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Diving Red Sea - Diving Safari Itineraries
Diving the Red Sea is a fascinating exploration of one of our planet's most exotic and enchanting natural seascape environments. Where the desert meets the ocean and where the Asian and African continents connect, the Red Sea holds beneath its crystal blue surface a vibrant oasis of living creatures, reefs and coral formations spanning the full spectrum of the colors of the rainbow - a visionary paradise which can be explored while diving the Red Sea. In no other sea in the world will you find such a diverse array of coral and marine life - it is little wonder that divers whisper in awe when describing such a feast of beauty. On a diving safari in the Red Sea you can experience close encounters with more than 2000 species of fish and coral. From the depths of the Blue Hole to the spectacular and exclusive reefs of the marine parks, you will find a smorgasbord of marine life that is almost surreal. Through the lenses of a dive mask, it is the brilliance of color that brings divers the most fascination. Many coral species in the Red Sea are photosynthetic, which creates a colourific glory that is unsurpassed. In the Red Sea the abundant marine life is coupled with excellent visibility due to very little rainfall. Water temperatures remain unusually constant year-round with a yearly average of 24.5 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 28-30 degrees Celsius in the summer. The Red Sea which reaches depths of 3000 meters in central parts, forms the northern extension of the great rift valley, a massive geological fault that runs the entire length of the African continent. The rift's spectacular topography of mountains and valleys are mirrored underwater with deep trenches and isolated sea mounts. This means drop-offs and walls of more than 300 meters in places and it is this underwater diversity that has lead to such an abundant variety of dive sites and marine life that make the Red Sea so famous and unique - diving in teh Red Sea has it all. Let our experienced captains and dive guides escort you on a safari in the Red Sea to explore, by day or by night, all those remote and unspoiled reefs that make diving in the Red Sea such an amazing experience, one never to be forgotten.
Our Red Sea Diving Routes:
* We also tailor trips upon request.
1 - Northern Wrecks & Ras Mohamed Itinerary
Dive the famous four wrecks of Abu Nuhas, the Ships’ Graveyard. This reef lies close to the ship-lane toward the Suez Canal and has claimed more ships than any other in the Red Sea. The wrecks are very scenic, covered in corals and they are fantastic for photography, especially the Carnatic, having sunk in 1869. The very famous SS Thistlegorm and the recently discovered Rosalie Moeller are World War II wrecks and one of the highlights of this cruise. The SS Thistlegorm sunk in 1941, having been bombed by the Germans while on a mission to deliver a cargo of ammunition and war materials to the British troops in North Africa. The Rosalie Moeller, a British coal cargo, suffered the same demise only two days later. This Red Sea diving safari will also take you to Ras Mohamed National Park at the tip of Sinai, famous for its breath-taking walls rich in soft and fan corals and populated with huge shoals of fish. Nutrient-rich sediments from the Golf of Aqaba attract many fish species and also feed the coral polyps creating a paradise for divers. You will also visit the Red Sea diving reefs off Hurghada which are very rich and wide-ranging. A variety of colorful walls and hard coral gardens with plenty of colorful fish make them well worth a visit.
2 - Brothers / Salem Express Itinerary
Their walls are covered in soft corals of all colors, black corals and forests of fan corals, creating a true feast for the eyes. Big tuna, shoals of jack fish and snappers cruise in the blue accompanied by hammerheads, grey reef, silver-tip, silky and oceanic white-tip sharks and mantas. The thresher shark, an oceanic species, as well as the magnificent Whale Shark, occasionally spotted close to the reef, circle the walls of the Brothers on a regular basis. While diving in this area of teh Red Sea the huge and spectacular moon fish has also been spotted several times near the reefs. The Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel and the Numidia, a cargo ship sunk in 1901, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. They are covered in soft and hard corals and they are a real treat. On your way back along the coast you will visit the infamous Salem Express wreck, which, up until recently was one of the worst maritime tragedies in the history of the Red Sea, and has been reported to have claimed more than a thousand lives. Tragedy aside, Salem Express remains one of the largest accessible wrecks in the Egyptian Red Sea and diving it is a spiritual experience, as well as a very satisfying one for all wreck fanatics.
