In Resort Information

Marsa Shagra, Marsa Nakari and Wadi Lahami have passed the required COVID-19 audits by the Egyptian authorities to operate.

All accommodation types in all villages are now available.

Wadi Lahami requires a minimum number of guests to open, and a minimum number of divers for the diving centre to operate.

All RSDS staff are fully vaccinated.

There are some changes on site, for example the installation of glass screens, sanitiser, increased signage, and increased sanitisation/cleaning procedures. 2 chalets in each village are designated as quarantine chalets.

All diving excursions are now operating as normal.

Water dispensers have now been reinstated, please take your refillable bottle.

RSDS would appreciate non-contact greetings where possible, and credit card payments rather than cash. We also encourage guests to leave tips on their invoice at the end of their stay, rather than cash.

Marsa Shagra was the first hotel in Marsa Alam to reopen and receive the certification from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Health and Egyptian Hotels Association (required by law to operate).

Rooms

· Housekeeping service is only provided twice per week. If guests require towels and linen they are welcome to ask in the reception.
· Housekeeping staff are required to wear full suits, gloves, visors and use additional equipment for deep cleaning (e.g. steamers).


Wifi

All 3 resorts have internet access via Wi-Fi around the reception areas. Please ask at reception for more information and prices. Please remember that due to the remoteness of the location’s internet access is not always as fast and efficient as other parts of the world. This is also a shared connection for all guests, so the speed is also linked to how many others are also using the service. If you need to be connected all the time and in your Tent/Chalet then you should organise your personal WIFI/SIM Card.

Personal Wifi/SIM Card Usage

SIM cards are available to purchase at Marsa Shagra, and by prior arrangement at Marsa Nakari and Wadi Lahami. Vodafone 4G works well in Egypt. Your phone will need to be un-locked for the SIM to work in it (if you have a contract phone it will likely be locked - check with your provider before you leave). For the best data connection, purchase a MIFI before departure (a MIFI is a little box that a SIM Card slots into and provides a WIFI connection for your devices to use).

Electricity

220v European style 2 pin.

Lockers & Storage

At Shagra all Deluxe Chalets have mini safes for your valuables, for all other accommodations there are lockers available for use in reception. At Nakari & Lahami valuables can be stored in the reception safe.

Toiletries

It is possible to purchase essentials such as shampoo and toothpaste etc, but we do advise our guests to take their own.

Towels

Ample shower towels are provided in the room, beach towels can be rented for 5 Euro for the week from reception.

Drinks Plan

All resorts include inclusive water, selected soft drinks, standard tea and coffee. Speciality teas and fresh coffee and juices are available to purchase locally from €2. Beer and wine is also available.

Medications

At Marsa Shagra there is a small pharmacy opposite the resort, this would be suitable for pain relief etc, there is also the doctor located in the hyperbaric chamber. Please ensure you take all of your prescriptive medications with you. If you need any medical help whilst on resort please speak to reception.

Mosquitos

As all resorts have some pleasant planting, we do suggest all guests take insect repellent as a precaution.

Your little luxuries

You can take your own little luxuries and store them in your room fridge (subject to room choice). Take your Vacuum coffee cup to enjoy hot drinks on the go, re-fill free of charge at the restaurant or in between at the cafeteria. Take your own drink and just grab hot water and milk.

Health & Well-Being

We want you to have a great holiday as does every member of staff at RSDS. If you have any problem, something is not to your liking or you are not feeling well which can be common in a hot country especially if it is your first time away. Do speak to reception, the dive centre or one of the staff who can in turn help ensure your problems are solved. We are also able to help via e-mail while you are away, just drop your booking manager a message. Always drinks lots of water, especially in the hotter months. You can easily become dehydrated and get an upset tummy. If this happens speak to reception or alert the dive centre team who can in turn help deal with your issue promptly to ensure you can enjoy your holiday.

Currency

Euro is the preferred currency, if you wish to purchase a small amount of local LE this can be arranged through reception. Your final bill can be paid in cash, or card. Visa and Mastercard are accepted with a 3% charge, sorry they cannot accept Amex.

Tips

We recommend a tip of approx. €60 per person for a 7-night stay. Tips are at your discretion, and this is just advisory only. You may also tip any member of the team privately.

Compulsory Local Charges

These charges will be added to your bill at check out.
€7 DECO chamber contribution - Shagra, Nakari & Lahami
€5 Solar programme contribution - Shagra only

Dive Centre

· Guests renting regulators are required to purchase their own mouthpiece on site, to keep, at a cost of €3. They can also bring their own.
· Additional disinfecting procedures are in place for rental equipment
· Rinse tanks are no longer in use and guests are required to rinse their equipment under running water in the diving shade.
· House reef white boards are not currently in use. Guests are required to inform the shade staff of their diving profile and they will keep the record and watch for their safety
· Lower maximum numbers of divers on our speedboats according to the speedboat size · Zone A (truck dives) are currently unavailable until further notice
· No entry to the diving centre - all communication should be carried out by the service window
· Defogging liquid provided to discourage the use of saliva for mask defog
· Guests are encouraged to keep all items, including wetsuit and BCD in their diving locker (instead of using hangers)
· Additional chemicals and disinfectants are in use in the diving shade area for sanitisation

Dive Centre Check In

The morning after your arrival, at approx. 8am you can check into the dive centre. Please ensure that you take your dive certification with you, along with any nitrox or medical certificate you may also need to present. Once you have checked it, been given your weights and locker number you will attend a thorough dive briefing, were you will receive information on dive profiles and instructions for the house reef and zodiac use, along with details of excursions available, prices and how to book. Once the briefing is over, you will be taken to the dive shade to kit up and prepare for your first of 2 orientation dives. Please note, if you have taken a 5 days dive package and wish to take a day’s dive rest mid-week, please ensure you inform the dive centre, so they know not to add an additional day to your bill on check out.

Dive Equipment storage

Lockers are provided to store your equipment in the dive shade. You can purchase a padlock for approx.; €2 but you are welcome to take your own.

Cylinders & Nitrox

A selection of 12ltr aluminium cylinders are available in both DIN and international fittings. 15ltrs are also available but carry a surcharge of €5 per dive. Nitrox 32% is available at €2 per fill

Water temperature & suggested wetsuit

Dec & Jan 26c to 20c 5mm - 7mm
Feb & Mar 23c to 20c 7mm
Apr & May 24c to 25c 5mm
Jun & Jul 26c to 28c 3mm - 5mm
Aug & Sep 28c to 30c 3mm
Oct & Nov 29c to 27c 3mm - 5mm

Snorkelling

Snorkelling is available at both Shagra & Nakari from the shore, it can also be nice to hop on the zodiacs as they leave to drop off divers and drop onto the edge of the Marsa and slowly drift back. Have a quick chat with the dive shade locally so they can advise on wind and current. Snorkellers can often join on excursions, for a small charge, please check locally with dive centre if the dive site is suitable.

DSMB

Please ensure you are able to deploy your DSMB properly and operate you own safety stop management for buddy shore diving, especially for the outer house reef zodiac to zodiac dives.