Anyone been to Dahab recently?

[Louie]

Hello

I'm going to Dahab next week (5th Jan) for a bit of diving and lounging about.

I've heard differing accounts of water temperature in the area from various sources (ranging from 19 C to 24 C).

Anybody who's been for a dip there or in Sharm within the last couple of weeks and noted the temperature, please help settle this one.

Thank you

 

[kingborris]

Just got back from Dahab (24th Dec). lovely place, i wish i was going back there. The diving was great (not that i have much to compare it too as i completed my open water while i was there).

For each of my 10 or so dives, the water temp was a steady 24 C. I was kitted out with 5mm long johns and a shortie over the top. this was ample to keep me warm, although it was chilly on leaving the water. Most of the dive instructors were complaining about the cold, but i had no probs (too much swimming in the North sea when i was a kid i think!)

My favourite sites were the Eel Garden, and Bells to Blue hole (less interesting fish/coral, but breathtaking topography). Strangely, the place where i saw the most interesting stuff was the bay right in front of Dahab (seahorses, octopus, cuttlefish, undulate morays etc...)

I would also recommend Divers Down Under, as they were a very profession outfit with new equipment.

Have a great trip!!!

KB :sheik:

 

[Louie]

Congratulations on the OW.

I'm glad to hear it's midish twenties in the water. I was beginning to get anxious about the cold.

I'm quite looking forward to the dives (especially the Blue Hole) and to some of the sights on land (as I'd heard so much about it).

So happy diving (maybe the North Sea now?).

 

[Ruu]

Has anyone done any diving in Dahab in February?

I am thinking about taking a few ppl there to do their open water (its where I did mine), but the earliest I have been is in June (hot hot hot). Does anyone have any recent reports / experience of previous February diving? What is the vis / water temp / weather like. How busy is it at this time of year? Is it worth waiting a few more weeks, or is it nicer earlier on?

Many thanks,

Dave

 

[DaveMercer]

Hi,

I'm going to be in Dahab 20th Feb, and was in the area same time last year. It's getting regular for me as I do have an interest in a dive centre out there - so shucks I have to go diving in the Red Sea regularly!
The water temp will be around 20 deg C and air temperatures around 21 deg C. Viz should be in excess of 25 metres, but be aware that there is often a fairly strong breeze blowing across teh gulf from the Jordan/Saudi coast which can make certain entry points a little bit tricky with swell and currents. Your dive guides should be able to point you to the best sites.
Generally speaking the sites to the south of Dahab are more sheltered if there is a NE wind blowing. However don't miss out on the Bells/Blue Hole, the wall at teh Bells is superb and the saddle/coral garden onto the Blue Hole is superb. Just don't get drawn into going to deep - its tough to get back from 1500 metres on 12ltrs of air!

Stay safe and enjoy the diving - these are among the best reefs in the northern hemisphere.

Cheers!
Dave:sheik:

 

[nickjb]

I went in Feb two years ago.

I agree with Dave. There was a bit of swell in places but not much compared to the Atlantic (and most of the popular sites are very sheltered). The wind can be a bit cold when you get out. Take a zip up fleece that you can put on as soon as you get out of your wetsuit or even over the top once you are out of the sea. As soon as you are dry you will be warm again.

I've been to Dahab a few times at different times of year and I'd never call it busy. The only exceptions are The Canyon (a small but fantastic dive) and The Lighthouse (night dives and beginners).

I'd say its a good time to go. Get a bit of winter sun.

 

[Louie]

Did my week in Dahab and must say it was very pleasant. Water was 22 or 23 Celcius and conditions were good. Visibility was generally 15 - 20m.
On land, it got quite warm on a few occassions. Last weekend, daytime temperatures reached 27C. The locals informed me that it has been an unusually warm January. But as everyone has said, it can get cool after dives and in the shade.
I met quite a few people out there doing their OW and they appeared to be happy with their courses (I dived with Reef 2000 and stayed at the Bedouin Moon). I thought it was quite nice that they did their confined water lessons at the Lighthouse, actually in the sea, rather than so many of us who'd done their confined sessions in a boring old pool.

 

[Ruu]

Me too actually.

I remember the lighthouse training dives - is the car wreck still down there? I seem to remember it hosted one ugly pair of fishies when I was there last (Stonefish / Scorpionfish?). I also trained with Reef2000, and the ppl I take on this trip (which is being delayed at the moment until March - I'm waiting to see what is up with the rest of the middle east before I go) will too. I really want to go back to the Bedouin moon hotel (how is the reef directly opposite the hotel BTW?), but my pampered companions have a hankering to see the Hilton, so I'll probably end up staying there.

Dave

 

[kingborris]

Yup... the car wreck is still there! It had a large Moray lurking in it when i dived that part of the bay. it doesnt look much like a car anymore though!

Louie: Glad you had a good hol! Which dives did you do while you were there, and which was your favourite??

 

[Louie]

I was fortunate enough to do the reef in front of the Bedouin Moon hotel twice. The coral coverage and fishlife is abundant. If the tides are right and you can get a guide to organise a dive there, it's really worth the dive.