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BA does not fly to Sharm. Cairo only. You then have to fly to Sharm by internal flight at extra cost

After today's events and another 60 odd deaths, the German and Swedish Govts now advise against travel to the Red Sea resorts:- Travel firms cancel holidays as violence grips Egypt - World | The Star Online UK Govt now under pressure to reconsider its advice that beach resorts are safe

It is all very well for the Red Sea dive industry to distance itself from happenings in Cairo, Alexandria etc and say "business as usual" . I'm sure it is as UK nationals who have already booked hols won't get a refund as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office say it is OK to go to the Red Sea...

Blue Hole has notoriety because of the number of divers who have died on the site at the underwater arch. I'd agree with you that the start in the chimney and finish on the coral bar are good but that the rest is pretty dead. I like The Islands and Canyon though the latter is showing wear and...

Here are my thoughts for what they are worth. I have no vested nor commercial interest in the Egyptian diving industry. I am not a "pro" and have no interest whatsoever in becoming one. I am just a UK based holiday diver/ travelling tourist who goes to the Red Sea resorts as an independent...

Unlike most EU countries Italy does not have a statutory minimum wage. Debatable for how long such countries can maintain this position as the European Commission is pushing them to set one. Instead wage levels in Italy are set by collective bargaining. However I doubt there is a union...

I concur that Thailand is logistically unworkable for a short trip. At this time of year I would recommend Malta/Gozo. Just a 3 hour flight from UK, good diving and lots of flights and accomodation. You'd also find the weather more suited to a Western European. Egypt is a 5 hour flight and it...

Workers should be paid a living wage NOT rely on tips or handouts. In the UK their is a minimum wage by law. I realise that many dive instructors are freelance, but if they can't earn a living in a bloated field that's too bad. It annoys me to see the instructor mumping a free dinner off poor...

I think this thread exemplifies the differing attitudes between North America and the rest of the world towards tipping. The only other point I would make is that scuba diving instructors in resorts have made that personal choice " to swap the ocean for the office and live the dream" as PADI...

I'd agree that 5mm wetsuit at that time of year just about suffices. Water temperature was 21 degrees when I was out there in March. Did feel I'd had enough for the day after 2 dives. Also cold wind when you get out of the water at Dahab.

String, My general point was that ex pat dive industry pros in Egypt are detached from the realities of the recession in the west. There is high unemployment, lack of opportunities for young people, job insecurity, public sector pay freezes and inflation that won't go away. Hey, unlike the...

What people are missing is that western tourists have traditionally been treated as cash cows by Egyptian tourism and its diving industry. If anyone hasn't noticed there has been a prolonged recession in Western Europe. Countries like Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Greece have terrible financial...

With Poseidon closing its centre at Le Meredian hotel there is now no boat diving to the southern Dahab dive sites. The only boat diving is on charters to Gabr el Bint. I concur with Lorenzoid that after being on the liveaboard you will find Dahab shore diving tame. Sure it is accessible and...

See that Red Sea Relax are currently only charging 499 euros for DM plus course materials at 145 euros (plus PADI accreditation of course)

agree 100%

I'd agree with the advice given on here. Dahab is shore diving which means it is more accessible than the boat diving in Sharm. However this accessibility comes at a price. Lighthouse is getting trashed by divers and Canyon well on the way. The Blue Hole isn't all that exciting IMO- interesting...

Pretty good advice in this post. I wouldn't recommend the camel trip either. Just to update that Poseidon have pulled out of Le Meridien as the poor occupancy rates and low number of divers didn't justify the rent. The dive centre is lying empty and Poseidon's dive boats that used to operate...

I've just come back from Dahab. Fantasea still going although it is one of the smaller outfits ---------- Post added May 7th, 2013 at 01:55 AM ---------- Another consideration is the roadside security check to get to the northern dive sites in Dahab e.g. Rick's Reef, Canyon and Blue Hole. The...

I've dived Sharm and Dahab in Feb and March. I was just about Ok in a 5mm wetsuit. The guides (who have been diving year round) find it comparatively cold and will dive in semi dry minimum. Dahab in particular has cold winds- be prepared for the wind chill factor when you get out of the water...

Poseidon themselves charge separately for a "check dive" which is a boring affair outside their centre. They won't include it in a multi dive package so it becomes pricey