UAE Spearfishing/Freediving Trip 2008

[island_sands]

After Guernsey i dont know whether we will be able to match the great times had by all... but SpeerO and i had a chat the other night about inviting everyone to a spearing trip in the UAE in Spring 2008.

What we have on offer is a luxury yacht, which is owned by the sponsor of the BSAC club here in Dubai, who is an avid spearo and diver.

The yacht has 2 double cabins ensuite, and four twin cabins, its air conditioned and pretty luxurious. There is a chef on board who will provide 3 meals a day, and arrange anything you want, beach barbeques, eating on board etc etc. The island where they normally spear from is Sir Bu Nair Island which is in the Emirate of Sharjah, however there are other options, Umm Al Quwain, Oman, Abu Dhabi....

They normally take 10 divers at a time, and there is a separate diving boat which follows the yacht.

The price is about 12000AED (roughly 1,610 GBP) per 24 hour trip, so divided between 10-12 people it works out at 161gbp a day per person including meal s and non-alcoholic beverages.

(i am not sure what the alcohol deal is, will have to find out).

Say you do a 3 to 5 day trip up to Oman (Musandam) as an alternative, that's a fantastic experience as well.

Then Speero said we could arrange some accommodation in Abu Dhabi and he has a boat.... Abu Dhabi is not dry and there are plenty of places to enjoy some beers and a night out after the trip. And great shopping, places of interest, for the wives/kids if they are coming and not spearing.

What do you all think, and could you be interested? (note poll above).

[capetownguy]

if only i had the money! anyone thats got the time and money would be crazy not to go! enjoy guys!

[deep thinker]

Whats the Rand AED exchange rate?
Hey Sands do you know of any hotels or something to the like that needs to be designed there perhaps I can get the work to pay for airfares
We do bowling alleys too btw lol

[island_sands]

lol! Actually I work for a real estate developer

News: alcohol is allowed on board, but spearmaster prefers people not to drink and dive...

The Rand/AED exchange is practically double: 1AED = 2ZAR

[deep thinker]

So are you looking for good interior designers lol...

[foxfish]

The best of luck to you guys & that is a great idea to start a poll. Unfortunately that would be a major holiday for me (nothing wrong with that of course) Just how much do you guys earn out there? The air flights alone from our island to your home would scare my patner half to death. As Capetownguy says "anyone thats got the time and money would be crazy not to go! enjoy guys!"

[podge]

What sort of money would we be looking at for accommodation in Abu Dhabi? say for a 4 or 5 night stay at a mid priced range hotel.
I doubt you have such a thing as Bed and Breakfast over there or if you do a decent B+B for the same ammount of time?
Not to worried about flights as i can source them over here.

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by podge

What sort of money would we be looking at for accommodation in Abu Dhabi? say for a 4 or 5 night stay at a mid priced range hotel.
I doubt you have such a thing as Bed and Breakfast over there or if you do a decent B+B for the same ammount of time?
Not to worried about flights as i can source them over here.

Podge
I will put together a hotel and rates list for everyone. Abu Dhabi is cheaper than Dubai which is one of the reasons why I would stage it from there.

You have to fly to Dubai though, as if you fly through Abu Dhabi they will confiscate your spearguns. Dubai is no problem. Its an hour drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and I will arrange transport etc.

[Morg]

I put everything down because it is far into the future and you never know what will happen. Lotto winner maby?

I would love to come out there on any organized trip.

[island_sands]

good stuff morg. the UAE is an experience you'll never forget. i will organise a desert drive as well, in 4x4, with a desert camp barbeque and belly dancing, falconry etc etc. its a good time!

[deep thinker]

So whens this happening, it sounds like it could be a awesome experience...
Sun water sand what more can a ocean lover ask for
Ill have to look into the budget and make a few adjustments though

[stuckinsurrey]

Yeah, I'd be up for a trip sounds fantastic and would be great to dive somewhere where the water is warm! Have to start saving now especially if Gurnsey 2008 goes ahead aswell. My girlfriend has now officially become a spearfishing widow.

[island_sands]

I was suggested February as a good time. Still a little cool in the UAE, but water temps are similar to the Red Sea (not too warm, not too cold) - the vis is good. Mind you, Deepwater had 40m vis on his dive today with no current

*O&^*&*(&*&^*&^*(&~!!!RE%#%$#@% why do i have to have a broken toe!!?????

I want to bring people over here because there is so much hype about the Middle East and I want to show people that it's not just desert and camels and fanatics who just want to b0mb people. (although i would have liked to done something evil to my previous boss )

It really is an excellent place to live, visit and spend some time. The food is great, the sun shines every single sodding day hahahaha! (mostly) and the people are friendly and generous.

You can get airtickets for 300GBP as far as I know.

[bluecape]

Hey Sara

I am very interested in this. My brother lives in Dubai as you know, and have been threatning to visit him for ages, and this trip sounds amazing. I may well be able to arrange to do it as a video doccy.
Will keep you posted.

Jeff

[foxfish]

Can you tell us a bit more about the fishing - what type of fish, how big, what sort of depth etc...