Tamas
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Registered: 12/21/03
Posts: 147
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Reply with quote | #1 |
I just completed my wonderful week in Egypt, and all I have to say is that the diving there is excellent. The colours are fabulous, the sea life is more then abundant (it was like swimming in an aquarium) the weather was great and the scenery was just as good.
We were in the city of Hurghada, located on the west shore of the Read Sea, that is mainly dedicated to vacationers from all around that come there for the scenery, the relaxation and of course the diving/snorkelling that the vast reefs have to offer. This was evident when some of the dive sites had close to 20 ships anchored at a time. Regardless of the traffic jams under water, with divers all over, the reef and it's inhabitants were able to cope. There were plenty to see from spotted rays, moray eels, large tuna, napoleon fish, crocodile fish, turtles, tonnes of smaller "game" and even a few octopus. Colours were incredible since most of the dives were in a shallow 40-50ft range with incredible deep blue drop-offs the seemed to go nowhere. Current and drift dives were plenty as were a few remains of smaller wrecks. Unfortunately the number of divers is/was apparent in some spots as there where a lot of dead corals, mainly due to anchored ships that used to use them as the mooring point, and to divers that haven't quite mastered buoyancy yet and were destroying plant life with every kick to those that felt they needed a souvenir to take home. - Regardless of these problems, it was still excellent.
I (we) have accumulated close to 1800 pictures and will be hosting a few shortly, but as of right now I am still in the process of sorting them out and putting a little dive profile together.
Sit tight, more to come. 
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Tamas
 "....Live to Dive and Dive to Live...." |
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Andrea
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Registered: 12/20/03
Posts: 948
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Reply with quote | #2 |
Tamas! Welcome back, buddy! Sounds like Egypt was everything you hoped. Can't wait to see the pix! 
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Tamas
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Registered: 12/21/03
Posts: 147
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Reply with quote | #3 |
Well I managed to sift through the huge collection of pictures and came up with a little collection. This includes other shots as well, around town, in the hotel and the trip to Luxor. Enjoy!
Hurghada, Egypt Trip
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Tamas
"....Live to Dive and Dive to Live...." |
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Jessie
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Registered: 01/05/04
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KP
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Registered: 02/05/04
Posts: 9
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Reply with quote | #5 |
I'm looking into a trip to the Red Sea in Nov. 04 combined with a 10/12 day overland trip. I'm interested in any suggestions/recommendations about dive operators. Who were you diving with? Would you recommend the operator you were diving with? I'm not planning on taking my equipment so will be renting. Did you prebook or make arrangements once you were there? What about accommodation? Any comments or suggestions about what to take, what to avoid, what to do, would be appreciated. Did you really take 1800 pictures! Wow Thanks We'll chat when you get a chance. KP |
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Tamas
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Registered: 12/21/03
Posts: 147
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Reply with quote | #6 |
Quote: Originally Posted by KP
I'm looking into a trip to the Red Sea in Nov. 04 combined with a 10/12 day overland trip. I'm interested in any suggestions/recommendations about dive operators. Who were you diving with? Would you recommend the operator you were diving with? I'm not planning on taking my equipment so will be renting. Did you pre-book or make arrangements once you were there? What about accommodation? Any comments or suggestions about what to take, what to avoid, what to do, would be appreciated. Did you really take 1800 pictures! Wow Thanks We'll chat when you get a chance. KP
I went with pre-booked, pre-organized trip to Hurghada. But I have learned that if I went on my own a few things would have been a lot cheaper. (I guess everybody needs to make a few bucks) So if you do not mind doing all the leg work and the planning, then by all means head down and hit up any of the dive bases for diving, boats and excursions are plenty.
We were with Panorama Divers based out of Hurghada, very good bunch and helpful - I would recommend them.
Accommodations can be arranged, and should be arranged ahead of time, since most of the resorts are booked with tourists, but you can also rent a fully furnished 2 bedroom flat for 6 weeks for 200Euro's, so if you look around you might be able to get a deal. The best bet would be to get in touch with a dive base and ask them for recommendations. Renting gear is always available, for a fee of course, but that is something you could negotiate into the deal.
Other recommendations....wow, plenty but most of those are things are valid for any trip. Always have small cash with you to give as tips (they are required at meal time as well as entering a bathroom). Bring plenty of Imodium, the Pharaoh's course will haunt you! Plenty of light clothing since you will be going at the tail end of the hot season and I was told it can get quite warm (50c in the shade), but other than that....enjoy and have fun.
Yes 1800 pictures, that is between the 3 of us, but we were camera happy I guess.
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Tamas
"....Live to Dive and Dive to Live...." |
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Andrea
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Registered: 12/20/03
Posts: 948
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Reply with quote | #7 |
Those are NICE pix, Tamas. 
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at_ritchie
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Registered: 07/29/05
Posts: 2
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Reply with quote | #8 |
Sharm el Sheik is a great area to dive, if you get the chance try the thisselgorm wreck (4 hours each way). I did my own trip organising and went with http://www.diveafrica.com/redsea/index.html I was picked up every day by them and had excellent tuition for my Advanced course. One on one due to been off season. But still 21 degree water all the way to 38m. Visibility is amazing and amount of life is incredible. Equipment was all new and top quality Mares stuff (took my own regs and mask). Most big resorts will be affiliated with a dive club based in naama bay. I was out of the way in a resort called Domina which had its own dive school and boat. But they still came to get me for free. Most diving is boat based but the shore dives are good as it gets deep incredibly quickly. Most dive schools go to the same sites so in peak season it can get very busy under the waves! I lived in the UK (till 4th June 2005) so Egypt was close and excellent value. |
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Andrea
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Registered: 12/20/03
Posts: 948
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Reply with quote | #9 |
Quote: Originally Posted by at_ritchie Sharm el Sheik is a great area to dive, if you get the chance try the thisselgorm wreck (4 hours each way). I did my own trip organising and went with http://www.diveafrica.com/redsea/index.html I was picked up every day by them and had excellent tuition for my Advanced course. One on one due to been off season. But still 21 degree water all the way to 38m. Visibility is amazing and amount of life is incredible. Equipment was all new and top quality Mares stuff (took my own regs and mask). Most big resorts will be affiliated with a dive club based in naama bay. I was out of the way in a resort called Domina which had its own dive school and boat. But they still came to get me for free. Most diving is boat based but the shore dives are good as it gets deep incredibly quickly. Most dive schools go to the same sites so in peak season it can get very busy under the waves! I lived in the UK (till 4th June 2005) so Egypt was close and excellent value. Hi! Welcome to Aquasub! Egypt does seem like one of those well kept secrets. I don't know anyone who's been there who hasn't just raved about it. Thanks for sharing your experience. One of these days I'll get there....
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Andrea
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Registered: 12/20/03
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Reply with quote | #10 |
Well, looks like one of those days is closer! Norbert and I decided that next Christmas, after visiting family in Poland, we're going to dive the Red Sea from Egypt.
Yes, yes, I know it's a year away, but it's never too soon to start planning and getting psyched!
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"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you imagined." Thoreau
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MacDiver
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Registered: 01/07/04
Posts: 84
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Reply with quote | #11 |
WOW, I can't even plan for tomorrow, I can't imagine planning a whole year in advance! LOL |
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