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
Regular Entry 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 staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
Currency
Euro, USD and sterling cash (notes) are all widely accepted. It can be handy to have small denominations of Egyptian pounds for use outside of the hotel/tipping. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants, but will be processed in Egyptian pounds and subject to a transactions surcharge,
Phone coverage
Mobile phone coverage will depend on your carrier - please confirm any overseas charges before travel.
Plugs and electricity
European 2 pin plugs
Extras
Hire equipment
Kit hire can be arranged in resort and is paid for locally
Extras
Special trips, night dives, 3rd dives and any extras are arranged and paid for locally
Souvenirs
The dive centre has a small, limited shop on site
Nitrox/Gas
Nitrox is available for a local surcharge
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for this holiday is around £250 per person, although this will depend on your exact flight option - larger deposits may be required for some flight options/dates
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
Included
7 nights on a B&B basis basis in a deluxe chalet (2 people sharing) - You can upgrade your room type, board basis to either half board or soft all inclusive (no alcohol) - please speak to a travel consultant at the time of booking
5 day no limit house reef diving package
Return airport transfers are included
You will need an Egyptian visa for entry - please speak to your travel consultant to see if you are able to use our Egyptian visa service or if this needs to be arranged in advance/on arrival.
Excluded
Excluded from your package are any meals or drinks outside of your above package
Special trips/excursions, night dives, nitrox, kit hire and courses are all paid for locally.
There is a 5euro compulsory reef tax.
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 staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
Talk to your consultant about adding international flights from the UK for a competitive price
House reef Abu Sauatir
Skill level: Novice | Ave Depth: 10 | Max Depth: 25The House Reef of Roots Camp offers something for every diver from the total novice to the highly experience. Entry is a gentle sloping sand bank with a large plateaux. You will find some elusive species - Spanish Dancers are abundant, Ghost Pipefish and Red Sea Walkman are frequently spotted, there is a resident Hawksbill Turtle. For photography the site is perfect with good lighting, and great subjects including a pinnacle with a perfect Red Anemone and partner Clown fish.