Gap Year Scuba Diving | Red Sea Learn to Dive / Essentials

Red Sea Learn to Dive / Essentials
Dahab, Egypt

Last updated: 07 March 2013

This programme is ideal for beginners and Open Water Divers who wish to develop their recreational diving skills. A wide range of PADI courses from Open Water to Master Scuba Diver are on offer allowing you to build a perfect learn-to-dive trip comprising PADI training, local adventure and recreational diving. Simply select the courses that you want to do and we'll create the perfect trip over a period of time that suits you. Trips will generally range from 1 week to 6 weeks depending on what diving courses you choose to complete.

Essentials

Country:	Dahab, Egypt
Meals:	Self-catered. Eat in or out and support local businesses
Trip duration	1 week to 6 weeks depending on selections
Suitability	Beginners, Open Water and Advanced Divers
Getting there:	London to Sharm el Sheikh

What diving courses are availble to you?

Please click the course name for more information about that particular course.

Details and Itinerary

Programme content and guideline itinerary

Diver Training

You might be a beginner or have some entry level diving qualification already. What we therefore offer is fully tailor-made learn-to-dive trips out here in Dahab. What you do is entirely up to you! You could focus on core PADI courses to get up to Rescue Diver or you could focus on PADI speciality courses and experience various diving scenarios. The programme is yours to create and choose what you want to do!

Recreational Diving

The diving in Dahab is excellent. Most diving is shore-based which means accessible reefs and plenty of opportunities to dive throughout your stay. There's the Blue Hole and The Bells to the north whilst to the south you will find The Caves, Napolean Reef and Three Pools. Outside the dive centre is Mashraba Reef whilst on the other side of the bay is Lighthouse Reef. All dive sites range in depth from a few meters to 30m and beyond and can be explored easily. We'll match the amount of recreational diving to the amount of time available in your trip duration.

Local Adventure

Don't miss out on some great local adventure trips. A camel safari to Ras Abu Gallum is totally unique and offers some incredible diving whilst the Thistelgorm wreck safari allows you to dive a massive WWII shipwreck with tanks, locomotives, guns, bikes and ammunition to be seen. If that's not enough you can always dive Gabr el Bint where Whale Sharks and Dolphins are regularly spotted or you can get up early and climb Mt Sinai for sunrise to witness some incredible views!

Achievements

It's about personal development and developing your diving skills. Qualify to Advanced Open Water and you will be certified to dive to 30m anywhere in the world. Continue to Rescue Diver and you'll learn about in-water rescue scenarios as well as first aid. These mainstream certications can be complimented by PADI Speciality courses which will make you a more educated diver safe in the knowledge that you have been taught about particular diving scenarios and techniques.

Itinerary

A guideline itnerary for a 2 week trip for a beginner might be...

Arrival: Met at Sharm el Sheikh Airport and transfer to Dahab (1 hour)
Day 1: Orientation and welcome briefing. Start PADI Open Water course
Day 2: Classroom and confined water training (OW)
Day 3: Classroom and confined and open water training (OW)
Day 4: Open Water training and recreational dives (OW)
Day 5: Complete Open Water (qualified to 18m) and recreational dives!
Day 6: Free day to chill out and relax
Day 7: Start PADI Advanced Open Water
Day 8: Classroom study and adventure dives (AOW course)
Day 9: Adventure dives as part of AOW course
Day 10: Complete AOW course (qualified to 30m)!
Day 11: 2 x recreational dives
Day 12: 2 x recreational dives
Day 13: 2 x recreational dives
Day 14: Free day. Chill out and sunbathe before departure.
Departure: Transfer back to Sharm el Sheikh Airport

...whilst a guideline itnerary for a 6 week trip for a beginner might be...

Arrival: Met at Sharm el Sheikh Airport and transfer to Dahab (1 hour)
Week 1: PADI National Geographic course and recreational diving
Week 2: PADI Advanced Open Water course and recreational diving
Week 3: Fun dives and educational trip to diving chamber
Week 4: PADI EFR, PADI Rescue Diver and recreational diving
Week 5: 2 x PADI speciality courses, recreational diving and trips
Week 6: 3 x PADI speciality courses, trips and recreational diving
~Around the diving: Time Chill out and relax during your trip!! We also arrange BBQ's and dive centre parties.
Departure: Transfer back to Sharm el Sheikh Airport

Your itinerary will be sent to you after we receive your quote request.

Included and Not Included

A guide to what you see and what you get!

Full details of exact inclusions, exclusions and local payments will be sent to you when you request a quotation. As a general guideline you can expect the following:

Included

Transfers (Sharm - Dahab - Sharm), accommdoation in our divers' lodge for duration of stay, a range of mainstream PADI courses including PADI National Geographic Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI EFR, PADI EFR Care for Children and PADI Master Scuba Diver (you choose which ones), PADI speciality courses (you choose which ones), an educational trip to the diving chamber on all Rescue Courses, loads of logged dives with recreational diving packs, trip to Thistlegorm shipwreck (optional), camel Safari to Ras Abu Gallum (optional), trek up Mt Sinai for sunrise (optional), local boat diving to Napolean Reef (unique), boat diving to Gabr el Bint (optional), full equipment hire (as required), all PADI materials, use of all facilities, tanks, weights, air, 24 hour UK support and ;ocal ground staff for assistance.

