Summer conditions in the Red Sea

SparticleBrane · November 12th, 2007, 03:15 AM

There's a possibility I might be headed to Egypt this coming summer for a Study Abroad trip with the Middle Eastern program at my university. During that time we'll have a few days in the Sharm el-Sheikh area (to climb Mt. Sinai and do a few other things). The group will be free to go snorkeling/diving if we wish. I believe we'll have two days for this in late June.

Having never been in the region I'm curious about water temps and operators to go with. Preferably I'd like to go with a DIR-friendly dive operation but I'm not sure if RSE does a 2-tank/3-tank day of diving and then come back to the shore (like what is common off coastal North Carolina). If they do, that'd be great but if not it isn't a big deal.

I'm hoping to bring basic DIR singles gear if possible. Hopefully weight restrictions won't be a huge issue. Going under the assumption that it will be warm I'll probably end up with a 3mm shorty wetsuit, DSS 17lbs Torus and Kydex backplate. Not sure if I'd bring Jets or the OMS copies that weigh less. If I have enough room/weight allowance I'll probably see if I can bring my regs too.
Unfortunately diving won't be the main concentration of my 5-week stay in Egypt so this seems like a bit of gear to bring for just 2 days of diving. I'll do anything to avoid using a standard jacket BC with rented gear though...

Any suggestions are appreciated...

Michael-Fisch · November 12th, 2007, 08:08 AM

The gulf of Elat NEVER gets warm enough to dive comfortably with a shorty. Get a 5 or 7mm wetsuit with a hood and you will be comfortable on the first dive of the day, cool on the second dive of the day and too cold to do a third dive.

If you really want to do 3 dives a day plan on bringing a 7mm semidry or use a drysuit as I do.

Michael

decoweenie · November 12th, 2007, 08:14 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-Fisch)

If you really want to do 3 dives a day plan on bringing a 7mm semidry or use a drysuit as I do.

Mike,

7mm semidry or drysuit in the Summer in Sharm would be an overkill as the water will be warm.

Even in May, I was only using 3mm on deep trimix dives.

And in January, I was using 5mm but would have been more comfortable with drysuit and minimal insulation just to keep the wind away on surface.

Michael-Fisch · November 12th, 2007, 11:47 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

Mike,

7mm semidry or drysuit in the Summer in Sharm would be an overkill as the water will be warm.

Even in May, I was only using 3mm on deep trimix dives.

And in January, I was using 5mm but would have been more comfortable with drysuit and minimal insulation just to keep the wind away on surface.

Phi,

You dive the Red Sea using Closed Circuit Rebreather, breathing gas that has already been warmed to slightly above body temperature.

The rest of us have to warm several kilos of gas from around freezing to 98.6°F or 37°C per dive. That makes our dives much colder than your dives.
The end of January I was getting water temps of 17°C at the northern end of the Gulf. I don't think it ever warms up much over 27°C even at the end of Aug.

I stand by my recommendation of a semidry or drysuit with 200G thinsulate for 3 dives a day in the Red Sea - even in July.

Michael

Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC · November 12th, 2007, 11:55 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-Fisch)

If you really want to do 3 dives a day plan on bringing a 7mm semidry or use a drysuit as I do.

Michael

In summer, I dive with shorts and tshirt 4 or 5 times a day (safari) and never feel the slightest chill.

SparticleBrane · November 12th, 2007, 12:56 PM

I spend a lot of time in the pool with students. 2 hours in 83F water with no exposure protection and I'm not chilly. A 7mm suit for 2 days of diving might be overkill for an international flight.

Michael-Fisch · November 12th, 2007, 12:58 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC)

In summer, I dive with shorts and tshirt 4 or 5 times a day (safari) and never feel the slightest chill.

Southern Red Sea is lots warmer than Gulf of Elat/Gulf of Akaba.

Or you are a really hot southerner, perfect for the northern ladies

Michael

mareike · November 12th, 2007, 01:42 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-Fisch)

I stand by my recommendation of a semidry or drysuit with 200G thinsulate for 3 dives a day in the Red Sea - even in July.

I did the first day last year with 3mm overall and decided to switch to an old 7mm wet suit (maybe 5mm left) on the second day in the Dahab region.

Dry suit might be a little bit too warm, but 3mm is not enough for me.

Mareike

SparticleBrane · November 12th, 2007, 02:05 PM

You guys from Germany must be cold-blooded or something...

mareike · November 12th, 2007, 02:16 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by SparticleBrane)

You guys from Germany must be cold-blooded or something...

Just used to my nice little ice-cold mountain lakes.

