Hurghada land based Dive Tours

DIVE
HURGHADA
LAND BASED DIVE TOURS
WITH REEFCOMBER TOURS

Sinai - The name alone speaks volumes of history - this is the historic region where civilisation began. The ancient monuments and artefacts have been well preserved by 5,000 years of harsh desert environment. This is a land of incredible contrast - the stark, ancient desert and the vibrant marine life and colour of the Red Sea. At the edge of the desert, beneath the indigo blue waters of the Red Sea, lies an oasis of incredibly-rich marine life. Photo opportunities attract many famous underwater photographers.

When asked about his experiences, the late Jacques Cousteau once commented ' The Red Sea is a corridor of marvels - the happiest hours of my diving experiences have been spent there!' American Professor of Zoology and marine scientist at the University of Maryland, Dr Eugenie Clark, once said that if she were asked if she could choose only one place to dive - her choice would be the Ras Mohammed National Park. The weather is almost always perfect, the sea is clear and the diving conditions are excellent. In fact, the sun shines virtually every day.
This sunlight works with the coral reef echo-system to produce one of the richest marine environments. There is almost a total lack of tides. Because of this isolation, almost 20% of the fish life is endemic to the Red Sea. More than 400 species of coral have thus far been recorded. If you are used to the typical assortment of Sodwana reef life, be prepared for a pleasant surprise - the Red Sea constitutes a fantastic and an unrivalled ' biological niche', and nowhere else in the world can you find such a unique collection of corals and marine life.

There are two main dive areas in the Red Sea - N'aama Bay, at Sharm El Sheikh on the southern tip of the Sinai peninsular and Hurghada, 600 kilometres south of Cairo, and halfway down the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea.

There are an abundance of Dive Operators to deal with in both Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, but be sure to use a well-established reputable operator - best to check with your local Dive Tour Specialists who will advise you.

Diving is only one of the many attractions to be found in these beautiful resort areas. Day excursions can be organised - from Camel Safaris, to Dolphin encounters to dinner with Bedouins in the desert. From the harbour of N'aama Bay, both Ras Mohammed Marine Park and the Tiran Straits are only a short boatride away. Divers can easily do a two or three tank dive in the day and be back in time for dinner.

PACKAGE: Land-based - 7 nights

LIGHT ARRANGEMENTS:
JOHANNESBURG - CAIRO - HURGHADA - CAIRO - JOHANNESBURG
R 3 930 per person, excl. taxes - low season rate
R 4 310 per person, excl taxes - high season rate -
Low season: 15 Jan-20 Mar; 14 Apr-19 June; 5 July-14 Sept; 1 Oct-30 Nov
High Season: 21 Mar-13 Apr; 20 Jun-4 July; 15-30 Sept; 1 Dec-14 Jan 2002

Emperor Diving Village (Hilton Resort)
Our villas are ideal for diving clubs, couples or families. Villa accommodation is on a share basis and represents excellent value for money to allow guests to enjoy the luxury of the Hilton Resort at affordable cost.
Breakfast is in the Hilton Resort main restaurant, across the road from the Diving Village. Our guests can make full use of the Hilton's extensive facilities, including huge main pool, private beach, pub (Divers' Night every Thursday), night club, Italian and fish restaurants, shops, bank.

Four Bedroom Villas:
Twin rooms, air-conditioned with mini-fridge and telephone.
Two rooms with ensuite bathrooms and the other two sharing the third bathroom. These villas have one bedroom with ensuite and a large communal living room on the ground floor. The remaining three bedrooms are on the first floor. Each villa is air-conditioned throughout, with kitchen and a satellite TV in the living room.
RATE PER PERSON PER NIGHT R 290 (rates valid for certain seasons)

Six Bedroom Villas:
Three bedrooms on the ground floor, each with ensuite.
First floor is the same layout as the four-bedroom villas i.e. three bedrooms, one with ensuite bathroom and two further rooms, sharing a bathroom.
RATE PER PERSON PER NIGHT:
R 290 (rates valid for certain seasons)

Hurghada Hilton Resort (4-Star Deluxe)
240 units, air-conditioned, with ensuite bathroom, mini-fridge, satellite TV
Hurghada's top resort hotel, the Hilton is very popular and always enjoys a great, relaxed and fun atmosphere. The hotel has a beautiful private beach, large pool and stunning gardens, as well as all the sporting, eating, shopping and entertainment facilities expected of a Hilton.

