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Dive Review of New waves in
Africa/Sharm El Sheik

New waves, Sep, 2009,

by mick keane, ny, USA ( 1 report). Report 5279.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling 3 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Sharm is a very large tourist resort isolated from the rest of Egypt by a very tight secutity cordon and of course the Sinai desert. The resort spreads along the Red sea for about 5 miles either side of the old town and is dominated by franchised hotels, stores and restaurants. Its quite difficult to find anything Egyptian to eat or buy.The resort caters principally to English, Russian and Italian sun worshippers, night clubbers and divers. The locals were friendly, always helpfull and very curious about the USA.With a very visible police presence i felt safer there than at many Carribean destinations. All dive boats leave from one of two piers no matter what operator you are using. Dive operators will arrange pick up at any hotel and place you on a boat going to any dive site you select for that day. A 10 dive package with all equipment cost 300 euros including transfers. Water temp 30 degrees, excellent visibility,Coral healthy and colourfull. Boats typically with 24 divers but usually dived into small groups of 4-6. Dive briefings were the best i have encountered. The only fault i would have is the excessive time wasted getting that many divers in and out of the water and the lenght of time it took to move from site to site.On a typical day the boat departed at 9AM and returned at 5 PM for two morning dives with the afternoon used for beginner classes, sleeping and snorkelling which was excellent. We used 'New Waves' divers which had just been bought out by a young and very friendly Russian couple. The owner Genady was funny knowledgeable and highly organised. Generous with his time. On his recommendation we took a day trip with him about 50 miles up the coast to Dahab to see a more realistic slice of life in Egypt and experience 2 faboulous dive sites, a camel ride and some Russian Vodka. Best bang for the buck. Will go again. Fly directly into Sharm from Gatwick london to avoid the hassles of a stopover in Cairo. Purchase visa on arrival.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Bonaire, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Panama, Ireland, Spain
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 30-32°C / 86-90°F Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 100- Ft/ 30- M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions maximum depth and bottom time
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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