Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 6:11 pm
I am told that it depends on the hotel, and to some extent the location.
Theoretically, the beaches in Naama are "open", but in some cases that means for paddling only. Other hotels have just moved their buoys closer to the shore and allow limited snorkelling. Some have shark watch towers.......
Pretty sure the beaches at Old Market (Terrazina etc) are open (but poor for snorkelling). Sharks Bay, White Knight & Nabq beaches are mostly closed. Not sure about Tiran Island, or Ras Mohammed.
Diving is very restricted if that's your thing - you must have logged at least 50 hours and go as part of an organised party with lookouts on the boat and a dive master on the lookout in the water.
Further up the coast in Dehab and beyond there are fewer restriction.
All the above is subject to change of course - but I doubt the restrictions will be lifted soon. I have it on good authority that the local government has started to take steps to ensure safety (compulsory watch towers at every hotel, boat patrols, regular dives by dive masters slightly further out to sea etc.). However, this being Egypt, I can't see any of it being enforced.
Be aware there have been lots more shark attacks than have been reported in the UK press - the last one was on Jan 7th, plus two more in late December.
Bit of a downer really. I went in early December and didn't go near the sea.
Enjoy your holiday though - still plenty to do. Which hotel are you staying in?
E2A The beaches themselves are open - and if you do want to snorkel, and your hotel doesnt allow it, try El Fanar in Hadaba. Its a pay only beach, not associated with a hotel, but has the best snorkelling in Sharm. Not sure its open though.
Theoretically, the beaches in Naama are "open", but in some cases that means for paddling only. Other hotels have just moved their buoys closer to the shore and allow limited snorkelling. Some have shark watch towers.......
Pretty sure the beaches at Old Market (Terrazina etc) are open (but poor for snorkelling). Sharks Bay, White Knight & Nabq beaches are mostly closed. Not sure about Tiran Island, or Ras Mohammed.
Diving is very restricted if that's your thing - you must have logged at least 50 hours and go as part of an organised party with lookouts on the boat and a dive master on the lookout in the water.
Further up the coast in Dehab and beyond there are fewer restriction.
All the above is subject to change of course - but I doubt the restrictions will be lifted soon. I have it on good authority that the local government has started to take steps to ensure safety (compulsory watch towers at every hotel, boat patrols, regular dives by dive masters slightly further out to sea etc.). However, this being Egypt, I can't see any of it being enforced.
Be aware there have been lots more shark attacks than have been reported in the UK press - the last one was on Jan 7th, plus two more in late December.
Bit of a downer really. I went in early December and didn't go near the sea.
Enjoy your holiday though - still plenty to do. Which hotel are you staying in?
E2A The beaches themselves are open - and if you do want to snorkel, and your hotel doesnt allow it, try El Fanar in Hadaba. Its a pay only beach, not associated with a hotel, but has the best snorkelling in Sharm. Not sure its open though.