Fiddle Garden

Overview

Fiddle Garden is the quiet middle child of "the Gardens" off Sharm El Sheikh, sitting almost exactly halfway between Middle Garden and Far Garden. Built around two large coral pinnacles and hiding a genuine archaeological surprise, it makes a relaxed, scenic dive and a welcome alternative when the more famous Far Garden is busy. There is something here for everyone — shallow coral for newer divers, deeper structure for the experienced, and a touch of ancient history for the curious.

The Dive

The site's two coral pinnacles are the main event. One is cloaked in soft white coral with vigorous fire-coral growth; the other carries more varied coral and healthy shoals of pygmy sweepers, juvenile fusiliers and hatchetfish. The real curiosity sits directly behind the second pinnacle at about 8m, where coral-encrusted fragments of amphorae — believed to date to Roman times — lie scattered on the bottom, a quiet reminder of how long these waters have been travelled. The dive ranges across a gentle profile, with shallow coral around the pinnacles and a sandy area sloping deeper for those who want it, comfortably worked in the 8–20m band.

Current is usually light, and the easy topography and modest depth make it a forgiving site for all levels, often dived as a relaxed drift along the reef.

Marine Life

Glassfish, pygmy sweepers, juvenile fusiliers and hatchetfish swirl around the pinnacles, with anthias and reef fish dense over the coral. The sandy patches and reef edges hold the usual Red Sea community, and the slow, scenic nature of the dive rewards looking closely for the small stuff among the fire coral and the amphora fragments.

Good to Know

Fiddle Garden is a short boat ride north from Naama Bay / Sharm El Sheikh, one of the cluster of local Gardens sites and an easy choice in most conditions. Visibility typically runs 15–30m. With its gentle profile, twin pinnacles and Roman amphorae, it is a charming, low-pressure dive and a smart fallback when Far Garden is crowded.