Diving courses in Egypt

I know it's not what you asked, but I have always wondered how the Egyptian-belly thing works in conjunction with a diving holiday (or windsurfing in my case). Trapped in a wetsuit when you first realise you 'have' to go NOW!!!

On that basis, I am looking for my wife, son and I to go back to Malta where we did a try-a-dive with Bezz diving who were excellent and do full PADI courses.

If I was you, I would do the course in the UK, I think you can do some of the modules and finish when overseas if you want.

Learning in the UK conditions generally makes you a bit more "robust".

Then you can spend more time actually diving. Or perhaps do another certificate.

Egypt is a great place to learn. It's very easy diving so you can focus on the basics. Very consistent conditions too. Not been there for years so not up to date but always preferred Dahab, just up the coast from Sharm. Not so overdeveloped and there was good diving right off the beach. Sharm is boat diving only. You can do the classroom and pool stuff before you go to save time on holiday but it isn't too time consuming if you are a confident swimmer and reasonably sensible

There's a lot to be said for getting some things done in advance - with PADI I think you can now do the theory, or theory and pool work before finishing up with the open water dives abroad - then you can spend that time in Egypt getting more dive experience.

I did mine in the UK, and while I got some zero visibility and cold water experience, practically the number of dives you need to do to complete the course isn't going to have a lasting impact on your skills. ie. I still had lots of learning to do when I went away to warmer water!

Maybe just luck but out of maybe 5 trips to Egypt the only time I got hit with an iffy stomach was one time at the airport on the way home. I've been with Emperor Divers in Sharm and Hurghada and they have a good reputation, though I've not done any courses with them.

Thanks all, useful advice. I should have initially said that I'm going for Egypt as I worked out there on a dive boat in the distant past, so it's kind of a re-visit for me. Noteworthy points about starting the UK but I've done a bit here and hated it (fully prepared to admit I'm a 'non-robust' clear and warm water diver).

Misread thread title as "Driving courses in Egypt."

Disappointed, but I have an adventure tourism business idea.

Can’t speak for Egypt but definitely recommend doing the theory before setting off. You’ll have to do the exam at the dive school but it saves loads of time.

You might want to look further afield if you can get there. A fantastic dive school in the Seychelles etc, where the water is 30C and the fish prettier, not to mention the scenery away from the beach.

I learnt in the Philippines, did my open water in El NIdo, my advanced in Moalboal and then did some thresher shark dives in Malapascua. It was fantastic, great reefs and warm water (no need for a wetsuit). You can do the theory online with PADI, can't remember if the exam was online beforehand as well.

Misread thread title as “Driving courses in Egypt.”

Disappointed, but I have an adventure tourism business idea.

Me too - show me where I sign up.

Many years ago now, but we did our theory & pool stuff in the UK and then went to Tenerife for the open water parts of PADI. I would definitely recommend this - who wants to be studying & doing exams while on holiday in a sunny country?

I normally go to Egypt twice a year diving. It has been a while since I have done any courses, but both my kids have done a few courses over there. All the courses they have done have been further south towards Marsa Alam which has great diving but is a bit of a pain to get to at the moment as there are no UK flights to Marsa Alam, so it involves a 2.5hr transfer.

Close to Hurghada I could recommend Breakers at Soma Bay it is a great hotel and very different to the normal Egyptian all inclusive resort. It is aimed at backpacker who have grown up, and has a really nice atmosphere. I stayed there for a few days last summer before a liveaboard and am going back again this year. They have Orca Divers on site who I did a couple of dives with and they have a very good set up and seemed to be giving good instruction.

You could try my mate Steve at DiveUKHurghada, he has a small business in Hurghada and is very passionate about his instruction. I have dived with him, but never been on a course with him.

In Sharm I would suggest Camel Dive Club, although it has been years since I have been there. They often email me with good deals on dive courses and accommodation.

Emperor Divers always get good feedback and have a centre in Sharm

I would agree with the suggestions about doing theory and confined section of the Open Water course in the UK before you go. That way when you are on holiday all your diving is in the sea.

I took school trips we'd do theory and pool stuff in UK. They'd pass theory morning of day1 and do pool and "pool in open water" to pass the course. That'd take 2 days. Which left 3 days diving off dive boats. You don't want to be in a classroom for 2 days really.

We used a company in Hurgada.

I'm sure things have moved on, but it was always said that if you learned in UK waters your better prepared for warmer clearer seas.
But I learnt last century.

I did AOW in Sharm with Ocean College and dived with them for a couple of holidays after that. I also  did a week at Oonas a few years later and a week in Hurghada with New Son Bijou Diving Center. I haven't been for many years though, partly because the political situation became unfavourable but mostly because I started Tec Diving and went to Malta instead.

Diving instructor here.

It's understandable but mildly annoying when people do their theory and pool sessions at home and the dives when they get to their destination. It means we get less money when we finish the course with you, but we have to watch you more carefully as we don't have the time to suss out how you are likely to be underwater. Oh well.

I recommend booking when you get there. Wander around a bit, chat to a few divers, visit a couple of schools. You should be able to get a good feel for wether you'll get on with the instructor. Ask to have a look at the gear you'll be using; have a look at how well organised the shop is, particularly the equipment areas; ask what's included (this could be anything, a night's accommodation, pick up from your hotel, food on the dive trip ... or just the dives).
Have a ready made excuse for not signing up immediately (they will try and try to get you to do this), something like "My friend is out looking as well, so I'll have to check he hasn't signed us up anywhere". This way you can avoid the hard sell and check out a few places.

Honestly, this is the best way to do it. No matter how good a company seems on paper you can never tell what it's like until you see it and meet your instructor. You won't have a problem finding somewhere - there are always loads of shops at good dive locations.

From my own experience I would prefer either:
A very small dive shop. They might be a bit rough around the edges, but they will really look after you and make your dives as personal as possible. Or:
A huge organisation. It'll be like diving with McDonald's but they will be safe and professional, have good equipment and procedures.

What course are you looking at? A week seems a long time for an Open Water course.