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Sports |
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Diving
The Red Sea coast and the Gulf of Aqaba
are deservedly popular among divers, owing to their affluent marine
life and many shipwrecks. A good variety of giant turtles,
tiny florescent fish, coral, Napoleon wrasse and
nurse sharks are just some of the species inhabiting the
area.
The main dive centres are on the Sinai Peninsular
at Sharm el-Sheikh and Ras Muhammad,
a national park since 1983. Equipment can be hired and training
is possible for all levels of ability. Close to Sharm el-Sheikh,
there is a well known World War II wreck, the SS Thistlegorm
and the nearby Straits of Tirian host spectacular
offshore reefs, as well as 2 more wrecks and Live-aboard packages
are available from some operators.
Conditions can vary according to the time of year: in February and
March, the additional plankton in the water attracts manta
rays and in November and December, the visibility is very
good. A twice-weekly tour for E£5 can be taken to 4 islands
in the Red Sea, namely The Emerald, Abou Kizan,
The Rocky Island and The
Two Brothers. For information, see the Resorts & Excursions
section or contact:
Egyptian
State Tourist Office - United Kingdom
Egyptian House,
3rd Floor,
170 Piccadilly,
London
W1V 9EJ,
UK
Telephone number: (020) 7493 5283
or (09001) 600 299 (24-hour brochure service, calls charged at 60p
per minute).
Website: www.egypttreasures.gov.eg
Note: The Red Sea coral reefs are all protected
by law and persons removing ‘souvenirs’ will incur very
heavy fines.
Nile cruises
There are several cruise steamers on the river Nile, the majority
of which provide a very high standard of service. Vessels generally
carry between 50 and 100 passengers, with the facilities varying
according to the mass of the vessel. Contacting a specialist operator
is recommended for booking a Nile cruise and normally visitors can
only book the complete package through a tour operator. Traditional
feluccas can also be chartered. For further information, see Nile
Cruises in the Resorts & Excursions section or contact the Egyptian
State Tourist Office (see above).
Golf
There is a public golf club at the bottom of the
Giza pyramids and there is a Gary Player course at Soma
Bay on the Red Sea. The majority of golf courses either
adjoin or are part of hotels, including:
• The Mena House ,
which is 15 minutes from Cairo.
• The Alexandria Sporting
Club (30 minutes from Alexandria)
• Jolie Ville (5 minutes
from Sharm el-Sheikh)
• Royal Valley Golf Course (25 minutes
from Luxor)
• The Steigenberger Golf Club (30 minutes
from Hurghada).
Other
Tennis, croquet and horseriding
clubs are found in Alexandria and Cairo. |
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