Frequently Asked Questions 

Booking

How can I book direct with Red Sea Diving College or Red Sea Waterworld?

Simply browse the internet and then email us at either info@redseacollege.com or info@redseawaterworld.com and our sales department will book you in!

What discounts will I get for booking direct?
You have 3 options.
1. You will receive 15% off our published rates for pre-booking and pre-paying into our UK account.
2. If you choose to pre-book and prepay by credit or debit card, you will receive 10% discount.
3. If you pre-book but don’t pre-pay, you will receive 5% and another 5% if you pay in cash when you check out.

All options will require you to pay a deposit before confirmation can be issued.

What flexibility does pre-booking offer me?
As well as the discount, you will be able to request a specific guide or instructor easily, as well as having a confirmed place on a boat or course.

How do I pre-pay by credit card?
We will send you a payment authorisation form, where you can tell us your details and we will process the payment and send you a reservation confirmation once payment has been authorised

What if I change my mind?
If you decided that actually you want start your diving a day later, or want to swop two days diving for an advanced course, we will do our best to accommodate you, but please let us know asap! Any changes will be charged at resort rates and you will need to pay the difference.
If you cancel, a written letter, fax or email is required. Any cancellations more that 14 days before planned start date will incur an admin charge of 10Euro per person. With less than 14 days notice, a cancellation charge of 10% of the total will apply.

Can you arrange accommodation and flights?
No, we cannot arrange flights, but we do have a number of hotels we can recommend to you, all within walking distance of the dive centre. Just ask for the current list.

What information will I need to provide you with?
We will normally need payment details (!), but also your hotel arrangements, date of arrival and departure and any special requirements. If you are daily diving, be aware that you will be asked for the date of your last dive so we can correctly check you in according to your requirements.

First Day

What happens on the first morning?
You will be picked up from your hotel at 7.20am onwards by one of our guides and bought to the centre. Please be outside, in a position to see the shuttle bus, and bear in mind, dependant where you are on the route, your pickup may be a little later. Because of the nature of these pickups, we cannot wait at any one hotel.

If you miss the bus, then you will need to make your own way into Naama and to the dive centre. If you are within Naama, please make your way to the centre for 8.00am.

I’m starting daily diving, what should I bring with me?
You will need the following:
Certification card
Log book
Passport number
Towel
Any personal diving kit
50le if you require lunch on the boat (30le if drinks only)
Travel agent voucher (if applicable)

I’m starting a course, what should I bring with me?
You will need the following:
Any existing certification cards Log book (if you have one)
Passport number
Towel
Any personal diving kit
Money for lunch / drinks
Any paperwork you have (manuals, knowledge reviews etc) Travel agent voucher (if applicable)

Daily diving

Why have I been asked to do a check dive?
If you have not dived for 6 months, then normally we will ask you complete a check dive in the bay on your first morning, before going to the boat in the afternoon. This is for your peace of mind and ours alike – to ensure you are correctly weighted and safe and comfortable in the water before encountering possible currents.

What is a typical dive day like?
When you arrive at the centre, you will check in with your guide, who will ask your food, drink and tank requirements for the day. Also, what your preference for the next day is.
Once everyone is here, you’ll take a short stroll to the jetty, where you will get on the boat.
When the tanks and boxes have been loaded, you will leave the jetty and head to your first dive site.
There are two dives a day, with an optional (payable locally) third dive if the conditions allow. Lunch is served between these dives, and is buffet style, suitable for vegetarians and meat lover alike.
Once all diving is completed, its back to the jetty where your box will be moved for you, ready for the next day. Please make sure everything is back in your box before you reach the jetty!
You are then free to leave the boat and make your way back to the centre, if you require a transfer, or your hotel directly if you are in Naama. Of course, anyone is welcome to come to the centre and enjoy a post-dive drink!

Can non-divers come on the boat?
Of course! We realise that many people bring their families when on diving holidays. We can also provide you with life-vests for use on board. Anyone is welcome and will only pay as a ‘passenger on boat’, whether they snorkel or not.

