Can you recommend a good freedive holiday ?

[portinfer]

Hey everyone - can anyone recommend somewhere to go freediving and does anyone want to come too ?

I have a job (at last) starting on the 29th September. I was thinking of squeezing in 7 to 10 days before then for some freediving.

I hear Egypt is a good place - any specific locations ?

I am a beginner so if anyone else is free let me know - maybe we could hook up.

Currently most of my dives are in the 6m to 12m region. I have been to 14m for a few dives but only with a buddy spotting me in the murk over here in Guernsey. I'm ok on dive times - between 01:30 and 02:45.

Looking for a nice place to go which isn't going to cost the earth - not into nightlife too much but wine and senoritas are always a bonus ! Not too fussed about fancy hotels, just somewhere with hot water.

Are there any spots in Morrocco ?

Any places around Essaouria ?

Cheers if you can help.

Ed

[Erik]

Dahab, Red Sea, Egypt, period! Good for all proficiencies plus all beach/wall/steep dropoff diving.
Cheers,
Erik Y.

[roy_nexus_6]

I just came back from La Paz Mexico which is located next to Sea of Cortez. Beautifull area and awesome free diving.

You could get a great diving vacation and improve your freediving skills by booking a freediving course with Solomons family.
I just got back from there and it was AWESOME. Highly recommended !

http://www.freedivers.net/baja.htm

Originally posted by portinfer
Hey everyone - can anyone recommend somewhere to go freediving and does anyone want to come too ?

I have a job (at last) starting on the 29th September. I was thinking of squeezing in 7 to 10 days before then for some freediving.

I hear Egypt is a good place - any specific locations ?

I am a beginner so if anyone else is free let me know - maybe we could hook up.

Currently most of my dives are in the 6m to 12m region. I have been to 14m for a few dives but only with a buddy spotting me in the murk over here in Guernsey. I'm ok on dive times - between 01:30 and 02:45.

Looking for a nice place to go which isn't going to cost the earth - not into nightlife too much but wine and senoritas are always a bonus ! Not too fussed about fancy hotels, just somewhere with hot water.

Are there any spots in Morrocco ?

Any places around Essaouria ?

Cheers if you can help.

Ed

[DeepThought]

I second that Dahab-Egypt motion. Although it's around Israeli holiday season now, so you might find it a little busy and less cheap compared to all year round.
Still, I can't think a freediver would find himself disappointed from such a place.
You also have a few resident db members there so no problem finding buddies.

O, and regarding that 14m, I have a feeling that with 25m+ visivility and other heavenly conditions, you'll pass 14meters before you'll even notice.

[mia]

Freediving in Dahab

Have a look at Lottas site, http://www.lottaericson.com/lotta.html
she’s located in Dahab and gives AIDA courses.
You can E-mail her at: info@lottaericson.com
Her husband Peter peterdiver@home.se is more in to scuba, and there’s the Seven Heaven hotel: http://www.7heavenhotel.com/
They are great people, email them and they will help and take good care of you. And there are almost always other free divers in Dahab so you will have company.
Have a great dive holiday : ).

Mia

[portinfer]

Cheers everyone - think Egypt is more my bag - the flights to Mexico are a bit too much or a week. I love Mexico but need longer to justify the cost of getting there.

So Egypt - apart from about £200 or so to get from London to Sharm-El-Sheik (and then probabbly to Dahab - how long is the transfer ?) what are the likely costs ?

Cheapo accomodation ? Is £5 or £10 a night unrealistic ?
Food ? How much are meals normally ?

I've been to Morrocco alot and find the prices pretty good - meals are a couple of quid (for local food) and you can find some very cool accomodation for about £5 to £10 a night.

Michael/DeepThought - hoping to get deeper but my equalizing sucks - working on it and know the theories and principles but doesnt always work and either leaves me hangin at 8m trying to clear or going back up to 5m to clear before heading down again - yeah, I need to sort it out - I posted about it earlier on this forum.

Cheers for the advice.
Ed

[DeepThought]

When I was there accomodations were at that range (or cheaper if you wanna get very basic), food cost at the same price.

It might get a bit pricier now, but not much more.

The resident db freedivers might be able to help you with the equalization issue as well.

Enjoy egypt.

Do you have dates already?

[portinfer]

Michael - trying to get off Guernsey to London and then to Sharm.

As for dates - if I can sort it now I can leave tomorrow morning

Have to start a new job on wednesday 29th September at 9am - so better be back before then - that is the only responsibility I have !

Ed

[gbo200]

Ed, very, very Jealous. I did Dahab when I was in Sharm and it was awesome indeed. The Blue Hole there is very cool. You won't need to get past your current depth there, but you will be tempted for sure. All the action is in the top 15m.

Leave your 5mm at home!

g.

[portinfer]

Hey Alison ! I'm not an old man yet ! Things work fine - but thanks anyway !
Trying to find the best flight only deal to Sharm - anyone got any ideas ? - So far lastminute.com has come up with a princely sum of £998 !

Who flies there ? Eqypt Air and Alitalia by the looks of it - looking to leave on Thursday 16th and come back on Thursday 23rd or Friday 24th September... Looks like it might be that 10 hour bus journey after all from Cairo. Trying to avoid that though...

So George - you're jealous ?! Come too - call in sick for a week...

Alison - do you have the low down on flights ? Hoping you do.

Cheers
Ed

[portinfer]

What is the deal with visas ?

Do you have to get one ? (I have a British passport)

If you go with on a deal/package holiday do they sort this out for you?

Apparently the Egyptian embassy says it takes 7 days and costs £15 for Brits - I don't have this kind of time....

Anyone know ?

Ed

[portinfer]

Can anyone recommend a good package type company to go with ?

Maybe they sort out visas for you ?

Help ! Trying to get away !

Failing that does anyone have any good info on good places to dive in Europe - maybe Malta or Sardinia.

I found flights for £90 to Malta - not sure about Sardinia.

Would you recommend Sardinia ?

What would the sea temp be like in Sardinia now ? Anyone know of places to stay there and likely costs ?

Someone needs to sort out a quick and easy freediving holiday company - somewhere where they can cater to your needs - "Yes sir, long fins are not a problem..." etc !

Ed

[portinfer]

Cheers Alison - thought that might be the case with visas - so you just fill out a form on the plane and the pay the man once you have landed ? Sounds cool - love quequeing.

Trying to get to Dahab - might make it !

Thanks for all the advice - back to trying to find flights. - Ed

[portinfer]

Seems like a good resource for Sharm :

http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flight...heikh/Gatwick/

... might save time for those looking later - Ed

[Donna]

Have a look at www.aquatours.com They occasionally do last minute deals to Sharm. Probably worth calling them rather than just looking on the site. Ask for Lynda or Stephen. If no joy there, try Regal dive. There's also a freediving school called NoTanx that work out of Hurghada....

Hope you find something

Donna