• Sharm El Sheikh Coral Bay end of March 2011

  • Tracy

Good afternoon. I was just about to create a topic regarding Egypt. If there is an opportunity to relax in this country, is it possible to bring something back from there??? (Live stones, corals... strombus)

Angela

Well, stones are not considered corals,)))

Colin1418

bad...

Brian7092

the same feeling, my hands are itching to break something off and take it with me

Amanda

I agree 200%.

Amy9618

I categorically disagree. The home reefs in the Red Sea look very sad. The species composition is extremely poor. And not the least role in this is played by fools who consider it their duty to break something as a keepsake.

Rebecca

On the contrary, it's the opposite for me. Only after I became a sailor did I understand why the Egyptians guard their reefs so fiercely. And specifically from the Russians, that is, from us too. Only in Russian, it is written in large letters: "Do not touch the corals. Do not feed the fish!" My vacation in Egypt is here.

Earl

Off-topic Regarding the price of seafood. Anyone who has dealt with customs at least once will remain silent about the prices. Especially considering the costs suppliers can incur in severe frosts with our customs. Kostya, first of all, have a great vacation! Secondly, how is the situation in Egypt? After all, hotels are not empty for no reason, and prices are lower for a reason...

Cynthia

This is probably because there was nothing to compare it to. Believe me, there are places that will make the Red Sea seem like a "children's matinee."

Stefanie9771

When I arrived in Sharm and explored the nearby beaches, I was amazed by what I saw. Compared to "Chernomorsk" (where I lived for many years), it is certainly incomparable. It would be great to see photos of those regions where the beauty of Sharm is fading, if you could share them...

Stacy6866

I agree 100%. Especially the home reefs. But they seem vibrant compared to our Black Sea swamp. After the Maldives, I have no desire to go to Egypt at all (especially since the price for a dive tour is the same). Here’s about my journey.

Eric5208

I watched both episodes about the Maldives... really impressive... and the editing is good!

Jessica9188

You should also crawl into our "sivashi".....

Joshua448

It made me smile...

Anne

Sure... but I'm feeling lazy right now (to shorten it). You'll have to take my word for it. P.S. I'm in no way criticizing the Red Sea. I like it too. I'm just saying that it's not worth talking about something you're not familiar with.

Gregory9432

Um... For example, I'm not familiar with either Vanuatu or Fiji... So what? Shouldn't we talk about them? Probably because the cost of staying there is higher than in Egypt... And in general, just like "the best mountains can be..." the best sea can only be the sea where you haven't been yet...

Ryan1989

1. There is a nice hotel - Iberotel Club Fanara. They plant a personal tree in the park in honor of those who have visited 8 times. And there is a really great reef. Diving yachts dock there, about 10 a day, and drop off divers. You can convince your spouse to go. 2. Well, there probably aren't any tour packages to Sulawesi from travel agencies, and going there by yourself is a bit stressful?

Cindy

Everything is already built up there, the reef is completely trampled, there are very few corals, but there are countless fish! This is if we talk about the area from the beach to the edge of the cliff. Yachts are moored on the left and right corners of the bay. There is even a serious grouper living there. Moray eels are crawling around your feet. However, there can be problems with water clarity - it can be completely murky. Regarding Sulawesi, we need to find out more details and determine preferences. Ideally, a flight without a Schengen visa would be preferable to avoid visa issues.

James

It doesn't matter, since you'll be flying in transit, a visa is not needed. I actually flew to the Maldives through London and even went out into the city for the night without a visa.

Thomas1044

Why do we need surface photos? Come on, show off what was underwater, preferably with photo support! Were there longimanuses?

Diana7891

What's the problem??? I encountered them in the far south; such moments are very memorable! I suspect I've come across longimanus more than once. I'm curious if they were at Elfinstone now. My friends were at St. John's at the same time and didn't find any longimanus. But they must be somewhere, right?!!!

Helen

Can you post some more photos of the underwater world?

Brianna

Dive safari. The hotels were nowhere near. I was unfortunate enough to go to a hotel just once - it was a complete disappointment.

Michelle

The photos are impressive. Briefly describe the shooting location, the route, and what can be seen in the sea.

