Red Sea Diving
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the weather be like, and what kind of wetsuit will I need?
Can I begin my PADI Open Water Diver course at home to save time while I’m on holiday?
How long after arrival can I start diving?
Can my children learn to dive?
I wear contact lenses - is this a problem?
What equipment should I take?
Can I get a 10 or 15 litre tank?
Do I have to dive with a guide?
What are the rules associated with flying and diving/diving and flying?
Why do I have to pay additional insurance locally for diving in Eilat?
How do I know that I am diving with a reputable dive centre?
Do I have to be a strong swimmer to learn to dive?
Where can I find further information and advice?
What will the weather be like, and what kind of wetsuit will I need?
Average daily temperatures in degrees celsius. Please note these are an average taken from all Red Sea resorts and are to be used as a guide only.
Month |
Air temp |
Water temp |
Recommended wet suit |
January |
23 |
20 |
Full 5mm+ |
February |
25 |
21 |
Full 5mm+ |
March |
26 |
22 |
Full 5mm+ |
April |
29 |
23 |
Full 5mm+ |
May |
31 |
25 |
Full 3mm+ |
June |
33 |
26 |
Full 3mm+ |
July |
35 |
27 |
Full 3mm+ |
August |
37 |
28 |
Full 3mm+ |
September |
34 |
27 |
Full 3mm+ |
October |
30 |
26 |
Full 3mm+ |
November |
28 |
24 |
Full 5mm+ |
December |
23 |
23 |
Full 5mm+ |
Can I begin my PADI Open Water Diver course at home to save time while I’m on holiday?
Yes you can. We would be happy to put you in touch with a reputable dive centre in your local area in order for you to undertake the pool dives and knowledge development before you travel. (You will pay your local dive centre separately for this). The Open Water Diver Referral course allows you to complete your open water dives in resort.
How long after arrival can I start diving?
Diving will commence the day after arrival (except Red Sea Waterworld Taba where it is 2 days after arrival), unless you would like to have that day at leisure. Please advise your preference at the time of booking.
Can my children learn to dive?
8 - 10 year olds can have an introduction to the art of breathing underwater on a Bubblemaker course. A qualified instructor will introduce your kids to the coral reefs and fish life in the shallow waters of the Red Sea, at a maximum depth of 2 metres. Children aged 10 - 15 years old can take a Junior Open Water Diver course following exactly the same format as the adult course. Maximum depth is 12 metres for 10 - 12 year olds.
I wear contact lenses - is this a problem?
Not at all - in this case you have the option of closing your eyes during mask removal exercises, or not wearing your contact lenses at all, in which case you could choose to purchase an optically corrected mask.
What equipment should I take?
For your own comfort and safety if you have your own diving kit we recommend you take it. Please ensure not to exceed your maximum baggage allowance. You may wish to leave non-essential bulky items at home. All entry level courses include full equipment. Equipment included in other courses varies at different dive centres so please visit the individual dive centre pages of this site or ask for further details. Packages for qualified divers include tanks, weights and air unless stated otherwise.
Can I get a 10 or 15 litre tank?
Most dive centres will be able to provide these. There is normally be a small charge payable locally for 15 litre tanks.
Do I have to dive with a guide?
In most resorts you will be required to dive with a guide for your first dive at least. After this it will be at the discretion of your guide (who is responsible for your safety) to decide whether you may dive with your buddy. Divers holding the PADI Scuba Diver qualification must dive with a guide at all times and may have to pay a supplement locally for the services of a private guide.
What are the rules associated with flying and diving?
Diving after flying does not generally cause any reason for concern, however there are considerations associated with flying after diving. Any dangers come from excess nitrogen in our body’s tissues from breathing compressed air at depth. For this reason, to avoid the risk of decompression sickness we recommend that you do not fly for a minimum of 24 hours after your last dive.
Why do I have to pay additional insurance locally for diving in Eilat?
In addition to your holiday insurance, which must sufficiently cover you for diving, in Eilat a further insurance must be purchased according to local diving law. This covers any emergency medical treatment that may be required in the unlikely event of a diving accident.
How do I know that I'm diving with a reputable dive centre?
All dive centres and schools recommended by Longwood Holidays are PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) accredited and operate to the same professional standards, with English speaking instructors, so you can rest assured you're in safe hands.
Do I have to be a strong swimmer to learn to dive?
You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness and be confident in the water. You will also need to be able to swim 200m unaided (or 300m in mask, fins & snorkel). There is no time limit for this and you may use any swimming strokes you like. You will also need to float and tread water for 10 mins, again using any methods that you like.
Where can I find further information and advice?
Diving Organisations
PADI
Phone:
0117 300 7234
website: www.padi.co.uk
email: general@padi.co.uk
BSAC
Phone: 0151 350 6200
website: www.bsac.co.uk
email: postmaster@bsac.com
TDI
Phone: 0777 379 7335
website: www.tdisdi.com
email: tdisdi-uk@oceandive.dk
Medical
E-med
Phone:
020 7806 4028
website: www.e-med.co.uk
email: doctor@e-med.co.uk
Diving Guide Books
Lonely Planet
Phone: 020 7841 9000
website: www.lonelyplanet.com
email go@lonelyplanet.co.uk
New Holland
Phone: 020 7724 7773
website: www.newhollandpublishers.com
email: sales@nhpub.co.uk