Further information
Modern day Egyptian culture is a mixture of Muslim and Christian communities that live in harmony together. The Egyptian government, under president Mubarak, have long recognised that tourism is the life blood of the Red Sea economy and has, therefore, made the security of visiting nationals a very high priority.
The Egyptian people are a very warm and friendly bunch that just can't do enough for you. They will, of course, badger the life out of you to buy something from their shop but if you accept that with the humour that is there culture and "barter" with them over the price, which is what they will expect, then you will soon take this country and its people to your heart. Learn and remember a few Arabic words and phrases such as SHOK-RAN (thank you) and EN-SHALA (god willing) and they will treat you like one of their own.
The Egyptian people are well used to seeing and interacting with Western tourists. In purpose built, architect designed and self contained towns like El Gouna as well as other towns and resorts along the Red Sea Riviera, the care of tourists from the US,UK, Europe and the rest of the world is the number one priority. The local people that live and work here are well aware that their livelihoods and that of their families depend on the visitors that come to their country so they will go to any lengths to make sure your stay has been a memorable one.
Despite what some people think and are often told, the dress code here in Egypt is very casual and infact, no different to most other European holiday destinations. If you intend to visit any of the many sacred Mosques or Monuments then a more formal dress rather than beech wear, will be appreciated by local people, as would be the case in any country.
Weather
The Red Sea is the most northerly tropical sea on the planet so its weather during the winter months, December - April, can be quite variable. Its mostly warm and sunny with average daytime temperatures around 26'c (84'f) but it can be quite chilly at night and when the wind blows strong, which it can do on occasions, after all it is winter but just think of the fantastic sailing!
During the high summer, July - August, the temperature can reach as high as 45'c (120'f) Phew! but hey, you're on the water.....take a dip and cool off! Another good thing about our weather is that being at the eastern end of the Sahara Desert, the humidity rarely gets above 10%, High temperatures and high humidity together has got to be the worst combination so we don't get that problem, and the cooler nights make your cabins much more comfortable for that blissfull nights sleep.
The water temperature varies between 22'c (74'f) in winter and 28'c (86'f) in summer, so we recommend wetsuits, especially for those of you who wish to dive or snorkel, and will be spending extended amounts of time in the water during the winter months.
What to Bring
Please pack as light as you can, most of our guests only wear a fraction of what they bring. A good tip is to put out all the clothes you intend to bring and then put half of them away again. A fleece and some lightweight trousers or a tracksuit are a good idea for the evenings and when the wind blows, other than that, swimwear, shorts and tee shirts are the order of the day. We do have two dinners ashore during our week and its always nice to dress up a little for these occasions, so if you want to bring something smart and casual, shirt and slacks, summer frock etc, then you will fit right in.
If you are having an extended stay with us, you may want to bring some extra clothes to allow for this. Spare clothes and your bags will be stored ashore whilst you are on your yacht as we have limited space on board. There is also a very efficient and inexpensive laundry facility at the marina for you to take advantage of.
If you are a diver and want to bring your own gear that's great, but if you don't fancy carrying it all the way then we can supply everything you need at our base. We have a full range of the latest equipment, free of charge to our members at Gold level and above, and at preferential rates for all our other guests, all of which can be pre-booked with our specialist dive partners.
The only shoes you will need apart from your street shoes are some sandels or flip-flops for when you are off the boat. The best and the safest thing to wear on the boat is nothing! We recommend all our guests remain barefoot whilst on the boat but if you feel that you have to wear something then they must be soft, white soled boat shoes, and must not be worn ashore. You might want to include a pair of dress shoes for dinner ashore.
It is advisable to bring a change of clothes and toiletries in your hand luggage. If your luggage gets lost enroute it will not be able to be delivered to you until days later.
Luggage and Dry Bags
Soft luggage is preferable to hard suitcases as they are easier to store and handle. They also weigh less which could be important as many airlines now have a weight restriction on luggage, check your allowance before you get to the airport. Dry bags are a good idea if you are worried about your wallet, watch, camera or purse getting wet. You can buy them at all good sports stores, they will enable you to keep all your stuff together and have the added benefit that it will float if you do happen to drop it overboard!
Fishing
All our yachts carry a basic fishing kit which you are welcome to use if you want to try your hand at catching dinner! If this is a sport that appeals to you at a higher level and you want to bring your own specialist gear then please do so but don't forget to allow for it in your luggage. You can, if you wish, buy everything you need at one of the tackle shops here in the marina.
Currency
The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound, known locally as LE (livre-egyptiene) the exchange rate is variable but currently stable at approximately 5.5 LE - 1 $US, 7.5 LE - 1 Euro, 8.5 LE - 1 £UK. US Dollars and Euros are readily accepted throughout Egypt but you will always get your change in LE. There are plenty of banks and ATM machines in the marinas and shopping areas so local currency is always available. If you plan to bring some LE with you then check around for the best rate before you set off.
Don't forget to bring your ATM debit and credit cards with you and don't forget to inform your banks security department that you may using them abroad. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels and bigger stores and restaurants, while smaller establishments will only take cash.
The Egyptian traders will not steal from you but they will overcharge you if you let them. It's the way things are done here, they do not expect you to pay the first asking price, so don't feel bad about bartering with them....for everything! Tipping is also the norm here, the locals call it "Back shish" and regard it as part of their meagre wages... Every local that you come into contact with, that does something for you, will expect you to tip and that includes the police! If you don't offer they will usually ask for it, rubbing their fingers together and saying "Back shish" It doesn't have to be large amounts, anywhere from 1LE to 1$US, depending on the service provided, is plenty. We advise all our visitors to bring some 1$ bills and/or some small LE bills for this purpose.
Travel insurance
We strongly advise that all guests cruising with us have fully comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all eventualities such as hotel accommodation, lost baggage, theft, changes to flights or even cruise cancellation within TradeWinds 90 day period.
Please read our travel insurance recommendations for more information.
Visas
Most visitors buy their visa when they arrive into the Egyptian airport. The first stop when you get into the arrivals hall is the visa desks. Amid what looks like a chaotic scene, pick a queue and get in line. Your visa will cost you $US 20, £UK 15, or 18 Euros and you will need cash for payment. Once you have obtained your visa, head for the passport control line, the process is easy when you know what to expect. You can, if you wish, obtain a visa from the Egyptian Embassy in your country of origin.
On your landing card, which will be issued to you on the aircraft as you approach Egypt, can you please write your address as:- Yacht Sensation, Abu-Tig Marina, El Gouna, Red Sea.
All-inclusive fees
Your all-inclusive fee can be paid in US Dollars, using cash or travellers cheques or in LE at the time of your check-in. For payment of your all-inclusive fee travellers cheques are accepted without fees. "Travel Money" cards, or similar, will incur the normal credit card fees that are passed to us from the bank.
Useful Links
Please note that all pricing was correct at the time of publication.
