Up to 18 m

Current

Mild

Visibility

10–25 m

Water temperature

21–30°C

Entry

Boat

Level

All levels

Dive type

Reef, drift, coral garden

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Sharm El Sheikh

Coordinates

27.882688, 34.331299

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Near Garden are generally mild and predictable, allowing for relaxed reef dives. The sheltered bay conditions provide protection from stronger prevailing weather and make it suitable for drift diving where divers are gently carried along the reef. Local sites like Near Garden are typically calm, making them excellent for less experienced divers and training dives. Visibility remains consistently high throughout the year, often around 25 meters, though limited data suggests it might dip to 10-25 meters in November. Thermoclines are generally not a significant issue in the warm Red Sea waters. Divers should still plan for standard safety stops and gas management, even in these calmer conditions.

Marine life & sighting chances

Blue-spotted stingray

common

Turtle

occasional

Eagle ray

occasional

Reef fish (general)

common

Fire Coral

common

Soft Coral

common

Gorgonian

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Entry to Near Garden is typically by boat, directly into the sheltered bay. The dive begins by descending onto a fringing reef that slopes gently down to a sandy bottom at 2-3 meters. Divers then explore the main reef wall, following its contours as it gradually descends to an average recreational depth of 18 meters, with deeper sections available down to 30 meters. Navigation is simplified by natural sandy 'roads' that intersect the expansive reef. The route usually involves a relaxed exploration of the coral gardens, which are rich with Fire Corals, Soft Corals, and Gorgonians. Divers can look for blue-spotted stingrays on the sandy patches and keep an eye out for turtles and eagle rays in the blue. The turn point is flexible, depending on gas consumption and planned dive time. The ascent follows the reef slope back towards shallower water, with a safety stop typically conducted over the shallow coral garden or the gently sloping reef top before surfacing.

Underwater photography

Near Garden provides excellent wide-angle opportunities due to its healthy coral gardens and good visibility. A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing the expansive reef sections and colorful coral formations, especially the abundant Soft Corals and Gorgonians. For macro subjects, explore the coral heads and sandy areas for smaller reef inhabitants, making a macro lens useful. Given the generally calm conditions and ample natural light, strobes can be used to bring out the true colors of the corals and fish. Maintain excellent buoyancy to avoid disturbing the delicate coral structures and sandy bottom dwellers. Early morning or late afternoon dives might offer interesting light angles over the sloping reef.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Far Garden

  Far Garden is a prominent dive site located in Sharm El Sheikh, serving as the northern headland of the adjacent Middle Garden site.

• Anemone City

  Anemone City is a renowned dive site situated at the northern end of Ras Mohammed National Park, near Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

• Shark Observatory

  Shark Observatory is a prominent wall dive located within the protected waters of Ras Mohammed National Park, marking the southernmost…

• The Canyon

  The Canyons is a captivating outer reef dive located near Opunohu Pass on the north coast of Moorea in the Society Islands of French…

Getting there & logistics

Near Garden is easily accessible from Sharm El Sheikh, a major dive hub in Egypt, typically reached within 10-20 minutes by boat. Sharm El Sheikh is served by Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH). Dive trips to Near Garden are usually part of day boat excursions from Sharm El Sheikh resorts. No specific permits or fees beyond standard dive tour costs are mentioned for this local site. It is commonly combined with other local sites like Far Garden, Anemone City, and Shark Observatory to form a full day of diving. Liveaboards operating in the northern Red Sea may also include local Sharm El Sheikh sites in their itineraries, particularly for check dives or at the beginning/end of a trip.

Safety & environment

While Near Garden is considered calm and suitable for all levels, divers should always carry appropriate dive insurance covering medical emergencies and recompression. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Sharm El Sheikh. Evacuation procedures typically involve transfer by boat to shore and then by land to the medical facility. Site-specific hazards are minimal due to the sheltered conditions, but standard safe diving practices apply, including careful buoyancy control to protect the delicate corals and vigilance for marine life. Always dive within your certification limits and follow your dive guide's instructions. The protected nature of the bay means boat traffic near the dive site is generally managed.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Near Garden FAQ

Liveaboards diving Near Garden

These liveaboards may visit Near Garden on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

DUNE Longara

Egypt

30 guests

JP Marine

Egypt

28 guests

Snefro Pearl

Egypt

12 guests

Snefro Love

Egypt

20 guests

Sindalahs

Egypt

26 guests38 m

Hammerhead II

Egypt

20 guests

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests

Star Jet

Egypt

28 guests35 m

SS Serena Dreams

Egypt

18 guests33 m

Amelie

Egypt

12 guests23 m