DIVE URGE
Eco Practices in Dahab
‘We need to move beyond guilt or blame, & get on with the practical tasks at hand.’ Sir David Attenborough
We are fully invested in eco-tourism & have always strived to provide responsible holidays that protect & enhance the local environment. Anybody that has spent time with us knows how strongly we feel about a sustainable style of life.
For us, this is natural, as we really love Dahab & want to make sure its beauty is preserved.
For those who did not meet us yet, we want to assure you that we are not just jumping on the eco-bandwagon. These issues are really important to us, & were part of our original concept when we started Dive Urge.
How we started this eco process? Our first steps were simple & very Dahabian. As an example, we adopted our own herd of goats as part of the team, so we could ‘recycle’ all our food waste by feeding them.
Over the years we have looked at every way we can be more eco, employing the motto ‘refuse reuse recycle‘. As with a lot of you reading this, once you pledge yourself to thinking sustainably & to making the best choices it permeates every aspect of your life.
Some of our efforts to protect the environment
Life Below Water
We love fish… & love to see them in the water, in their natural environment. Our aim is to protect them.
All our diving practices are based on avoiding harming fish or corals upon which they rely, by careful dive practices & of course our small groups = less harm.
We campaign to stop illegal fishing.
Life on Land
We support Dahab Animal Welfare, who help reduce the number of strays (we like to think of them as friendly free-range cats & dogs) with their ‘Trap, Neuter, Release’ programs.
The desert of Sinai is stunning but, just as with the marine life, it too needs protecting. Bedouins tribes have lived a nomadic life over all of Sinai for 1000’s of years & their knowledge on local plants & herbs that grow in the desert is second to none.
Community
Dive Urge is a central part of the Dahabian community & cares very much about the local people. We employ all local people -both Bedouins & Egyptians- for our team, guides & PADI instructors & inspire them all to the highest standard. We support our community by buying locally sourced products & services.
We aim to educate travellers to care & respect the rich local culture & traditions.
Water
We have set a goal to improve water-use efficiency. Dive Urge deliberately has no swimming pool at the hotel, due to water waste as well as harmful chlorine… anyhow we have the biggest pool on our doorstep (the Red Sea) We also water our beautiful green garden with re-newable ‘well water’.
We offer an alternative room cleaning service, simply hang your wooden sign out to indicate if you need just a freshen up or the Full Monty (towels & sheets)… this saves lots of precious water every year.
Save Energy
We use energy saving bulbs throughout our club as well as solar lighting for the evenings.
You don’t really need the air-con set at 16 degrees when it is 40 degrees outside & this is not good for you or the environment. We encourage all our guests to be responsible when setting the air-con & don’t forget to switch it off when you go out.
Recycling
We provide recycling bins around the club for cans, plastic (yup some folk bring it with them) & glass bottles (wine etc.)
Recycling in Egypt is much more effective than in Europe, because as a relatively poor country, Egyptian recycling companies can make a profit out of it making it worthwhile.
We are proud to be members of the International organization Green Fins, whose mission statement we adhere to. “To protect and conserve coral reefs by establishing and implementing environmentally friendly guidelines to promote a sustainable diving and snorkeling tourism industry.”
After more than 20 years of championing eco-tourism and setting the example of how to be more eco, it is so nice to see other organizations whose aim it is to protect our precious oceans and environment through internationally recognized standards.
Our Responsibility as Divers
As divers we see the fishes, & corals regularly, some of the fish are even friends… & as we are so familiar with the dive-sites, we are able to gauge any climate or social impact on them.
We divers are ambassadors of the sea & feel a responsibility to protect the precious marine environment. So what do we do at Dive Urge to help?
4-1 RATIO OF DIVERS TO GUIDE
Our 4-1 ratio of divers to guide is key… the reduced numbers gives the dive guide much more ability to control divers & remove any potential harm done to the corals or fishes… even touching corals harms them
GOOD BRIEFINGS & SKILLS
We make sure that all our guests benefit from our expertise whether doing a dive course or just guided diving. We help guests to trim their dive gear, perfect their buoyancy & respect the marine life.
GOOD ROLE MODEL BEHAVIOUR
We dive by example… if we see rubbish either above water or below, we pick it up, this just becomes a natural habit & love seeing our guests getting involved too.