3 - BDE Itinerary: Simply the best!
Their walls are covered in soft corals of all colors, black corals and forests of fan corals, creating a true feast for the eyes. Big tuna, shoals of jack fish and snappers cruise in the blue accompanied by hammerheads, grey reef, silver-tip, silky and oceanic white-tip sharks and mantas. The thresher shark, an oceanic species, as well as the magnificent Whale shark, occasionally spotted close to the reef, circle the walls of the Brothers on a regular basis. While diving in this part of the Red Sea also several times huge and spectacular moon fish have been spotted near the reefs. The Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel and the Numidia, a cargo ship, lie on the walls of the Big Brother and can be explored on this Red Sea diving safari. They are covered in soft and hard corals and they are a real treat. Daedalus Reef, also part of the Marine Park, is the most off-shore of all the dive reefs in the Egyptian Red Sea. It is a big oval reef with a lighthouse and its perimeter of walls offers some of the most stunning diving in the Red Sea. Typical of Daedalus are its huge and pristine hard coral formations and the possibility to spot schooling hammerheads. Thresher sharks, mantas and whale sharks can also be spotted while diving here. Last but not least, this diving safari finishes with Elphinstone, a truly legendary Red Sea diving reef where you can expect the unexpected, with its north and south plateaus and its walls covered in soft corals. Hammerheads and grey reef sharks can also be spotted here on a regular basis.
4 - Northern & Brothers Wrecks Diving Safari
Dive the famous four wrecks of Abu Nuhas, the Ships’ Graveyard. This reef lies close to the ship-lane toward the Suez Canal and has claimed more ships than any other in the Red Sea. The wrecks are very scenic, covered in corals and they are fantastic for photography, especially the Carnatic, having sunk in 1869. The very famous SS Thistlegorm and the recently discovered Rosalie Moeller are World War II wrecks and one of the highlights of this Red Sea diving safari. The SS Thistlegorm sunk in 1941, having been bombed by the Germans while on a mission to deliver a cargo of ammunition and war materials to the British troops in North Africa. The Rosalie Moeller, a British coal cargo, suffered the same demise only two days later.
5 - 2 Weeks Marine Park Itinerary
Dive the Red Sea Marine Park reefs; the Brothers, Daedalus, Zabargad & Rocky Islands, and cruise your way back along the Egyptian coast starting from St. John and back to Hurghada. The Brother Islands, the tops of two undersea mountains rising from the depth, are located about 50 nautical miles off-shore, near the town of Quseir. Part of the Marine Park, they offer the diver breathtaking underwater scenery, wall diving along their entire perimeter and the possibility to spot a wide variety of pelagics. Their walls are covered in soft corals of all colors, black corals and forests of fan corals, creating a true feast for the eyes. Discover big tuna, shoals of jack fish and snappers cruise in the blue accompanied by hammerheads, grey reef, silver-tip, silky and oceanic white-tip sharks and mantas while diving in this area of the Red Sea. The thresher shark, an oceanic species, as well as the magnificent Whale shark, occasionally spotted close to the reef, circle the walls of the Brothers on a regular basis. The huge and spectacular moon fish has also been spotted several times near the reefs. The Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel and the Numidia, a cargo ship sunk in 1901, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. They are covered in soft and hard corals and they are a real treat. Daedalus Reef, also part of the Marine Park, is the most off-shore of all the reefs in the Egyptian Red Sea. It is a big oval reef with a lighthouse and its perimeter of walls offers some of the most stunning diving in the Red Sea. Typical of Daedalus are its huge and pristine hard coral formations and the possibility to spot schooling hammerheads. Thresher sharks, mantas and whale sharks can also be spotted during a Red Sea diving safari here. Rocky and Zabargad Islands lay close together to the south-east of Ras Banas. Rocky’s shear walls are covered in a stunning forests of soft and fan corals. Juvenile white-tip sharks can be observed sleeping under huge, very scenic overhangs. Mantas, hammerhead and grey reef sharks often visit the island and napoleon fish dance in your bubbles. Zabargad Island, amazing in its spectacular beauty, was used as a precious stone mine in ancient times. Along its southern side a shallow shelf displays a large number of high pinnacles completely covered in soft corals and clouds of antheas offering amazing Red Sea diving. The drop-off offers hammerhead, grey reef shark and manta sightings. On its north-eastern side a small shallow wreck can be dived upon. St Johns is a collection of small reefs offering some of the best diving in the Red Sea. Habili Ali will make even the most experienced of divers sigh with wonder when admiring the forests of huge fan corals and black corals that populate its walls. At its western end grey reef, silver-tip and big schools of hammerhead sharks may be observed. Have also a look out for the curious and impressive Hump-head parrot fish that are typical for the St Johns area. On your way back from this Red Sea diving safari along the coast you will visit Elphinstone. A huge variety of walls and shallow reefs covered in corals and fish of all the colors of the rainbow, enjoying shark sightings and amazing walls and plateau diving... The list of marvels is endless!
