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Dive Review of Aggressor in
Red Sea/Egypt

Aggressor: "Best Time to Dive the Red Sea", Sep, 2016,

by Randall S Preissig, TX, US (Top Contributor Top Contributor 37 reports with 15 Helpful votes). Report 9163 has 4 Helpful votes.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling 5 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments FIRST, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO GO TO EGYPT, especially diving. The dive areas are far removed from the tourist areas--and both are heavily protected and safe. There has never been an incident related to dive operations. You are safer in Cairo than Chicago and international airlines have the same security everywhere.
Second, due to the dramatic drop off in tourism, not only are there bargains galore(several on our trip got 25% and 50% off their trip!) and no crowds anywhere (you can walk straight into the Egyptian Museum and on to the King Tut exhibit instead of waiting an hour to enter and another 2 hours to see Tut), but there has been a remarkable resurgence in sea life due to the 80% (some say higher) drop in dive tourism. I saw my first sailfish, my first dugong and plenty of oceanic white tip sharks and had several incredible dolphin encounters. Several others saw thresher sharks. This was (much) better than when I dove the Red Sea in the "good old days" of 1992--again on a liveaboard. I am very happy (as was everyone else on board) to have chosen this time. Hurry up--sadly, this won't last forever.
I took both the 10 day combined N/S trip and the 7 day Northern trip. Both were outstanding. Hopefully they will keep the 10 day trips--they hit all the best/famous sites.
The Aggressor crew was outstanding, and since this is Egypt you have helpers at your elbow constantly to zip your wetsuit, carry your tank to the water, refill your wine glass or whatever is required or wanted. Due to the drop in tourism(regular tourism to the pyramids, Luxor, etc has dropped even more--over 95%), Aggressor was able to hire the chef from a 5 star resort. He got ovations every time we saw his face. The divemasters are friendly, helpful, experienced and again anxious to please.
The only negative I could find was the scarcity of large schools of fish. Over fishing is to blame and steps are being taking to correct this.
Go now and see the Red Sea at its best!
Websites Aggressor   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Red Sea, Raja Amphat, Komodo, Thailand, Sipadan, Tahiti, Palau, Australia, Hawaii, Myamar
Fiji, Cocos, Galapagos, Socorro, Caymans, Bonaire, Cozumel, Belize, Etc.
Closest Airport Hurghada Getting There There are some flights into Marsa Alam, which is closer to Port Ghalib, but you must fly through Cairo to get there.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 82-86°F / 28-30°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 50-70 Ft/ 15-21 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Sport diving limits of 130 feet or 110 on Nitrox after you've been checked out by the staff. Otherwise 100 feet.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Typical Aggressor dedicated dive tables, rinse tanks, camera care, etc., etc. Rarely equaled on other boats. Excellent videographer for those wishing to buy the video.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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