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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
General
Diving Questions
Q
- Do I need to make a check dive, and does it
cost extra?
A - We will ask you to make a
check dive if you have not dived for more than
a year, if you have not dived for more than six
months after your open water course, or if you
cannot provide logged proof of experience. You
will make your first dive in a small group, and
refresh your basic scuba skills before completing
the dive under close supervision. We also recommend
a check dive for anyone who feels a little nervous.
A check dive costs 15 Euros extra as a supplement
on daily diving prices.
Q - Do I have to dive with a
group if I am an experienced diver?
A - We will ask you to dive with
one of our staff for at least the first dive.
After this it will be up to our guide (who is
responsible for your safety) to decide whether
you may dive with your buddy. If you are not diving
with the group you will still be asked to listen
to the briefing and follow club regulations.
Q - Do I have to dive on consecutive
days?
A - No, it is up to you when
you dive, and it is no problem if you want to
spend a day relaxing or taking an excursion.
Q - How long should I leave between
diving and flying?
A - Although PADI currently recommends
a 12-hour surface interval between diving and
flying, we strongly recommend a 24-hour interval.
We will ask anyone who wishes to fly between 18
and 24 hours after diving to sign a liability
release form.
Q - What kind of wetsuit do I
need?
A - Most people find that a 3
or 5mm suit is adequate for the summer months
(June-November), and will be comfortable in a
5 to 7mm wet or semi-dry suit in the winter. If
you get cold easily you may want to bring extra
thermal protection. Our rental suits are 5mm/two
piece, which will suit most people year-round.
Please note that gloves are not permitted in accordance
with the regulations of Ras Mohamed National Park.
Q - What kind of tanks do you
use?
A - Our tanks are 12 and 15 litre
aluminium, with both DIN and International fittings
available.
Q - Can I dive with Nitrox?
A - We can provide you with Nitrox
tanks on request once we have verified that you
have the correct certifications. We can also provide
you with an analyser, so you will be able to test
your fills before you dive. If you are not a Nitrox
qualified diver we can offer you a PADI Enriched
Air Course.
Q - If I don't have a diving
license, can I dive?
A - If you don't have a diving
license why not try an Introductory dive and let
one of our instructors guide you on a shallow
dive. Alternatively, an Open Water or Scuba Diver
course will teach you all you need to know to
become a fully qualified diver.
Q - Am I covered for diving by
my insurance?
A - This is something you will
need to check for yourself. Please don't assume
that you are covered as many policies will not
include scuba diving activities.
Diving
Courses
Q
- If I'm not a very good swimmer, can I learn
to dive?
A - If you are not a good swimmer
you may find a diving course a little harder than
confident swimmers do but it will still be possible
to learn how to dive. Minimum requirements for
a dive course are the ability to swim 200 metres
and to tread water for ten minutes, or to swim
300 metres with mask, snorkel and fins and to
tread water for ten minutes.
Q - How long does it take to
learn to dive?
A - A PADI Scuba Diver Course
takes two days. A PADI Open Water Course takes
four to five full days.
Q - What will I do in my dive
course?
A - Your dive course will cover
everything you need to know to be a fully licensed
diver. There are theoretical, practical and open
water elements to the course. Please refer to
the section on diving courses for more details.
Q - Do I need a medical?
A - It's not a bad idea to take
a medical before booking a dive course. We recommend
that you see a doctor who is qualified in diving
medicine as there are some specific conditions
like asthma or epilepsy which may rule diving
out for you even if your GP thinks your condition
is unimportant. You will be asked to fill out
a medical
questionnaire before starting the course,
and if anything shows up we will refer you to
a doctor of diving medicine locally.
Q - Are there any hidden extras?
A - Apart from your certification
or license fee of €30, the only compulsory
purchase you'll need to make is a diving logbook
which can be bought locally for less than €10.
For PADI courses (Open Water, Advanced and Rescue)
you are also required to have access to a dive
manual which you can either purchase prior to
arrival or rent from us for €5 for the duration
of the course.
Q - I already have an Open Water
license. What other courses can I do?
A - There are many options if
you are interested in continuing your dive education.
As an open water diver you can take an advanced
course, or if you have a specific area of interest
choose from our list of specialty courses.
Q - If I do a course will my
new diving license be recognised anywhere I go?
A - Yes.
Q - Do I have to take my course
in English?
A - No, you can book a dive course
in almost any language, although we do not currently
offer diver education in Swahili.
Dive
Sites
Q
- Where can I dive during my stay?
A - There are over 40 individual
dive sites accessible by boat in the Sharm El
Sheikh area, which can be grouped into 4 main
destinations: Local, Ras Mohammed National Park,
Straits of Tiran and Sha'ab Ali. The difficulty
level of the sites ranges from beginner to advanced
so there is something for everyone. We ask everybody
to spend their first day at local dive sites so
that we can perform trouble-free bouyancy checks
and sort out any problems which may arise. After
this you can choose for yourself where you would
like to dive. Alternatively we can offer you the
option of a liveaboard, which will open up areas
like Sha'ab Abu Nuhas unavailable to daily divers.
