Route Description - Sinai Classic
The all time favorite is covering the world top ten dive top spots such as Jackson Reef, Shark Reef, the World War II wreck of the Thistlegorm, the Dunraven and you have a chance to swim or dive with wild dolphins. A hidden island is waiting too.
You will Dive - Eat - Sleep - Repeat for one week with 20+ dives. Magnificent drift, reef, wreck and wall diving, caves, plateaus and the big blue. Dive into an underwater world that is unique in both variety and the sheer number of species.
To enjoy diving you are an Open Water certified diver with at least 15 logged dives while an Advanced Open Water license and 20 logged dives is mandatory to dive the wreck of Thistlegorm.
We do not announce a day by day plan but set up the best plan to cover all sites in the area, avoiding crowded sites and taking weather condition and regulations into consideration.
1. Day 1
In the evening, starting from 18:00 H (6 PM) onwards transfer to New Marina (El Wataneya) port and embark. Welcome on board, cabin arrangement and boat briefing. Permission work with port authority, sailing very early next morning.
2. Day 2 to Day 7
The boat will sail to nearby Temple or Ras Katy for a check dive. The week long safari will cover the area from the Strait of Tiran, Ras Mohamed National Park and the Gulf of Suez which is usual visited first.
The National Park begins at the small bay of Marsa Ghazlani followed by the larger and deeper bay of Marsa Bareika. Continuing along the coast to Ras Za’atar, Jackfish Alley, Eel Garden and Shark Observatory, to the southern end of the peninsula with Anemone City, Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef and ending at the Quay. Because of the geographic position this is a privileged area distinguished to strong massive currents that transport large quantities of plankton and other food that give rise to an extraordinary growth of stony and soft corals and attract large schools of both reef and pelagic marine fauna, over a thousand species in all. Schooling barracuda, jackfish, tuna and many kind of sharks swim in these deep blue waters, especially in summer from June to August, sometimes early September.
The safari will also take you to famous sites like the wrecks of Dunraven and Thistlegorm, Shag Rock and the wreck of Kingston, sail to Shaab Ali where pods of dolphins are common, explore several spots at Sha’ab Mahmouds reef system such as the Small Passage.
Don’t miss the four famous reefs in the Strait of Tiran: Jackson, Thomas, Woodhouse and Gordon Reef, probably the most interesting and richest in marine life. You can choose from several dive sites with superb wall and drift diving. In the afternoon of the 7th day the boat will return to Sharm area.
3. Day 7 evening/Day 8 early morning
The last night will be spent at or close to port on board the liveaboard. Depending on the itinerary and/or administrative conditions, on week long safaris the last night might be arranged in hotel. This is usually communicated in advance. Depending on your check out and flight time return to New Marina (El Wataneya) port and disembark. Transfer to airport or hotel, disembark till 12:00 H (noontime) latest.
Important Info
You need to be at least an Open Water certified diver and have 15 logged dives. Advanced Open Water level is needed for wreck penetration dives and some of the more demanding sites visited on this safari, mandatory for Thistlegorm are at least 20 logged dives. You must have dived in the last year and recorded this in your log book to join this safari, if needed a Scuba Review is available onboard.
Open Water Divers are able to join night dives if they have previous night dives logged. This trip is suitable for snorkelers to join and snorkel at allowed sites, however priority is given to diving activities.
The itinerary is an example so if you have a special wish for a certain place in this area just let your dive guide know. Liveaboard itineraries are subject to various unpredictable changes including weather conditions. All dives and especially some wreck dives are subject to divers experience and weather permitted. Live aboard itineraries depend on the Egyptian Government, Coast Guard and/or Marine Police approval. Every effort is made but we cannot guarantee diving at specific sites. The final decision lies with the captain and guide. Safety always comes first!