Travelinformation and conditions

Each participant on the day tours & liveaboard cruises should be qualified certified divers. The liveaboard cruises will be accompanied by a dive guide. After an appropriate briefing about the dive spot, this may be dived independently with one or more partners (Buddy system). This is also the case for special dive spot conditions, such as, "Drop-offs", currents, waves and surges, as well as by night. It is recommended for every dive to have the appropriate and suitable safety equipment with you e.g. a rescue buoy, signal lamp or "signal flash". For night dives it is necessary to have an underwater lamp.

Proof of qualification and logbook, as well as a medical certificate about diving suitability must be shown. The medical certificate should not be older than 1 year! On the other hand, you could fill out here the PADI-forms, declaring your state of health, or it may be necessary for you to visit a doctor here in Hurghada for the purpose of obtaining the certificate. National and international regulations with regards to diving safety must be complied with. The instructions given to you by our diving instructor or assistant instructor are for your own safety and must be heeded. You dive at your own risk. The depth of the dives is dependent upon the level of certification.

There is a minimum number of diving experiences required in order to participate on the dive safaris in all of the National Park Tours: The Red Sea Diving Association sent a circular on 30. Juli 2002 to all the Safari Organisations, with reference to the minimum diving experience required by all National Park-Tours (e.g. Brothers, Daedalus, Zabargad and Rocky Island) which is 50 dives. In the case that there is a control, then should there be someone with less experience, then they can expect to be banned from diving from the RSDA.

On every liveaboard vessel from RedSea-Divers Diving Centre, a Dive Guide who is employed in Egypt, accompanies the cruise . This has become compulsary for some time in Egypt. This Dive Guide will accompany the first dive (Check-Dive) with our guests at the beginning of the dive cruise in order to assess the ability of the divers. The other reason being for the Check-Dive, is to check that all the equipment is functioning correctly and to control the amount of weights required.

The dive guide is not obliged to accompany every dive, as well as not accompanying dives with Buddy teams from experienced divers. But, of course, he would love to do it! The same procedure will be handled when diving at our Dive Centre.

There is a depth limit of 30 m for daily dives and liveaboards. Dives should not require decompression and the max. depth of 40 m should not be exceeded (this applies to those who are certified deep divers). The usual number of dives on a dive cruise is limited to a max. of 3 per day. However, we do allow our guests - providing the nitrogen repletion levels are justifiable - up to 4 dives per 24 hours.

Depending upon the route of the liveaboard cruise, it can happen, that less dives are possible, because the boat has a greater distance to cover. This happens particularly on the route covering the south of Egypt, where the dive spots are much further apart than in the north. The dive guide must give a briefing before every dive, and even when he stays on board during the dive, he must keep a watch on it from above.

In Hurghada there is a hyperbaric chamber. Certain areas in Egypt - especially on those reefs visited by the liveaboard cruise - are secluded and communication can be somewhat reduced. Although all the boats are kitted out with First-Aid equipment and emergency oxygen for the immediate treatment, the transportation to the next hyperbaric chamber and medical facility could be a long and awkward journey, and may take longer than the amount of oxygen available, which is required due for the continual supply. Therefore, when planning your dives, don´t take any unnecessary risks.

The possible dive spots on the booked route for the liveaboard can be seen on our homepage. The chosen spots will be decided upon after discussion between guests, dive guide and the captain. Of course both the dive guide and the captain will try to make sure that all guests are happy, but there is no claim to dive certain spots on the route. The deciding factors include the diving experience of the group, weather conditions, current, logistic considerations and the the approval situation at that moment. Of course the captain always has the final word, because he is responsible for the safety of the guests, his crew and the boat.

In particular in the south of Egypt, where great distances are covered with a restricted speed limit, which will be reduced even more when the weather conditions are bad. Although the boats from RedSea-Divers are serviced regularly, an unexpected technical fault can always arise, which may reduce the speed. The boat´s crew will do everything they can to make sure that fault is repaired as quickly as possible and at sea. When bad weather is expected, or their is a technical fault, then the captain will make sure that you arrive on time to your Check-Out - Point. Therefore, it is possible that for logistical reasons it may be necessary to change the route or to shorten the trip.

Should, due to reasons beyond our control, any dive spots not be able to be dived (e.g. adverse weather conditions, short-term changes of approval at the site) or an unexpected technical fault, and if necessary another route, or shorter route must be taken, then there will be no claim for compensation.

A Marine-Park-Fee must be paid to the local government when diving at Ras Mohammed or the Brother Islands. This will be collected on the boat and paid to the government. The amount for Ras Mohammed is 10 $ and for the Brother Islands 60 $.

When the booked boat is not available, for either logistic or technical reasons, then wherever possible you will be able to join another liveaboard vessel of a similar standard. If there are no substantial deviations in the standards which would prove to your disadvantage, then there is no claim of compensation against RedSea-Divers.

At the Dive-Centre, as well as on some of our boats, it is possibile to dive with Nitrox, but this costs extra. Should you wish to use this option, then this should be booked directly on board. Should the availability of the required oxygen not be possible due to a supply problem, or that during the trip there is an insufficient supply of oxygen in order to continue diving with Nitrox, then there can be no claim to compensation, as this is not included in the original contract. Those wishing to dive with Nitrox should register this in time.

The Red Sea is surrounded by desert areas. Therefore, drinking water is in every area of particular value and a precious item. Our boats have a lot of drinking water tanks or fresh-water purifying machines, but showering several times a day or showering using a large amount of water is impossible. It is therefore, necessary to use water sparingly, because when the tanks are empty, the supply stations on the coast are very far away, which would mean taking a detour in order to refill. Please understand that the improper wastage of drinking water on board (e.g. washing hair with drinking water, wilfully spilling and wasting it) will not be tolerated.

The liveaboard cruises distinguish themselves considerably from the pure Hotel holidays. Here are a few important notes:
a. the precision of the arrival or departure is dependant upon weather conditions, and also from eventual technical incidents and logistical necessities,
b. time is required between each cruise to service the ships and
c. because the arrival and departure times of our guests vary, then it may be necessary for the last night, before your return flight or your extension, to be spent in a hotel. RedSea-Divers will, of course, cover these costs.

The transfers from the airport to the check-in-place for the liveaboard boat and back can, for logostical reasons, only be carried out by bus or boat. The place for the check-in /check-out may vary due to logistical requirements. Should the transfer take place by boat, then the diver has the possibililty to dive during the transfer within the booked route until the final destination. The liveaboard cruise starts early in the morning and ends at noon the day before either you leave or your extension.

We have no influence or response on flight delays. We try our best to prevent our guests from boring airport stays, but as a result of delays there can be no claim of compensation on us. Our departure and return times are also dependant upon these facts. We therefore, ensure that the return transfer to the airport is within the scheduled time. Your last dive must be at least 24 hours before you fly or rather your scheduled departure time, this is for safety reasons due to the danger of decompression sickness, which is in accordance with your ticket and the details of the Airline.

Should you not have your own dive equipment or not be able to take it with you, then this can be rented on site. All damages to the rental equipment must be immediately paid for. Unfortunately, there is no insurance cover for loss or damage to equipment. This is also valid for your own equipment.

By loss or damage to luggage, you should immediately report this at the Airport-Counter for the Airline responsible, so that they can get a confirmation (PIR). Our Rep. can help you with this.