6 - Northern Wrecks & Safaga Itinerary
Dive the famous four wrecks of Abu Nuhas, the Ships’ Graveyard. This reef lies close to the ship-lane toward the Suez Canal and has claimed more ships than any other in the Red Sea. The wrecks are very scenic, covered in corals and they are fantastic for photography, especially the Carnatic, having sunk in 1869. The recently discovered Rosalie Moeller is a World War II wreck and one of the highlights of this cruise. The Rosalie Moeller was a British coal cargo, sunk in 1941 by German Bombers on a scouting mission off the island of Crete. You will also be visiting the wreck of Salem Express, one of the largest acessible wrecks in the Red Sea. Recent growths of hard & soft corals, along with a variety of reef fish who have taken shelter among the rubble, give this dive a new and much appreciated feel. This Red Sea diving safari has a lot to offer for reef lovers as well, as Safaga is renowned for its less visited fresh sites and its beautiful coral gardens. Sites like Panorama reef, which is celebrated as much as Elphinstone, for the variety of life it offers and the chance to spot large pelagics.
7- Safaga Itinerary
Safaga is renowned for its less visited fresh sites and its beautiful coral gardens. Sites like Panorama reef, which is celebrated as much as Elphinstone, for the variety of life it offers and the chance to spot large pelagics. You can dive amongst unspoiled coral gardens rich in all types of macro life imaginable. During this trip you will also have the chance to dive the wreck of Salem Express, one of the largest accessible wrecks in the Red Sea. Recent growths of hard & soft corals, along with a variety of reef fish who have taken shelter among the rubble, give this dive a new and much appreciated feel.
* We also tailor trips upon request.
1 - Brothers & Elphinstone Itinerary
Their walls are covered in soft corals of all colors, black corals and forests of fan corals, creating a true feast for the eyes. Big tuna, shoals of jack fish and snappers cruise in the blue accompanied by hammerheads, grey reef, silver-tip, silky and oceanic white-tip sharks and mantas. The thresher shark, an oceanic species, as well as the magnificent whale shark, occasionally spotted close to the reef, circle the walls of the Brothers on a regular basis. The huge and spectacular moon fish has also been spotted several times near the reefs. The Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel and the Numidia, a cargo ship sunk in 1901, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. They are covered in soft and hard corals and they are a real treat. On your way back of this diving safari along the coast you will visit Elphinstone. A huge variety of walls and shallow reefs covered in corals and fish of all the colors of the rainbow, enjoying shark sightings and amazing walls and plateau diving... The list of marvels on this Red Sea diving safari is endless!
2 - BDE itinerary: Simply the best!
