|
|
 |
 Passport
and Immigration |
Non-Egyptian visitors arriving in Egypt are
required to be in possession of a valid passport. The passport must
be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the stay in Egypt.
It is possible for most tourists to obtain an entry visa at any of
the Major Ports of Entry. Please check with your nearest Egyptian
Embassy for more details concerning visa regulations applying to your
citizenship.
There are two types of visa available for Egypt:.
 The
full Egyptian visa, is a one month visa which can be obtained
either at the Embassy of your country or directly upon arrival at
one of the airports in Egypt. Visa stamps (like postage stamps) are
sold at any Egyptian bank counter in the arrival hall of the airport
and cost approximately US$ 15. Glued into your passport and stamped
by the immigration officer the visa gives you access to anywhere in
Egypt.
If
your holiday is planned to stay in the western half of the Sinai (not
going to
Ras Mohammed or Thistlegorm)
you may obtain the Sinai visa. It is free of charge and gives
you a two weeks stay. This type of visa is only available at the Sharm
El Sheikh and Taba airport as well as at the Taba border. There is
no way in obtaining a full visa once you are in Egypt.
There is a possibility of renewing your full Egyptian visa after one
month, in case you decide to take a longer break. The visa is valid
for 15 days after the expiration date.
Belgian,
German and Italian tourists can now visit Egypt without international
passport!
An ID, US$ 15 and a passport picture are enough.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism is announcing a very important modification
in favor of the Belgian, German and Italian tourists who wish to visit
Egypt.
From now on it is allowed that Belgian, German and Italian tourists
can go to Egypt with only their national valid ID. The visitor will
fill in an immigration form on which a 30 day, 1 entry visa will be
granted and an ID picture will be attached.
The cost of the visa is US$ 15 (also payable in Euro). It will be
eventually possible for the tourist to extend this tourist visa for
another 3 months (or more) at the "El Mogamaa", Tahreer
Square, Cairo.
Entry and exit stamps will be put on this immigration
form, which has to be kept secure by the visitor.
Possession of an international passport is therefore not required
anymore.
Such a visa can be obtained upon arrival at any international airport
in Egypt.
For other purposes, people can obtain in advance a visa at the Egyptian
Consulate in Brussels.
This measure is not applicable to people who wish to settle in Egypt,
these must be in possession of a valid international passport in which
Egyptian authorities will stamp, upon presentation of a working permission
or "acte d'etat civil"(e.g marriage paper....)
a residency visa for a period from 1 to 3 years depending the case.
You are permitted to enter the country with 250g of tobacco or 50
cigars, one litre of alcohol and personal effects.
Animals must have a veterinary certificate attesting to their good
health and a valid rabies certificate. Cigarettes are not expensive
in Egypt, so no need to bring any except if you are smoking rare brands
and you don't want to miss it. Persons travelling with expensive electronic
equipment such as cameras, video cameras, or computers may be required
to list these items in their passports to ensure that they will be
exported upon departure.
| Vaccinations |
|
Please check with your foreign office for official
advise. However, as far as we know, there is no special vaccination
required to enter Egypt.
It may be a good idea to be up to date with Tetanus and Hepatitis
A.
| Customs |
Egyptians have been raised in a social environment
steeped in Islam, a background that can colour their decision-making
in a way difficult for foreigners to understand. Be open for your
hosts, even you may be sceptical towards Egyptians and Arabic nationalities
in general. Often media stories bear no relation to reality and you
may be surprised by their friendly, hospitable reception and charm.
By understanding the culture and with a little consideration for your
hosts, you will take some experience home that will be additional
to your diving adventures.
Devout Muslims do not drink alcohol, but they will not object to you
in having a few beers (reasonable amounts!). Imported alcohol can
be purchased at the Duty Free Shop after your arrival (at present
only during the first 24 hours upon arrival) and is available at hotel
bars (expensive because of the high taxes). Local beer and wine is
reasonable and is sold at shops with special alcohol permission.
In addition to the prohibition on alcohol, the faithful do not use
drugs or eat pork, which is considered unclean. Therefore pork meat
is not on the daily menu, even at big hotel resorts. Coptic believers
(10% of the Egyptian inhabitants) do eat pork meat.
Explicit sexual material-magazines, photos, tapes, or records-is illegal
and subject to confiscation.
| Women |
|
In Egypt there are hardly any restrictions
for foreign women. To travel alone is generally safe, but you will
be noticed. You are better off in not being too open and to not be
offended about private questions. It is natural curiosity and you
tell them politely that it is none of their business. They will not
stop, but be quiet for at least 5 minutes. Even you are not married,
don't hesitate to invent a husband. However, if problems do occur,
don't hesitate to seek help from the police or any shop or person
nearby. Egyptians judge very strongly on improper behaviour and will
be at your side.
