smaller operators?

[shortscot]

Hi,
I have a friend heading to the Red Sea in the middle of June to do his Referral dives. He's currently looking at Camel and Club Magic.
Camel are quoting group sizes of 8:1, my friend is nervy about diving and I think this size of group is a bad idea (bad idea even if you're not nervous really).
Are there any recommended smaller operators around to provide a smaller group size for his dives?
Thanks in advance...

 

[Solly]

unlike what you might think that small operators would have smaller group size, it all depends on how many divers they have and they usually tend to have a higher ratio.
If your friend is nervous, he can start for a couple of dives with a private guide, it will be 1:1 until he catches up then he can join the normal group.

 

[Crowley]

for Referral dives, you are highly unlikely to meet the 8:1 ratio at the big centres. Camel would normally max. out at 4 people per course, as would my former centre in Sharm, and even 4 people together would be a reasonably rare occurence. Although I've left Sharm I'm still a bit hesitant about promoting one dive centre over another, but PM me for more details if you're interested. I also have a small centre where some of my friends still work that I can also recommend,

the 8:1 or 10:1 advertised by a lot of centres in Sharm is usually the maximum ratio for guided dives, not courses. There are reasons that the groups have to be so big, but you'll be well looked after by any of the big centres. They're big, but there's a reason for that - because they're good!

As I say - PM me for more info - but also do not be afraid to e-mail the dive centres. If you're good, it's still possible to provide a personal service even if there's 150 other divers in the building!

Cheers

Crowley

 

[BlueLagoonSharm]

Hi,

Bit late replying to this but if your friend is still needing a dive center we offer groups of 4:1.

Please PM me and i will give you information to pass on to your friend

Happy diving