Their walls are covered in soft corals of all colors, black corals and forests of fan corals, creating a true feast for the eyes. Big tuna, shoals of jack fish and snappers cruise in the blue accompanied by hammerheads, grey reef, silver-tip, silky and oceanic white-tip sharks and mantas. The thresher shark, an oceanic species, as well as the magnificent Whale shark, occasionally spotted close to the reef, circle the walls of the Brothers on a regular basis. The huge and spectacular moon fish has also been spotted several times near the reefs. The Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel and the Numidia, a cargo ship sunk in 1901, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. They are covered in soft and hard corals and they are a real treat. Daedalus Reef, also part of the Marine Park, is the most off-shore of all the reefs in the Egyptian Red Sea. It is a big oval reef with a lighthouse and its perimeter of walls offers some of the most stunning diving in the Red Sea. Typical of Daedalus are its huge and pristine hard coral formations and the possibility to spot schooling hammerheads. Thresher sharks, mantas and whale sharks can also be spotted here. Last but not least, this Red Sea diving safari finishes with Elphinstone, a truly legendary reef where you can expect the unexpected, with its north and south plateaus and its walls covered in soft corals. Hammerhead and grey reef sharks can also be spotted here on a regular basis.
Daedalus Reef, also called Abu El Kizan, is the most off-shore of all the reefs in the Egyptian Red Sea. With walls around the whole of its large perimeter, it is famous for its huge hard coral formations, its schooling hammerheads and sightings of thresher sharks and whale sharks. Big napoleon fish can also be observed looking curiously at the divers while you cruise along the shear walls covered in soft corals. Do not forget to pay a visit to its anemone garden with clouds of clown fish protecting their nests. It is unique in its size and beauty and always a pleasure for the Red Sea divers. Rocky and Zabargad Islands lie close together to the south-east of Ras Banas. Rocky’s shear walls are covered in a stunning forests of soft and fan corals. Juvenile white-tip sharks can be observed sleeping under huge, very scenic overhangs. Mantas, hammerhead and grey reef sharks often visit the island and napoleon fish dance in your bubbles. Zabargad Island, amazing in its spectacular beauty, was used as a precious stone mine in ancient times. Along its southern side a shallow shelf displays a large number of high pinnacles completely covered in soft corals and clouds of antheas offering amazing diving. The drop-off offers hammerhead, grey reef shark and manta sightings. On its north-eastern side a small shallow wreck can be dived upon.
4- St. John & Elphinstone Itinerary
Some of the best dives are made in the early morning when you are most likely to find hammerhead and grey reef sharks circling around the tips of reefs such as on the north plateau of the famous and exposed reef of Elphinstone with its shear walls covered in soft corals. St Johns is a collection of small reefs offering some of the best diving in the Red Sea. Habili Ali will make even the most experienced of divers sigh with wonder when admiring the forests of huge fan corals and black corals that populate its walls. At its western end grey reef, silver-tip and big schools of hammerhead sharks may be observed. Have also a look out for the curious and impressive Hump-head parrot fish that are typical for the St Johns area. Shaab Sataya, the largest reef system in Fury Shoal, has it all - shear walls, ancient amphorae and yet another possibility to swim with big pods of friendly and playful spinner dolphins. Shaab Abu Galawa Saghira with its wonderful hard coral garden in the shape of an amphitheatre is truly memorable.
