Intensive diving in Sep or Oct, flying out of Europe?

[JDelage]

All,

What would be a good options for 1 week of intensive diving, flying out of Europe, in September or October?

I'd like to log 2-to-3 dives a day if possible. My opportunities to go diving are very limited and I want to take full advantage of it.

The ideal spot would be one with some top-side spas & activities for my non-diving wife, but I'm not opposed to going by myself to a spot not so interesting topside if I cannot do lots of diving otherwise.

I'd like somewhere reasonably warm, and I'm flying out of France.

My previous experience has been mostly in Phuket, Cozumel, and the Med'.

Thanks,

JD

 

[Louie]

1. If you are taking the non-diving partner:
How about Dahab? You can get plenty of nice diving (mainly shore dives) and your partner can pop into town and chill out and there are also tours and activities - like camel safaris and Mount Sinai is nearby if she's into hiking.

Malta/Gozo - not as rich in coral but there are some really splendid underwater formations (especially Gozo). While I haven't dived it, I have been told that there is a nice wreck dive in Malta.

2. If you decide to go it alone - concentrate solely on your diving:
Red Sea liveaboard - out of Marsa Alam or Hurghada? You'll get lots of diving from morning to night.

If the liveaboard doesn't appeal, then a week land-based in Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheik? There are probably direct flights out of France and it's good value for money with wonderful diving.

Have fun

 

[Doc]

An island resort in the Maldives for pure luxury (at varying price levels)

A week in Sharm Egypt with you going off diving on day boats?

 

[black_sea]

I will second what has been said- just came back diving in Hurghada, 2-3 dives a day, got a nitrox cert as well.
see my review for deep divers in the appropriate section.

Egypt is best prices diving, for abundant marine life go away from Sharm or Hurghada, go to Marsa Alam or Dahab, dahab is shore based just like marsa, so cheaper and more divers less tourists, sharm and hurghada crowded.

Got a charter flight and hotel less than usd 400 total.
for other options, liveaboards in the similan islands in thailand or anywhere else.

 

[JDelage]

Thanks Black Sea, very interesting.

 

[black_sea]

You are welcome! Planning a dive trip soon myself! yeah, another one. Loved it in Egypt, but the best in Egypt is underwater. Loved the people I dived with, hated the city folk, rude and obnoxious.

I would say it like this: for best prices, dive from Hurghada, Sharm. For better diving, do Dahab, Marsa Alam. For the best, do a liveaboard, but sometimes you can have problems with who you dive with, you are on a small boat with the same people and no chance to change your plans... unlike land based dives.