Tucked into the sheltered bays of Sharm El Sheikh on Egypt's South Sinai coast, this is one of the Red Sea's most established deep-freediving training bases: the seabed drops to roughly 150–180m barely 100m from shore, so deep lines can be hung without a long boat ride. The bays block most wind and current, visibility usually runs 20–40m, and water temperature swings from about 21–22°C in midwinter to 29°C in late summer. Only One Apnea Center opened here in 2007 and was joined by Freediving World, Apnetica and others, building up counterballast platforms, an equalization sled and dedicated pools. That infrastructure is real, but so is the risk — Freediving World founder Andrea Zuccari was lost here in August 2023 servicing a 50m platform — and as of 2026 you should confirm current operators and programmes directly before booking.
A wall that drops to 150–180m within about 100m of shore, meaning short transits and lines set in a bay with almost no swell or current
Floating platforms rigged with counterballast safety systems, plus multiple training buoys on lines from 20m to 40m
A head-down sled for dedicated equalization work (mouthfill, Frenzel) — rare kit that few training sites anywhere offer
A 25m indoor pool and a 50m outdoor pool, letting you stack static and dynamic sessions with open-water work on the same day
Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran reefs nearby for fun diving between sessions, clearest in April–June and September–November
Good to know
SafetyShallow water blackout and LMC arrive without warning. Never train alone at any depth — have a buddy or safety diver on every dive, and build your sessions around the fact that the first 30 seconds at the surface after a dive is the highest-risk window.
SafetyThere is 150–180m of open water directly beneath the lines here. A lanyard and bi-fins are not optional, and deep lines should only be dived from a platform rigged with counterballast. If you come off the line at depth, recovery is effectively impossible.
SafetyIn August 2023 Italian record holder Andrea Zuccari failed to surface while servicing a 50m platform on scuba here and is presumed dead. World-class divers are not exempt from this environment — do not let good infrastructure talk you past your own limits.
RulesCourse and self-guided training is typically capped at 40m within the limits of your certification; anything deeper requires coach assessment and recent, documented training. Open-water sessions generally require AIDA 1 or equivalent, and you should arrange dive insurance (DAN or similar) that explicitly covers freediving.
SeasonWinter water drops to around 21–22°C in January–February, so bring a 5mm suit; midsummer air temperatures push past 40°C, making dehydration and heat exhaustion a genuine hazard on the boat and platform. April–June and September–November give the best all-round conditions.
MannersInside Red Sea national park waters, touching, collecting or removing coral is prohibited — including steadying yourself on the reef. Glove use is restricted in some zones, so follow local park and CDWS rules rather than assuming.
CautionBeach entry, pool access and buoy rental fees that never appear on the website are routinely collected in cash on site. Get a written total with inclusions when you book, and at the airport use only the official bank counter for visa payment.
Practical info
Sharm El Sheikh International (SSH) takes seasonal and connecting flights via Cairo, Istanbul, Dubai and Doha, and the training bays are a 15–30 minute drive from the terminal — noticeably easier to reach than Dahab. Stays under 15 days confined to the Sinai resort zone get a free entry stamp on arrival, otherwise you need an e-Visa or visa on arrival; confirm current prices, operating hours, certification prerequisites and whether deep lines are open directly with the centre before you book, as these change season to season.
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