Northern Red Sea water temps - November

[vlada]

Hi, going to Northern Red Sea in last week of November - the various web sites give me a wide range of water temps - what was your experience

I have both crushed neoprene drysuit and 5mm wet suit + west, so can't decide which one to take - any advices?

On a separate note - have anyone heard about Shalkamy Explorer liveaboard?

THanks

Vlada

 

[Jonathan]

haven't we had this one before?

should be fine in your wet suit - water temp when I was there a couple of years back was 23-25 (that's centigrade of course!). It does get windy and cool at night so a wind cheater and jumper may come in handy.

can't help with the liveaboard

enjoy your trip and don't forget to post a report.

Jonathan

 

[SubMariner]

I would tend to go with the crushed neoprene drysuit because it will be less buoyant than the wetsuit. This is especially important because the salinity of the Red Sea is higher than most ocean dives, thus requiring more lead to get neutral.

We have dove the northern Red Sea twice from a liveaboard in March. Both times we dove in our Trilam drysuits. Both times we got scathing looks from our fellow divers who were diving wet (5-7mm). Because they were FREEZING after their dives!

We wore long sleeved shirts and bicycle leggings under our suits. Since I tend to get colder than Pearce, my shirt was one of those poly ones that you were under ski clothes (keeps you warmer & wicks away moisture really well). Also, I tend to wear a sweatshirt over top of that. IOW, layering is the key.

Average daytime water temps at the surface are about 70F. Take a hood; even one of the little 3mm "dive beanies" will be useful. (This is what I wear.) You may also need gloves, but ONLY on some of the wrecks that are jagged with a lot of current, like the Thistlegorm. Otherwise you will not need the gloves.

BTW, if you go to our website, you'll see some pictures that we shot on our trips to the Red Sea:
http://y42.briefcase.yahoo.com/pgdaley2001

Have fun!

~SubMariner~

 

[UKPhil]

Was in Sharm late December, water was 23C/73F. Easily warm enough in an O'Neill 3/5mm. Occasionally the tech divers were using drysuits for long deco dives. No hood or gloves. November should be warmer.

Phil

 

[Jonathan]

the boats will get upset if you are wearing gloves - I think it may even be illegal. What they can't see won't hurt them, put them in a pocket and put them on if you need them for wrecks.

As you are on a liveaboard the size of your weight belt is not much of a problem as all you have to do is roll over the side!

If you can try and get a night dive on the Thistlegorm - it's meant to be something else! No one else on it for a start!! We keep being blown out by the weather on that one.

Jonathan

 

[Zeina]

I have never thought about that, but it must be some experience...
Did you know there were sharks around the Thistlegorm?
I wouldn't want to meet them at night

I was in the Red Sea late October 3 years ago, using a (rental) full 5mm, and was toasty (even a bit too warm).
You should be fine in your wetsuit.

Submariner is right though, Red Sea salinity is VERY high.

Either way, have a blast!!!

 

[KaaWazuri]

HI
FROM 1979 TILL 1991 IWAS DIVING IN NORTH RED SEA TWICE A WEEK (AT LEAST) I WAS USING WET 5/7 OF US DIVERS LONG J AND TOP LONG DURING THE WINTER AND CUSTOM MADE 3 MM LONG JOHN ONLY ON SUMMER.
IT WAS NEVER COLD IN WATER, MAXIMUM WHEN YOU ARE GOING OUT...

 

[nickjb]

We did three dives on the Thistlegorm. We were the first boat there and the last to leave. The first dive we had the ship to ourselves and did a massive swim all over. We fitted our second dive in after the day trippers had just finished their first dive and spent most of our time in the holds. The third dive was a night dive and was pretty awsome. Didn't see any sharks but there was a massive shoal of Barracuda and plenty of Giant Moray

I was there Feb until May and water ranged from 21 deg c to 23 deg c. 5mm suits all round. (Drysuit in the swimming pool)

 

[Jonathan]

I've done about 60 dives in the Red Sea and seen one shark (well that live in the water that is!).

Thistlegorm to yourself is a great dive - when the masses are there possibly one of the worst.....

Jonathan

 

[Zeina]

And seen 3 sharks (yes Jonathan, I am only counting those in the water ):
One in Hurghada
One in Ras Mohammed (shark reef, early morning)
One... right next to the Thistlegorm (early morning)

Ditto on Thistlegorm to yourself:
FANTASTIC early morning dive: we were the only boat there
VERY AVERAGE afternoon dive: there were 4 other boats

Have fun!!

Zeina