Thomson 30Kg combined weight allowance for the hold and hand luggage which includes an extra 5Kg on production of your dive certification card (max 10Kg hand luggage in one bag only). Extra dive equipment allowance £61.20 for 13Kg to be booked in advance (instead of the extra 5Kg awarded with certification card).
Thomas Cook 25Kg combined weight allowance for the hold and hand luggage. Sports equipment allowance £30 which gives an extra 10Kg to be booked in advance.
Easyjet 20Kg max in hold. 5Kg hand luggage. Sports equipment allowance £33 for 12Kg extra to be booked in advance.
Monarch 20Kg max in the hold. 5Kg hand luggage. Sports equipment allowance £22.50 each way to be booked in advance.
First Choice 20Kg in the hold. 5Kg hand luggage. Extra 10Kg free of change if arranged in advance by calling 0871 6640144. Or produce your dive certification on check in for the extra 10Kg.
An Egyptian Visa is necessary for visiting Egypt. If you are travelling on a non-UK passport you must arrange your own Egyptian visa prior to arrival.
(1) If travelling on a UK passport, visas can easily be obtained at Sharm, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Luxor and Cairo airports on arrival. A Visa costs £10 Sterling cash at the airport (or 15 Euros at Marsa Alam) and you do not need a passport photo or application form.
(2) A Visa can be obtained personally from the Egyptian Consulate, Visa Section at 2 Lowndes Street, London, SW1X 9ET. Telephone: 0906 5508933 for recorded information or 020 72359719 for advice. Payment is by cash or postal order and a passport photo is necessary.
(3) Allow four weeks for a postal application. Oonasdivers can supply visa forms if requested.
(4) Currently Egyptian guidelines state that if you are staying over 28 days you will have to return to the UK on a scheduled flight.
Please note: For travellers entering Egypt via South Sinai and remaining in the South Sinai resort area, a free 14-day visa can be obtained on arrival. However we strongly advise anyone who is considering taking a day boat excursion for either snorkelling or diving or are considering a land excursions outside of the South Sinai area to buy a visa on arrival.
For Southern charters we require additional details for your dive permissions. Please take a copy of the last page in your passport to be given to the dive guide, which is necessary for obtaining dive permissions.
The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (LE). We suggest that you take a mixture of low denomination Sterling or Euro notes. You can change cash at local banks or cash points. Credit cards are accepted at most dive centres and hotels. For the Southern Eco-Villages on site payments for dive equipment hire, boat dives etc., should be made in either Sterling/Euro/US dollars cash. Marsa Shagra accepts credit cards, however there is a handling fee.
Please bring any personal medication, insect repellent, rehydration sachets and sun block. Always drink plenty of bottled water. Take extra care with cuts and scratches as they may be tiny but the coral polyps in the Red Sea can aggravate them, causing slow healing. To avoid infection dry the wound after diving and apply an antibiotic spray or powder. Short-term diarrhoea is a common complaint for new arrivals to Egypt. Avoid ice in drinks and unpeeled fruit. Clean your teeth only with bottled water. Always check the seal is still intact. At the onset of diarrhoea drink as much fluid as you can to offset dehydration, avoid alcoholic drinks, take Imodium or something similar and rest. Symptoms should clear up in less than 12 hours.
No vaccinations are officially required for UK residents travelling to Egypt. However, we suggest that you check with your GP as to what they recommend. You will also find helpful information on the Internet site www.traveldoctor.co.uk. Useful telephone numbers include MASTA at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (0207 6368636) and the British Airways Travel Clinics (0845 002236).
Egypt is in the arid desert belt and is very hot during the day, cooling at night in summer and warm during the day but cold at night in winter (mid November–March). Wetsuits are necessary throughout the year, normally a one-piece 5mm in summer (or 3mm in the southern Egyptian Red Sea) and 7mm two-piece in winter. Watch for dehydration due to low humidity. Drink far more water (bottled) than usual and add salt to meals.
Average Egyptian Temperatures In °C
| Average Egypt temperatures in °C | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Air | 20° | 22° | 24° | 28° | 32° | 34° | 37° | 39° | 37° | 34° | 26° | 22° |
| Sea | 20° | 20° | 21° | 22° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 28° | 28° | 26° | 24° | 22° |
In Cairo and Luxor modest clothing is required. In the dive resorts, however, dress is informal. In the summer months a sun hat, sunglasses, long sleeved cotton shirt and sun block are necessary even though you may have a cool breeze at sea. When snorkelling it is advisable to wear a white tee shirt to reflect the u/v rays. In the winter months, you will need warm clothing in the evenings.
All our liveaboards have twin berth cabins. Individuals will have to share if the boat is full. Men and women will have to share a cabin if ‘same sex’ cabins are unavailable.
Your dive equipment will be stored in a personal crate when onboard as it is more practical than using a dive bag. As space is limited in cabins we recommend using soft luggage that can be folded and stowed away.
According to 1993 Regulations all divers diving at Ras Mohamed must pay $5 per day to the Marine Conservation Fund, created to preserve this National Marine Park. This charge is only applicable to dives undertaken at Ras Mohamed and is payable on-site. For the Brother Islands, Daedalus, Rocky & Zabergad the Marine Park fees will be between $50 & $100 depending on your itinerary. These fees are payable on site.
To help support the upkeep of the recompression chamber in Sharm and Marsa Shagra all divers are asked to provide $1 per diving day. This is a voluntary contribution and if you wish to support the chamber (very worthwhile!) you will be offered the opportunity to pay on the last day of your stay and the money paid will be forwarded to the chamber. This will enable the facility to be kept open.
We recommend a tip of about £20 per guest or the equivalent in Euros or US Dollars or local currency for distribution amongst the staff.