Frequently Asked Questions

If the questions below does'nt answer your inquires please do not hesitate to contact us

What about Diving qualifications, experience, safety and equipment:

All levels of dive qualification are considered acceptable to dive the Red Sea, however, the level of diving qualification is not considered as essential as the number of dives that the diver has logged and the conditions that the diver has previously experienced. Good buoyancy control is essential. In Mirage Divers safety is paramount and your qualified Instructor or divemaster will be on hand at all times to plan, brief and lead dives. Selection of the daily dive sites is at the discretion of the divemaster and/or skipper in case of boat diving and is subject to prevailing weather conditions. The diving centre is equipped with all necessary safety equipment including oxygen, first-aid kits and easy emergency boards and Dahab has got a recompression chamber which is located in the center of all the dive sites with hyperbaric doctors in 24-hour attendance, in the unlikely event of a diving accident. You will need to rent from the Diving centre or take along your own B.C, regulator with depth/pressure gauge, wetsuit (recommended 5mm or less in summer), mask, fins, booties, snorkel and weight-belt. About Weights and 12 liter aluminum tanks with removable inserts (DIN or A-clamp first stage fittings) will be provided In the Diving Centre. 15 liter tanks and Nitrox tanks are available for free on request. Personal dive computers are recommended. Torch light for night Dives. If you need any other additional equipments to rent, please advise us in good time in order to ensure that the necessary sizes are available, or rent in your home country.

What to Bring on my Scuba Diving Vacation

Packing for Your Scuba Diving Trip
For Diving Equipments You need to either rent or bring the equipment appropriate for Red sea diving, except your tank and weights which are available though the Diving Center.
Make sure to also pack your certification card, logbook, sunscreen, passport (for international travel) or photo identification, seasickness medications and bathing suit. Carry prescription drugs (with a copy of the prescription), contact lens cleaners and the like with you in case of a baggage delay.

What about Airline Excess Baggage Fees and Restrictions

With some airlines charging for bags that weigh more than 22 kilograms/50 pounds to most destinations, you may have to pay an added fee for your scuba gear bag (up to 32 kilograms/70 pounds) if you have many accessories (such as a large underwater photography system). For typical scuba equipment needed for Red Sea warm water it’s not hard to stay within the weight limit.
An extra piece of baggage will cost extra regardless of what it weighs. Remember, you can equally distribute the weight of your gear among your bags to stay within limits, and then redistribute everything once at the Diving Center. Weight allowances and costs vary depending upon carrier and destination.
A dive knife or cutting tool must be in your checked baggage and not in any baggage you take into the cabin. Some regions prohibit dive knives – either entirely or over a certain size - and many countries prohibit spear fishing equipment. Although you wouldn’t typically carry a scuba tank when traveling by air, if you do for some reason, it must be depressurized with the valve removed. For latest, most accurate information, go to your airline website. In Dahab we need a Special Permits for most of the dive they are usually easy to make them through our Diving Center.

Essential information:

Health Precautions: an eye-wash and most importantly, a good sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Only drink canned or bottled soft-drinks and mineral water from sealed bottles. Check that ice has been made with bottled water. There are pharmacies which stock most standard medications in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Dahab and Cairo. You should take along medication for stomach problems just in case, Medication for specific illnesses, including sea-sickness tablets must be taken with you if you planning any boat trips.

Climate: Temperatures on the Red Sea are mild in winter (October to March) and extremely hot in summer (April to September) – often reaching 38-40°C or more. Rainfall is minimal and limited to the winter months. Water temperatures range from 28-30°C in summer to 20-25°C in winter.

Clothing: Cool cotton clothing is advised for the summer months during the day, although light sweaters may be required for early morning and evening. Heavier clothing is required in winter. Dress in Dahab is extremely casual, bikinis, sarongs, shorts and t-shirts are the order of the day, and no shoes allowed! In Dahab, Sharm-el-Sheikh or Cairo, it is advised to cover up slightly when venturing outside the hotel.

Alcoholic Drinks: Alcohol can be expensive in Egypt. It is a good idea to bring some spirits/wine from your home country. Beers can be bought at the duty-free shops in Cairo and Sharm-el-Sheikh shortly before getting in your bus to Dahab, Please let us know if there is anything else specifically required on your vacation and we will do our best to ensure that it is provided.

Food: well! normally In Dahab , breakfasts will consist of a local selection of fresh fruit, cheeses, jams, pita bread, fried, boiled or scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausages, beans and chopped salad mixes. Lunches and dinner will be a selection of local cuisine which is pleasant for western tastes. They are based on various beef, chicken or fish dishes and served with vegetables, rice and a variety of sauces such as tahina (sesame-seed based), humus (chick-pea based) and babaganough (aubergine-based). All meals should be freshly prepared daily in the Numerous amount of restaurants in Dahab. Hotels and restaurants in and Dahab serve a variety of international and local dishes.

Electricity: The electricity system in Egypt runs on 220V with a 2-pin socket outlet system. The 2-pin socket outlet system is suitable for most cell phone chargers without the need for an adaptor but check before you go!

Language: Although the official language is Arabic, English is often spoken in prime tourist locations. The Staff in the Diving center speaks many languages,

Currency, tips, gratuities and spending money: the Egyptian Pound (EGP) is made up of 100 piaster's. Tipping is customary in Egypt and gratuities will be appreciated but are not mandatory and should be given only if it is felt that the service warrants it. A suggested budget for spending money in Dahab rather Diving is very various as you will find Dahab prices suites all budgets from very very cheap to relatively expensive.

Local Time: Egyptian local time is GMT+2 hours.

Photography: Be sure to declare any photographic/video equipment when departing your home country in order to avoid customs tax on re-entry – please ensure that you are at the airport in good time in order to do so. All types of film can be purchased in Cairo, Sharm-el-Sheikh and Dahab.
Caution: Please note that it is forbidden to photograph harbors', airports, military installations, check-points and military personnel in Egypt.

Travel, baggage & diving insurance: Travel insurance which includes cover for scuba-diving related accidents is recommended for this tour.

Visas: A tourist visa is required by all passengers traveling to Egypt. Passport holders from the United Kingdom, USA, Australia, Western Europe and Japan are able to process their visas upon arrival in Cairo or Sharm-el-Sheikh. In all cases passports must:
• have a validity of at least six months;
• have a clean page available for the visa entry;
• be submitted together with one recent passport-sized photograph;
• be submitted together with a completed visa application form which is available directly from the Egyptian Embassy in your home country.