Egypt is one of the oldest countries in the world, with temples and tombs dating from thousands of years ago
The current population is 107,143,135. About 90% of this population is Muslim, the 10% left being mostly Christians.
The official language is Arabic, although you might find many Egyptians speaking at least one other language.
The official currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP).
Because most of the population is muslim, Ramadan is a big part of the Egyptian culture. This year’s Ramadan will be from March 10th until April 10th 2024.
Egypt has a dry and hot climate. In the coastal regions, temperatures range between 10°C and 25°C in winter (November to April) and between 20°C and 40°C in summer (May to October). July and August are very hot months and the temperatures might sometimes reach 45°C. The water temperature varies between 20°C in the winter to about 31°C in the summer. Temperatures vary widely in the inland areas, especially during the summer. The nights can be cold (10°C) and the days can be very hot (43-45°C). In the winter, temperatures in the desert can reach 0°C at night and 18°C during the day.
The Egyptian Red Sea is about 1.200km long and has a width of about 300km.
There are two airports you can fly to when traveling to the Red Sea : Hurghada (HRG) and Marsa Alam (RMF). The distance between those is about 215km. Make sure you double check with us your airport of arrival and departure before booking your flight. We will let you know which one is best for you, depending on the trip you are joining.
Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be asked to buy the Egyptian VISA (25USD). It is best to buy it at the airport Bank. You can also pay in Euros (€).
What should you pack?
Summer clothes, swimsuits, a wetsuit (short or long), it is advised to cover yourself from the sun (t-shirt, lycra leggings … dries faster than cotton), your snorkeling equipment (fins, mask, snorkel) for snorkeling trips, and your diving equipment for diving trips. It is also possible to rent it on the boat if asked in advanced.
In the winter, you might want to take one or two sweaters as well as a pair of long warm pants for the evenings. For divers, make sure to bring warm clothes to wear after your dives. For snorkelers, plan a pair of socks to put in your fins to protect yourself from possible blisters.
You will also need a flashlight to move around at night once the generators are off (Snorkeling trips), toiletries and organic sunscreen, cap or hat to protect yourself from the sun, which is very strong here in Egypt, sunglasses, a shawl to cover up during the day is always practical, a beach towel, your sleeping bag if you want to sleep under the stars (experience strongly recommended), a water bottle to stay well hydrated, no shoes - we will be barefoot all week.
You might also want to bring something to do during free time (games, music, books, etc.), a camera if you wish, for those who have binoculars, it can be nice to bring them to observe the dolphins from the boat.
The boat is equipped with a first aid kit as well as medication for sea sickness, headaches, stomachaches, etc. Do not forget to bring your personal medication.
We also suggest for those who like to create using paint, pencils or other materials to bring their own material which can possibly be shared with the group.
What about phone signal and internet?
Depending on the trip, you will have, or not, access to a phone signal and internet.
It is recommended, for those of you who wish to have signal, to buy an Egyptian Orange sim card at the airport. Keep in mind that we will be in the sea and will not always have access.