Q - Do I have to dive locally
on my first day?
A - We do ask everybody to dive
locally on their first day. Local dive sites are
generally well protected from swell and current
and we have found that it makes sense to perform
bouyancy checks, check dives and first dives from
a mooring line in easy conditions. We will occasionally
make exceptions to this rule for very experienced
divers who have dived regularly in the Red Sea
and have a record of how much weight they need.
If you think we should make an exception for you,
please ensure that you can provide us with logged
proof of Red Sea diving experience.
Q - Do you offer shore dives?
A - Shore diving is not as easy
to access as it used to be due to the number of
new hotels that have opened along the coast in
the last few years. If you are a real shore-diving
fan why not try the house reefs at our satellite
centres Iberotel and Grand Rotana.
Q - When do you go to the wreck
of the Thistlegorm?
A - We do not have a fixed schedule
for trips to the SS Thistlegorm, but if you want
to dive there, tell your guide and as soon as
we have a group of six or more we're ready to
go. In the quieter months (December to April)
we sail approximately once a week and when it
is busier (May to November) we sail more frequently.
Boats
Q
- What kind of boats do you have?
A - Our daily diving boats are
fully equipped for both divers and non-divers
alike with saloon, bathroom/WC, sun lounge, and
shaded seating areas upstairs. All boats have
a dedicated dive deck and platform with open ladders.
There are kitchens where the crews will conjure
up buffet style lunches suitable for both vegetarians
and carnivores, and you can help yourself to tea
and coffee, or soft drinks and water which are
kept ice cold in cool boxes.
Q - How many people will be with
me on the boat?
A - That will depend largely
on the size of the boat, but we try to keep our
groups small, and have a maximum of ten divers
per guide.
Q - Will I need to carry my equipment
to and from the boat every day?
A - No. After you have checked
in, our staff will arrange the transfer of all
your equipment for you.
Q - I am with people who don't
dive. Can they come with me on the boat?
A - Yes, non-divers are welcome
on our boats and can snorkel, swim or just relax.
We charge €40 per day (€32 if prebooked)
for non-divers on the boat.
Travel
and Activities
Q
- What else can I do in Sharm El Sheikh?
A - There are many activities
for non-divers, both aquatic and land-based. You
might want to try an Introductory dive, take a
snorkelling excursion, or take a land-based excursion.
Q - How do I get to Sharm El
Sheikh?
A - Sharm has its own international
airport, and most travel agents can offer you
flights. If you have any problems arranging your
holiday feel free to contact us and we will offer
whatever help we can.
Q - Do I need a visa to visit
Sharm El Sheikh?
A - You do need a visa but you
can get this on arrival. The full Egyptian visa
which will allow you to visit Ras Mohammed costs
€20. If you don't plan to leave Sharm or
to visit Ras Mohammed you can just get an Aqaba
coast stamp which is free, but this will limit
your movements.
Q - Do you have access to a beach?
A - Yes we do, guests of the
Camel hotel have access to a beach 75 metres away,
ask at the hotel reception and they will direct
you there.
Q - Can we rent snorkelling equipment?
A - Yes!
Other
Questions
Q - Which
currencies and credit cards do you accept as payment?
A - We currently accept US Dollars,
Euros, Sterling Pounds,Swiss Francs, Egyptian
Pounds, VISA and Mastercard. Please note that
we do not accept travellers' cheques.
Q - What's the best time of year
for diving in Sharm El Sheikh?
A - There is great diving all
year round in Sharm. The best time for spotting
large schools of fish, and for seeing sharks,
is June to October, but this is also the busy
period and some people may find it too hot. The
rest of the year is a little less crowded and
may suit you better.
Q - Can you offer packages or
tell me where to book them?
A - We can only offer packages
for diving and accommodation, and we can refer
you to a travel agent in your territory who will
be able to help you find a flight. Please contact
us and we will be happy to send you details. Or
visit www.GoRedSea.com.
Q - Can I buy dive equipment
in Sharm El Sheikh?
A - You can buy equipment here
but we don't recommend it as the selection is
fairly limited and you may end up paying more
than you would at home. We offer full equipment
for rental at €25 per day.
Q - Can I access my e-mail account
in Sharm El Sheikh?
A - Yes you can. Camel Hotel
is equipped with WiFi wireless Internet and there
are many Internet cafes and other wireless spots
in Na'ama Bay and the rest of Sharm El Sheikh.
Q - Is the water safe to drink?
A - We do not recommend that
you drink the tap water, although plenty of people
do. Bottled mineral water is readily available.
Q - Are there places for vegetarians
to eat?
A - There are not any dedicated
vegetarian restaurants in Sharm El Sheikh, but
you will find that most places offer vegetarian
dishes. All Camel restaurants have extensive vegetarian
options.
Q - Will you pick me up from
my hotel?
A - Yes, we offer comlimentary
transfers by air conditioned bus.
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