Prospects of coming to Sinai again

[divezonescuba]

I was wondering if there were any thoughts on the effect of the new administration in the U.S. on the feasibility of resuming trips to the Sinai? Not interested in a political discussion, just thoughts on whether it will become safer than it was the last year or so.

Dahab used to be full of Israelis and other foreigners. I understand that is not the case now.

Thanks.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

South Sinai i.e. Sharm, Dahab, Taba areas have been safe for years and millions of tourists have been there without any problems.
I know that US DOS has a "Level 3: Reconsider travel" warning for Egypt and a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" for Northern and Middle Sinai Peninsula. The Level 3 that is including the touristic spots is higher than the risk rating a lot of other countries are applying and is on that level since several years.
Dahab is still a lively spot, maybe indeed with less Isrealis but other foreigners are still enjoying the town and the dive spots around.
PS: have a look a other travel forums and see how many US citizens have visited Egypt in the last months.

 

[Adr1an]

Unless you are obviously Jewish I don't see any reason to worry. The average Joe from the US will be as safe as any foreigner. Dahab is still full of foreigners but the Israelis avoid travel due to the conduct of the Israeli army in Gaza etc. Media in Muslim countries (Egypt included of course) is full of very disturbing images of women and children being blown up in Gaza and the "Hamas did it first" excuse doesn't work given the status difference between a country and a terror group.

Things will gradually calm down if the ceasefire holds, but my guess is that it will take a very long time before Israeli tourists return in relevant numbers in Sinai.

 

[divezonescuba]

Houthi missile landed near Sharm earlier this week.

 

[pisauron]

As an Israeli I visited Dahab 2 times since the war began. And i am planned to visit 2 times more in the next months.
Yes the number of tourists in the Sinai decreased drastically. Israelis are rarely seen.
But mostly are still welcome. Beduins have no fewd with the Israelis, they are long time friends. Egyptians are more hostile sometimes, that's just how they are tought.
But in Dahab and Sharem this is generally not tolerated, as it is a tourist destination which welcomes everyone - since it is good for bussiness. Politics are not allowed.

The flow of Israelis are slowly increasing. Soon the jewish holidays are coming and the border crossing is expected to be open 24/7 again - since there is an increase in demand.

I also have many Israeli friends living in the Sinai, and they report that everything is still ok.

Good luck to you

 

[Sunn]

I have others trips already planned, but if I receive an interesting proposal to go diving in Sinaï, I should go directly, without even thinking about advices of US DOS !
Anyway, I'm not US citizen...

 

[bashaw77]

I'm thinking about Sharm next April, I'd like to do the wrecks and I know some of them are quite a boat ride, the dive shop boats do they go in any kind of reasonable weather or if there's a chop they cancel and go to the close sights and say tomorrow?

 

[pisauron]

I'm thinking about Sharm next April, I'd like to do the wrecks and I know some of them are quite a boat ride, the dive shop boats do they go in any kind of reasonable weather or if there's a chop they cancel and go to the close sights and say tomorrow?

It's rare to have bad weather. But if so, they will change plans.

 

[Parlem]

I'm thinking about Sharm next April, I'd like to do the wrecks and I know some of them are quite a boat ride, the dive shop boats do they go in any kind of reasonable weather or if there's a chop they cancel and go to the close sights and say tomorrow?

Hi!

I'm assuming you'd be land-based, right? If so, your main concern should be numbers, not weather: Thistlegorm and, to a lesser extent, the wrecks at Abu Nuhas are offered as special full-day trips by Sharm-based dive centres and a minimum number of divers are needed for the trip to go through. Many times they'll cancel the day before due to lack of interest. I should point out that special wreck trips are rare if you discount the Thislegorm. Umbi Divers and Snefro Fleet do 2-3 night short liveaboards which may visit other wrecks besides the Thistlegorm.

Having said all that, weather is also an issue, less so in the summer months, but you can still get pretty windy days in April, so trips may and will be called off every now and then.

I hope this is of some use to you.