Not Included

Flights, visa (please obtain 60 day visa before arrival), vaccinations (please consult your GP), travel insurance, meals, personal spending money and PADI fees (as listed below)

Local Payments

PADI recreational fees at £22.00 per course. These are payable direct to PADI.

Extra Information

A few things you should know and trip downloads

Guideline Pricing Information

All prices are per person and exclude flights unless otherwise stated. The guideline prices shown are designed to provide you with an indication of how much to budget for your trip. You need to be aware that there are a number of factors which can influence the price; these include the duration of trip, the time of year, exchange rates, board basis and the amount of diving you require. For an accurate price you must submit a quote request.

Accommodation

We are currently using temporary accommodation in Dahab whilst we source a new house for our customers. If you book this programme you can expect to stay in a local hotel at no additional charge whilst we make changes to the accommodation setup.

What we normally offer is self-catered accommodation in the heart of the Bedouin village of Assalah. This is an authentic and original concept and provides customers with independence during their stay. It is a very popular choice amongst our customers and we will endeavour to source a new house as soon as possible. Once we have found a new house (which has been vetted for security and safety) it will sleep up to 8 people. You share a room with one other person and there are communal washroom facilities. The house will have a TV room with satellite TV, an outside area /garden, a BBQ so you can have your own social events and a kitchen which is fully equipped. Having your own accommodation enables you to escape from the dive centre each day and live an independent life during your time in Dahab.

For more information about the current situation regarding accommodation please call the office on 0845 257 3292.

Flights

Direct flights operate daily between London / Manchester and Sharm el Sheikh.

Requirements

- PIC cards from courses if you are joining as a qualified diver
- Logbook if you are joining as a qualified diver
- Fit for diving (we will send you a PADI medical form)
- Outgoing and seeking adventure, fun and underwater experiences!
- Swim 200m

Dive Training

You choose the PADI training and we'll create the perfect gap year trip for you based on your requirements.

PADI Materials

All PADI materials are included. Depending on the courses you choose you will receive the following materials:

- PADI Open Water pack
- PADI National Geographic Open Water pack
- PADI Adventures in diving manual
- PADI Rescue Diver manual
- PADI Nitrox / Enriched Air manual and tables

Please note that materials for the PADI speciality courses are not compulsory to purchase and we loan these to you for each course.

PADI Fees

PADI fees are not included (sorry) but you need to pay for them in order to get your certifications for each course. The current rates are £22.00 per recreational course and £27.60 for the Master Scuba Diver rating. Remember, these are one-off fees for certification and the qualifications last a lifetime!

What next?

Happy with what you have seen and read? To get an exact price please click the 'tailor-made button' (located on the 'prices, dates and booking' tab) to request a quotation as this trip is tailor-made. Following the link will open our online quotation system. Simply follow the steps and make your selections. A formal quotation will be sent to you via e-mail once we have received your request.

Prices, Booking and Dates

Guideline prices, trip dates and how to book!

Guideline Price Table

Request a Quotation

Current Dive Level	As a guide...
Current Dive Level	Duration	Price
Beginner	1 week +	From £515From £515 for a Nat Geo Open water course + recreational diving over 1 week. Customise as you want!
Open Water	1 week +	From £315From £315 for an Advanced course + recreational diving over 1 week. Customise as you want!
Advanced	1 week +	From £475From £475 for EFR and Rescue course + recreational diving over 1 week. Customise as you want!

Booking a tailor-made trip

This trip is tailor-made. Please to start customising your own trip. Our quotation system is easy to use and it allows you to get an idea of price according to your dive level. If you wish to book then you must complete the quotation form, add your details and we will e-mail you a formal quotation with all the booking details. You can also call us on 0845 257 3292 to discuss this trip and to book a place.

Booking Instructions

Step 1: This trip is tailor-made! Request a quote so that we can check availability and provide an accurate price based on your travel dates and diving requirements.
Step 2: We will review your request. A quote will be sent to your e-mail address with a link to follow should you decide to book.
Step 3: If you wish to proceed with the booking; follow the link in the e-mail and pay the deposit for the trip. Please note that quotes have an expiry date.
Step 4: You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your booking request along with login details so that you can manage your booking.
Step 5: We will send you all your travel documents and be at-hand to answer any questions relating to your trip.

Trip Dates

Custom start dates throughout the year. Let us know when you want to start and we will check availibility.

Financial Protection

TTA Your money is secure with us! We have TTA Financial protection under licence Q0621. The protection means that you can book your holiday secure in the knowledge that the Travel Trust Association will protect you in the unlikely event of a us becoming insolvent. Should we for any reason financially fail or cease trading, the Travel Trust Association will liaise with the suppliers to ensure that your holiday goes ahead unaffected. If for any reason this is not possible, the TTA will administer a claim for a refund of money that you have paid to us for your holiday. Read more about how your money is protected.

Deposit and Balance Payments

We request a £250 deposit to secure a place. All balance payments are due 60 days before the start of the trip. If you book within 60 days of departure then full payment must be made at the time of booking.