| Scuba divers really should visit the Red Sea at some | | | | much of the year, and many people wear only a |
| point and booking a holiday on a live-aboard is one | | | | 3mm short wet suit in the height of the summer. In |
| great way of making sure that as many dive sites as | | | | the winter, from around November to March, many |
| possible are seen. It pays to know what equipment | | | | switch to a dry suit as the temperatures can drop |
| to take and what to leave behind. | | | | below 20 degrees centigrade. |
| When you book a holiday in the Red Sea that | | | | A popular time to visit the Red Sea is between |
| involves staying on a boat for the whole week, you | | | | Spring and Autumn and a good 5mm one piece wet |
| can expect to get around 20 dives in during the first | | | | suit could be used during this period. People have |
| 6 days, with the last day resting before your flight | | | | different tolerances to the cold depending on how |
| home. With up to four dives each day your scuba | | | | much body fat they have, but it is better to wear |
| diving equipment takes a lot of wear. As a result it is | | | | too much than be too cold! |
| sensible to thoroughly check all your gear before the | | | | The chances are that you will get to dive at night on |
| trip. Should your regulator be ready for servicing get | | | | perhaps three or four occasions and a good torch will |
| it done before the trip. | | | | increase the pleasure of doing this. A torch is also |
| Flights to Red Sea destinations for your diving trip will | | | | needed as an emergency beacon for each diver by |
| likely be with a package holiday company. These use | | | | law. Instead of taking your heavy lantern a good |
| charter flights and therefore you must check in | | | | back up torch with a spare between a buddy pair will |
| advance how much luggage allowance you will be | | | | be adequate in the clear waters of the Red Sea. |
| able to take and the cost of anything over and | | | | All the other equipment you need to take is fairly |
| above this. Many airline carriers do not treat scuba | | | | ordinary, just try to keep the items as light as |
| divers the same as, for example golfers, when | | | | possible. A reel and marker buoy is needed but |
| handing out luggage allowance. | | | | instead of bringing your normal piece of gear buy a |
| Make sure that you take the biggest piece of hand | | | | light finger spool. Taking the spring clips off your fins |
| luggage that is permissible as often a further 10 | | | | and putting back the plastic ones can save you |
| kilograms can be carried in this way. Delicate or | | | | around 200 grams in baggage allowance! |
| valuable items such as your regulators, torch and | | | | Staying on a live-aboard is a very relaxed experience, |
| instruments are better carried in your hand luggage | | | | so fortunately there is no need for any formal attire. |
| and this relieves your hold baggage allowance quite | | | | Shorts, swimming trunks and a couple of tee shirts |
| considerably. | | | | are all that are required. If you have at least three |
| You must think about what diving gear to pack | | | | pairs of swimming shorts with you this means that |
| because the baggage allocation may be tight. Your | | | | there should always be a dry pair waiting for you |
| diving suit is the most important item to get right. | | | | after a dive. And remember - don't leave your sun |
| The Red Sea provides fine warm water diving for | | | | cream behind! |