2000 Chapbook

The Red Sea is on every diver's top-ten list. When it was under Israeli control, the reefs were well-protected, but now, under Egyptian domain, Hurghada dive operators are failing to provide loving care to nearby reefs. Live-aboards are trying to move southward, but they're having difficulties with other governments. Most of the good southern sites have been closed. Be sure to check ahead of time to see if this has changed. Water temperatures can drop into the cool 60s during February and rise into the 80s by August.... Many divers combine a Red Sea trip with a visit to Israel and biblically historical sites....

Ghazala Voyager/Sinai Divers, May 1999, Melanie Shain, San Francisco, CA. Vis: 70-100 ft. Water: 84-86 degrees. Nice trip. South Sinai: first two dives of day spent looking for sharks, there were lots. Went as far south as Sudan border and saw hammerheads and mantas. Though far from civilization, we saw other live-aboards. Skipper Martin, 1st mate and divemaster Dave made sure we finished our dives as other boats were arriving. At least 4 dives a day. Not many wrecks like north Sinai. Stress on Air Sinai (they can't confirm you because they are flakey). If your group can't charter the boat (17 passengers) try booking with Tony Backhurst Scuba Center, Smithbrook Kilns, Cranleigh Surrey, England GU688JJ, Phone: 8000728221, otherwise you may be with guests who don't speak English (i.e., German). Private heads in each cabin, great food and great diving. They check currents before every dive excellent briefings and after a great snack before Joe's excellent meals. If in Israel and you want to dive in Eliat, hire a private guide. I had a great dive and saw a lot (turtle, nudibranchs, lots of small stuff) but the next day I went with a group of inexperienced people. (Telephone +20 2062-60-0150 or +20 2062-60-0151 or +20 2062-60-0152; Fax +20 2062-60-0155 or +20 2062-60-0158)

Lady M/Sinai Divers, August 1999, Jonathan Creighton (jcreighton@yahoo.com), Oakland, CA. Vis: 50-100 ft. Water: 84-88 degrees. Weather: sunny. Water: calm. Restrictions: 120 feet, 60 minutes. No separate camera rinse facilities. Work area available in the salon. Diving better than Caribbean, excellent service, great weather. Southern Route took us to Fury Shoal, where we spent most of the week. Reefs in good condition. A few sharks. Lots of small fish, most unafraid of divers. Cabins clean and spacious, with en suite bath and separately controllable air conditioning. Satellite phone ($11/minute). Egyptian crew helpful. Upper deck was partially covered, dive deck functioned well; most dives were begun from the ship with pickups by tender. 3000 PSI fills. Food decent and plentiful, mostly Continental fare for mostly European clientele. Unlimited bottled water, sodas $1, beer $3. Small rinse tanks were not changed regularly. Few lights aboard, so bring your own if you night dive. The ship doesn't move at night, so some time that might otherwise be used for diving is sacrificed to cruising. They check C-cards and dive logs. Voltage is 220V, bring an extension cord to reach plugs. Slippers would have been handy. Did not go to Brothers, Rocky Island or Zabargad; these destinations require 2-week advance government approval. Excellent experience. (Telephone +20 2062-60-0150 or +20 2062-60-0151 or +20 2062-60-0152; Fax +20 2062-60-0155 or +20 2062-60-0158)

Lady W(Tony Backhouse), August 1999, Michael Waring, Westsussex, UK. Vis: 50-70 ft. Water: 88-92 degrees, Restrictions in force: 40 meters. Trip from London/Gatwick by charter, 3 hour drive Hurgahda to boat (comfortable A/C bus). Vessel comfortable. Some inexperienced divers and without more than one divemaster, experienced divers let alone. Good food. Went to Sudan border, pleasantly surprised with diving. Hammerheads, pelagics and little evidence of coral bleaching.

M/V Oyster,September 1999, Lloyd Schwengel, Brea, CA. Vis: 60-100 ft. Water: 80-83 degrees. Oyster(formerly the Moon Dancer) a stable steel-hulled vessel. Cabin #2 on Lido deck was spacious and had plenty of storage space. Marine heads. Water supply adequate but pressure sometimes lacking. Food good and varied; breakfast and lunch buffet, dinner a sit-down multi course meal. Bottled water, soft drinks, juices; alcohol extra. Food a mixture of Egyptian and other; plentiful. Loved the Egyptian food. Crew eager to help. They handled gear after you set up the BC and reg. Hot towels and snacks after dives. They hung your suit up and retrieved it. Airfills 3000+. 15 divers, plenty of room on dive deck. Camera table adequate, rinse tank for cameras only. E6 processing, equipment and camera rentals. Dive crew courteous and helpful. Briefings good enough to keep you from getting lost. Follow divemaster or go it with buddy. Most diving from Zodiacs with backroll. Operators good at locating and picking up divers. Some dives off back of boat, Lots of small fish, a few schools of jacks, barracudas. 7 sharks mostly on one dive, gray reef and white tip at 130 feet. One small white tip at 25 ft. A few turtles and wrasse on several dives. Squid on night dives and Spanish dancers, cuttle fish. Surface usually choppy, only minor current. Did land tours in Cairo and Luxor. Excellent experience with 5 Star Travel, owners of the Oyster.Saw pyramids, tombs, and museums.