Diving in Dahab - Centres and Hotels

[MollyB]

Hello everyone,

I have recently made the decision to (hopefully) visit Dahab in March / April 2004.

Having read loads of reviews regarding diving, I think it's the spot. What I am having trouble with though is choosing a hotel and dive centre to use.

My partner and I are relatively inexperienced divers - we started with 15 or so dives last year.

Anyhoo... can anyone recommend a hotel / dive center that is inline with these preferences:

* Dive centre supportive of our novice-ness - we need guides on all dives.
* Full kit hire.
* Ideally beachfront - we won't dive every single day.
* 3/4 star - none of this 5 star luxury required - we find it stifling. We prefer somewhere smaller with diveminded people.

Any suggestions, oh oracles of the dive world?

Many thanks,

Mol

 

[Stephan Whelan]

Mol,

Welcome to the forums!

I've run a couple of trips to Dahab. It's a very chilled place that's excellent for shore based diving. I've only really dived with one place and that's Reef 2000 - run by two Brits - on the outskirts of Dahab. Their website is http://www.reef2000.org/ - Tell them I sent ya!

However bear in mind that there are a lot of different dive centres in Dahab and others may suit you better.

 

[MollyB]

Hi and thanks Stephan!

I have heard quite a lot of good things about Reef2000, but I am under the impression that it is a bit of a distance out of Dahab, and even to the beach... is this true? (Or is it just the case that it is only 5 mins walk as opposed on 30 seconds?)

Cheers,

Mol

 

[Stephan Whelan]

It's walkable but it's a good 20 minute walk at a minimum. Normally you can get a 2 minute taxi ride rather cheaply.

They really are on the outskirts of the town but impecible service in both the hotel and the dive centre.

 

[Erik]

My experience in Dahab was that there are many beachfront hotels that are cheap, clean, cool, and available. I didn't book anything, just showed up and asked at a few front desks. A hotel with pool, breakfast, cable, AC was 20$ a night for 2 people.
You can find cheaper if you go off the beach, but there are lots in that price range.
I dont scuba dive, but there were many dive shops right in town on the beach to choose from.
Have a nice trip,
Erik Y.

 

[MollyB]

Thanks for your help!

Also can anyone advise what wetsuit I'll need in March / April in Dahab. We are only OW qualified so we won't be particularly deep.

Cheers,

Mol

 

[tuomo]

Hi Mol,

you aren't allowed to go very deep in egypt anyhow. If i remember right you aren't allowed to go deeper than 30 meters. The water at that time is a bit cold and i would suggest you to wear 5 mm scuba wetsuit. If you'll be using freediving wetsuit i'd say that 3mm is plenty. Have fun there, diving in egypt is geat. Both freedive and scuba.

br.
Tuomo

 

[babelfilm]

Hi

I´ve just returned from two weeks in Dahab. My 7´th visit in 12 years. What can I say? I love the place.

The rules in Egypt are very strict when it comes to diving. Due to a lot of accidents with foolhardy divers, the max depth is 30 meters and all divers must be accompanied by a certified guide (Dive Master).

I always stay in the Seven Heaven hotel. It´s cheap, clean and the staff is friendly. Plus they have one of the best dive shops in Dahab, the Divers Down Under (DDU).

A double room with bathroom and AC is 8$. A guided dive is 25$, 10 dives is 150$. My friend got a OW for 200$ and trips to Thisselgorm is 110$ incl. boat, food, drink and 3 dives.

When choosing a dive center my main concerns are equipment and safety. DDU are very focused on both so there really is not much choice.

www.7heavenhotel.com

Have a nice trip
Hopefully I´ll be back there in december for my DM.

Friis