Egypt is a Muslim country and until now some women still wear the
veil demonstrating modesty or Muslim piety. It also tends to discourage
male advances, physical or verbal.
Just keep in mind the less you wear, the more looks and comments you
will get. Topless or nude bathing is forbidden, even at hotel resorts.
| Dress
code |
|
In Sinai normal clothing is shorts and T-shirts
during summer or any style of loose cotton. With the number of shops
here that sell T-shirts you don't need to bring much luggage. In winter
wear layers that can be taken off during the heat of the day and put
back on for cool evenings. A hat or cloth for the head can avoid a
heat stroke. On the boat the wind during the winter months can be
really cold, so bring a wind jacket for protection.
| Climate |
It is an arid desert climate. There is more
than enough sun during the whole year; rain is very rare and limited
to a few hours on a few days during the winter period. Don't underestimate
the cold during winter nights. More information on average and current
temperatures can be found on the weather
page.
| Travel
time |
|
We are open all year round (except on the first
of January). Diving has its special highlights throughout the year.
April/ May and October/ November are our high season.
The outside temperatures are just ideal. You will most probably meet
lots of dive buddies underwater.
From December until March water temperature is dropping and most of
our instructors start using the Dry Suit. You will most probably be
still comfortable in a full 5mm suit. A swimming suit will be fine
during your lunch in sheltered areas; you better bring your jogging
suit for the rest of the day.
Visibility is getting spectacular in December/January, when sharks
are mating at Ras Mohammed.
From June until September you will definitely appreciate air-conditioned
hotel rooms. It is getting really hot.
Onboard a jump into the sea will help to cool down. Diving is a pleasure
as only a 3mm wet suit is required and because of the growing plankton
the chances of seeing Whale sharks or Mantas are bigger. Hammerhead
sharks are often seen in the Straits
of Tiran and plenty of fish are reproducing. So expect fish, fish,
fish!!!
| Traveller's
Kit |
 Download
the check list here |
|
| Paperwork |
| Passport |
valid for at least
6 months after end of your stay in Egypt. |
| |
|
| Money |
cash, credit card,
traveller checks, and
US$ are always welcome. |
| |
|
| Valid diving certificate |
we accept certificates
from all international recognized dive organizations.
Please ask if you are unsure! |
| |
|
| Logbook |
|
| |
|
| Medical certificate |
from a specialist
doctor (not required but
recommended). |
| |
|
| Diving
insurance |
Make
sure that you have a suitable diving
insurance -
a lot of travel insurances do not cover diving.
So check the small print as some of them only cover
you to nine meters.
Dive insurances are also available at our dive centres. |
| Protection |
| Hat or other covering |
|
| |
|
| Sun
block |
sun blocks are also
sold at various shops, you may want to bring your
own favourite brand. |
| Medication |
| Prescription
medicine |
no problem with bringing
them into Egypt.
|
| Imodium |
may be handy to have
it with you, instead of looking for a pharmacy after
the event. |
| |
|
| Anti-seasickness
medication |
|
| |
| Aspirin, coral cut
medication and insect repellent |
may be other items
to think of. |
| |
|
| Rehydrant salts |
|
| Diving equipment |
| Serviced diving equipment |
spare parts are not
easy to find! |
| Personal belongings |
| Don't forget a beach
towel and your swimming suit. |
you can purchase
some swimming suits in Sinai now, but they may not
be your taste or price range. |
| |
|
| Dress code |
Sharm El Sheikh and
Taba are holiday resorts, so nightlife is colourful
and
you may want to dress up a little. You don't have
to, most of the places
do not have a dress code, some insist in shoes. |
| Other needs |
| Power Adapter |
power supply is about
220 volt/50hz and plugs are two pin round fittings. |
| |
|
| Alarm clock |
Don't count on wake
up calls in the hotels, some may remember them too
late. |
| |
|
| Camera |
for above and/or
underwater. |
| |
|
| Guide Books |
Red Sea guides are
also available at local book shops. |
|
|
| Luggage
allowance |
Check with your airline, some give additional
10-30kg for dive gear.
Normal weight limit is 20kg and 5kg extra for hand luggage.
Remember that some airlines do not allow pony bottles onboard, while
others insist that the tanks are empty or the valves removed. Dive
knives should be packed in the luggage hold.
|
| |
|
|
Getting prepared / 
