New year in Dahab?

[StevenSeagull]

Merry Christmas to everyone and all that good stuff

Found out yesterday that the last minute bid for winter sunshine has been a success and off to Dahab on me own for a week on Thursday after the panic packing sesh!

Dived there in Summer and loved it, but any sweaty red-sea winter veterans out there with golden nuggets of wisdom?

Has anybody dived with 'desert divers'? Seem to have lashed myself up with the luxury 'shed on the beach with shared bathroom for a quid a night' accomodation of which the website is alittle vague (not overly concerned, slept in FAR worse places, just like to be prepared thats all).

Anybody experienced the 'camel diving safari' that i've also signed up for? Looks like a hoot anyway (think I can identify with camels. Don't quite understand why. I think we'll get on well)

After much dilliberation decided to plum for the old 5mm semi (don't feel the cold much so should be toasty enough ......... i hope)

Many thanks. Enjoy the festivities (unless your abit bah humbug or totally indifferent to the whole thing like myself)

Steve

[Sipadan]

Just got back. If you like it, fair enough. In Red Sea terms, I thought the diving was mediocre. Water temp was 22 - 24 degrees C. I had a 6.5 mm wetsuit with drysuit-style seals and a pseudo-dry zip and felt comfortable all week. I would take a hood if I were you. Can't help with your questions about dive centres I'm afraid.

[Druid]

Can't help with Desert Divers I'm afraid, I'll see what I can find out though.

Camel safari goes to one of 2 sites that are inaccessible by road. Basically all the dive kit is loaded onto camels which transport kit and divers to the site. Dive sites are usually good because they're not heavily dived. Take a decent blanket to put ove the camel's saddle, and hour and a half on a camel with a couple of cylinder valves sticking into your nether regions is not my idea of fun -YMMV If it's too uncomfortable you can walk and easily keep up with the camel.

Water temp is not the problem, it's the wind chill when you get out that makes it cold here. I'm using my drysuit, and getting envious/hateful looks from people as they strip off wetsuits

Evenings are chilly too, bring jeans and a fleece.

[StevenSeagull]

Originally Posted by Sipadan

In Red Sea terms, I thought the diving was mediocre. Water temp was 22 - 24 degrees C.

Aye i'd agree with that. No Guns or Heavy Metal. Boo! Fish are all very pretty and colourfull, essentially brainless and go well with chips.
But as far as relaxing goes i don't think a more horizontal place exists!
Couldn't be doing Sharm again. The Neon makes my eyes water!

Happy with the water temp. Sure it was 24 last time and still doin night dives after 2 weeks on t'liveaboard in 2.5mm Shorty. Almost wanting to try the 3mm suit, but guess err on caution with the 5mm semi and hood just-in-case. Warmer = less guzling of air methinks. i'll be sure to take post dive warmers kit

[paul-gte]

Just got back from a fortnight of diving sharm, water temp 24 degrees dived for upto an hour in a 3mm shortie, others on boat ranged from 5mm to drysuit, all depends if you feel the cold or not
Paul

[StevenSeagull]

Cheers everyone.

Packing largly done and being as got lots of space and weight allowance left looks like i'll dig out the 3mm suit and bung it in aswell. Kinda makes me wonder what i've forgotten.........

Oh well, no Cuff to Tuff!