HURGHADA DAY-BOAT DIVING

by Jon Gunns

BACKGROUND
I was very fortunate to win the 2003 BSAC Travel Club report writing competition. The prize was a week’s diving in Egypt for 2, presented by Regaldive, and my wife and I set off for Hurghada in September.

We flew with Excel Airways from Gatwick, an uneventful and on - time flight. Arriving at Hurghada airport we were met by Regaldive’s agents in the airport and swiftly escorted through the visa facilities. A short drive brought us to the Hilton Hotel, our home for the next 7 nights and we quickly settled in, enjoying an excellent steak sandwich in the pub.

THE DIVING
The following morning we were up and ready for an 08.00 briefing from Emperor Divers, based at the Hilton, before drawing equipment and joining our boat, RACHELLE. Our dive guide for the week was Cat who gave us a brief on the boat and routine. RACHELLE offered plenty of space with an enclosed saloon, sun deck and large kitting-up area. Lunch and all soft drinks were provided on-board for 40 Egyptian pounds, about £4, per person per day. I was pleasantly impressed by the performance of the crew that compared very favourably with other dive boats I have experienced in the past. No problem was allowed to develop into a crisis and Emperor Divers were kindly able to assist in loaning kit when my wife’s contents gauge developed a gremlin.

The wind was blowing strongly as we set off for a dive site at Abu Ramada. Cat gave the first of an excellent series of briefs and we carried out a 25m check dive. After lunch we dived again, this time at Gota Abu Ramada. These dives set the pattern for the week: meet at the boat at 8 am, 90 minute boat ride to the first site, dive, move to second site, lunch, second dive and return to the Hilton by 4.30 pm. Visibility was good without being outstanding and there was plenty of coral and fish-life to see. Sea temperature was 27°C and we dived in shorties, although we might have been more comfortable in 3mm full suits.

The diving highlight of the week was the day spent at Abu Nuhas diving the wrecks of the CARNATIC and GHIANNIS D. Being further away than the usual sites we met at 7 am on a larger boat normally used for liveaboard trips. The wind was still blowing strongly and we had a bumpy 31/2 ride to the site. Anchoring in the lee of the reef we were transferred in 3 groups of 6 by RIB to the wreck sites enjoying 2 very good dives. Unfortunately, there was a mix up at the end of the second dive that resulted in divers being left in the water longer than would have been desirable. The return trip was significantly less bouncy than the outward leg and we arrived back at 7.30 pm.

I was surprised at the number of boats tied up at the various dive sites we visited. At times more than 20 were moored in a very restricted area and it is surprising that there are not more accidents as boats manoeuvre into position as divers and snorkellers enter the water.

Emperor Divers run a big operation out of the Hilton with liveaboards, day boats as well as training courses in the pool. While we were there a PADI Open Water course was run with the graduates joining us for the last day’s diving.

ACCOMMODATION
Our room at the Hilton was large and comfortable with twin beds, en suite shower/bath room and air conditioning. The Hilton had a variety of restaurants serving dinner. The main restaurant was relatively cheap but tended to become very busy. The pub became a favourite haunt of ours with Happy Hour between 5 - 7 pm and a selection of bar meals available. On one evening we opted for the Lagoona Restaurant, apparently the most famous sea food restaurant in Hurghada. Arriving at 7.30 pm to enquire if we needed to book we discovered that we were the only guests. Presumably the second - most famous seafood restaurant has gone out of business! The restaurant boasted a wide menu and we enjoyed an excellent meal as well as being serenaded by the flute player, all for about £33.

HURGHADA
Downtown Hurghada itself is about 40 minutes by bus, the ride costing 1 Egyptian pound, about 10p. During the day it is a bustling bazaar with T shirt and souvenir shops all attempting to take your money. Compared with a previous visit 5 years ago, I found the prices higher and the shopkeepers’ demands to enter their shops more threatening.

In the evening Hurghada has a thriving night life and boasts many and varied eating houses. The final night of our stay was designated Divers’ Night with free meals in the pub followed by a night out before the next day’s evening flight home. I considered myself too old to join the fun and opted for a quiet night in.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Many excursions are run from Hurghada. One couple staying with us decided to try the day trip to the Valley of the Kings. A very early start followed by a long bus ride took them to the Valley and a whistle stop tour of the tombs, the Nile and the papyrus factory, arriving home late that evening. Other excursions include Cairo and St Catherine’s but all of these involve long journeys. Closer to the hotel, quad biking and night-time desert excursions were on offer.

THE BOTTOM LINE
I won the competition and so paid nothing for the holiday and 5 dive pack. Thos not so lucky would have paid £429 for flights, bed and breakfast. We paid extra for the trip to Abu Nuhas and for dives within the National Park.

The day trip to The Valley of the Kings cost an extra £53 per person.


Jon Gunns

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