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Red Sea
Egypt at it's best. Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh




A portion of all
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sales is contributed
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campaigns for
ocean and marine
preservation.

 

 

 

 

 

..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 colorific 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.

Surrounded by vast deserts, the Red Sea expands 2000 km (1300 miles) from the north, the Gulf of Aqaba, to Bab el Mandeb in the south. The Gulf of Aqaba ending at the Straits of Tiran reaches a length of 180 km (110 miles).Following the Syrian-African Rift Valley the Gulf is 25 km (14 miles) wide, and 1800 m (6000 feet) deep.

Fringing coral reefs developed all along the coast line. There are many special aspects in this area: Water temperature is relatively constant. During summer maximum 28 º C and in winter not less than 21 º C. Seldom storms and rainfall (occasionally in winter), as well as mild currents prevent sediments to slow coral growth and allow excellent visibility. Low humidity and the high rate of evaporation due to high temperatures, make the Red Sea one of the saltiest life-sustaining seas in the world. Salinity reaches 4.1 % and therefore a large variety of endemic species have developed. As a result this area has one of the richest concentrations of varieties of marine life in all of the tropical seas.

Diving the Red Sea is a fascinating exploration of one of our planets 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. 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.

Package includes:

Accommodation on live aboard with Full Board on board, Dive instructors & Dive guide, Unlimited diving day & night, Unlimited mineral water + soft drinks, Weights, belts, tanks & refills.

Airport or hotel transfers to boat+ any other services required (pre-nights at the Red Sea resort, end nights in Cairo with visits, tours of Sinain desert, etc.

Suggested Basic Itinerary:

Day 1:
Depart from the USA

Day 2:
Arrival in Cairo and connection to Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh. Transfer to the boat *or additional nights at hotel. Night spent in the harbor.

Day 3 to 8:
Sailing to dive sites with morning, afternoon and/or night dives.

Day 9:
Morning dives. Disembark and transfer to the airport for the return flight.
The Classic North Cruise: This itinerary combines the most famous wrecks in the northern Red Sea with stunning wall and hard coral garden reef diving. 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 Mueller 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 Mueller, a British coal cargo, suffered the same demise only two days later. This cruise 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.

The peninsula separates the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. Currents flow out of both gulfs and bathe Ras Mohamed in rich a nutrient, which gives a plentiful and varied marine life. At Shark Reef you will see shoals of fish - groupers, barracudas, batfish, Napoleons, blue spotted stingrays and crocodile fish. Here is also one of the most amusing dive sites during the week, a wreck that sank

The Classic South Cruise:
This itinerary covers the coastal section of the southern Red Sea offering stunning diving on a huge variety of reefs, walls as well as hard coral gardens teeming with fish life. 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 bump-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.
We Suggest a stop over in Cairo and or give you extra week to explore The Mystic Egypt, ask us for different options. Not included: International airfare and or any other services non mentioned here.


Ocean Realm Eco Adventures
For discounted airfare, information or reservations please call toll free 877.972.2200
or email Lucia@OceanRealmEcoAdventures