Reef Buddies

Last summer I went diving in Hurghada, Egypt. The hotel I stayed in organised a day trip with Emperor Divers for me and my boyfriend. We were picked up at the hotel early in the morning and driven to the dive centre, where we had some tea and biscuits and spoke about the day. Gear rental, meals and air fills were all included in the fare.

Out guide was Austrian and spoke very good English as well as German and French.

I am a big fan of wreck diving in the north sea off the German northern coast. Access to some fantastic dive locations is also possible via Holland. Dive boats tend to leave as early as 4am. Try to get to bed early the night before and get there rested. The waters are cold and you will need all the energy you have available.

A nice, easy dive for which the only real challenge is getting in and out of the water. I have now done this dive a couple of times and have sometimes helped rescue other divers who got washed onto the rocks by the incoming waves. Park in the big Clovelly carpark on the south side (parking is free) and gear up in the carpark.

Then make your way down the small path that leads to the entry and exit point (the ramp). It's best to put on your mask and put your regulator into your mouth before you start walking in.

My friend had just completed her Open Water course in the warm waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Meanwhile, I was completing my divemaster in Sydney. Temperatures had dropped a few degrees with cold atlantic currents coming in, but when my friend returned from her northern exposure she said she wanted to see what the diving was like in Sydney. I decided to take her to Manly, knowing that this was an easy dive with lots to see.