The DIVER Travel Planner

RED SEA/MIDDLE EAST
Egypt
Marine life: The Red Sea's great depth - almost 3000m - and diversity of soft and hard corals have made competition fierce for space in shallow-water areas, and resulted in an astonishing variety of fish and other marine life. An estimated 1000 species of fish inhabit the region, no less than 17 per cent of them unique to the Red Sea. Reef fish include more than 60 species of wrasse plus angelfish, parrotfish, groupers, barracuda and triggerfish among others. There are some 30 species of shark, most commonly whitetip and blacktip, but also hammerhead, mako, tiger and even whale sharks. Ray species include manta, eagle and stingray.
Type of diving: Something for everyone, from shallow shore dives to drop-offs, caves, canyons and wrecks. Live-aboards are a good way of seeing the best of the Red Sea. Nitrox diving is also offered at several centres.
Major diving areas: Sharm el Sheikh, Ras Mohammed, Ras Um Sid, Ras Mamlah, Straits of Tiran, Hurghada, Safaga, El Qesir, Nuweiba, Dahab, Taba, the Brothers, ss Thistlegorm, Shaab Mahmoud, Carless Reef - the list of Red Sea sites is endless.
Cost: Cheap to moderate.
Seasons/climate: Hot, dry summers with temperatures up to 40ĄC in summer in the Red Sea and mild, dry winters with average temperatures around 21ĄC. Water temperatures range from 18-25ĄC. Diving year-round, but can be windy at times, especially September-October and April-June.
What to wear: Out of the water - light clothing in summer; warmer clothes for winter, especially evenings. Very casual. In the water - 3mm or 5mm wetsuit in summer, 7mm wetsuit in winter.
Hazards: Normal reef hazards. Heat exhaustion, severe sunburn and sunstroke are dangers in summer.
Currency: The Egyptian pound. Ł1=ŁE5.50 approx.
Electricity supply: 220V.
Inoculations: Typhoid, polio and hepatitis A recommended. Malaria risk.
Visa required: Yes.
Getting there: Charter flights operate to Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada, taking 5 hours.
Tipping: Generally 10 per cent.
Information: Egyptian State Tourist Office (0891 600299*). Website - www.tourism. egnet.net.
Tour operators include: Hayes and Jarvis, Longwood Holidays, Oonasdivers, Diving World UK, Regal Diving, Explorers Tours, Sport Abroad, Goldenjoy, Aquatours, Crusader Travel, Scubaway, Sportif International, Tony Backhurst Scuba Travel , Travelmood, explor Dive the World, Somak Holidays, Dive & Sail.

Israel
Marine life: Many soft corals and hard coral bommies with plentiful reef life and large pelagics, but on a much smaller scale than Egypt's Red Sea habitats.
Type of diving: Great for beginners and novices because of its lack of current. Also ideal for photographers. Shore diving and boat diving from Eilat.
Major diving areas: Eilat, Coral Island. Archaeology field trips are now organised to Israel's Mediterranean coast by Eilat-based AquaSport.
Cost: Cheap to moderate.
Seasons/climate: Israel's Red Sea coast is hot in summer with cooler winters. Can get windy at times. Best times are spring and autumn.
What to wear: Out of the water - light clothing in summer; warmer clothes for winter, especially evenings. In the water - 3mm or 5mm wetsuit in summer, 7mm wetsuit in winter.
Hazards: Normal reef hazards.
Currency: The shekel. Ł1=SK6.50 approx. US dollars generally accepted.
Electricity supply: 220V.
Inoculations: Typhoid, polio and hepatitis A recommended.
Visa required: No.
Getting there: Charter flights operate to Eilat, taking 5 hours.
Tipping: Generally 10 per cent.
Information: Israel Government Tourist Office (0171 299 1111). Website - www. infotour.co.il.
Tour operators include: Hayes and Jarvis, Crusader Travel, Longwood Holidays, Goldenjoy, Superstar Holidays (for winter breaks only), Unijet.

Jordan
Marine life: Similar marine environment to Eilat's, with hard coral bommies and an abundance of soft corals attracting many reef fish. Also black coral.
Type of diving: Perfect for beginners and less experienced, and excellent for photo- graphy. Shore diving on reefs and Cedar Pride wreck, sunk as an artificial reef.
Major diving areas: Aqaba has more than 20 regularly dived sites.
Cost: Cheap to moderate.
Seasons/climate: Similar climate to Eilat's. Best times are spring and autumn.
What to wear: Out of the water - light clothing in summer; warmer clothes for winter, especially evenings. In the water - 3mm or 5mm wetsuit in summer, 7mm wetsuit in winter.
Hazards: Normal reef hazards.
Currency: The dinar. Ł1=JD1.10 approx.
Electricity supply: 220V.
Inoculations: Typhoid, polio and hepatitis A recommended.
Visa required: Yes.
Getting there: Flights take 6 hours.
Tipping: Generally 10 per cent.
Information: Jordan Tourist Board (0181 877 4524). Website - www.mota.gov.jo.
Tour operators include: Hayes and Jarvis, Goldenjoy, Aquatours, Club Med, Airborne Holidays, Pullman Holidays.

Appeared in DIVER - June 1999