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TRAVELLER
DISCOVERIES
FOR THE BEGINNER
SHARM EL SHEIKH
WHERE?
Egypt’s Red Sea coast
has been blessed with clear
waters and coral reefs. Anyone
looking to learn here will be
treated to some of the world’s
best warm-water diving.
WHY?
Sharm offers everything
from shore diving and day
trips to week-long liveaboards
and diveable wrecks like the
Thistlegorm
.
WHAT?
There are plenty of shops
to choose from, keeping prices
competitive. A four-day course
costs between ¤220-¤340 or it’s
¤50-¤90 for a half-day taster.
There’s also a vibrant nightlife.
GET THERE
Fly to Sharm el
Sheikh, then take a taxi or hotel
shuttle bus.
FOR THE ADVENTURER
OLBIA
WHERE?
Sardinia is often
overlooked as a dive destination,
but for the discerning diver
seeking a touch of class, then this
island certainly fits the bill.
WHY?
Shallow seas flanked by
granite walls and pinnacles of
the nature reserve islands of
Lavezzi in the north are washed
with gentle currents that draw
in barracuda and grouper, while
octopuses inhabit the crevices.
WHAT?
The Nautilus Diving
Center (
divesardegna.com
) in
Palau has diving from ¤80-¤100
per day, including tanks, a guide,
drinks and snacks.
HOW?
Fly to Olbia on Sardinia,
then take a taxi or hire a car for
the 30-minute drive.
FOR THE EXPERT
STOCKHOLM
WHERE?
Baltic diving around the
Åland Islands. It can be hard work:
marine life is scarce; the water
bitterly cold (and often both dark
and deep) but the preserved
shipwrecks are world class.
WHY?
Where else could you see
a 19th-century wooden sailing
ship sitting on the seabed with its
masts and rigging intact or some
Cold War-era Russian ships? The
local “no take” law means the
wrecks are well preserved too.
WHAT?
Prices with Ålandia Dive
& Adventure (
divealand.com
)
start at ¤280 for two days.
HOW?
Fly to Stockholm, then get
a Viking Line ferry out to Åland,
which takes about three hours.
visitaland.com
THE BIGQUESTION
Where should I bookmy
next scubadive?
Dive expert
Simon Brown
travels the world photographing
great dive spots. Here he suggests three of the best around
the network for any ability
See a 19th-centurywooden sailing ship sitting on the seabed
PHOTOS MÉDIALIB.FR, VINCENZO APUZZO, SIMON BROWN