DIY/unguided diving in Egypt

[Christian]

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[JustSurfaceInterval]

I’ll just add to above information that at the RSDS dive centers (Shagra & Nakari) reef taxi is included in the unlimited diving packages. It means you can get a zodiac to drive you out and/or pick you up on their house reefs. So they have heftier per day price at €70/day or €315 for five days (€63/day).

Correct. As you say, the 70 € are per day, regardless of how many dives you do.
That gives you a total of 6 different dive spots/profiles: shore/shore, zodiac/shore, zodiac/zodiac x 2 (going North or going South)

 

[Christian]

Correct. As you say, the 70 € are per day, regardless of how many dives you do.
That gives you a total of 6 different dive spots/profiles: shore/shore, zodiac/shore, zodiac/zodiac x 2 (going North or going South)

5 days or more will give a lower per day price.

 

[Saffadiver]

I honestly dont think its allowed by law for you to dive alone without a Egyptian registered dive person/company.

I have many times asked to just dive alone while with my regular boat (s) as the reef under the boat for perfect for photography and me and my partner pottering about looking for micro fauna but not allowed in any way shape or form.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

Just to be clear: "alone" means without guide (="unguided") but with your dive buddy, not solo. "Solo" would be without guide and without buddy.
Diving without guide is absolutely common.

 

[Mobulai]

I honestly dont think its allowed by law for you to dive alone without a Egyptian registered dive person/company.

I have many times asked to just dive alone while with my regular boat (s) as the reef under the boat for perfect for photography and me and my partner pottering about looking for micro fauna but not allowed in any way shape or form.

It’s a very murky line in the eyes of the CDWS, I had 2 conflicting experiences in Dahab that made it a bit clear to me (and consolidate with other anecdotes):
I was allowed by a shop to take my partner alone at the lighthouse on her last “refresher” dive — but I have a history and connection with them so it was more of a “I trust you don’t advertise this kinda thing”

I asked another diveshop where I did all my tech training 1st day after arrival if I can just get tanks and some lead and dabble around in the confined zone of the lighthouse to get back in my “water element” (check weights, clear nose and be ready for my upcoming classes); they had a strict No (even tho I had a good connection and goodwill there as well) — the said “if you have a self reliant cert we can let you”

So with enough repertoire and trust between you and the operation, they will give you some leniency on the rules — within their risk “buffer” to being caught/suffer consequences/being sued

I’m sure now that the 2nd rule holds, but not for dive spots where you’d have to “register” access with authorities or entry fees (think checkpoints at Canyon/Bluehole) as these have to be pre approved anyway (and tourist fees collected)

I know that in some places in Hurghada area (like Makadi, Marsaa Shagara) you can go unguided with your buddy in the house reefs; but of course no rib diving

I’m yet to find the definitive/canonical rules listed somewhere

 

[Saffadiver]

It’s a very murky line in the eyes of the CDWS, I had 2 conflicting experiences in Dahab that made it a bit clear to me (and consolidate with other anecdotes):
I was allowed by a shop to take my partner alone at the lighthouse on her last “refresher” dive — but I have a history and connection with them so it was more of a “I trust you don’t advertise this kinda thing”

I asked another diveshop where I did all my tech training 1st day after arrival if I can just get tanks and some lead and dabble around in the confined zone of the lighthouse to get back in my “water element” (check weights, clear nose and be ready for my upcoming classes); they had a strict No (even tho I had a good connection and goodwill there as well) — the said “if you have a self reliant cert we can let you”

I’m sure now that the 2nd rule holds, but not for dive spots where you’d have to “register” access with authorities or entry fees (think checkpoints at Canyon/Bluehole) as these have to be pre approved anyway (and tourist fees collected)

I know that in some places in Hurghada area (like Makadi, Marsaa Shagara) you can go unguided with your buddy in the house reefs; but of course no rib diving

I’m yet to find the definitive/canonical rules listed somewhere

Just to be clear: "alone" means without guide (="unguided") but with your dive buddy, not solo. "Solo" would be without guide and without buddy.
Diving without guide is absolutely common.

The thing about Egypt is that if you get caught doing something against the rules then the reprecussions are heavy generally. Diving without a guide is VERY rare in Egypt and every single boat or guide I have spoken to has said no either due to insurance OR just 'government doesnt allow you to dive without a egypt registered dive master'

 

[Mobulai]

The thing about Egypt is that if you get caught doing something against the rules then the reprecussions are heavy generally. Diving without a guide is VERY rare in Egypt and every single boat or guide I have spoken to has said no either due to insurance OR just 'government doesnt allow you to dive without a egypt registered dive master'

Did that once actually, boat based night dive — but me and my buddy (Egyptians) were both rescue certified, it was day 4 on board so they had some faith in our skills to be autonomous; my buddys late father an instructor already (so him a JOW for decades); AND (the big one) my buddy being friends with the operators
But yes, officially it’s a NoNo

Again for “house reefs” self reliant cert can suffice

E2A: it’s a lower risk/repercussion for the operator if no foreign divers are involved (I as an Egyptian am no source of headaches from an Embassy…) — you can extrapolate this concept to everything (eg security motorcade for tourists on risky roads…)
The whole “system” is a joke

 

[Saffadiver]

Just spoke to a friend of mine in Egypt - its legal but you still kind of need to do it via a guide/center.
They choose not to allow it due to insurance and risk etc to themselves.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

Diving without a guide is VERY rare in Egypt

Then add RSDS to the "very rare" list.
We did our check dive with a guide and then we were good to go for the next 2 weeks without any guide.
...
And it's not done in the secret... It's even advertised on their site:

All divers are given a guided orientation dive on the house reef on arrival, and then you are free to dive unguided, within your certification limits, for the rest of your stay.

...
PS: also add ORCA Soma Bay to that list.