Sharm in October

[Mattastic]

Hey guys,

Long time listener, first time caller and all that ! I was lucky enough to get a great deal on a last minute holiday to Sharm last July where I was bitten by the diving bug. A try dive then two "Discover" dives off a boat, fantastic intro to it.

I am going back this October for two weeks and plan to use the second week to get my PADI OW (yup, that much of a newbie). Any advice from seasoned Sharmers here ?

Best schools, best bars, best dive sites ? What is the weather / water / vis etc. like in early October ? Anyone stayed in the Hilton Sharm Waterfalls ? I can't wait to get out there but would love to make the most of it by tapping your knowledge before I go.

Cheers guys,

Matt

 

[Ari]

As for the schools I can not comment. The same for bars, etc.

As for the diving, you will have to take it easy as it will be a part of your course. The sites temselves can be great for beginers as well as experienced divers. Some dives, drift or deep, might prove too chalanging.

The weather and the seas are expected to be welcoming in October, especially if most of the dives are planned to be from shore.

At any rate, Sharem is a diving heaven. I am sure you'll enjoy it very much.

Ari

 

[Jonathan]

not too hot and not the school holidays!

Why not do your o/w in the UK before you go - that's what I did and I was living in London at the time.

My shop there always goes with Red Sea College in Sharm and the other one I know of is Emperor Divers.

The only bar I can remember outside of the hotel bars is the Camel Bar where all the dive bums lurk waiting for clients to buy them drinks.....

Jonathan

 

[Mattastic]

Cheers guys.

I read you can do the theory via correspondence then the practical when you get otu there for the PADI O/W. Does anyone know anything about this ? Recommend it, not recommend it ???

Matt

 

[Jonathan]

don't open that can or worms again. If you really don't want to try sunny Wraysbury (why not - I hear you guys need cooling down at the moment?!) then you best next bet is a referral course. Do the lectures, pool work and exam in the UK and the o/w dives in Egypt.

The water in the UK should be approaching it's warmest about now so go get your head wet! I'm glad I did my o/w in the UK and it really was sunny Wraysbury that weekend!

Jonathan

 

[chiara]

I love Sharm, but I haven't been there for over two years.

Instructors change all the time, so I'll leave that to more recent visitors.

Don't forget to get a nice cold beer at Pirates', beside Hilton Fayrouz, it used to be (might still be) one of the nicest bars on the promenade.

 

[mcavill]

hi...

we run a dive center in sharm. have a look at our website: divepointseven.com - scuba diving the red sea and email me mark@divepointseven.com if you want further info.

cheers,
mark

 

[Mattastic]

Thanks, I'll have a look ! Does anyone know what the weather is usually like in October ? Does it get chillier in the evenings ? What is the water temp like ???

Matt

 

[maccamoran]

See following link for temperatures.
http://www.egyptvoyager.com/redsea_formation_diving.htm

I did my referral course with Urban Fish - North London
www.urbanfish.co.uk

I'm thinking of going in October too. Can anyone suggest the cheapest charter flights??

Cheers
Macca

 

[Mattastic]

Air2000 fly out of Gatwick North Terminal several times a week. Give them a try. Airline Network are a good place to start as a bucket shop for spare seats.

Matt