Question Egypt Safety due ongoing War in the region

[divezonescuba]

We are temporarily delaying the announcement of our annual trip to Sharm/Dahab/Red Sea Liveaboard. In the meantime, we are monitoring the situation to see if we think it is safe enough to go.

This last trip in August we took the Saint Katherine's road between Dahab and Cairo. We definitely won't be doing that anytime soon.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

I have cancelled my December trip into Tel Aviv and down through Eliat to Dahab and then to
Sharm. Per relatives, there are unguided rocket attacks and strikes as far south as Eliat and confirmed hits in Taba (egypt) The relatives have moved up to Haifa (which has also been hit by unguided rockets). I hope that things are better next year. If I were to go, it would be to fly direct into Hurghada via London and then head south, but the world is wide and there are many great places to dive.

"The latest travel advisory for Egypt is to reconsider travel due to terrorism. Potential targets include religious sites and tourist locations. There is a particular risk in North Sinai.

Other travel advisories for Egypt include:

• Exercise increased caution: Due to the Embassy's limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained
• Avoid the road between Bahariya and Siwa: Except for essential travel
• Exercise a high degree of caution: When traveling to Red Sea coastal resorts and to the Upper Egypt cities of Aswan and Luxor"

From the Australian government travel alert regarding the US...

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and protests are occurring due to the potential for unrest and violence. Monitor media for information and updates. Follow the instructions of local authorities and abide by any curfews in place.
• Violent crime is more common than in Australia. Gun crime is also prevalent. If you live in the US, learn and practice active shooter drills.
• There is a persistent and heightened threat of terrorist attacks and mass casualty violence in the US. Be alert, particularly in public places and at events.
• Severe weather and natural hazards include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides, avalanches, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, extreme temperatures, wildfires, and floods. Monitor weather conditions and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities.

And this is coming from a land where EVERYTHING is trying to kill you.

"If you live in the US, learn and practice active shooter drills."

 

[Joneill]

I have cancelled my December trip into Tel Aviv and down through Eliat to Dahab and then to
Sharm. Per relatives, there are unguided rocket attacks and strikes as far south as Eliat and confirmed hits in Taba (egypt) The relatives have moved up to Haifa (which has also been hit by unguided rockets). I hope that things are better next year. If I were to go, it would be to fly direct into Hurghada via London and then head south, but the world is wide and there are many great places to dive.

"The latest travel advisory for Egypt is to reconsider travel due to terrorism. Potential targets include religious sites and tourist locations. There is a particular risk in North Sinai.

Other travel advisories for Egypt include:

• Exercise increased caution: Due to the Embassy's limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained
• Avoid the road between Bahariya and Siwa: Except for essential travel
• Exercise a high degree of caution: When traveling to Red Sea coastal resorts and to the Upper Egypt cities of Aswan and Luxor"

Good decision (imho) based on the current situation and advisories! Why take a chance when there are plenty of other destinations with equal or better (Indonesia) diving - or wait until things settle out (though I fear this situation is going to drag out for a long time).

 

[living4experiences]

How so? Why is the risk higher for a woman there?

My 24-year-old niece and three female friends went to Egypt earlier this year. Their experience was awful. The men are disrespectful towards women. They were sexually harassed with cat-calling and got marriage proposals every day and made to feel very uncomfortable.

 

[berndo]

Good decision (imho) based on the current situation and advisories! Why take a chance when there are plenty of other destinations with equal or better (Indonesia) diving - or wait until things settle out (though I fear this situation is going to drag out for a long time).

He is talking about a trip to Tel Aviv, Eliat and Dahab... the OP was asking about a liveaboard out of Hurghada. Those to things are not even remotely the same. You can have your opinion, but it's not an informed one.

My 24-year-old niece and three female friends went to Egypt earlier this year. Their experience was awful. The men are disrespectful towards women. They were sexually harassed with cat-calling and got marriage proposals every day and made to feel very uncomfortable.

Not very surprising... but as I said, that's normal and not related to what's going on in Israel and Gaza. I've gotten the same reports (and much, much worse) from female co-workers and travelers in Egypt outside the resorts. It's definitely not just a stereotype.

