My first liveaboard. Red Sea. What to expect?

[BigHairyAl]

You can leave everything at home if you want, the boat will likely supply everything (for a charge, ofc).

Dive, eat, dive, eat, dive, eat, dive, eat sleep. Can't go wrong!

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Jenkins

Keep clothing to a minimum, you will live in swimwear (take 2 sets) and could get away with just shorts and one T.shirt (plus what you travel in). Personally I like a little more BUT you really do not need an entire wardrobe.

If I am sharing with someone I hope they have more than 1 t-shirt with them. There is now no need to pack so lightly as most airlines to the Egyptian divers locations often give extra.

I take enough swimwear for the number of dives per day, so 3 or 4.

You can take a small knife but don't bother with the 8" blade strapped to your leg. The boat will have very little in the way of spares so if you think you are going to need it take it and if you think you aren't going to need it, take it

What kit where you thinking of leaving at home ?

[DanTam1]

Originally Posted by Fiona

What kit where you thinking of leaving at home ?

My large Knife and drysuit are staying at home.

Most of my gear is coming with me, even setup for twins. Wondering if I need my GreenForce torch (if night dives are allowed?). My 3mm wetsuit and 3mm shortie are coming with me. I dived in January last year in them as was nice and toasty.

Basically everything except cylinders and drysuit.

Dan

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by DanTam1

Basically everything except cylinders and drysuit.

Dan

Sounds like you have it about right then

Where are you going ? as not all trips will have night dives. I didn't take a big torch but I did take a couple of backups though which were more than enough for me as I don't recall doing a night dive.

[String]

Something i forgot to ask: are gloves allowed or not (im thinking stings etc) ?

Also is there a ban on knives/shears like in some parts of the caribbean?

[sailorbuoy]

Originally Posted by DanTam1

Ooo excited...Case is packed and at 30KGs at the moment. !!

If 30kgs is within your allowance then nay bother... but it does seem like an awful lot - my wife an i usually average out at about 23kg ea.

My list for April diving is:

• 5mm suit, hood, booties, trunks and 1mm neo top
• Mask, snorkel, fins
• Regs
• Single tank wing (steel BP), STA and pocket
• 3w LED light
• SMB/Spool
• Strobe
• Computer/compass
• Camera / housing / memory cards
• Slate (for mrs SB to issue bollockings....)
• Small spares box containing fin strap, mask strap, misc odds and sods, double ender, tie-wraps etc
• Washbag
• Thick socks for the boat
• 2 pairs shorts
• 1 pr trousers
• 3 T shirts
• 3 short sleeved shirts
• Hat / Sunglasses
• Hoody
• Traccy bottoms
• Walking trainers
• passport/logbook/cert cards/money/insurance details/tickets

Travel in the t-shirt/trs/hoody/shoes

In my experience any good dive guide will have a full spares kit and will be able to assist in most circumstances - OK don't rely on this but your diving will continue by hook or by crook...
I don't bother with a knife, but have a z-cutter in my wing pocket.
Buy spare batteries at the airport.

Have a great trip - we'll be out in April to dive the Brothers!

Rich

[Fiona]

Gloves are frowned upon as they are seen to encourage people to "touch", however I always take a pair especially on night dives.

[cazyoung]

Originally Posted by String

Something i forgot to ask: are gloves allowed or not (im thinking stings etc) ?

Also is there a ban on knives/shears like in some parts of the caribbean?

Gloves are allowed but most operators prefer divers to not wear them as it tends to make people careful about where they put their hands. Have always carried a knife (small one 0n my BCD). Suggest you take a warm top for evenings ie a nice new YD fleece! as it can be very windy in October. One word of warning if the vis is as gin clear as it usually is be aware that it is very very easy to get somewhat deeper than one thinks one is - have seen people at 45m unaware they were that deep as they were so engrossed in the magnificant corals and clouds of fish. Red sea diving is quite addictive!! Enjoy...........

[DanTam1]

Originally Posted by Fiona

Where are you going?

Going on Blue Fin, doing the Northern Wrecks and Reefs week with Blue O2. (well through Aquatours).

Dan

[DanTam1]

This cruise allows you to take in some of the most notorious wrecks that the Red Sea has to offer

WRECKS - The wrecks at Abu Nuhas; Ghiannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K, Marcus. The Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Ulysses, The Barge, Rosie Moller (experience required)
REEFS- Giftun, Umm Gamar, Shaab El Erq, Bluff Point, Abu Nuhas, Shag Rock, Shaab Umm Usk.