Location
The Red Sea is between 4-5 hours flying time direct from the UK. Scuba Travel have over 20 year's experience in the Red Sea and have carefully selected a fleet of luxury liveaboards and superb hotels that meet our exacting standards.
Explore the sheer beauty of the Red Sea on a Red Sea liveaboard from North to South. Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada and El Gouna are popular resort locations, whilst Marsa Alam, El Quesir and Hamata are perfect for those looking for quiet escapism.
Covid Travel Information
View entry requirements here
Entry requirements for Egypt are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.
You do not need to provide proof of your vaccination status for entry to Egypt.
From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you:
do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form
do not need to quarantine when you arrive
This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.
It includes people who are transiting through England.
Updated 21 JUN 2022
Weather and Climate
Fine weather is the order of the day pretty much throughout the year, with rainfall quite rare and short lived. The hottest time of the year is July to August with air temperatures over 30°C. Even in Egypt's so called 'winter' the average rarely falls below 20°C.
Water temperature varies from 20°C in February to 29°C in September. Please choose your exposure suit accordingly, depending on your personal preferences.
Travel
Flight options
Our holiday packages are inclusive of flights from London Gatwick for a fully ATOL bonded holiday. A supplement may apply for regional departures if possible. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. Unfortunately, not all regional flight routings are compatible with liveaboard schedules.
Our advertised liveaboard packages with Emperor and Aggressor fleets exclude flights. Please ask for a quote to add these to your booking. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Egypt, let us know and we can arrange transfers as required. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your boat space is confirmed by us.
Stopovers
As flights are direct between the UK and Egypt, there are no stop over options available.
Arrange before you go
Visa requirements
All UK visitors to Egypt need an entry visa (valid for a 30 days.Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. This can be obtained on arrival with cash payment. Or you can now apply online by clicking here Save time and prebook your visa with Scuba Travel's prepaid visa service. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review
Insurance
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities.
We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Immunisations
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here to go to the NHS
Preparing to fly
Seating
Flights to Egypt are charter flights with TUI or EasyJet. TUI seating is allocated at check in and you cannot check in online. For EasyJet flights you will be able to manage your booking online with the airline directly and select any payable seating/baggage extras.
Check in
Egypt does not permit digital boarding passes. You must print your boarding passes/flight coupons for both flights.
TUI do not enable online check
EasyJet allow online check in via their website
Lounge
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world.
click here for more info on Lounge Pass
Parking
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think.
click here for holiday extras
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival in Egypt, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. Our representative will be waiting either airside around the baggage carousel or in the arrivals hall. They will be holding a board with either Scuba Travel, your destination or your name on it. If you have prepaid for our visa service, you will be given your visa on arrival.
If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers
Airport transfers are always included in your liveaboard or resort holiday package when using our flights. Our representatives will advise where to find your transfer outside of the airport. We try to keep transfer times as short as possible, with most being no more than 30mins travel time from the airport to the boat/hotel.
If you have made your own flight arrangements to land in Egypt, please confirm at the time of booking if airport transfers are included or available at an additional cost
Departures
At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. There is currently no departure tax leaving Egypt.
Info
Tipping
Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the guides and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
Currency
All onboard prices are in Euro, but Sterling, US Dollars are accepted (subject to onboard exchange rate).
Phone coverage
Mobile coverage is itinerary dependent. Most of itineraries will have phone coverage when close to shore. WiFi is limited for browsing and connecting to communication applications only when a mobile signal is present normally nearby or in port. Signal strength can vary which may result in intermittent and/or slow connections. This service is provided as a courtesy but is dependent on the local mobile provider. Laptops/computers or other devices for using internet are not supplied on-board, you should bring your own computer to use the internet service
Plugs and electricity
2 pin European sockets. Plugs are located on dive deck, saloon and in cabins.
Extras
Hire equipment
Emperor Fleet offer a very wide range of rental equipment onboard. We recommend you to prebook all rental equipment before departure.
Extras
Emperor Fleet offers a wide range of courses on board. Please speak to your travel consultant for current course prices and options.
Souvenirs
There is an on board boutique selling t-shirts. All stock items are subject to availability.
Nitrox/Gas
Nitrox is free of charge on board, but subject to fill availability
Payments
Deposits and Balances
Over 180 days prior to departure a £250 deposit is required, within 180 days a £500 deposit is required, with full balance due 90 days before departure. Depending on your travel date, an additional payment may be required at the time of booking to secure your flight
Ways to pay
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX.
All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge.
Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees.
We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.
Group Payments
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Discounts
Repeat Guests
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction on your ATOL bonded Red Sea package.
5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
Repeat discounts are not cumulative with other discounts and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Plus if you have dived with Emperor Divers in the Red Sea or Maldives 5 times or more, then you can enjoy an Emperor gift voucher to spend locally. If you'd like a free 15lt tank or cabin upgrade, just ask at the time of booking so we can check on availability.
Included
You have 7 nights in a twin share cabin on a full board basis and free red wine with dinner
All dives are guided, and include air fills, 12lt tanks, weights and marine park fees
Airport transfers run at fixed times and are included in your liveaboard package
Private transfers at personalised times can be arranged subject to a fee. Please ask for a quote
Nitrox is free of charge on board, but subject to fill availability
Excluded
This holiday excludes international flights to Hurghada or Marsa Alam. Ask for a competitive quote to add UK flights to you holiday.
On board speciality coffee and additional premium wines/beers and alcohol are optional extras. Kit hire and additional tanks can all be prebooked and prepaid for or paid for locally. There is a 14% government VAT to pay for all local services
Airport transfers run at set times. Day use rooms can be added for around £40.