It is a large island off Ras Nosrami and Nabq Bay. I am led to believe that you cannot visit it, as it is a military establishment. It greatest fame however is the coral and wrecks that are in close proximity to it. You will see many boats daily moored just off it having brought scuba divers from all around Sharm

I think our hotel is near Tiran Island, didn't realise it was used by the military!

By near, I should imagine they mean looks across the bay to Tiran. There are no hotels on the island to my knowledge.

Sorry , yes that's what I mean. That would be good wouldn't it, a hotel on a military base?

Hi

Have just returned (yesterday) from Grand Azure on Nabq Bay which overlooks Tiran.

You cannot land on the Island as there is a combined millitary presence there, the Island belongs to Saudi but is leased to the Egyptians, and there is a US base there, something left over from the Siani war days between Isreal and Egypt.

The dive/snorkel boats go there all the time. It was "closed" off when we were there because of the united arab peace conference (or something like that) that was being held in Sharm.

Karen

Mumincharge, hope you had a great holiday. Can you tell me what was the name of the new hotel being built next to the G. Azure (to the right)

Hi, it all sounds very interesting. We're stopping at the Calimera Royal Moderna which I think is further up.

I am off to Sharm on 21st March and would like to do the Tiran Island trip.

I have been told by some people that this trip is wonderful and by others that it is so packed on the boat that it borders on uncomfortable.

Has anyone done this trip lately? And what was it like?

Any other trips that are recommended?

Hi Zoeh,

We did the Tiran Island Trip in Dec 05 and it was a complete waste of a day. Our boat wasn't packed but the currents were far too strong for us to be able to swim to the coral and there were a lot of others that felt the same. Other people on the boat did manage it but didn't think the coral/fish was any better than at their hotel. We also went to Ras Mohammed were the snorkelling was much better and all in all a much better day.

I hope you have a great holiday.

Hi Zoeh
my hubby dives, i dont and i have gone on most of the boat trips and always been able to snorkel at tiran island, keep a watch on the weather, choppy seas dont go, when we went to ras mohammed i was not allowed off the boat to snorkell but the divers were ok, local dive/snorkel sites are the garden reefs which are always calm in a sheltered bay.
we are leaving gatwick on the 21st march also, which hotel are you staying in some have house reefs. we are staying at the hilton waterfalls at ras um el sid which has good snorkelling off the beach.
elaine.

i agree with LAD81 we went on boat trip over dec and the currents were strong im a good swimmer and it was hard work getting to the coral i had to drag my missis out has shes a bad swimmer ive got 2 boys 7 n 5 and there was noway they was getting in there it was good for me but not the misses and kids and yes i would rather snorkel of the hotel reefs,i think the currents are so strong because of the time of year it was there winter when we was over,o before i forget on the way back had dolphins swimming round the boat and that made the trip for all of us

Snorkelling at Tiran can be great, but you have to remember that the reefs you are visiting are in the gulf of Aqaba and not on the coastline therefore being more affected by strong currents. If you are not such a strong swimmer, you may be better going on a snorkelling trip to some of the local sites (along the coast of sharm). Hope you enjoy the holiday and get to see what lives beneath the water!!!

Zoeh - try and get on a dive boat as they are far better than the snorkel boats that are around...the dive masters also told me that it is best to snorkel with divers - I dont know why. Hubby dives, I dont so I normally travel with him. And I find the divers on the boat to be great fun so it is a great place to meet new people and have fun...
Saying that, I have never gone on a snorkel boat so perhaps they are good.
If you are looking for a good dive co. red sea college or emperor divers...really good. I am not advertising for them...just saying that we went withthem and are going with emperor again in March (PS: we go on 22nd March so we might bump into you).