The Red Sea

The Red Sea is one of the world's premier diving destinations. Known for its variety of corals and abundant fish life, the Red Sea offers you diving in waters of unsurpassed clarity. The coral Reefs along the Sinai coast line are considered as some of the best in the world and are the closest tropical coral reefs to Europe .  The Sinai, when viewed from satellite, is seen as a golden triangle, framed by the deep blue water of the Red Sea .  It developed more than 30 million years ago when Arabia started to drift away from Africa .  A huge rupture in between these two gigantic plates of earth filled up with water from the surrounding oceans and the Red Sea was formed.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Australian passport holders require a single or multiple entry tourist visa to visit Egypt. You also require 6 months validity beyond your intended stay on your passport. Please refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Website: www.dfat.gov.au for the latest travel advice.

CURRENCY AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE: The basic unit of currency is the Egyptian Pound.  Some cash can be converted at the airport.  There are many local banks and a Thomas Cook in both Hurghada and Sharm El Sheik.  Also, most of the larger hotels have banks to exchange traveler’s cheques or advances on credit cards.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS : Consult your local doctor for full recommendations, or visit www.travelvax.com.au

CLIMATE: The climate of Red Sea , Egypt is easy to summarize.  Most of the year, except for the winter month Dec- Feb, it is hot and dry.  In the evenings during the winter months it is sometimes necessary to wear a sweater, otherwise it is ‘shorts & T-shirt’ conditions all year round.  Average water temperature in Oct is 25C.

ELECTRICITY: 240v – the same as Australia

TICKET TAXES: Passenger Movement Charge, Sydney Airport Noise Levy, Insurance Levy, Baggage Screening Tax, Fuel Surcharge and Airport Charge are all prepaid taxes and included on your airline ticket.

LANGUAGE: Arabic, English & French are widely spoken.

TIPPING: Gratuities between 5 & 10 % are customary and paid locally for all services

DIVING ESSENTIALS: Certification card and log book, gear bag, BCD, torch with batteries and charger, mask, snorkel, fins, regulator and oci, watch, decompression tables or multi level computer, spare parts kit, camera, flash, film. Lycra suits are recommended, as average water temperature is 27c. For those that feel the cold a 3mm wetsuit is recommended. Batteries are to be removed from torches and cameras before flying.

SOCIAL HINTS: Majority of Egyptians are Muslims.  Egypt ’s social life is quite informal.  Dress tends to be casual.  Women should get dressed properly by covering arms and legs as much as possible.  Egyptians always use titles when addressing each other.  They also salute with the right hand before and after the shake.  NEVER take a photograph of someone without their permission.