5- 2 Weeks Marine Park Itinerary
Sail to all Red Sea Marine Park reefs; the Brothers, Daedalus, Zabargad & Rocky Islands, and cruise your way back along the Egyptian Red Sea coast starting from St. John and back to Hurghada. The Brother Islands, the tops of two undersea mountains rising from the depth, are located about 50 nautical miles off-shore, near the town of Quseir. Part of the Marine Park, they offer breathtaking underwater scenery, wall diving along their entire perimeter and the possibility to spot a wide variety of pelagics. Their walls are covered in soft corals of all colors, black corals and forests of fan corals, creating a true feast for the eyes. Big tuna, shoals of jack fish and snappers cruise in the blue accompanied by hammerheads, grey reef, silver-tip, silky and oceanic white-tip sharks and mantas. The thresher shark, an oceanic species, as well as the magnificent Whale shark, occasionally spotted close to this Red Sea reef, circle the walls of the Brothers on a regular basis. The huge and spectacular moon fish has also been spotted several times near the reefs. The Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel and the Numidia, a cargo ship sunk in 1901, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. They are covered in soft and hard corals and they are a real treat. Daedalus Reef, also part of the Marine Park, is the most off-shore of all the reefs in the Egyptian Red Sea. It is a big oval reef with a lighthouse and its perimeter of walls offers some of the most stunning diving in the Red Sea. Typical of Daedalus are its huge and pristine hard coral formations and the possibility to spot schooling hammerheads. Thresher sharks, mantas and whale sharks can also be spotted here. Rocky and Zabargad Islands lie close together to the south-east of Ras Banas. Rocky’s shear walls are covered in a stunning forests of soft and fan corals. Juvenile white-tip sharks can be observed sleeping under huge, very scenic overhangs. Mantas, hammerhead and grey reef sharks often visit the island and napoleon fish dance in your bubbles. Zabargad Island, amazing in its spectacular beauty, was used as a precious stone mine in ancient times. Along its southern side a shallow shelf displays a large number of high pinnacles completely covered in soft corals and clouds of antheas offering amazing diving in the beautiful Red Sea. The drop-off offers hammerhead, grey reef shark and manta sightings. On its north-eastern side a small shallow wreck can be dived upon. St Johns is a collection of small reefs offering some of the best diving in the Red Sea. Habili Ali will make even the most experienced of divers sigh with wonder when admiring the forests of huge fan corals and black corals that populate its walls. At its western end grey reef, silver-tip and big schools of hammerhead sharks may be observed. Have also a look out for the curious and impressive Hump-head parrot fish that are typical for the St Johns area. On your way back along the coast you will visit Elphinstone. A huge variety of walls and shallow reefs covered in corals and fish of all the colors of the rainbow, enjoying shark sightings and amazing walls and plateau diving... The list of marvels is endless!
* We also tailor trips upon request.
1- St. John & Fury Shoal Itinerary
Shaab Sataya, the largest reef system in Fury Shoal, has it all - shear walls, ancient amphorae and yet another possibility to swim with big pods of friendly and playful spinner dolphins. Shaab Abu Galawa Saghira with its wonderful hard coral garden in the shape of an amphitheatre is truly memorable and will let you enjoy the Red Sea diving to the utmost.
2- Abu Fandira Itinerary
Depart from Hamata and cruise between the reefs of Fury Shoal, St Johns and Abu Fandira aboard your comfortable and luxus liveaboard vessel. In the Fury Shoal area, Shaab Maksour with its north and south plateaus offers amazing diving and possibilities to spot hammerhead, grey reef and white-tip sharks while you enjoy the scenery provided by the soft and hard corals in colourful growth. Swim with big pods of spinner dolphins in the lagoons of Shaab Sataya or explore the ancient amphorae, hard and soft coral gardens and shear walls it has to offer. For cavern lovers and photographers, Shaab Claude is a dream dive and Shaab Heaven is truly a heavenly dive with its numerous pinnacles sticking closely together and creating a maze of swim-throughs that will make you wonder about nature’s miracles. St Johns is a collection of small reefs offering some of the best diving in the Red Sea. Habili Ali will make even the most experienced of divers sigh with wonder when admiring the forests of huge fan corals and black corals that populate its walls. At its western end grey reef, silver-tip and big schools of hammerhead sharks may be observed. Have also a look out for the curious and impressive bump-head parrot fish that are typical for the St Johns area.
3- RZ & St. John Itinerary
This diving safari also crosses Zabargad Island, amazing in its spectacular beauty, which was used as a precious stone mine in ancient times. Along its southern side a shallow shelf displays a large number of high pinnacles completely covered in soft corals and clouds of antheas offering amazing diving. The drop-off offers hammerhead, grey reef shark and manta sightings. On its north-eastern side a small shallow wreck can be dived upon. St Johns is a collection of small reefs offering some of the best diving in the Red Sea. Habili Ali will make even the most experienced of divers sigh with wonder when admiring the forests of huge fan corals and black corals that populate its walls. At its western end grey reef, silver-tip and big schools of hammerhead sharks may be observed. Have also a look out for the curious and impressive bump-head parrot fish that are typical for the St Johns area and that make the Red Sea diving so unique. |
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