Hello from Djibouti!

[DanLW]

Hi all!

I'm currently stationed near Djibouti City, Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. It's really hot here with highs in the 90s today, and averaging around 114 once July rolls around. One of the leisure activities we can do here is to get dive certified. So what better way to cool off? I thought why not? Then I found out it's $500. I mentioned it to my wife, and she said "why not?" So, I'm going to take the class (PADI is the registering authority) and get certified.

One of the people in my team is OW certified, and took a dive trip with the outfit which offers training here. He reported back that conditions are great - great visibility, coral, and no shortage of dolphins, among other finned critters. So I'm really excited about getting out there and blowing a few bubbles.

See you around the boards, and perhaps beneath the waves!

Dan

 

[NAUIWOWI]

Welcome! Sounds like you are going to have some unique diving experiences out there. How many people will be able to say they dove Djibouti! I transited thru there in 1998 when the C141 I was on had some engine problems(minor, quickly taken care of by crew) and we had to spend some time at the airport while a part was swapped. It was hot, and the bathrooms were something else. Landing in Germany after that was like landing on another world. Anyway, have fun, stay safe.

 

[supergaijin]

I can! I worked for a few months with Le Lagon Bleu but left after a few months for a few different reasons.
Djibouti is far and away the hottest place I ever was in- to give you an idea, I left there, went to Egypt at the end of June and had to wear a fleece sweater during the first few days.

Get your diving in early because starting soon is the Ramsin wind that'll prevent most diving for a couple of months. In general the diving in and around Djibouti I found to be 'fair to middlin'. There were some nice dives to the south, and across the other side of the gulf and if you can get the chance to dive the '7 freres' go for it, but get some experience under your belt first. A couple of wrecks served to mix it up and i used to find a nice speices of flabellin nudi on 'le Faon'. Quite a few rays around the place, and whalesharks out the ying yang come Jan-March.

Who did you do the course with?

 

[DanLW]

Welcome! Sounds like you are going to have some unique diving experiences out there. How many people will be able to say they dove Djibouti! I transited thru there in 1998 when the C141 I was on had some engine problems(minor, quickly taken care of by crew) and we had to spend some time at the airport while a part was swapped. It was hot, and the bathrooms were something else. Landing in Germany after that was like landing on another world. Anyway, have fun, stay safe.

I've probably used that same airport restroom. It's definitely a different world over here. It really makes one appreciate what we have in more modern areas.

Who did you do the course with?

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I will be doing the course through Dolphin Exursions. It's my only option here since they come on base and do classes on base. I have a friend who is OW certified, and he did a trip with them last weekend. He had nothing but good stuff to say about his experience. He told me their equipment was good, and the food on the boat was awesome.