first red sea trip.

[ianwheeldon]

i'm planning my first trip to the red sea this summer. Just after a bit of advice really. it looks like sharm is the best place to head for. Looking forward to the thistlegorm but dont know many other sites really. Any advice on dives not to miss very much appreciated.
cheers
ian.

[Noel Johnson]

I, personally, think your best bet would be on a liveaboard - you won't have to get up a 3(ish) to set out for the Thistlegorm that way and you'll do more diving which is always a bonus.

HTH

Noel.

[FOX]

Not sure that'll you'll have a lot of input into the choice, but my favourite dive over there is Yolanda, you will undoubtedly do this one!

[Noel Johnson]

Originally Posted by FOX

Not sure that'll you'll have a lot of input into the choice, but my favourite dive over there is Yolanda, you will undoubtedly do this one!

Just check the porcelain for lion fish before you sit down and your buddy can take the picture

[divebunnie]

Hiya, I am sure you will receive reams of replies to this one, being such a popular destination.
A liveaboard is a great way to see the reefs around Sharm as well as not having the drastically early morning that you would need to get to the Thistlegorm.
Shark and Yolande (Ras Mohammed)has to be my all time favourite great, together with Jackson Reef (Tiran), though both can have quite lively currents, which can be fun. Thistlegorm and Dunraven are a definite must too
Be prepared for at least a day of local diving just to get back in the flow of things, usual practice for most dive centres. In fact I would be wary of a centre that didn't enforce this.
The water is generally crystal clear and the coral gorgeous, and you can be surprised by big stuff whatever time of year it is, even though summer is the usual shark season, so have fun.

[divebunnie]

Have just realised you are planning the trip for summer… so absolutely go for the liveaboard it's far cooler with the sea breeze, you can sleep under the stars too!!! Ahh.
The reefs will be totally HEAVING with life too, the pictures you see in magazines are no lie.
I'm jealous :|

[ianwheeldon]

fantastic. getting very excited now! cant di liveaboard unfortunately as the missus dosen't dive so looks like i'll be up at stoopid o clock for the thistlegorm.
keep the recomendations coming though. very helpful
ta

[JAG]

Hi Ian,

Been to the Red Sea (Sharm) Twice in the last 3 months
Take a look at these photos from the different sites. http://community.webshots.com/user/exnavyboy

We did,
Jackson Reef
Woodhouse Reef
Sheraton House Reef
The Lighthouse - Turtles
Ras Katy - Very big Giant Moray
Ras Bob
Ras Ghazlazi
Ras This
Ras That!
Shark & Jolande Reef - Turtles, White Tip Shark and huge Napolean.
The Thistlegorm - Awesome!!!!!

The Thistlegorm and Shark & Jolande Reef were my favourites. If you need any other info, give us a shout mate.

All the best,

Ian

[CALLISTO]

I recommed a liveboard also ..but this is ditacted by family members etc Depends on what your bag is baby!!!!But i thought the reef at Gobul area Carnatic,Ulysses Rosalie Moller,Giannis D Loads of Life and shipwrecks Brilliant

However IMHO the Thistlegorm during daylight hours is a real PITA Its like a tube station rush hour ,the Moller is a far superior wreck

The Reefs around Sharm are mobbed at summer and the standard of divers can be quite poor really depends on the luck of the draw when you get on your dayboat as to what the standard is.

Having been a bit negative ..Its still a great place to dive ..Just giving you a bit of a heads up.


Hope you enjoy it.


Andy

[onthetrain]

I agree with summer month live aboard. If you go to Sharm chances are you will do all of the popular dives anyway. All of the dives at Ras Mohammed & the Straits of Tiran are great dives. There can be more divers than fish sometimes!

Between Xmas & New year it was so quiet that Emperor were only running 3 boats, yet on one memorable day there were over 30 yes thirty boats tied up at Jackson Reef.