Certification Requirement

All divers interested to take the "Discover the Red Sea" tour must prove an internationally accepted qualification of minimum Open Water. If you do not have this proof with you, or you have not dived in over 6 months, the dive center reserves the right to charge you for a check out dive and may refuse diving at their discretion. No refund will be made in this event.

There are no certification requirements for the "Learn to Scuba" Tour but you must fill out the provided medical form. If any of the questions on the form is yes, you would need to consult your physician to make sure it is safe for you to dive.

Equipment

The "Discover the Red Sea" tour includes tank, air, weights, and the dive guide. Personal diving equipment, which includes mask, snorkel, wetsuit, BC(D), regulator, boots, fins, gloves and other accessories are not included, but are available for hire.

All equipment is included for the "Learn to Scuba" tour.

Dive Center

The dive centre used by Desert Guides is sanctioned by PADI. All are professional experienced instructors and dive masters with a excellent knowledge of all dive sites in Aqaba. They will require that you maintain safe diving practices. They recommend that you do not dive beyond 30 meters.

Temperature

Aqaba has the least variation in temperature in Jordan and has year-round sunshine with 20-24 C in January and February, rising to 35-36 C in July and August. Water temperatures vary only slightly throughout the year. The sea is at its coolest in January and February but the water temperature rarely drops below 20C. Suit requirements vary according to each diver's preference but we would advise a 5mm long-john and jacket or even a membrane dry-suit for comfort in the winter. Water temperatures rise to a very pleasant 26/27C in September when a 3mm suit is probably all that you need.

The following table gives you the average temperatures.

Visibility

Visibility averages around 35-40m throughout the area. During plankton blooms, usually April/May, this may diminish to 10-15m but to compensate mid-Summer visibility can extend beyond 50m.

Other Information

A re-compression chamber is situated in Aqaba within 5 minutes of the hotels and 20 minutes from the furthest dive site.

Remember the 24-hour rule! Do not dive for 24 hours prior to your return flight and try to dive shallow on your last day of diving. You cannot dive in the morning if you are planning a journey to Petra, Wadi Rum or Amman as these places of interest are at altitude. If you are diving for two weeks we recommend that you take a dry day in the middle. If you are unsure about any aspect of the above please check with the dive centre before diving.

Divers Responsibilities

Divers are required to comply with all the instructions and regulations given to them by their instructor or dive master. Respect the divers' code. If you require any kind of assistance, please ask your instructor or guide. You will be required to wash your scuba equipment at the end of each diving day.

Divers Code

- Ensure you are correctly weighted and maintain good buoyancy control at all times
- Keep away from corals
- Do not destroy the water clarity by disturbing the seabed with your fins
- Be careful to avoid reef damage when taking photographs
- Do not feed the fish, as it disrupts the food chain
- Do not remove or buy any shells or other items from the sea

Cancellation of Dives

It is almost unheard of for diving to be cancelled in Aqaba; however itineraries may be affected by local weather. The dive centre will do their best to make sure that divers get what they want, but specific dive sites cannot be guaranteed.

Group Size

The group size is usually 5 to 10 divers. We reserve the right to run a tour with a number of participants less than five. We cannot guaranty a minimum number of participants. We also reserve the right to exceed the number of maximum participants by one or two.

Accommodation

Accommodations in Amman, Petra & Aqaba are in hotels. Our normal packages use 3 &  4 star hotels depending on the city. For hotel upgrades, downgrades, or single supplements, please contact us. The night in Wadi Rum is spent camping under the stars. Tents are available as well.

Transportation

All our transportation is by cars, taxis, minivans and busses, depending on the number of participants. For private transportation, excursions or limo service please contact us. Transportation from hotel to diving center and dive sites is by minivan.

Seasons

Our scuba tours run from the 1^st week of September to the 4th week of July.

What Is Included

-         Diving & equipment according to specific package.

-         Hotel accommodations in twin room occupancy.

-         Airport pickups, drop offs and all other  local transportation, provided that you arrive and leave on the scheduled dates of the tour.

-         All meals on the tour except for lunches in Petra & all lunches in Aqaba.

-         Transport from the hotel to the dive centre & dive sites and return.

-         Entrance fees and guides for Petra and other touristic sites are included.

What Is Not Included

-         Personal Diving Equipment for the "Discover the Red Sea" tour.

-         Flights to Jordan and return.

-         Soft drinks & alcoholic drinks in hotels and on the dive.

-         Entry visa fees and departure tax to Jordan and any other airport taxes.

-         Personal medical insurance.

-         Personal expenses.

-         Tips.

What To Bring

Bags
A medium size strong bag preferably a duffle type made of strong quality material to withstand transfers.
A scuba diving bag to take all your equipment.
A medium backpack (30L) to carry your personal things that you will use while on the way to the dive.

Clothing
T-shirts
Long sleeve shirt
Sweatshirt
Fleece pullover
Light cotton pants
Shorts
Swimsuits
Soft shoes or sandals for after diving
Socks

For Diving
Mask
Snorkel
Wet suit
BC(D)
Regulator
Boots
Fins
Gloves
Torch
(please note for participants taking the "Learn to Scuba" tour, all equipment is included with package).

Accessories
Sunglasses
Scarf
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Personal medications.

For Photographers
Diving camera
U.V. filter for normal camera

IMPORTANT NOTES
-         Clients arriving or departing before and/or after the scheduled days of the tour will be charged for airport pickups, drop offs or other transfers (if applicable). Please see section on extra transfer.

-         Lunches in Petra & in Aqaba are not included and are at clients’ leisure.

-         Itineraries and tours may slightly change according to weather conditions, or condition of participants. The tour can be reversed as well.

-         Please note that rates are calculated on sharing hotel rooms and if a sharer cannot be found, the single supplement will be charged.

-         We do not offer any kind of refund to clients for having less hotel  nights or less diving days.

-         Unused dives cannot be refunded nor can they be transferred to another diver.

PRIVATE SCUBA HOLIDAYS

Please note that we regularly organize tailor-made SCUBA diving holidays for couples, families, groups of friends, schools and clubs. We can organize a diving holiday according to your needs and specific requirements. Contact us for further information.