Stop Fishing in Dahab
Fishing in Dahab is a complicated subject. While Bedouins do have fishing rights in Dahab, there are also National Park laws, which are not fully enforced yet, designed to protect the reefs & fishes including: no fishing in breeding season; no fishing at a dive site; no use of small nets; only fish for personal use (not selling to restaurants)
Illegal fishing activities are a sad reality nowadays and we will like to find a peaceful solution to fishing & the damage done. We have created a community debate group were hopefully together, we can make a difference.
AVOID FISH CONSUMPTION
‘Fish are for watching not eating’
We do not sell fish on our menu. We ask you, please, as a way to stop the demand, to not eat fish at any restaurant, while here in Dahab at least.
Dive Urge Against Single Use Plastics
The way the world currently produces & consumes plastic is not sustainable. We all have to reduce our consumption of plastics, especially single use plastics.
Since becoming aware of the problem, we proudly refuse single use plastics at Dive Urge & have also started a campaign to educate against their use in & around Dahab.
NO TO PLASTIC BOTTLES
In 2015, we 100% replaced plastic water bottles with glass ones filled with filtered water. We estimate, that even as a small place, we save more than 10,000 plastic bottles a year!
All our guest have free drinking water from the filling stations throughout the club.
NO TO PLASTIC BAGS
We supply cotton shopping bags in all our rooms so our guests can just say ‘no to plastic bags’ when shopping.
We also sell them, if you would like to take one home & flash your Dive Urge bag around.
NO TO PLASTIC STRAWS
Don’t be a sucker! Our active fight against plastic straws has change so many policies within Dahab cafes/restaurants over the years.
AVOID PLASTIC PACKAGING
Who hates those little plastic tubs of butter or jam/honey that get served with breakfast? You won’t find them here at Dive Urge… we use sterilised glass jars for jams, honey & butter etc… even the milk in your room is from a cardboard packet & not a plastic tub.
Collaborations
We are happy to not be alone in the eco quest. Dive Urge has helped & collaborated with an increasing number of eco based groups both in & around Dahab, as well as worldwide.
True sustainability means sharing all your best ideas & experiences!
We want to show the world that positive eco change is both possible & acceptable. Our doors are open & we are more than happy to showcase what we do to whoever is interested, individuals, hotels, dive centres, etc…
What we have done over the years
We feel privileged to be in a position to make a difference.
The dream began
Dive Urge is born, committed to providing a more caring alternative in the diving & hospitality industry. This same year we became members of responsible travel.com
Stop rubbish dumping from cruise ship
Rubbish dumping from cruise ships, is a worldwide problem & we have campaigned for many years to get this stopped in the Gulf of Aqaba
Dahab Defender
DON'T MESS WITH DAHAB nominated us for their Dahab Defender Award for 'creating a truly eco-friendly dive centre'... an amazing honour
Dive Urge Against Single Use Plastics
We took action against single use plastic. We achieve our goal as a hotel & restaurant to be free of use of plastic bottles, plastic bags & straws!
Stop Fishing in Dahab
In November this year Lynne created a community group to debate & find peaceful solutions to the illegal fishing in our waters.
Don't Step on the Coral
Together with lots of other business in Dahab we launch the ongoing educational campaign 'don't step on the coral'
Petition to save Dahab's Reefs
Dahab managed more than 1500 signatures on a charge.org petition. There was no official response but we noticed an increase of protection by the National Parks authorities.
Sky Ocean Rescue
We collaborate on the campaign #skyoceanrescue run by Sky News.
$10 National Park Fee at Blue Hole
As a result of several actions & petitions from the community to help protect the Blue Hole site, the authorities decided to regulate the access to Blue Hole & extend the protection of its environment.
Ban of single use plastics
Since the 1st of March, the South Sinai governorate is implementing a ban on single-use plastic.
Green Fins
Dive Urge became an active and proud members of Green Fins. As member we ensure that our divers will follow Green Fins safety diving guidelines to protect and conserve the coral reef.
Eco Egypt
We are featured on the green list of Eco Egypt, a campaign that encourages sustainable and responsible tourism.
Sustainable post from our Blog
Think globally, act locally.
Diving Passionate
'If you, like me, want to avoid the crowds and dive safely in pristine waters with a very personal service, Dive-Urge is certainly the best operation I have encountered so far in 15 years of diving.' MICHAEL E.
Boutique Hotel
'I have never stayed anywhere quite like it.' JULIE G.
Eco Commitment
'99% of the staff, including drivers, were locals. The food was freshly prepared and locally sourced. Great efforts are made to be reduce the impact on the environment.' BEN M.
