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Libya
INTRODUCTION
Libya is probably not at the top of most divers' holiday list but there are some attractions that make the country a destination to watch for the future. For the last few years, Libya has been officially promoting tourism in an effort to start diversifying an economy primarily based on oil. However, tourist facilities are currently said to be pretty limited compared to its neighbours although, on the plus side, visitors will benefit from relatively cheap prices.
A nascent diving industry is developing as the country is increasingly opened-up for tourism. Dive sites include a large number of wrecks as well as archaeological sites and there is always the lure of the supposed Second World War gold sunk offshore.
THE DIVING
Janzour is a tourist village on a long sandy beach close to Tripoli. Tour companies offer diving and sightseeing tours based in Janzour with diving from a number of nearby destinations including Zwara, Amatshok Beach, Tajora Beach and Al Garaboli Beach. Janzour itself has a diving centre and a PADI centre is advertised at El Magrep Elarapi Resident Village, Tripoli. Some operators offer cruises along the coast with diving facilities on board.
Submerged ruins are also encountered near Leptis Magna and Apollonia. At Zwara, the remains of a sunken city can be found only 7 metres below the surface.
By all accounts, away from the wreck and archaeological sites, the underwater scenery is not spectacular.
CLIMATE
The best time to visit Libya is between late October and early May, when daytime temperatures are relatively mellow… for a desert country. Between June and September, temperatures rise to 38C (100F) on a regular basis.
The coastal atmosphere is generally humid (hovering around 55% in the afternoons year round); while inland the deserts are often as dry as dust. The best periods in which to avoid travel to Libya are late spring (May through June) and early fall (October), when the country's subject to the massive Ghibli sandstorms from the south, which tend to last several days and interrupt all outdoor activities.
FOR NON DIVERS
Libya boasts a wide range of historical and archaeological sites.
Tours of the desert are popular with many operators offering 4X4 or camel desert safaris. If planning a desert safari, it is worth remembering that there are still a number of landmines in place across the Sahara and local advice should be sought.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
The larger hotels are reputed to offer a high standard of accommodation and are relatively cheap.
Food is also of a fair standard and relatively cheap. Couscous is the main local dish in Libya. It consists of steamed wheat semolina served with mutton or lamb, vegetables and spicy sauce. Another traditional dish eaten with fingers is pasta and dumplings called Bazen served with a hot sauce. Red and green tea with mint is the national beverage. In addition, a wide choice of foreign dishes is available from Chinese to European, including sea food. Fast food restaurants are increasingly popular.
HOW TO GET THERE
Most Arabic and European airlines companies have direct fights to Tripoli, Benghazi and Sabha. Main European airlines flying to Libya are Alitalia, Swissair, Lufthansa, British Airways, Austrian and AirMalta.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
There is conflicting advice on whether a visa must be purchased before travelling or can be obtained on arrival at major ports and airports. Check with tour operators.
Visitors must also register with Police within 7 days of arrival or face a fine on departure. Main hotels and travel operators will be able to obtain this registration.
Each visitor must be in the position of at least the equivalent of 500 US$ in US or other foreign banknote or traveller's cheques. On departure, visitors must have foreign currency not exceeding the amount declared on entry.
OTHER INFORMATION
Currency: Libyan Dinar LD (1000 Dirham).
Language: Arabic with English and Italian also spoken.
Fuel costs: Libya has some of the cheapest fuel in the world.
CAVEAT
The information given on this page is the best available at the time of writing. However, tourism regulations and the sport diving industry in Libya are both in the early stages of development and information is often conflicting. It would be prudent to take advice from an experienced tour operator before planning a diving expedition there.
CONTACTS
The town of Janzour has its own website Here which also contains links to a wide range of other Libyan related websites including tour operators offering sport diving opportunities.
A list of wrecks sites in Libya can be found Here.
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