Mary

Especially regarding the price issue. You would announce the budget for the average citizen to begin with. It seems to me that the Egyptian figure will need to be multiplied by 4 and an additional 3 days added for travel. And that is not affordable for everyone.

Melinda

You ask the question with such irony that I probably don't even want to answer. Or maybe that's just how it seemed to me. I'm sorry for starting this commotion about travels in your topic.

Tasha

I understand that you haven't been anywhere other than Egypt. Believe me, it's not more expensive! Egypt is currently UNBELIEVABLY expensive, and there's honestly nothing to do there, plus the service is just terrible compared to other countries. At least I don't want to go to Egypt even for a dive tour. There are plenty of more interesting places. As a fellow citizen, I can recommend flying to Sri Lanka. If you buy tickets in advance, they will cost less than $600. In short, the entire trip for two for 10 days (5 days of excursions around the country and 5 days in a hotel by the ocean) can be done for $2500. And believe me, Egypt doesn't even come close!

Jason

Exactly what I said!!!

Stuart

So, then why even bother with the "last" there at all. And this is not the only alternative.

Randy

How come???? By the way. If you choose the right hotel, there are wonderful reefs there. What interests me more, though, is that spearfishing is allowed there. Actually, I have planned a spearfishing trip for the end of the year with my friends to catch large pelagics. We are still deciding where to go: Sri Lanka or Thailand.

Christopher4108

Again Thailand. I've been there twice and will go again!!! I recommend visiting Krabi province (but not Phi Phi). Wonderful reefs (by kayak - half an hour to an hour), one of the best beaches in the world. If you skip diving, you can manage with 3000 for two. Personally, my budget for the trip to Thailand will be 1200 USD in cash (we're not planning to stay in hotels).

Chad9037

By the way, it would probably be right to divide the types of trips to coral reefs into two categories. 1. Trips through travel agencies (Bought a tour and everything in one) 2. Independent trips. P.S. Maybe it makes sense to talk about Eilat (Israel)? Although the reviews are not very good... P.P.S. A little off-topic. We stayed at the Tropitel Naama Bay hotel, where we were met by a guide. We started talking, and it turned out he was from Belarus. He settled in Sharm because his wife has lung problems. They lived in various places, both in Siberia and in Crimea, but only in Egypt did the climate suit her, and her illness went away.

Jeremy

But for these two categories, you can travel to any country, in the first case by overpaying agencies. Therefore, you can discuss any country and any place. By the way, booking a tour independently is very easy: without getting up from your chair, you can buy tickets, a hotel, and a transfer, and believe me, it will be more reliable than through a travel agency. For example, a low-cost airline to Sri Lanka with a layover in Sharjah (1 hour) costs $600. You can buy a ticket right now in just 5 minutes.

David7773

Oh! The topic is slowly gaining traction... It would be more interesting with a departure from Odessa.

Jeffrey6189

We flew from Odessa to Malaysia (with a layover in Turkey). I wrote about Thailand here, although the underwater photos didn't work out, but the overall profile of the trip is clear.

Wesley

Maldives at the price of Egypt? Where can I find such a tour? Online? Well, Maldives usually appear in search engines without flights! For Sri Lanka, there is indeed a direct flight to Colombo with a refueling stop in Sharjah, which is the most optimal in terms of price and time. For Thailand, the cheapest flights are through Ashgabat. As for agencies, it's unlikely that you can manage Europe on your own. Visa-free countries can be booked independently without any problems, but that’s if you are good with languages.

John3187

Stas, you can also travel by freight train, it will be completely free.

John828

What are you getting at? The service with the Arabs is better than with Aerosvit or MAU. And the price is reasonable. Our airlines have been spoiled for a long time.

Destiny

You can fly to the Maldives from major cities (Donetsk/Dnipro/Symferopol/Lviv, etc.) through Dubai (4.5 hours to the UAE, and another 4 hours to Male). The price is definitely not Egyptian... that's a fact. But the Indian Ocean is also nothing like the Red Sea.

