Egypt in January

[nila]

Hi guys,
Wanna do a one week diving trip to Egypt in January.
I'm an advanced diver so looking for recommendations of where the best place to go is to see the most (marine life, preferably the big stuff - sharks, rays, etc).

Never dived in egypt before so all additional info gratefully welcomed too for places to rent gear, trips worth going on, any resorts or hotels that might offer additional facilities to divers, etc, etc

Thanks

 

[Gerbs]

Hi!

have you tried the regional forum for Egypt (further down the forum list)?

Best places to go are further south, try El Quesir or Marsa Alam. Carnelia Beach with the attached Diving Carnelia base is pretty good, been there, can recommend. You will need more dives and more experience to go to the really sharky places like Elphinstone. If you have not gotten your AOW/Sports Diver / CMAS** yet, you are going to go be limited in what they will let you do. They will also try to sell you the course.

HTH

Gerbs

 

[Garrobo]

0-24 dives = advanced diver

 

[nila]

0-24 dives = advanced diver

Advanced diver = PADI dive level (as in I can dive deeper) not as in I'm a super advanced diver with millions of dives.

I'll try the other forum, thanks

 

[Lorenzoid]

Try Tony Backhurst's: scuba.co.uk

Red Sea couldn't be easier or cheaper for a Londoner.

 

[nila]

Just had a look - all their live aboards are taken for beginning of January.
Know any other ones?
Also, any cheaper ones would be great too
We're both AOW.

Also, suggestions on cheap flights (where from etc) would be loved - just looked online and flights weren't that cheap for apx 1st Jan - 10th.

 

[nila]

Also, is it cheap to buy gear there?
I want a new mask as mine is an old one which traps a lot of air so tends to give me a lot of squeeze so I want to get this one::: Atomic Aquatics frameless mask

Wondering if it's cheaper to get from the US or just wait and get from Egypt.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Diver0001]

Hi guys,
Wanna do a one week diving trip to Egypt in January.
I'm an advanced diver so looking for recommendations of where the best place to go is to see the most (marine life, preferably the big stuff - sharks, rays, etc).

Never dived in egypt before so all additional info gratefully welcomed too for places to rent gear, trips worth going on, any resorts or hotels that might offer additional facilities to divers, etc, etc

Thanks

I've had really good experiences with these guys: RED SEA DIVING SAFARI - The Eco-diving Adventure - Home

I agree in principle with Gerbs said about the south being better but I think if you're looking for big stuff in Egypt in January you'll probably be disappointed with any of the shore locations. The water temperatures in January are a little cool and things like big sharks migrate to warmer water. Your best bet might be to take a liveaboard.

If you really want to see big stuff like big rays and sharks then Egypt might not be the best place unless you go in the middle of the high-season. Egypt has some of the best reefs in the world but in the winter maybe Yap or Palau would be more interesting in terms of big rays and such.

R..

 

[300bar]

0-24 dives = advanced diver

Next time you post,take a look at the forum rules first.

Also, is it cheap to buy gear there?
I want a new mask as mine is an old one which traps a lot of air so tends to give me a lot of squeeze so I want to get this one::: Atomic Aquatics frameless mask

Wondering if it's cheaper to get from the US or just wait and get from Egypt.

Thanks for the help!

nila: forget about buying divegear in Egypt, there's just none to name.
Get your gear local or when not available look online.
And don't forget to bring atleast a 7mm suit,sweaters and a windbreaker when going to egypt in January.

 

[Diver0001]

And don't forget to bring atleast a 7mm suit,.

What 300bar really means is bring your drysuit unless you don't have one.

Seriously.

I just got back from Egypt and I took my drysuit and I was glad I did. The water is 24/25C at Marsa Alam now and in January it will drop to about 22C or even lower depending on where you are.

That's plenty cold if you're spending several hours a day diving.

R..