First snorkel trip to Sharm El Sheikh advice please!

[FishCity]

Hello. We are gearing up for our first snorkel adventure since Coral Triangle in January 2020. It's been that long since we have been in the water. We are early 70s, are/were very good snorkelers. We have always wanted to go to Sharm El Sheikh and think if not now, when.

We want this to be a fairly easy experience as we snorkel our way back into shape. Hawaii in 2023 is probably next stop, once crazy prices for hotels mellow.

Ultimate goal is to be in shape to take a Blue Manta Komodo trip in June/July 2023 or 2024. (INCREDIBLY GRACIOUSLY, they are carrying our old deposit forward.)

Thus, we will stay at Four Seasons and use their boats as well as go on house reefs.
Is there much difference between September and October wrt snorkeling conditions? Water temp, clarity, currents, storms?

We plan to bring our own gear. We have 3 mm shorties, skins, masks, snorkels, fins, socks and waterproof tape for toes

Any feedback, tips, or advice welcomed, including best ways to get from Washington DC to Sharm.

Many thanks.

 

[BoltSnap]

October is the last good month to dive there based on weather conditions. September to October are probably the best.

best ways to get from Washington DC to Sharm.

I would most definitly avoid going through Cairo to get to Sharm. I'd find a flight from Europe that goes directly to Sharm (if there is one from the US, that is best but I doubt it). Check to see if you can do it through Turkish airlines. Just whatever you do, don't go through Cairo.

 

[FishCity]

Thanks. No Cairo!

 

[Alaskan Scuba Dude]

https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-us/flights/booking/

Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village | You come as a guest but leave as a friend

sharksbay.com

This dive outlet offers packages for tourists. It is on a hill and may not suit everyone. It does offer sheltered diving, and gently sloping reef, when the wind blows. The village isn't far from Sharm el Sheik. I would also recommend Turkish airlines from DC. You can use Istanbul's hotel facilities at the airport for short sleepovers.

 

[BoltSnap]

This dive outlet offers packages for tourists. It is on a hill and may not suit everyone. It does offer sheltered diving, and gently sloping reef, when the wind blows. The village isn't far from Sharm el Sheik.

Have you tried them yourself?

 

[BoltSnap]

I would also recommend Turkish airlines from DC. You can use Istanbul's hotel facilities at the airport for short sleepovers.

Why is that? Why not direct to Cairo from DC?

 

[FishCity]

Hi again. We have found a simple routing for us IAD to AMM nonstop on United. It goes 3 times a week.
Then 2 nights in Amman to get the Royal Jordan Air weekly flight to SHH. Returning after a week we can connect same night to the United back to IAD.
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We want to have that new Moderna or Pfizer booster supposedly coming this fall before we go. Otherwise, we are just too old and risk averse to relax on a trip.

So we had thought September or October. What about November? That would be if the vaccine isn't available until later.

We are only snorkelers. What are water temps in October vs November? Air temps? Would there be as much to see snorkeling? Would it be bad enough in November for snorkelimg so we would be happier waiting a year and going to Hawaii instead in November?