[gblades2]

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I am off to Sharem in a couple of weeks time.
Can anyone who has been there before offer any specific advice?

I understand credit cards are wildly accepted so I should not need to take much cash/travelers cheques with me.
Do they have cash points over there as these are often cheaper to use than travelers cheques?

 

[cthomas]

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<font color='#FF0000'>there is an hsbc near the mcdonalds, how british!

dont eat salad, you'll spend moe time in the toilet than water, rice is a little suspect too

and i hope you like pasta and tuna, we ate it on the boat for 8 days in a row... you might get a chef rather than a pasta and tuna specialist!

have fun, dive safe

chris

p.s i am sooo jealous!  

 

[dave archer]

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Dive the Thistlegorm if you get the chance - costs a bit extra, means an early morning, but is weel worth it, ven if you are a "marine life rather than wreck" type. It is excellent  

Enjoy your trip you, lucky, lucky .....

Dave.

 

[Mark Chase]

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The water is colder than you think so take a good semi dry or even a dry suit this time of year. They say you dont need a torch on the Thistlegorm or the Dunraven but thats rubbish take a good one

The Camal bar is jumpin and full of brits

Have a great time,

ATB

Mark Chase

 

[John N]

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There are plenty of cashpoints around.
Credit cards are accepted most places but be careful - some places, especially the diving outfits add a surcharge of up to 10% on credit card transactions.  
If taking cash, Euros are the thing and both Egyptians and dive guides will be happy to take them/exchange them at a good rate.

There is a restaurant near McDonalds at the end of the high street - up some stairs on the corner.  Called Dannaneer.  Very good place to eat and safe as far as I can tell.

Make sure you dive Shark - Yolanda reef, it's my favourite.

Don't overpay for taxis - 15 to 20 LE (£1.50 - £2) should get you anywhere including from Naama Nay to Sharm old town.

The old town is worth a visit for it's fish restaurants - the Sinai Star and others.  Cheaper than Naama.

Bars in Naama - The Camel is a divers favourite, The Pirates Bar at the Hilton Fayrouz or The Tavern - quite new and opposite the main taxi rank in Naama just along a side street.

Eat the food on the boats - I've found it to be safe.  Usually potatoes/rice/pasta with meat/fish/vegetables it supplements the crew's income.  At 30LE including all the water/coke you can drink for the day it's pretty cheap.
Tip the crew on the boats if they're helpful - they get paid sh*t.  10 - 20 LE per day is normal.

Take something warm - jumper or fleece as the wind on the boat can get quite chilly this time of year.

Enjoy!

 

[Simon A]

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Quote[/b] (Mark Chase @ Nov. 24 2003,13:14)]The water is colder than you think so take a good semi dry or even a dry suit this time of year.

Mark,
Semi Dry!!!!
I came back from Sharm 2 weeks ago and the water temp was 27-28 degrees, you are not going to need a semi-dry or dry suit.
However if you are doing some of the deeper dives like the Thistlegorm you may want a 5mm suit, the wife was getting a little cold on the 3rd dive of the day when she wore her 3mm suit. Sharm Water Temps

During the week I was out there I managed to spend a Whole £65 in spending money, also the best exchange rate I got for Egyptian pounds was at the HSBC bank in Sharm (which is conveniently in the middle of Naama Bay)

Simon A

 

[Dave Crampton]

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Do remember that Travellers cheques give you a garrenttee that you'll receive replacements if you have your belongings stolen, though I'm not sure how much this applies if your on a secure boat miles from anywhere?

Dave C

 

[Dr Stevil]

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Quote[/b] (Mark Chase @ Nov. 24 2003,13:14)]The water is colder than you think so take a good semi dry or even a dry suit this time of year.

Mark, you're a real shandy merchant int'cha  

 
3mm shortie or even just a pair of shorts did me fine, mind, Gav had his hood on at one point so he's as bad as you

 

[ainsley]

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As others have said...you lucky b*gg*r

I was out there at the beginning of Oct and can't wait to go out again.

Where are you staying?

Apart from the advice already mentioned all I can add is ...drink Sakara not the local Stella.

Sakara is ok but Stella gives you a nasty chemical hangover...well thht's what we've found anyway  

Tam Tam is an excellent Egyptian restaurant in Naama Bay, well worth a visit.

Have fun

Rob

 

[gblades2]

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I am staying in the Naama Bay Hotel. I am going with Explorers as they are doing a free 5 day dive pack which brings the cost down quite a bit. They use the Ocean Club dive centre. There seems to be mixed opinion of them from some of the comments on the other forum.

I have a new 5mm semi-dry which should be fine. I think the water temperature in December is around 24C.

 

[Sean]

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Gblades

Just sent you a PM with some information that may help

 

[ainsley]

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Cool

Stayed in the Naama bay hotel last year.  Nice hotel, but try and get a room at the back facing the pool to avoid the majority of 'taxi' noise.

The dive jetty is also just a 5 min walk away

I've said before but my mates and I found Ocean Club excellent. Should, however, you not 'get on' with the diveguide you are assigned to, moving boats is as easy as pie.


Rob

 

[gblades2]

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Do the ocean club store any kit for you?
I guess it would not be too bad carying everything as they have the tanks and belts.

 

[Spike Jackson]

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We dived from a liveaboard out of Sharm last week - water temp was 25 degrees most sites, 24 once so the semi dry should keep you very warm. It will be windy and chilly between dives so a windproof top would be good.