RSDS is not just for divers! Jane and David have visited RSDS 9 times yet every time they come they spend their days snorkeling on the house reef and have absolutely no inclination to dive! After their recent visit to Marsa Nakari and Marsa Shagra, they were kind enough to share this trip report with us:
"After 9 (yes- NINE!) visits to the Eco lodge at Nakari, I am writing to share our experiences, and possibly encourage other people to try snorkelling, as well as diving.
Our first visit to Nakari was specifically to swim with wild dolphins. We did manage to do this on a couple of occasions, and it is an unforgettable experience. However, other aspects of snorkelling at Nakari very soon became just as precious: regular and close contact with turtles, a HUGE variety of fish of every colour, size, and shape including moray eels, eagle rays, manta rays, and octopus. Having been to the Great Barrier Reef several times, I can confidently say that this area of the Red Sea has a greater profusion and diversity of fish in a small area than anything I have seen in Australia.
So- why snorkel, you may ask? For me, the pleasure of snorkelling is the ease and relaxation of the process, in contrast to the equipment, preparations and ‘limitations’ of diving. Both Nakari and its sister resort Shagra have easy access to the coral, and an early morning swim, (before 0600!), as soon as the sun rises is often magical, as the reef begins to come to life, and the water is crystal clear. The only limitation to how long we can spend snorkelling in one day is the extent of our energy!, and how much sun screen was applied!
I haven’t yet mentioned the resorts themselves. Both Nakari and Shagra are small resorts. Nakari in particular is unspoilt and ‘intimate’. There is a range of accommodation depending on taste and cost: from tents, to basic or de luxe, air-conditioned chalets. Staff are friendly and many are multi-lingual, so it’s rare not to be able to access any help required. Both resorts have dive centres, which cater for all the dive visitors, as well as shaded cafeterias, where soft drinks and beer are available throughout the day. The buffet style dining areas are relaxed and the food is plentiful, and of high quality.
For me, it’s 10/10 for enjoyment, exercise, and relaxation. Visit no 10 here we come!"
Thank you to Jane Edwards and David Oakley for sharing this with us!
Marsa Shagra and Marsa Nakari offer unlimited house reef snorkeling, included in the price of the accommodation. Snorkelers get a full briefing on arrival and can enjoy a wealth of marine life with easy and safe access to the water. Whether you stay inside the sheltered bay areas or venture to the outer reef there is plenty to see and zodiacs are available for use all day long. Many of the excursions to other dive sites and reefs are also suitable for snorkelers, so you can venture further afield! Snorkelers are welcome on our speedboats to almost all of our dive sites from Wadi Lahami including the Fury Shoals Reefs. Despite being off-shore reefs there are sheltered and shallow areas which offer excellent snorkeling opportunities at pristine reefs. Life jackets are also available at all our sites for those who feel more comfortable wearing one.
David captured some amazing footage on his GoPro and was kind enough to share it with us - check out his turtle encounter, and his eagle ray sighting on our marine life sightings page!
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