 

[Joneill]

He is talking about a trip to Tel Aviv, Eliat and Dahab... the OP was asking about a liveaboard out of Hurghada. Those to things are not even remotely the same. You can have your opinion, but it's not an informed one.

Geez - where did I say this poster was going anywhere else? I very clearly responded to this specific post agreeing with this specific trip decision. I’m sorry if that is too much for you to comprehend but would suggest that you “get informed” and stop projecting your issues on my responses to others!

 

[crofrog]

From the Australian government travel alert regarding the US...

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and protests are occurring due to the potential for unrest and violence. Monitor media for information and updates. Follow the instructions of local authorities and abide by any curfews in place.
• Violent crime is more common than in Australia. Gun crime is also prevalent. If you live in the US, learn and practice active shooter drills.
• There is a persistent and heightened threat of terrorist attacks and mass casualty violence in the US. Be alert, particularly in public places and at events.
• Severe weather and natural hazards include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides, avalanches, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, extreme temperatures, wildfires, and floods. Monitor weather conditions and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities.

And this is coming from a land where EVERYTHING is trying to kill you.

"If you live in the US, learn and practice active shooter drills."

Still current at:12 November 2023
Updated:28 October 2023
Latest update:We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Egypt. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere in Egypt. Potential targets include religious sites and tourist locations. The situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories could lead to increased tensions and the security situation could deteriorate with little notice. Avoid all demonstrations and protests. Peaceful protests and rallies can turn violent at short notice. Be aware, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media for updates. The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt may be closed or have highly restricted access for long periods and is subject to change at short notice. It has been subject to air strikes during the current Gaza conflict.
We advise:

Reconsider your need to travel to Egypt overall due to the risk of terrorist attack.


The situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories could lead to increased tensions and the security situation could deteriorate with little notice. Avoid all demonstrations and protests. Peaceful protests and rallies can turn violent at short notice. Be aware, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media for updates.
There's a high threat of terrorist attacks and violent crime in the Governorate of North Sinai.
The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt may be closed or have highly restricted access for long periods and is subject to change at short notice. It has been subject to air strikes during the current Gaza conflict.
Terrorists have attacked popular tourist locations resulting in deaths and injuries. More attacks are likely. Be alert to possible threats.
On 27 October there were reports that drones had impacted in Taba, resulting in injuries to several people. There were also reports that another drone had fallen near Nuweiba. Be alert to possible strikes.
Terrorist groups in Egypt have targeted Christians in recent years. Take care, particularly during major religious periods and at religious sites.
You're at risk of kidnapping in Egypt. Take extra precautions.
Violent crime can happen. Take extra care if you're a woman and alone. Don't leave valuables unsecured in your hotel room or unattended in a public place.
Women, particularly foreigners, are frequently subject to unwelcome male attention.

 

[Thunder Struck]

members of our group who went on various tours in Egypt by hired car had police escorts for the full length of daytrips that venture from Hurghada to the more traditional Egypt tourist sites. To me it's troubling that the trip operators and the police (no doubt money changed hands in return for the official police escort, but still)

While I can’t speak for the goings on in the Egyptian Police, most any police agencies here in the states have the availability of hiring officers for overtime gigs. Those activities are typically contracted for major events (concerts/sporting events) but also for individuals or businesses that want to pay to have a uniformed officer present such as churches and synagogues. The local department will have a POC to handle such contracting so that everything is above board. However, in the third world, I’m sure there’s plenty of freelancing going on.

If I was an operator of activities in such a location, hiring local PD under such contracting would make sense from a business standpoint of both liability and customer feeling of satisfaction and security.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

I think what some of us are saying is that these warnings are subjective and paint in very broad strokes.

If you aren't comfortable going somewhere, don't go. If you are asking for advice on whether to go or not, you probably shouldn't go unless you get advice from someone with boots on the ground and no vested interest.

We were warned not to go to Chitral and had to register with both our consulate and the Pakistani security services. And it was fine.

Personally, I just can't accept living in fear.

 

[Rock Hopper]

Unlike most scuba board threads this is very uninformed. Apart from the "if you feel uncomfortable, don't go" but good luck with the cancelation insurance. If you don't want to go the price or cost is irrelevant and it is about how YOU feel

Current FCO advice who are better informed. Dive areas are green

Declared vested interest - travelling with son to dive on Monday.