Red Sea Diving?? Pro's and Con's

[CPTOZZY]

Has anyone dove the Red Sea? Is it worth it? What is good and What is bad? I'll be in the area on an extended business trip and I was wondering whether to plan a dive trip there (and fly the wife over), or fly somewhere else when I can get away (like Thailand, Indonesia etc.). BTW the Wife doesn't Dive - But she loves to fish

Thanks

[scubadiver888]

I have not dove the Red Sea but I have dove with Brits visiting the Caribbean and they seem to feel that the Caribbean is overrated. Whether it is marine life or wrecks, there is better stuff in the Red Sea than in the Caribbean.

If you have access to British/UK dive magazines, there should be some good articles and advertising in them.

I was reading one recently and there are a number of dive locations in the Red Sea. Saying you are diving the Red Sea is like saying you are diving the Caribbean. St. Lucia, Dominica, Jamaica, Aruba, Cozumel, Belize, etc. are all very different. I know some people who love Belize and others who think it is overrated. I would imagine the Red Sea is the same. Some ports you will like and others you will not.

Most people looking for marine life talk about Sharm El Sheik. I don't have the article handy (I think it was divermag.com or Dive Training magazine) but I'm sure a little googling and you'll find out all the different locations in the Red Sea.

Everyone I talked to who has been to Sharm El Sheik tells me my wife (who does not dive) will be bored to death there. You might want to keep that in mind.

Darrell

[balidivig]

Red Sea have enough familiar underwater temperature and wave. It's good for pro and cons. Have nice dive there.

[mcr0112]

I DOVE DHAB IN 08 WITH DIVE URGE. THE MARINE LIFE & CORALS WERE GREAT. IT WAS ALL SHORE DIVES. IT WAS NOT CROWDED AT DAHAB. MY BROTHER DOVE AT SHARM AND SAID IT WAS VERY CROWDED BUT STILL A GOOD PLACE TO DIVE AS IT HAD THE SAME CORALS & FISH, I AM PLANNING ON GOING BACK.
THE NIGHT LIFE AND TOURISTY TRIPS WERE VERY LIMITED. MOUNT SINAI & PAINTED CANYON ARE BOTH DAY TRIPS.
i'VE BEEN TOLD THAT HURGADA DIVES THE SAME SITES AS SHARM (YOU JUST HAVE A LONGER BOAT RIDE).

[CPTOZZY]

Originally Posted by mcr0112

I DOVE DHAB IN 08 WITH DIVE URGE. THE MARINE LIFE & CORALS WERE GREAT. IT WAS ALL SHORE DIVES. IT WAS NOT CROWDED AT DAHAB. MY BROTHER DOVE AT SHARM AND SAID IT WAS VERY CROWDED BUT STILL A GOOD PLACE TO DIVE AS IT HAD THE SAME CORALS & FISH, I AM PLANNING ON GOING BACK.
THE NIGHT LIFE AND TOURISTY TRIPS WERE VERY LIMITED. MOUNT SINAI & PAINTED CANYON ARE BOTH DAY TRIPS.
i'VE BEEN TOLD THAT HURGADA DIVES THE SAME SITES AS SHARM (YOU JUST HAVE A LONGER BOAT RIDE).

Do you remember the cost? (ballpark figure). was Nitrox available? How deep was the Coral?

Thanks

[mcr0112]

With A Private Guide For 2 Except On The Camel Dive (5 Divers To 1 Guide), Room, Several Meals, Pickup & Delivery To Sharm Airport, 2 Dives Per Day With One Night Dive, We Had Our Own Gear, Cost Was Around $900.
Very Good Operation, Rooms Were Clean, Ac Worked, Food Was The Same As Town Except Cheaper. No Alchol Served But They Have A Fridge For Your Use To Store Beer. The People Were There To Help An Any Way.
Hope This Helps.