Depending on the time of year you want to travel, you have a choice of cheap charter flights or package holidays to all major Red Sea destinations.

Those of you travelling with your diving equipment, please check your baggage allowance when booking your trip. For details of your departure or flight confirmation please contact your tour leader.

There are no required vaccinations for Egypt although Tetanus and Hepatitis A a generally recommended. Travel first-aid kits should contain the standard products. All doctors fees should they be incurred, are to be paid locally and the receipts can then be handed into your insurance agent on returning home.
In case of a diving related medical emergency there are recompression chambers situated in Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab. These facilities are on 24hr. stand-by throughout the year and are operated by qualified and experienced medical personel. DECO International operates the recompression chamber in Dahab and allows visiting divers the option of enrolling in the CSP (Chamber Support Programme). For the nominale fee of 6 Euro's you will receive the first emergency recompression treatment for free. This membership is valid for 3 weeks from date of issue.
In Sharm el Sheikh there is a similar programme available.

More information about DECO International, the CSP and the DECO International Medical Centre Dahab can be found under.

www.deco-international.com

24hr. Emergency Hotline

0020 69 3640 572

0020 12 3993 862

Passport validation must be more than 6 months after the date of departure to gain access to Egypt. Children and minors must have their own travel documents/passport for entry and departure.
A Egyptian tourist entry visa cost's approx. 15 US$ and can be obtained on arrival in the airport or from your tour operator.
The visa form is available in the plane on transfer into Egypt. For holidays to Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab you will only require the "little" visa which is free, but if you are planning on visiting the Straits of Tiran, Ras Mohammed, Nuweiba, Taba, or the Red Sea coast then you MUST purchase the the STANDARD VISA (15 US$).
All non-EU nationals must apply for a visa before travelling and are advised to contact their local Egyptian Embassy to get information on entry requirements.

The official currency is the Egyptian Pound (L.E.).
The Dive Club accepts most currencies (Euro, US$, Swiss Franc, L.E.) as well as traveller cheques.

The climate enjoyed throughout the Red Sea allows for year round diving. The best times of the year for a visit are either spring or autumn. In the summer the temperature will go into the high 40's (degrees celsius). In the winter the temperature does not usually fall below 20 degrees celsius.
Water temperatures range from 29 degrees celsius in the summer to not usually below 20 degrees celsius in the winter.

In the summer months (May until October) a shorty,3-5mm overall, or Long John are adequate. Gloves are not required and are prohibited at most dive sites.

In the winter months (November until April) you will be looking at using a 5-7mm overall with hood or a semi-dry. In the months of December upto Febuary some guests are now opting to using drysuits as the prevailing north winds are very cold making getting changed unpleasent onboard the dive boat.

The offical language is Arabic. Most locals understand and speak English, German and French depending on the destination.

The electrical power supply is usually 220v at 50Hz. For electrical devices you will require a two pin adaptor (standard european).

Tipping also known as "bakshish" is standard practice especially in Egypt. On all hotel and restaurant bills there is a 12% service charge included. 5-10% on top of this is an acceptable tip.
Note: Keep plenty of small notes for tipping purposes as "bakshish" is generally expected by anyone who offers you any kind of service or assistance.

The official day of rest is friday where all official and governmental offices will be closed.
Banks: 9.30am-12.30pm
Shops: 9am-10pm
Museem's: 8am-1pm (in the winter 9am-4pm)

For a complete list of Egyptian Embassies please click on

www.touregypt.net/usconsulates.htm

GMT add 2 hours in winter.
GMT add 3 hours in summer.