Question 1

What diving facilities exist on the boat?

Accepted Answer

A large amount of diving facilities are richly complemented on the boat: great dive deck and platform- Nothing is too small, no need to hurry; very comfortable preparation of divers before each dive. Two Bauer HP compressors and a Mattei Nitrox membrane compressor ensure the continuous air supply, while Free Nitrox up to 32% is available. Supporting two full-size Zodiac tenders fitted with 75 HP engines, equipped with dive ladders for easy access into the water.
A full range of dive equipment is available for rent - this must be organized in advance. All divers must dive with a dive computer, an SMB on every dive, and a torch for night dives. Standard tanks are 12-litre aluminum tanks, while a limited supply of 15-litre steel tanks are also available. Onboard PADI courses, including Skills Review, Advanced Open Water, Adventure Dives, and Specialties, can be arranged. For technical divers, rebreather and side-mount diving are possible with advance notice. Safety equipment on board includes oxygen, comprehensive First Aid, and an AED. Underwater photographers have camera facilities that include charging stations, an air gun, rinse tanks, and a dedicated camera table.

Question 2

What's included on the South and St Johns itinerary?

Accepted Answer

The South and St Johns itinerary is all about visiting some of the most remote and rewarding reefs in the Red Sea, in a relaxed, action-filled diving vacation. With the possibility of 21 or more dives over a seven-day safari, the divers head out from Port Ghalib, with routes tailored to conditions and recent marine life activity.
Highlights include Fury Shoals, where Sha’ab Sharm’s wall dives attract white-tip reef sharks, and Sha’ab Claude’s swim-throughs feature impressive porite corals. Abu Galawa Soraya offers a beautiful coral garden alongside a wreck teeming with glassfish. At St Johns, divers can dive into enormous reef systems along the Sudanese border, such as Habili Ali, home to giant gorgonians and black corals, and with hammerheads and silvertip sharks patrolling the blue. Habili Gafaar bursts with soft corals and shoals of snapper, barracuda, and butterflyfish.
Gota Kebir has tunnels and a south plateau popular with barracudas, jacks, and mantas. Gota Soraya is considered one of the Red Sea's best wall dives, its overhangs and crevices home to glassfish, grey reef sharks, silvertips, and hammerheads. The final day could include dives at Elphinstone Reef, known for its coral-covered plateaus and frequent shark sightings, or closer to Port Ghalib at Abu Dabab

Question 3

What is the best time to dive in the Red Sea?

Accepted Answer

The Red Sea is suitable for diving all year round because of its warm climate and sunshine. However, there are some seasonal changes that affect conditions and marine life activity. From mid-November to March, cooler water temperatures and stronger winds provide quieter dive sites, making it a preferred time for some guests. April to June brings warmer waters and increased chances of seeing manta rays and whale sharks, particularly during plankton blooms.
Although hot, the summer months offer vibrant marine life with shoals of barracuda, trevallies and snapper. During this period, the water temperature reaches a maximum of 30°C. From September until early November, conditions are ideal, with warm waters and milder air temperatures. This season also provides the best visibility, with the variety of marine sightings dependent upon the location. Water temperatures in the Red Sea vary from 22°C in February to 30°C in the peak summer months

Question 4

What can I expect to see in the water on this itinerary?

Accepted Answer

The Red Sea hosts about 1,238 species of fish, flora, and fauna, reputedly a great destination for a diver. You will be able to see common reef fish, including clownfish, moray eels, parrot fish, and Napoleon wrasse. Turtles are commonplace and graze along coral gardens with white tip reef sharks patrolling deeper walls and plateaus with grey reef sharks.
On deeper sites such as St Johns and Elphinstone, pelagic species that include silvertips, hammerheads, and the odd manta ray can be encountered. Fury Shoals offers plenty of reef fish, colorful anemone settlements, and schools of glassfish that offer a haven for macro enthusiasts, while tunnels, walls, and plateaus offer a variety of ecosystems that guarantee encounters with everything from the tiny critter to larger predator