HAMATA, EGYPT (RED SEA)

South of the Wadi el Gemal National Park, one of the most outstanding in the Red Sea Riviera, the area of Hamata/Berenice is the very last tourist destination in the Deep South. Land of nomadic tribes of hermitic origin, this is Egypt’s gateway to Africa: a mysterious, fascinating land where the desert slowly turns into some sort of pre-savannah and the coast is lined with palm tree groves, mangrove swamps and unspoiled bays and coves with sandy beaches or barrier reefs. A very special destination for a unique, off-the-beaten-track holiday in the Red Sea.

Hamata is the last harbor from where the great safari boats leave to the most remote diving destinations, the fabled islands of Zabargad and Rocky, home to an awesome quantity of underwater fauna, so favored by all diving holidays in the Red Sea.

Berenice is a small town, with the rests of an ancient city named by Ptolemy II after his mother, which became a trading port in 275 BC. A ruined Temple of Semiramis built by Trajan and Tiberius is near the modern town and, inland, there are the remains of the emerald mines of Wadi Sakait, which were worked from Pharaoh to Roman times.

SCUBA DIVING IN HAMATA

Scuba diving in Hamata/Berenice can be performed from shore, or with comfortable boats going out for a day or a half-day trip. The area offers some of the top-class dive sites in the Red Sea Riviera. Places such as the fabled Qulan Islands, Sha’ab Makhsour, Sha’ab Ossama, Sattaya and Sha’ab Claudio are now almost at your doorstep and reachable on day trips.

Here are some of the most famous dive sites in Hamata/Berenice:

Sattaya : the second Dolphin House of the South. A crescent-shaped large reef home to a huge pod of timid Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris).

Sha’ab Makhsour : only for experienced divers, this is the big tower plummeting to unfathomable depths where there is a constant passage of pelagic, with the highest number of shark species present in the Red Sea.

Sha’ab Claudio : a scuba diver playground, with its labyrinth of coral canyons, crevices and overhangs playing awesome natural light and sound shows.

HOTEL ZABARGAD BEACH RESORT, HAMATA

Located 115 km south of Marsa Alam, about 30 Km from Berenice. The transfer from Marsa Alam airport takes 2, 5 hours, while Hurghada is 400 km in the north. The small village of Hamata, where the jetties with the diving boats are, is only 5 km far away.

The resort has a private sandy beach with limited bathing possibilities due to the fringing reef. Divers and snorkellers can get to the eye-catching house reef, whose plateau reaches out to the beach, through the jetty.

A total of 72 rooms, distributed in several bungalows around the pool. They are equipped with shower, WC, air conditioning, mini fridge and balcony. They can accommodate up to 3 adults.

The restaurant has an open air terrace and offers international buffets for breakfast and dinner; a-la-carte menu are also available (with extra charge). Bars are located at the beach, by the pool and at the diving centre.

Facilities
In the middle of the wide resort there is a nice swimming pool with solarium. Small lobby with safe deposit (free of charge) and money exchange at the reception; souvenir shop. 2 billiards and a good choice of excursions (tours in the desert, riding a camel or by jeep) with an extra charge. Towels, sun beds and sun shades free of charge by the pool and on the beach. The main activity for all the guests is diving and snorkelling with the in-house Orca Diving Centre. Easy, individual diving on the top house reef; many exciting diving sites can be reached by boat.

Important Notes
The resort does not have international phone lines; not all mobile phones have network in the area. Satellite phones are available at the reception and at the diving centre. In order to make the best out of daylight, the time in the resort is set one hour in advance compared to the official Egyptian time.

ORCA DIVING CENTRE , HAMATA

This well run German diving school is probably the best organized in the deep south of the Egyptian Red Sea. The relaxed and fun atmosphere does not detract from the serious business at hand - diving!

The center is on the private beach of the Zabargad Hotel and has its' own private jetty, comfortable terrace for after dive drinks and large classrooms and equipment storage areas.

There is a wonderful house reef only 50 meters from the center and drops away in shelves from 0 - 60 meters depth.

Daily 2 dive boat trips are arranged to the huge number of untouched reefs surrounding Hamata. The diving school offers all levels of PADI courses from open Water to Dive master and Nitrox facilities are available as standard.

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