The Sunday Times - Travel
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Coral kingdoms
THE CHEAPEST and closest coral destination to the UK is the Egyptian Red Sea. The established resort towns of the north, Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, both have access to good reefs. For the best coral, visit the offshore reefs of the Fury Shoal in Egypt’s less-developed “deep south”. My favourite site here is a series of shallow coral caves known as Sha’ab Claude, where shafts of light cut through openings in the roof, turning the caves into coral cathedrals. Regaldive (0870 220 1777, www.regaldive.co.uk) has seven nights at the luxurious Lahami Bay, the southernmost beach resort in Egypt, for £669pp (based on two sharing), including flights from Gatwick, transfers and half-board accommodation. Five days’ boat diving costs an extra £205.