Randall7906

I feel the same way) There's no need to compare Egypt with the Maldives. They are completely different price categories. I agree that the Maldives might be better, BUT let's each share where we've vacationed, what we liked, and what we didn't, instead of measuring whose wallet is thicker.......

Collin

By the way, if the main goal in Egypt is to enjoy the sea, you can choose a 4-star hotel without meals (if the hotel is on the first line, a 4-star hotel is likely to be worse than the same 4-star hotel located a kilometer from the sea - like Marmara, for example) and go on excursions every day from the dive center Ras Mohammed - Tiran with lunch for $40 including snorkeling. If it's not a secret, which hotel are you talking about and what makes it attractive for your wife? Maybe I can interest my own.

Lindsey3362

Sanya, don't torment my soul!!!! I have 4 places I really want to go, but I don't have enough money: 1. Palau (your link) 2. Coconut Island 3. South Africa sardine run. 4. Galapagos Islands If there's any deal for these destinations, my wife and I will join. But for now, there's nothing for two under 10 grand.

Lori4746

The question is being worked on ... for January ... I'll find out how much money and let you know... At the end of June, a trip to Croatia by car is planned... it seems to be not too expensive...

Catherine6534

Don't forget about me It's also interesting... But I'm afraid that by that time the fishing farm season might not be over yet. I always spend the summer in Crimea, and I go to the "Warm Countries" during the cold season. P.S. I've heard VERY good reviews about Palau.

Denise

a week in Palau and 3 days on Yap Island

Aaron580

I was there a few times in spring. The air temperature was 25-27°C, water temperature 22-25°C, plus winds. The end of February to early (mid) April is not the most comfortable time. Autumn - October/November is much better. The rest is a matter of taste.

Elizabeth

Reef on a pile of plumbing in the Ras Muhammed area, April of this year.

Craig7302

I am flying from Kyiv to Sharm on May 26!!! It will be my first time in Egypt, so the impressions should be only positive))) (I have only been to Turkey before). Upon returning home, I will share my impressions...

Tanner

The main thing is to set a positive mindset right away and not pay attention to various unpleasant little things; they can be found everywhere, even in the highest-class hotels. Have a good and pleasant rest, and we look forward to your report on what you saw underwater.

Diana8604

Maybe it's a bit off-topic - did the service for comparison "before the revolution" and after not suffer? What are the impressions? Has it gotten worse?

Todd

How are the impressions???

Brent5588

How about the hotel, did you like it? I'm also planning to go, first time in first class))).

Noah1632

1. Congratulations! It's better to see something once. 2. But what is the discomfort about? Please elaborate. 3. Well, feeding the unfortunate (fish, dogs, cats, animals in the zoo - giving a cigarette to a monkey and beer to a bear) is our national trait.

John3142

I think you will be thrilled with what you see. From my experience, I can say that it's worth going, especially if you haven't been to the Red Sea - that's my opinion)))...

Lindsey3362

No, I mean it's scary to walk around the city... persistent people trying to sell something - that's +500, but as for being scared, this is the first time I've heard of it. Maybe something has changed in the last six months... And you can also avoid walking around the city. You need to have a good mask that fits your face. I have one - I bought it with fitting in our city from divers, and then I found the same model online. It's better to look for a dive center with European instructors; there are many Russian-speaking Poles there. Well, nothing, trouble is just the beginning. Did it pull you in?

Cheryl9296

I would like to look at some photos.

Julie4738

How do you like this device? GoPro Surf Hero is the world's only underwater action camera that allows you to take photos and shoot videos in excellent quality. It easily attaches to a surfboard or diving mask. It provides great sound, video, and photo quality at a guaranteed safe depth of up to 30 meters.

Joseph8592

I like this one more. There is a native case for underwater shooting for it. However, neither of them will shoot in excellent quality. A compact camera is still a compact camera, but it will do for home videos.

Brian7092

Off-topic, I have been using KODAK PLAYSPORT for a year now. Unfortunately, I haven't filmed much underwater, mostly on land.

