Northern Red Sea water temp Dec / Jan?

[thehappychappy]

Just booked myself onto Whirlwind for the wrecks and reefs Itinerary over new year via Tony Blackhurst.

What will the water temprature be in the Northern Red Sea over new year?


Trying to figure out if I should take 3mm long, 5mm long or drysuit for a weeks diving. Have all three just not sure whats appropriate as never done a liveaboard so dont know how much effect the 4-5 dives a day has on you.

Will I have enough baggage allowance to take my kilt as well for the bells.

Davie.

[Matty G]

Just came back from the Red Sea last week and done the same schedule as you've booked on. The average water temperature was 26C and was diving in 5mm suits which was fine.
From what I can remember from the info provided the sea temperature will drop down to 22/23C, which might be a bit chilly for a 5mm suit but if you wear a rash vest this maybe fine. Also another group on our boat dived the Red Sea last January in their drysuits and said that was ok. So it's six of one half a dozen of the other......

Personally I would say if you've got enough space take both.

With regards to weight allowance we was allowed 25kg, but weighed in at 28kg which was fine (that's flying with BA). We packed all our heavy kit i.e. regs., torch and steel back plate in our hand luggage just to give us a bit more allowance.

[Ant P]

Did this a couple of years ago, can't remember the exact temperatures, but it was down to about 20 degrees in places. Lots of people will recommend a drysuit for that time of year in the RS. I took my drysuit with me and there were a couple of other people on the boat using one, but if I go again at that time I will use my 5mm semi with a hood cos my drysuit weighs a ton and it's nice to dive in a wetsuit.

Cheers, Ant

[purple vonny]

But a dry suit will keep you nice and warm on the deck after diving when the wind is whipping round your bits......

[Simon TW]

5 mil semi will be fine, the temp should be around 23/24c.

[purple vonny]

water is 23 here at the mo and I am frozen solid after half and hour in a 5 mm. But then I am a wuss.

[Sphyrna Lewini]

A couple of temperatures from the log book for mid-December 05:
Thistlegorm - 24c
Abu Nuhas - 25c
Bluff point (Small Gubal) - 22c
Kingston wreck - 24c
Ras Mo - 24c

Still pretty warm underwater in December: even for a nesh girl (5mm + hood was fine for me). The rib ride back to the boat from bluff point was a bit chilly though! I found getting dekitted in the wind was the worst aspect (hasn't put me off going to the Brothers this year for Xmas! )

Enjoy!

[EdHornby]

if it's a membrane drysuit then I'd take that - just a decent thermal set or fleece top will keep the levels right

and as the others say - its the dive intervals that get you

[nordicdiver]

Originally Posted by thehappychappy

Just booked myself onto Whirlwind for the wrecks and reefs Itinerary over new year via Tony Blackhurst.

Think i might be on the same boat 13-20 january ?

[Jim Shaw]

I'd take the 5mm longsuit, I dived there in January in a 3mm shorty, and was a little bit cold towards the end of each dive, but nothing too bad, but the 5mm long is the smart choice.