Kenya

[Andy Hipkiss]

Last minute change of heart here .....

Is the southern Kenyan dive experience worth it or should I stick with the safe old northern Red Sea?

Many thanks

[Fiddlercrab1]

Hi Andy

Where abouts in Southern Kenya??

But if you are heading that way - why not try Zanzibar! Absolutely amazing diving and makes for a great holiday. Beautiful beaches and reefs!

David

[Andy Hipkiss]

David,

We are just waiting to catch last minute deals and although our intention was just to go to Sharm again, I think we open to going anywhere that:
a) Has good diving
b) Is a direct flight or near enough (we are only going for 7 days and don't want to spend forever in-transit)


'Fraid I know zero about Zanzibar (apart from where it is) .... is it a direct flight?

[kfraser]

Hi Andy

Why don't you try Dahab instead of Sharm. *There are lots of juvenile fish and the corals are pristine. *The blue hole and canyon are superb dives. *Just a thought......

Karen http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Fiddlercrab1]

Hi Andy,

Not sure about the direct flight - I know you can go via Oman or fly to Dar Es Salaam (get a quick safari in) direct and get the ferry across (2 hours 2 hours I think). The Island itself is awesome and the diving fantastic - Pristine Reefs and lots of larger fish as well as great reefs. Highly recommended. I am sure Southern Kenya has some great diving though! Most of my diving has been in Tanzania and is highly recommended also. Lots of untouched reefs to explore.

Cheers

David

[spottydog]

I have no idea about Kenya but have some other suggestions:

Tobago - Monarch fly from Gatwick to Tobago via Grenada (back direct) on a Thursday and Saturday. First call travel (www.firstcalltravel.com, don't know what they're like as never used them but they were helpful when I made enquiries) have flights and accomodation for £500 and Snooba (www.snooba.com, I have used them and found them good) have packages including diving at just over £700.

Taba - I have been told the reefs here are amazing and the snorkelling is as good, if not better, than the diving. Crusader (www.crusadertravel.com, I have used these many times and they are excellent) have Full board at the Sea Star hotel for £340 per person in March in their late deals section.

Florida - I keep hearing that diving off they keys is good but I have never been there. direct flights here would be easy.

HTH

[Andy Hipkiss]

Thanks ....

Just got an email from Crusader


"If you would prefer to go away next weekend we have holidays in the Red Sea starting from £319 for 7 nights B&B (23rd Feb). Divers can stay at the Camel Hotel in a superior room with 5 days diving for £395.
"

Wow ... hopefully they'll have similar for the weekend I actually want to fly out.

Just can't get over how cheap that offer is ... 395 is just amazing! *

Puts me in a real quandry, I'd got very excited about a week in Zanzibar but it's hard to argue with that sort of price, even when I can get free filghts down to Dar es Salaam, it's still a lot more expensive (and I'd have to get a yellow fever jab and I truly loath injections)



Last edited by Andy Hipkiss at Feb. 13 2003,22:51

[kenneth_halley]

I dived Kenya many moons ago- and was frankly not impressed- viz was poor- thats no ones fault and the time of year- wet season did not help- but not spectacular underwater scenery.
If you want safe ie. you know what your getting Sharms as good as any I suppose- not fancy a week in Cozumel or Carribean- longish flight but a bit different from Red Sea and you can pick up cheap deals with no kids in tow! http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

if going to red Sea and not too fussed about accomodation try some of the places a bit south of Hurghada- around Marsa alam- lot of dive camps springing up- and thoughnot dived the camps my experience of the off shore diving in the southern area would sugges a bit different from the North- Lots of hard Corals- how can you resist Andy!. Direct flights to Hurghada- and Travel is not a big deal really a couple of hours- Certainly does not really impact on total dive time IMHO.
Enjoy- where ever you decide. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[philworrall]

Red Sea EVERY TIME.

Kenya is good but the "good dive site" density factor is much higher in Red Sea. Why not try the Egyptian coast if there are any good deals?

cheers