Ryan2281

It was the end of September - beginning of October, prices have risen compared to last year, making up for the losses from the revolution. There is no agency worse than Pegasus, it is suspiciously advertised in previous posts. This year we were in Marsa Alam. Everything is good there, but it takes 3 or more hours to get to Mars by bus, depending on the distance from the hotel. There is an airport, but our flights do not go there.

Jill1815

I visited Bunaken Island and Siladen Island (North Sulawesi). You can see some photos here. If anyone needs details about the trip, welcome.

Brandi

This is not a squid - it is a cuttlefish.

Jennifer5784

Guys, can you suggest which hotel in Sharm has a more or less decent, homey reef? With a mask, so I can at least see something.

Andrea

They are all roughly in the same poor condition, but if it's the first time, any of them might seem like a "bomb."

Tanner

Why are you considering Sharm...?

Nicole

Almost everywhere, except for the Hilton on the first line, which is one of the first hotels and at one time the Israelis cleared everything out, leaving only one in the middle. But in Coral Bay, the hotels are decent, and the Hyatt is really great. If you want to see "virgin" spots, you can sign up with a guide for a dive boat to Ras Mohammed, which was not expensive. You will have a lot of fun during a day of snorkeling.

Wanda666

In Hurghada, there are practically no reefs.

Christopher4108

Near the hotels, yes.

James4342

there is practically none, I don't argue... but Sharm and Hurghada are not the only cities

Mariah

So we're talking about snorkeling.

Stephanie3084

Yes, there are also Dahab, Marsa Alam, Marsa Galeb, Safaga.... Here is the view of the bay in Hurghada from the balcony of the Marriott.

Curtis

Trolleybus stop, what reef could be referred to there?

David4968

2-3 hours south of Hurghada, and there are hotels with reefs...

Jeffery7866

post No. 107

Bethany

And this is the most genuine rhyme there is.

Tracy4603

I don't know why. I've been to Hurghada before)). Although I saw what seems to be a new hotel, Premier Le Reve, a bit below Hurghada. If anyone has been there, please respond. P.S. I just returned from Sri Lanka last week. I'll skip all the details for now. The locals are eating surgeons - it's due to their poverty. It's intense. My heart was racing. By the way, there is a ban on exporting corals in the country, just like in Egypt. They check everything. But there are official operators who send fish and corals. I wouldn't be surprised if some of our people are getting them from there.

Nicholas2252

Check post 75 in this thread, you might find something useful.

Vanessa

When to fly? If now, then Dominica Coral Bay is quite affordable and the reef there is decent. But it's already a bit cool. Another good place is Reef Oasis Beach Resort. It's a great hotel, has a dive center, and an excellent diving instructor. There’s a Tusa store nearby where you can buy a wetsuit at a reasonable price. It won't hurt! Or you can rent one at the dive center. It's a nice bay with rare winds, unlike other places, and the pontoon is about 70 meters. Overall, I highly recommend it. Here's another article about sharks. I know the person who wrote this article personally.

Kimberly2102

The weather in Egypt was most enjoyable for me from August to September, maybe even October is somewhat close, but it differs significantly from August... Friends went in June-July and then told me that you should only go during those months... Unfortunately, I wasn't in Egypt during those months.

Paul

Here is a stunning photo album Author vitaliy6447 I wonder if he is here and if he has a marine aquarium.

Crystal

Off-topic. The "Muslim Brotherhood" will come to power, and most likely very soon, what happened once with tourists may repeat itself, I think near the Hatshepsut Temple or at some airport. So it's no wonder that it is already officially recommended not to visit Egypt.

Susan1358

Offtopic So why drag it out, we need to make the most of it now while we can, before it starts. Although there are a lot of our people at work there, if anything happens, they will warn us. And "if you fear sharks, don't swim in the sea." So many people have stopped flying there because of sharks, that's what fear-mongering and hysteria do. And what did the "Brothers" do wrong? They won't be serving alcohol, but honestly, I don't care about that right now. More people drown in Dnipro from alcohol than from sharks worldwide.

Mike

I recently watched "Animal Planet".... It turns out that in the Florida Peninsula (USA), someone released flying fish, Pterophyllum volitans, into the sea, and they really liked their new environment. They began to reproduce rapidly, which posed a threat to the local fauna.....