Red Sea Liveaboard Diving: Important Do’s & Don’ts
PACK LIGHT
Besides the limited space in your cabin, you really do not need a lot of clothes – most of the time is spent in your swimwear or shorts and a t-shirt. This makes for a hassle-free and enjoyable experience! Essential items included – swimwear, quick dry shorts & cotton shirts/t-shirts, sarong, sunscreen, sunglasses, essential medication, toiletries & your electronic goodies. That’s it!
HAND LUGGAGE
It is recommended that you pack a change of cooler clothing in your hand luggage together with essential items that you cannot go without e.g. contact lenses, medication etc. You will want to slip out of your warm winter clothes as soon as possible to make your journey a lot more comfortable.
GOODBYE SHOES
When you step onto the liveaboard, you will notice that shoes are only worn on the outside areas of the boat or not at all (even better). It is custom and tradition not to wear shoes inside the saloon and cabin areas to maintain cleanliness and show respect, creating a comfortable environment for everyone onboard.
After a week of glorious diving and walking barefoot… your shoes will feel quite unfamiliar when you have to put them back on.
DAILY ROUTINE: DIVE * EAT * REPEAT
This is the order of the day: morning, noon & night!
After a magic dive you will be summoned to the dining area for a scrumptious meal (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack or dinner) where you can meet up with your fellow divers to share your amazing underwater diving experiences. Then there is time to relax, work on your tan, take a snooze, read a book, listen to music and recharge before dropping back into the ocean for another dive.
HYDRATE, HYDRATE & HYDRATE SOME MORE…
Staying hydrated is of utmost importance when embarking on a liveaboard adventure.
A combination of being out at sea, exposure to the sun, the warm temperatures and physical activity of diving & snorkeling depletes the body’s fluid levels. It is important to hydrate throughout the day by drinking lots of water and other hydrating fluids.
Symptoms of dehydration include muscle cramps, dizziness & fatigue and worst of all it can be a contributing risk factor for decompression sickness.
NB: AVOID THE TAP WATER
It is advisable to avoid the tap water and only drink the filtered water provided on the boat. It is even recommended that you brush your teeth with purified water. By doing this you can minimize the risk of picking up a stomach infection which will potentially ruin your holiday.
PLEASE, NO TOILET PAPER IN THE TOILET
Yes, you heard right!
The liveaboards have marine toilet systems that are designed only to handle human waste and toilet paper clogs and blocks the system. Please use the dustbins provided to dispose of used toilet paper, which gets cleared on a regular basis. It is very important that everyone adopts these measures to avoid a very smelly, unpleasant situation on the boat.
PORT HOLES
If your cabin has a port hole that opens – beware! During times of calm it is wonderful to open up the port hole and feel the sea breeze coming in. However, if it is forgotten open and the sea conditions change you can expect to find a flooded cabin. It is a real nightmare to try and dry out a wet mattress, bedding and clothing, not to mention any electronic devices.
ALWAYS ASK FOR PERMISSION
The beautiful turquoise blue water of the Red Sea is so inviting that you will catch yourself wanting to leap into the water for a swim or snorkel. This is not a problem most of the time but it is very important to first ask permission from the captain or guide before leaving the boat. Not only is this a common courtesy but is crucial for your safety so that the crew is aware you are not onboard.
Could you imagine looking up to see your liveaboard driving off into the distance without you!
HAVE FUN
We will take care of everything from A-Z while all you need to do is relax, soak up the sun and enjoy the incredible diving and vibrant marine life of the Red Sea. This is bound to be one of your best holidays ever & you will keep coming back for more!
