Our No-Touch Diving Policy: Care for the Red Sea
Look closely. Leave space. Touch nothing. Our no-touch diving policy is simple: do not touch the ocean floor, seabed, reef, fish or other marine life. We are guests in their home, and every diver has a part to play in protecting it.
This applies to everyone diving with Dive UK Hurghada, from first-time students to experienced photographers. Listen to your briefing, follow your instructor’s guidance and ask for help whenever you need it.
What our no-touch diving policy means
- Do not stand, kneel or rest on the seabed or reef.
- Do not hold coral, rocks or marine life to steady yourself.
- Do not touch, chase, feed, ride or deliberately disturb an animal.
- Do not collect shells, coral or other natural souvenirs.
- Keep fins, cameras, hoses and other equipment clear of the reef.
An apparently empty patch of sand or rock may be home to something you have not noticed. Treat the whole underwater landscape with care, rather than deciding which parts look safe to touch.
Protect coral reefs while diving
Corals are living animals, and a careless kick or a hand placed for balance can cause damage. Good intentions are not enough if fins or equipment are dragging behind you. Keep checking your position and the space around your whole body.
Maintain a comfortable distance from the reef and follow the clearance your guide sets in the briefing. Look ahead before changing direction. If a narrow space would bring you too close, take the more open route your guide recommends.
A photograph is never a reason to hold the reef, move an animal or crowd its shelter. If you cannot take the picture while staying clear and in control, enjoy the moment and move on.
Putting our no-touch diving policy into practice
Get comfortable first
Tell your instructor if you are struggling with weighting or position. Ask for help early, rather than reaching for the bottom. We can work on your control and choose an appropriate place to practise.
Keep your equipment close
Secure your spare regulator and instruments. Check that nothing hangs below you or trails across the seabed. Slow, controlled movement helps you stay aware of both your buddy and the reef.
Learning these habits takes practice. Our Peak Performance Buoyancy course offers focused help with control. Tell us what you find difficult so we can recommend the right next step.
No-touch diving policy: giving marine life space
Watch animals without surrounding them or blocking their route. Stay calm and allow them to approach or move away on their own terms. Never pursue an animal because it is swimming out of view.
Even when an animal comes close, keep your hands to yourself. Avoid sudden movements and follow your guide’s instructions. We want encounters that leave the animal free to carry on with its day.
Our no-touch diving policy is part of responsible diving in Hurghada. Seeing somebody else behave differently does not change the standard we ask our guests to follow.
Care continues on the boat
Think about sun protection
Use shade, a hat and suitable UV-protective clothing alongside sunscreen. When choosing a product described as reef-safe, look beyond the label: it is not a guarantee of no environmental impact. Protect your skin and avoid unnecessary product washing into the water.
Use the onboard toilet
Please use the toilet on the boat rather than deliberately using the sea as a toilet. Ask the crew how to use the facilities correctly and follow their instructions for disposing of paper and other waste.
Keep wrappers, bottles and other loose items secure so they cannot blow overboard. Put rubbish in the bins provided. We are always pleased when divers want to help pick up rubbish. If you spot some underwater, show your guide and we will be happy to help you remove it safely. Leave sharp, entangled or occupied objects for the team to assess.
Ask us for help, not the reef
We would much rather you tell us that something feels difficult than struggle quietly. If you need support, signal your instructor and follow their guidance. Building confidence and protecting the ocean go together.
Before your dive, tell us about any concerns with buoyancy, equipment or returning to the water. We can discuss suitable support through our guided diving in Hurghada.
Helping future ocean carers learn our no-touch diving policy
We want to help the people who will help protect the ocean. That is why Dive UK Hurghada heavily subsidises a special training holiday for marine biology students and students entering ocean conservation. We especially encourage those at the start of their courses to get into scuba and build careful habits from their first dives.
For £899 per student when four book together, the package combines Open Water and Advanced Open Water training, seven nights of self-catering accommodation in two shared rooms, airport transfers, equipment, e-learning and certification. Practical training takes place over five days.
Our support comes with a shared purpose: learn to explore the ocean while caring for it. Explore our subsidised diving courses for marine biology students and bring three fellow students with you.
Our no-touch diving policy and conservation work
Protecting marine life is a commitment we put time and funding into. We are actively involved in, and heavily sponsor, a conservation project in Indonesia. Alongside underwater clean-ups, our team and fellow divers help prepare reef stars and take part in their deployment.
These photographs show work carried out as part of that conservation project. They are not an invitation to handle coral, move reef structures or touch marine life during an ordinary dive. On our Hurghada dives, our no-touch diving policy remains the same: keep clear of the reef and seabed, and leave animals undisturbed. Show any rubbish to your guide so we can help assess and remove it appropriately.
For more about the conservation work we are involved in, visit our sister company Dive UK Travel.
Our care for the ocean
Explore the three parts of our commitment: sustainable diving in Hurghada, our no-touch diving policy and diving courses for marine biology students. Together, they explain how we care for the places we dive and support people who want to protect them.
Our no-touch diving policy: dive with respect
Our no-touch diving policy protects the experience we all come here to enjoy. Bring your curiosity, leave space for marine life and let us help you dive with care.
Contact Dive UK Hurghada if you have a question about our policy or your diving preparation.