RED SEA RESORT ADVICE/IDEAS

Hi,

I dont get travel abroad and take pictures as much as i like to (family, work, money etc), but i am planing a trip to the Red Sea next October.

I am looking for a very underwater photography friendly holiday, not that keen on walls or deep diving for obvious reasons.

Ideally i would like to get my elbows in the sand and get as much bootom time as possible.

I went on a sort of photography liveaboard this year, but dont fancy that again.

I have been to Nuweiba a few times (with Alan James Photography) but that reef is looking a bit tired.

What i am after is a bit of house reef diving/day boat diving - but not regimented etc.

Specific UW Photography Workshops are great (done 4) but out of my price range at the moment.

Jordan looks good - but any other ideas would be greatly appreciatted.

Thanks

Brian

Consider a holiday in Marsa Alam, Egypt. You can fly direct from the UK. I went a few years back and stayed at the Kahramana Resort. The house reefs had lots of nice hard corals and fish. The biggest advantage is that Elphinstone, an offshore reef is nearby. It is truly one of the best sites I have visited. The soft corals were amazing. There are swarms of fish everywhere. The opportunities of seeing larger animals are very good. The boat ride is less than one hour.

If there is a downside to Marsa Alam, it would be the lack of nightlife. It is the total opposite of Sharm el Sheikh. Bear in mind that there are fewer divers, too.

The reefs at Karahmana are very good but I prefer to access them from The Red Sea Diving Safari 'Eco-Village' at Marsa Shagra. Another to consider is RSDS at Wadi Lahami for the Fury Shoal.

The reefs at Karahmana are very good but I prefer to access them from The Red Sea Diving Safari 'Eco-Village' at Marsa Shagra. Another to consider is RSDS at Wadi Lahami for the Fury Shoal.

Another consideration at Marsa Shagra is that you're free to dive the home reef as much as you can and it's easy to make looooonng bottom times daily.

Brian

I'd echo Red Sea Diving Safaris Marsa Shagra Camp, just off Marsa Alam. I went with my family in june and it was about as perfect as it can be if you're mixing diving/family. The house reef is very decent and they had speed boats to Elphinstone at 6 am every morning (I was back when the kids and fiancé got out of bed). But there's not much to do besides snorkeling/diving/reading, so if the rest of your family don't fancy the sea, it might get boring for them. My kids (5 & 7) loved it. They got to see their first 'wild' shark while snorkeling, turtles and stingrays ... They don't have a fantastic set-up for photographers, but it works if you're attentive to your gear.

good luck

I am going to the Marsa Shagra camp in April. Those of you that have been there, on the house reef, how much control do RSDS apply to get people to follow buddy rules? I have the SDI solo certification, and will dive with a pony.

Regards Bent

If there is a downside to Marsa Alam, it would be the lack of nightlife. It is the total opposite of Sharm el Sheikh. Bear in mind that there are fewer divers, too.

Clearly some peoples downsides are other upsides. Sharm these days is rapidly turning into my version of hell. Too many divers on the popular sites and far too much noise pollution, but that is to digress. Some of the Marsa Alam hotels are now acquiring that delightful late night noise so beloved by those of us that want to get in an early morning (i.e. 06.00) dive for the low light. I was also in Shagra in June and it was the first time that I had heard it there but it is meant to now be a regular feature.

I have been to Shagra a couple of time and I have also just come back from the sister camp, Nakari. For me the choice of the two is Nakari. It is quieter, far more personal, and generally has a better ambiance. For me the diver was better. More swim throughs and decent shallow corals, large shoals of ghost mackeral (bigger than those at Shagra), bait fish, and wrasse. We also regular had large numbers of squid. Dolphins are also meant to be more commonly seen in the bay.

If you want clubs and pubs then stick to Hurghada and Sharm. If you are not with an all photo group then there is a good chance that they will want you to follow the herd. If you want unrestricted easy diving shorebased then I would go for Marsa and the Eco Villages.

I am going to the Marsa Shagra camp in April. Those of you that have been there, on the house reef, how much control do RSDS apply to get people to follow buddy rules? I have the SDI solo certification, and will dive with a pony.

 

Regards Bent

You won't be allowed to solo. Although it has been known to person to add their name to a group, go in with them and come out at about the same time

Daniel

You won't be allowed to solo. Although it has been known to person to add their name to a group, go in with them and come out at about the same time

Daniel

That would work! Just needs some timing in the surfacing part of the dive.

Bent

Found this with Hidden Depths:

A weeks shore based diving, from May 12th to May 19th, in the Southern Red Sea, staying at the ECO Village of Marsa Shagram. At only £769 inc London flights, transfers, full board, accommodation and unlimited diving this is a trip not to be missed.

I would asume Elphinstone would be available at a supplement too?

Anyone interested in Buddying up for this trip please PM me, I might be up for it

You won't be allowed to solo. Although it has been known to person to add their name to a group, go in with them and come out at about the same time

 

Daniel

 

 

That would work! Just needs some timing in the surfacing part of the dive.

 

Bent

Precisely!! If you ask, the answer will be no. I frequently 'shore out and back' or 'rib out and shore back' and stroll up the beach on my own. No one ever asks but I have been going there for as long as I can remember... Lahami is very relaxed and surfacing half a mile from the group has never been an issue for me. I must try Nakari sometime...

I frequently 'shore out and back' or 'rib out and shore back' and stroll up the beach on my own.

But you still start out in some kind of a group? Do you need to assign yourself to a specific buddy or is it OK to just follow the group?

Regards

Bent

Just make sure your name is on the board with a group. "What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over", eh?

I have been to Shagra a couple of time and I have also just come back from the sister camp, Nakari. For me the choice of the two is Nakari. It is quieter, far more personal, and generally has a better ambiance.

Daniel

Daniel, we went to Nakari as well and it is smaller, less developed, more personal and everything but ... it was a little too rustique when bringing small children. I don't like the build up around Shagra either, as it certainly spoils the atmosphere, but diving wise ... I must confess that I prefer the Shagra house reef over Nakari's. And then Elphinstone just ouside Shagra is a huge plus if you like deep water reefs.

For my taste (if I go shorebased without the children), I think perhaps Lahmi would be a better choice than Nakari thank's to the Fury Shoal being within dingy reach. Don't know if they have a house reef there though? Only dived that area from liveaboards.

cheers

Found this with Hidden Depths:

A weeks shore based diving, from May 12th to May 19th, in the Southern Red Sea, staying at the ECO Village of Marsa Shagram. At only £769 inc London flights, transfers, full board, accommodation and unlimited diving this is a trip not to be missed.

 

I would asume Elphinstone would be available at a supplement too?

 

Anyone interested in Buddying up for this trip please PM me, I might be up for it

Scuby

Consider flying with Easyjet rather than using the packaged flight. You'll find that the cost quoted is made up of something like £400 for the holiday and £370 for the flight. Going with Easyjet with saving about £200 and give a better weight allowance. There is the extra connection time but that is normally only spent sitting around waiting at the resort anyway.

Daniel