November 12th, 2007, 03:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
SparticleBrane (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 104	Summer conditions in the Red Sea There's a possibility I might be headed to Egypt this coming summer for a Study Abroad trip with the Middle Eastern program at my university. During that time we'll have a few days in the Sharm el-Sheikh area (to climb Mt. Sinai and do a few other things). The group will be free to go snorkeling/diving if we wish. I believe we'll have two days for this in late June. Having never been in the region I'm curious about water temps and operators to go with. Preferably I'd like to go with a DIR-friendly dive operation but I'm not sure if RSE does a 2-tank/3-tank day of diving and then come back to the shore (like what is common off coastal North Carolina). If they do, that'd be great but if not it isn't a big deal. I'm hoping to bring basic DIR singles gear if possible. Hopefully weight restrictions won't be a huge issue. Going under the assumption that it will be warm I'll probably end up with a 3mm shorty wetsuit, DSS 17lbs Torus and Kydex backplate. Not sure if I'd bring Jets or the OMS copies that weigh less. If I have enough room/weight allowance I'll probably see if I can bring my regs too. Unfortunately diving won't be the main concentration of my 5-week stay in Egypt so this seems like a bit of gear to bring for just 2 days of diving. I'll do anything to avoid using a standard jacket BC with rented gear though... Any suggestions are appreciated... __________________ Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, and do whatever you want all the time, you could miss it. -- Eric Cartman

November 12th, 2007, 11:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: hurghada Posts: 849	Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-Fisch) If you really want to do 3 dives a day plan on bringing a 7mm semidry or use a drysuit as I do. Michael In summer, I dive with shorts and tshirt 4 or 5 times a day (safari) and never feel the slightest chill. __________________ It has just dawned on me.... We are all just recycled stardust Ahmed Adly, www.deepvoyage.com

November 12th, 2007, 12:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
SparticleBrane (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 104	I spend a lot of time in the pool with students. 2 hours in 83F water with no exposure protection and I'm not chilly. A 7mm suit for 2 days of diving might be overkill for an international flight. __________________ Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, and do whatever you want all the time, you could miss it. -- Eric Cartman

November 12th, 2007, 12:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Michael-Fisch(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 264	Quote: (Originally Posted by Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC) In summer, I dive with shorts and tshirt 4 or 5 times a day (safari) and never feel the slightest chill. Southern Red Sea is lots warmer than Gulf of Elat/Gulf of Akaba. Or you are a really hot southerner, perfect for the northern ladies Michael Last edited by Michael-Fisch; November 12th, 2007 at 01:01 PM.

November 12th, 2007, 02:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
SparticleBrane (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 104	You guys from Germany must be cold-blooded or something... __________________ Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, and do whatever you want all the time, you could miss it. -- Eric Cartman

November 12th, 2007, 08:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Michael-Fisch(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 264	The gulf of Elat NEVER gets warm enough to dive comfortably with a shorty. Get a 5 or 7mm wetsuit with a hood and you will be comfortable on the first dive of the day, cool on the second dive of the day and too cold to do a third dive. If you really want to do 3 dives a day plan on bringing a 7mm semidry or use a drysuit as I do. Michael

November 12th, 2007, 08:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
decoweenie(Offline) New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: - Posts: 154	Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-Fisch) If you really want to do 3 dives a day plan on bringing a 7mm semidry or use a drysuit as I do. Mike, 7mm semidry or drysuit in the Summer in Sharm would be an overkill as the water will be warm. Even in May, I was only using 3mm on deep trimix dives. And in January, I was using 5mm but would have been more comfortable with drysuit and minimal insulation just to keep the wind away on surface.

November 12th, 2007, 11:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
Michael-Fisch(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 264	Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) Mike, 7mm semidry or drysuit in the Summer in Sharm would be an overkill as the water will be warm. Even in May, I was only using 3mm on deep trimix dives. And in January, I was using 5mm but would have been more comfortable with drysuit and minimal insulation just to keep the wind away on surface. Phi, You dive the Red Sea using Closed Circuit Rebreather, breathing gas that has already been warmed to slightly above body temperature. The rest of us have to warm several kilos of gas from around freezing to 98.6°F or 37°C per dive. That makes our dives much colder than your dives. The end of January I was getting water temps of 17°C at the northern end of the Gulf. I don't think it ever warms up much over 27°C even at the end of Aug. I stand by my recommendation of a semidry or drysuit with 200G thinsulate for 3 dives a day in the Red Sea - even in July. Michael

November 12th, 2007, 01:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
mareike(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 2	Quote: (Originally Posted by Michael-Fisch) I stand by my recommendation of a semidry or drysuit with 200G thinsulate for 3 dives a day in the Red Sea - even in July. I did the first day last year with 3mm overall and decided to switch to an old 7mm wet suit (maybe 5mm left) on the second day in the Dahab region. Dry suit might be a little bit too warm, but 3mm is not enough for me. Mareike

November 12th, 2007, 02:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
mareike(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 2	Quote: (Originally Posted by SparticleBrane) You guys from Germany must be cold-blooded or something... Just used to my nice little ice-cold mountain lakes.