RATE : R 395 per person per night

The Diving :

Great diving and wonderful topside attractions at affordable prices makes the Red Sea a great dive destination for the South African Diver. Unlike Sharm El Sheikh where all the diving is along the coastline, Hurghada benefits from the numerous small islands within a 10-15Km radius of the town. If it were not for these numerous islands the diving would be difficult as the area would be open to the prevailing wind. The diving around these islands is varied with shallow reefs and coral gardens to dramatic walls and drop offs offering a variety of diving second to none. During the last three years the whole area has become protected and has benefited greatly from the installation of mooring buoys at all the reefs by HEPCA, the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association. The islands and reefs although not designated as national parks are protected and the same rules apply, don’t touch the coral or feed the fish and remember it is illegal to take anything from the sea bed dead or alive.

DIVE RATES: (VALID until 31 OCTOBER 2002)

DAY TRIPS R 345 per day minimum 5 day package
HURGHADA - boat R 1 750 per 5 day package

Price includes 2 dives with guide, tanks, weight belt and weights (local hotel courtesy transfers by timetable in Hurghada
Not included - diving equipment; $ 5 p.p.p.d. National Parks Entrance Fee (Hurghada); $ 1 p.p.p.d. Environmental Impact Tax (Hurghada)
Lunch extra LE 25 includes unlimited mineral water, soft drinks, tea or coffee

Nitrox Diving R 105 (Add to price of daily trip)
Diving Equipment (payable locally by guest)
One day $ 25

Snorkeling / Non-Diver Trip
HURGHADA - $ 15 Price includes boat trip, mask, snorkel, fins
Lunch extra LE 25 includes unlimited mineral water, soft drinks, tea or coffee

DIVE SITES:
Shab El Erg
The most northerly site for day boats out of Hurghada. A huge horseshoe shaped reef there are many dive sites on all sides. The north point is home to Mantas in season. The lagoon is dotted with ergs and is renowned for sightings of the resident dolphin community, divers have spent up to 30 minutes with dolphin pod here.
Gota Shab El Erg
nearby is a little known site but well worth a visit. The whole area teems with life, unicorns, scorpion fish, groupers, morays, emperor angel fish, blue spotted rays and underneath the table corals look out for white tips resting in the sand. In the sandy channel between the main reef and the gota you will find cone shells, and flatfish.
Fanadir Islands
El Fanadir is a long reef running roughly north to south and identified by the four small rocky islets that sit upon it. The reef wall drops from the surface to 12m and is full of small creatures of all description. The sandy slope from 12m to 24m is relatively uninteresting apart from a single erg that is just below the most northerly islet. This erg is covered in glass fish and in the many cracks and crannies you will find lion fish and stone fish. The top of the drop off is worth a visit as you may catch a glimpse of a manta or hammerhead passing in the blue.
Shab Abu Nigar
This "T" shaped reef has a shallow plateau to the west with numerous small ergs and two small sub reefs Gota Abu Nigar and Shab Iris. Some parts of this reef system are positively dull while others are stunning. If you can dive the stem of the "T" on the north side you will find three small ergs and the diving there is almost virginal. You will find broom tail wrasse here as well as parrot fish and unicorn fish.
Umm Gamar (27°21.155’N, 33°54.550’E)
This offshore Island is surrounded by good diving on all sides. The south end has a shallow plateau where the moorings are located this location is the most used. For first timers at Umm Gamar the dive will take place from the plateau, moving eastwards to the drop off then north along the wall. After a short swim against the current you reach three pinnacles close together, chimneys reach through the pinnacles toward the surface. After exploring this area you take advantage of the light current to drift back to the corner of the plateau where three small ergs are found, covered in glass fish. Finish the dive on the plateau exploring the numerous coral heads and reef fish. The plateau is home to Napoleons, Emperor Angels and free swimming Morays. The east and west side have awesome drift dives and the northern tip or "halg" has a magnificent coral garden but is only accessible in very good weather. Big groupers and lots of sweepers live in the multiple caves found along the eastern and western walls and drop offs of this tiny island’s fringing reef.