Do I need the full $15 visa from the airport for daily diving?
This visa is not compulsory, but if you wish to dive at Ras Mohammed during your stay, then you will require it, as the jetty police will check for it each day.

Why can’t I go straight to Ras Mohammed / Tiran on my first day?
In line with many other large centres in Sharm, safety is our priority and for that reason, we ask the guests to spend the first day local – to ensure proper weighting
while on a mooring and in calm conditions. This also gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with our boat procedures. If you are off to Thistlegorm, then we require you to do at least another day, in Ras or Tiran, to satisfy yourself and your guide that you are comfortable in deep, more challenging waters.

What if I want to do something different?
We offer many ‘different’ excursions – Dunraven, Thistlegorm, Dahab ,Early starts & late starts. All of these are arranged in resort, and normally run when there are at least 6 people wishing to go. For this reason, unless you are a group we cannot guarantee you these trips will go in any given week (apart from Thistlegorm, see next question…

Is there any way I can be sure I can go to Thistlegorm during my stay?
We now have an in-resort guarantee that we will get you on a Thistlegorm trip on a Thursday, whatever the numbers registered! As long as you are here, and the weather permits, you can count on it!

How do I pay for these extras?
We will add them to your bill, taking into account your original booking, and you just pay for the extra trips and activities.

What payment methods do you accept?
Cash in all major currencies, travellers cheques and credit/debit cards.

What is your cancellation policy?
Please give us as much notice as possible if you wish to cancel a daily diving activity.
All trips should be cancelled by 4pm the day before you are due to go, otherwise a cancellation fee will be added. If you don’t show in the morning of the trip, then you will be charged full price.
Cancellation fees for courses vary, please consult the counter in resort.

Courses

Do I have to be able to swim to be a Scuba diver?
Answer: Before completing the PADI Open Water Diver course, your instructor will have you demonstrate basic water skill comfort by having you:
Swim 200 metres. There is no time limit for this, and you may use any swimming strokes you want. Float and tread water for 10 minutes, again using any methods that you want.

I’ve done all my studying at home, do I need to bring my manual with me?
Yes! Its possible that you may need it as reference during your course.

Do I need to bring any dive equipment?
All of our courses include equipment hire in the price.

What if I want to bring my own kit?
You are more than welcome to bring any personal kit you have. We will just issue you the equipment you require.

What is your rental equipment like?
We have just taken delivery of all new Mares dive kit, everything from snorkels to BCDs, its all brand new. With a wide range of all items, we will find your perfect fit.

What if I really like the rental kit??
You can buy the kit you have been wearing direct from us if you don’t want to be parted from it! You don’t have to buy it all, individual pieces are available also! Just ask your instructor.

Do all courses require a manual?
At the moment, the following courses require each student to have a manual:
Scuba Diver
Open Water
Advanced Open Water / Adventure Diver
Deep Diver
Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver
Digital Underwater Photographer
EFR
Rescue Diver
& All professional level courses

What is the Certification fee for?
This is payable in resort for all PADI courses. On completion of your course, you will fill out your Personal Identification Card (PIC), which will be entered online for you here. You are issued with a temporary card, valid for 90 days, and in the mean time your actual card will arrive at your home address. (you can then throw away the temporary one).

Do I still need to provide a passport size photo for courses?
No, we will take a digital picture and submit it for you, unless you are on a professional course (ie Divemaster, Instructor Training) where you will still need to provide a photo.

Checkout

What is the procedure for when I’m finished diving?

On your last day, we will prepare your bill for you to settle when you come back from the boat. If it is more convenient, you can come into the centre the next day, just let us know.

How can I settle my bill?
The bill will be calculated in Euro, but you can pay in sterling, euro, US Dollars or Egyptian pounds. If you wish to pay by credit/debit card, please be aware the bill will be converted into Egyptian pounds for payment.

I didn’t use all of my pre-paid voucher, can I get a refund?
If you pre-booked your diving with a travel agent, then you will need to contact that agent for refund conditions. In some cases, we can use any credit you have remaining against any extras you may have done, eg 3rd dives, Thistlegorm, etc..