Flights Daallo Airlines scheduled flights to Djibouti departs from Gatwick and go via Paris. You arrive in Djibouti the following morning. All flight times are in local times. Check in is 3 hours before departure at the indicated terminal. Please check in at least 3hrs prior to your departure. ( Check in staff are very slow!) Also request seats at the front of the plane there is no extra charge for this but the seats are considerably more comfortable.
Flight tickets Will be sent to you by special delivery post (this will arrive with your normal post but will need to be signed for) unless otherwise stated. If you have not received your tickets within the 7 days of travel then please call us.
Baggage allowance is 30 kg for hold baggage. Hand baggage is one small piece. It is recommended that all electrical goods (torches) and gauges (regulators) are taken in hand luggage. Dive knives go in the hold as do any cylinders. You must make sure that your cylinders are empty and open.
Arrival in Djibouti : you will be picked up from the airport by Djibouti Divers 1 reps and guides, they will assist you. Our representatives will take your passport when you arrive in Djibouti, they will be returned to you on Departure. This is due to the lengthy process involved in obtaining your VISA approx 4 days! Unlike in Egypt your bags will not automatically be loaded in to vans or on and off boats. Please point out your bags to our reps and staff to ensure your bags travel with you! You will then be transferred to the boat.
Clothes and Customs : Towels are provided but we recommend you pack a beach towel for after diving. Shoes are not worn on the boats, you will only need your shoes when on land. Shorts and T-shirts and swimwear are the norm. Women should dress modestly while ashore (covering their shoulders and legs) and respect local customs and sensitivities.
Money You will need a little cash. Djibouti Francs are recommended. Credit cards are not accepted in Djibouti. Onboard drinks are done on an honesty basis and paid at the end by Euro’s or Dollars. Please be aware that Djibouti is a third world country. It has to import everything; this means that prices for drinks and food are not cheap. Approx £5 for a beer £15 for a pasta dish. Djibouti was a French colony and still has strong ties to France. The Euro and Djibouti Franc are the preferred currency. US Dollars you will need to exchange in Djibouti town and they will not give you a good rate of exchange, plus they will only accept US Dollars from 2003 or later.
Insurance Please make sure you have insurance to cover travel arrangements and diving. Tony Backhurst Scuba Insurance is available from £65. If you are making your own arrangements then please send us your insurance policy number.
Tax and Visas Entry visa’s are required by all nationals into Djibouti. Visa’s can be brought on arrival for 20 Euro’s.
Vaccinations You should refer to your GP or vaccination centre for the most up to date advise. We recommend Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus. Also see www.dh.gov.uk
Embassy: Any enquiries are handled by the French Embassy in London 0207 073 1000 Time Difference: GMT +3
Equipment You will need a full set of diving equipment. Tank, weights, and Belts are the only equipment provided by the boat. You will need mask, fins, and snorkel, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, towel, dive computer or the PADI wheel dive tables. Diving in Djibouti usually follows a multi level profile, square profile tables are therefore not appropriate. We recommend you take your own torch and SMB’s. A limited supply of equipment can be hired but must be requested before hand. Water Temp ranges from 26-32. It is important that you choose your suit accordingly. There are charging facilities available for lights and cameras, standard 220/240 volts. The sockets are continental 2 pin (round) so an adaptor will be required. 12L aluminium tanks are available, both international (A clamp) & din regulators can usually be accommodated.
Medical’s and Certification: Please bring with you your diving certification card and logbook. Please ask your GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and Malaria. You will be asked to sign a liability waiver locally. There are very few tourists in Djibouti. The majority that go there are French, you will mainly be spoken to in French although some people can speak English the majority will not be able to. Djibouti is a third world country you will see a lot of poverty, rubbish and abandoned vehicles by the side of the road. The roads are not maintained so there are a lot of pot holes and the traffic tends to weave side to side to avoid them! There are some incredibly beautiful sites to see Salt Lakes, Volcanoes, plains and Mountains. All these can be visited if you take the excursion to the Salt Lake at Assal. Djibouti is a very safe country with minimal crime. There is a strong military presence, 2000 French soldiers! Diving: The visibility can be as low as 4m or 5m in Whale Shark season but can reach up 20m. There are a large number of stinging cells in the water so if you react to these then a stinger suit is a good option. The water temp is between 26C – 32C
Hygiene: Drink only bottled water, wash hands before eating, clean teeth using bottled water, this will help to prevent stomach problems. But it is advisable to take appropriate medicine with you.