Taba Heights

[dan]

I've had a search on the forum for advice on Taba Heights (I'm heading out in just under a week) and come up with some useful stuff so general thanks for that :)

I've got a couple of specific questions, if anyone could help me out I'd be v.grateful!


What is the quality of diving like in the area? I've heard varying reports but does anyone who's dived in a variety of places have an opinion on this one?
Specifically, how does it compare with Dahab and Nuweiba?
If I decide to take a day trip to Dahab/Nuweiba what's the best way to go about this?
Alison Boler reccommended using bedouin taxi. If this is the best way, does anyone know how to go about finding a bedouin taxi and how much would it cost me to take one to Dahab/Nuweiba?
Can anyone reccommend some diver operators in Dahab/Nuweiba?


cheers!

[AndyDavis]

What is the quality of diving like in the area? I've heard varying reports but does anyone who's dived in a variety of places have an opinion on this one?

I went to Taba (Heights) in October. The diving is very nice, but not challenging. Vizability was constantly good, around the 30m mark. Sea conditions were flat calm. There is a small selection of diving sites (expect some repetition if diving for more than 5 days), most of which are 18m deep or less. There is one sloping reef wall dive where you can reach 43m, but not much to see there.

The main attraction for Taba is that the coral reefs are (as yet) unspoilt by the hordes. Dive sites tend to consist of smallish coral head clusters, surrounded by sand patches and sea grass fields. The coral is in very good condition and hosts a wide variety of marine life, especially lion fish, scorpion fish, frog fish, blue spotted rays and white-eyed morays. Coupled with the good vizability, this makes the area an underwater photographers dream.

However, if you are expecting to see pelagics and other large marine life, you will be disappointed. We saw no sharks or turtles during our trip there. No wrecks here either.

One option is to get a private taxi and travel to Eilat. The border is less that 20mins drive away and the border crossing is painless. Once in Eilat, taxis are cheap and plentiful and most of the dive centres are located on the road from the border into Eilat city. We spent a day there, diving/snorkelling at the Dolphin Sanctuary (www.dolphinreef.co.il) which was a fantastic experience. That afternoon, we arranged further dives on the 'Gunboat Wreck', which was an enjoyable dive. However, the coral damage in Eilat was a stark contrast to the unspoilt growth in Taba, less than 20km away.

Specifically, how does it compare with Dahab and Nuweiba?

Sorry, I've not been to Dahab or Nuweiba. However, I did note that the Dive Staff in Taba seemed to favour using their weekends off to dive in Dahab.

If I decide to take a day trip to Dahab/Nuweiba what's the best way to go about this?

Get a private taxi - possibly for an overnight stay, as the drive is several hours each way. Most hotels will offer a taxi booking service, but this is more limousine than taxi (in price certainly!!!). They won't help you source a 'local' alternative either. My tip is; don't cave in and pay the outrageous prices...other options do exist!

Alison Boler reccommended using bedouin taxi. If this is the best way, does anyone know how to go about finding a bedouin taxi and how much would it cost me to take one to Dahab/Nuweiba?

Have a discrete word with the hotel staff - but not those working on reception. We refused to pay $100 US for a return trip from Taba Heights to the Israel border - then sourced a local taxi, who charged 12 Egyptian Pounds each. A big saving! We sourced our taxi having bought a friendly member of the dive centre a beer. :D
Your best bet is to ask around. Don't accept that the hotels have a monopoly on taxis...they are available.

Can anyone reccommend some diver operators in Dahab/Nuweiba?

Again, I've not been there. However, I am aware that dive centres are plentiful and that prices are cheap. A friend of mine stayed at the centre opposite the Blue Hole in Dahab...and raved about it.

Hope that helps!

[dan]

Cheers Andy, appreciate the advice. I'm heading out tomorrow - can't wait to get back in the water! :)