New Guy needing directions

[Armster]

Ok well briefly I've been promising to go diving in Egypt with my sister for a few years now. The plan is to have a few day liveaboard trip there in october time.

My issue is that I dont know how to dive yet My sister has trained in the UK which sounds damned cold and I'd prefer to do it int he warmth lol so my plan is to take a trip out to somewhere warm in September and train for a week with a course, maybe get the PADI Open Water and adventure Certs.

What my questions are ? (yes I've finaly got to them)

What recommendations can you give for good places to learn to dive, thats realitavely cheap, but good quality instructors and diving sites?

and are there any Recommendations for liveaboards in Egypt/redsea area ?

Thank you in advance for all the wonderful help, The forums seem to be very good and full of sound people.

Dave

 

[BrianV]

Where do you currently live? I'd say get certified near home. I got certified in Austin, TX. The water is warm but visibility SUCKS. However, when I did my first vacation dive in hawaii with 300' visibility, I felt more comfortable than ever.

 

[pir8]

I would recommend getting certified at home. Then you are not using up vacation time getting certified. Also your local dive shop can give you recomendations on where you are going and anything you need to bring with you.

 

[pir8]

Oh yeah, its not a bad idea to learn to dive in cold water, then warm water can be a breeze. Besides you would be surprised just how much there can be to see in cold water.

 

[Firefyter]

Where do you currently live? I'd say get certified near home. I got certified in Austin, TX. The water is warm but visibility SUCKS. However, when I did my first vacation dive in hawaii with 300' visibility, I felt more comfortable than ever.

I agree totally. When you get used to diving in low vis and/or cold water, diving in tropical conditions is like a walk in the park.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Hey Armstr...Welcome to Scubaboard. I would agree witht he above to get certified at home or do you class and pool time then get a refferal for somewhere warm to do you open water dives.

Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[Armster]

Thanks for all the responses, I'm sort of overwhelmed. However I realise I forgot to point out one vital piece of information, I can't really qualify here as at the moment I dont have any means of transport, I live in the UK and the closest place is a few miles away which is a major pain to walk. and no direct routes. never mind getting to the lakes or whatever to practise in. Thats why I really would have to go abroad. although buying a car for a month would be cheaper, but my tan wouldn't be the same

So any abroad tips? I was thinking somewhere in the mediterranian like malta or greece or maybe turkey? something like that, want somewhere calm and safe to learn in.

Thanks again for future help and thanks again for the past help

 

[audission]

Thanks for all the responses, I'm sort of overwhelmed. However I realise I forgot to point out one vital piece of information, I can't really qualify here as at the moment I dont have any means of transport, I live in the UK and the closest place is a few miles away which is a major pain to walk. and no direct routes. never mind getting to the lakes or whatever to practise in. Thats why I really would have to go abroad. although buying a car for a month would be cheaper, but my tan wouldn't be the same

So any abroad tips? I was thinking somewhere in the mediterranian like malta or greece or maybe turkey? something like that, want somewhere calm and safe to learn in.

Thanks again for future help and thanks again for the past help

Hey Armster (another newbie here by the way!)

I did my PADI in Lanzarote - plenty of flights out there, plenty of accommodation and plenty of excellent diving (and dive schools).

North Italy (Genoa) area is next on my list - you can fly there from Stansted for very little money and as it's a big holiday area I should imagine there's plenty of hotels etc. Although personally I'm planning to camp, cos I'm pikey like that..

Hope that helps