Know Before You Go: Scuba Diving in Sharm el Sheikh

You don’t need any previous experience to join a “discover scuba diving” trip. Your instructor will first give you training in the basics before you enter the shallow water, then closely supervise you at all times. Other trips, particularly multidive packages, are typically suitable only for divers who are already certified. Meanwhile, some deeper sites, such as Dahab’s Blue Hole and the Thistlegorm wreck, require advanced certification.

Flying after diving can be dangerous, leaving you at risk of decompression sickness (the notorious “bends”). For safety’s sake, plan for at least 24 hours between finishing your last dive and flying—or climbing towering mountains such as the 7,497-foot (2,285-meter) Mt. Sinai.

Most dive boats seem well-protected from the sun, but it’s easy to burn while lounging on deck or waiting for pickup after your dive. While dive professionals usually carry goodies such as mask cleaner, when it comes to sunscreen you’re on your own.

For a low-impact sport, scuba diving can be surprisingly hard on the body. Ensure you’re thoroughly hydrated—a hangover increases your risk of decompression illness—and have had a solid breakfast before you set out. Keep your fluids up while on the boat, and don’t drink alcohol until you’ve finished diving for the day.

A popular dive saying goes, “take only pictures, leave only bubbles.” A single misplaced fin can wipe out coral colonies that took decades to grow, so watch your buoyancy, mind the coral, and don’t take marine souvenirs.