Diving in the Red Sea near Marsa Alam

diving ABU DABAB
FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, ANSWERED QUICKLY

BOAT DIVES

For our regular boat dive tours a minimum required number of eight divers applies. Attention please: during our high season it might happen that the tour is fully booked and there is no space for any further diver. Therefore, please decide and plan in a good time (on-site at our diving centre) and sign in the provided tour list.

The same procedure affects our tours to the favourite dive spots which we reach by jeep.

BUOYANCY

BUOYANCY

When you dive in the Red Sea you probably will need more weights than diving in Atlantic, North Sea or Mediterranean Sea. Due to the higher salt content (up to 43g/l) it is recommended to take 2-3 kg more.

DIVE SPOTS

DIVE SPOTS

The area around el Quseir offers wonderful and spectacular dive spots (approx. 80km both directions). Unlike other diving areas at the Red Sea (e.g. Hurghada, Sharm el Sheik etc.) our reefs are not too far from the coast. Therefore, our house reef is an outer reef and a steep face with corals. Hence, going to these dive sites by car is the quickest, cost efficient and most comfortable alternative with the highest flexibility. Like other diving centres in our area we prefer to go to these diving spots by our minibuses. For our divers it means – huge variety of marine life and different, partly unique, off-shore entrances.

But of course, we also offer tours by our boats “Benny” and “Esther”, however the number of boat dive spots is much less than the off-shore dive sites.

DIVING TORCH

DIVING TORCH

If you travel with your own diving torch, please pay attention to put it into your hand luggage – never into your checked-in luggage. It is recommended to take off the bulb as some airports might ask you to do so. Please also check with your airline or travel agency for the correct rules as they might vary from airline to airline.

Of course, you can avoid all these questions by simply renting a diving torch at our diving centre. 

GLOVES

GLOVES

Like in all diving.DE dive centres, we do not allow divers to wear gloves during the dives. Even in the coldest winter time the water temperatures never drop below 20 degrees – thus there is no risk of freezing hands. No exceptions for underwater photographers.

It is our aim to preserve the reefs and avoid any damages so that future divers and generations will also be able to enjoy their beauty. Please be supportive – the waters are warm enough.

JEEP-SAFARI

JEEP-SAFARI

The best way to reach a more distant dive site is by car. Depending on the distance, the transport might take between 10 minutes and one hour. Your equipment will be transported in separate pick-ups, and our divers enjoy the drive in a comfortable, air-conditioned minibus. Upon arrival, we unload the gear from the cars and place it on mats so that you can prepare yourself for your dive. The entrance to the dive site is usually only meters away from where we get ready.

The tours are either half-day or full-day trips with one or two dives, where you will be able to rest and relax after the first dive. After a surface interval of about one hour, we will prepare for the second dive. An authentic Egyptian lunch can be prepared by our guides if pre-booked (€5.00) All-inclusive guests can also get a lunch box at the hotel reception.

KNIVES

KNIVES

We kindly ask our divers to refrain from carrying diving knives (diving scissors are ok). Just like the gloves, we regard that as a small contribution of all divers to protecting the reefs.

MEDICAL STATEMENT

MEDICAL STATEMENT

Your examining doctor confirms with the issue of a medical statement that there are no objections against you taking part in diving. Each diver should be up to get such medical statement which should be not older than 1 year. Please have a copy of it for your check in at our diving centre.

In case you have no medical statement, you can simply fill out the respective SSI-form at the dive centre. Please bear in mind that any question answered with “YES” will require further examination and clearance by a doctor. This examination can be done at the hotel’s doctor (approx. 50.00 €). Attention: We will not be able to take you diving while the statement is not given. Please consider your health as your security.

PAYMENT

Payment in cash (EURO or Dollar) is the cheapest way to pay your bill. Credit cards (MasterCard and VISA) are accepted too but an additional bank fee of 5% is charged on top.

Each diver has to pay a weekly fee of € 10.00 for the coast guard. This fee is already included into our prices and there will be no extra charge.

SCUBA DIVING LICENCE

SCUBA DIVING LICENCE

You can only dive, if you hold a valid scuba diving licence issued by one of the recognised associations (e.g. PADI, SSI, CMAS). Terms of check-in require you to fill in some paper forms that are set by the Egyptian government as well as the diving associations. In a few minutes and only once you have to fill in the following documents: “Standard safe diving practises statement of understanding”, “Medical statement” and “Liability release and assumption of risk agreement” as well as our house own check-in form. Please pay attention to bring a copy of your current health certificate and your passport.

VALVES

VALVES

Our tanks are equipped for DIN-valves, however there are plenty of adapters available at hand and on all our tours. Therefore, there is no need for you to bring your own adapters.

WELCOME DIVE & RULES

WELCOME DIVE & RULES

The welcome dive is obligatory for all divers except for dive masters and instructors in teaching status who have dived within the last 12 months. Again and again we experience that the regulators are not working after the travel although they have been revised before departure. In this case our crew is available at your disposal for any checks.

Furthermore, the salt content of the Red Sea is higher than 40g/liter and because of this it happens that some divers have too less weight. Because the last dive was done weeks or months ago, it is essential to adjust to diving and to familiarize oneself with the underwater conditions.

We offer the welcome dive for all our divers twice a day. The only exception: groups with their own dive master or instructor (teaching status) may do the welcome dive and other diving activities on their own respecting our house standards. During your first dive with us, our dive masters will assess your skills in two basic skills: removing, replacing and clearing your mask and regulator recovery. This is a matter of minutes and you will spend the rest of your time and air exploring our magnificent underwater world.

NOTE: Only divers who demonstrated sufficiency in these skills are able to dive safely and enjoy. The welcome dive is thus for your own safety and well-being.

If you have logged more than 30 dives in your logbook, you can enjoy diving with your buddy without a guide. Unless you wish to be guided by our dive masters, you can “rent” one for € 5.00 per person and dive. The maximum depth limit is 30 meter. Certification above beginner level incl. qualification for deep diving is required.

Each diver must have a own surface marker for the safety stop.

This is a safety measure to help you to achieve your safety and to enjoy the underwater world to the fullest.

 

 

WETSUIT

In general, it depends on your body’s constitution which wetsuit suits you best. A five-millimeter wetsuit should be sufficient all year around. If you freeze too quickly, you might want to use a five-millimeter vest.

During the winter months (November till March) we recommend to wear a seven-millimeter wetsuit. And for those who freeze a lot, we recommend to wear a hood as the average water temperatures during these months can be 23 degrees only. During the summer a three-mil one is just perfect and if you don’t freeze at all, you might want to dive in a shorty.

In case you intend to dive for an hour or longer, please bear in mind that you might get cold in a thin wetsuit even at 27 degrees water temperature.

diving ABU DABAB -
Diving in the Red Sea in Egypt

diving ABU DABAB
Marsa Alam, Egypt
at the El Malikia Resort
38 km north of Marsa Alam

tel 0020 122 6603 351
e-mail abudabab@diving.de