Overview|Overview
a:7:{s:10:"1_wpeditor";s:5355:"Hosted by our friend, biologist Dr Elke Bojanowski (AKA the Shark Lady) who has been in the Egyptian Red Sea since 2004 and also heads up the fantastic charity <a href="https://www.redseasharks.org./" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.redseasharks.org</a>. As well as taking you to see sharks up close and personal she will do regular talks throughout the week on the different shark species in the Red Sea, how to dive with sharks safely, why sharks are so important to the health of our oceans, the plight of sharks and how you can help her research.
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="alignright wp-image-14679" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pg_hammerheads-01-1-870x555-1.jpg" alt="Hammerheads" width="401" height="256" />This liveaboard holiday explorers the reefs further South which offer a very good chance of encounters with sharks and Dolphins, on one recent trip we managed to swim amongst a pod of 100 or so for around an hour – simply breathtaking!</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">For this trip we will be aboard the luxurious yacht Scuba Scene. M/Y Scuba Scene is a steel-hulled liveaboard, 43 m long and 9 m wide., fitted to rigorous safety standards. She is spacious, comfortable and beautifully laid out, with a maximum capacity for 26 diving guests. Two large speedboats fitted with tank racks and dive ladders are supporting the diving activities.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">This trip is not for the feint-hearted, if you’ve never dived with sharks before it can be quite daunting the first time you enter the water. As soon as you see your first shark the adrenaline kicks in but very quickly you soon realise that they are not the blood thirsty creatures portrayed by the media and fictional books. In fact once your heart stops thumping like a racehorse, you soon see that they are fascinating creatures, often very shy and is an experience that you will never forget.</p>
<h2>THE BOAT: SCUBA SCENE</h2>
Beautifully laid-out across her four decks, the lower deck holds 8 of our 9 twin cabins, fitted – like all the other cabins – with a private bathroom, small fridge, and adjustable A/C unit.
On the main deck are a spacious dive deck and platform, with plenty of room for all diving equipment, and a camera table and charging points. From the dive deck, enter our well designed dining area/salon, where all our meals are served throughout your trip.
Further towards the bow, find our four suites – again fitted with private bathrooms, small fridges and adjustable A/C units, as well as the kitchen.
<img class="wp-image-14218 alignright" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/scuba-scene-egypt-red-sea-liveaboard-bow.jpg" alt="Red Sea" width="400" height="244" />The upper deck holds one of our three sundecks, our spacious and comfortable salon, another twin as well as the dive guide cabin, plus the captain’s cabin and second sundeck.
The top deck provides lots of shaded areas to relax in and our third sundeck, all ready with cooled drinks in the two upstairs fridges, as well as the flybridge.
Suite upgrades are available and all cabins benefit from air conditioning, ensuite facilities, mini refrigerators and personal entertainment systems.
<h2 id="block-b15c4bae-6fe8-4b4a-8c10-dab3b54bcec7">PRICE</h2>
<p id="block-0a22becc-f9de-40ea-9270-489a70ecc6fe"><strong>Price: £1,230 + flights and £30 VISA. </strong></p>
<p id="block-f9fc5b16-e0c2-45e0-ba96-5dac65512d1d">Price includes transfers, 7 nights’ accommodation in a twin room, all meals and soft drinks (with the exception of Schweppes tonic, soda and lemon), tea and coffee, 12 ltr cylinder and weights. Not included in the price – flights, crew and dive guide gratuities, on-board merchandise, alcoholic drinks, diving equipment hire. Divers will also need a torch (for 1-2 night dives), dive computer and SMB. We will be renting out regs, BCD, shortie wetsuit, fins and boots at £125/week if you take it from the UK. <strong>A double suite is available for an additional fee of £100pp.</strong></p>
<p id="block-118370dd-383f-4309-9ca2-202a76be4acb"><strong>How to Book Your Place</strong></p>
<p id="block-05167145-50b4-4ef8-b73c-65895ba744c6">There are only 22 spaces available and they will be awarded on a first come first serve basis! To book your place we require a £100 deposit. The balance of payment is due by end of September 2021. Minimum age 18 unless accompanied by an adult.</p>
<p id="block-25e2ecb4-73b7-46c4-bcf9-858e796d594a"><strong>To pay by card</strong> call 0808 253 3064</p>
<p id="block-07af99b0-1927-4702-8688-3ae901b1b5bd"><strong>To pay by bank transfer</strong> send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:info@oysterdiving.com">info@oysterdiving.com</a> confirming that you wish to come on the trip and we will then send you an invoice.</p>";s:10:"8_wpeditor";s:1620:"<h2>THE BOAT: SCUBA SCENE</h2>
<img class="alignright wp-image-14212" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/scuba-scene-egypt-red-sea-deck.jpg" alt="Scube Scene" width="303" height="188" />Beautifully laid-out across her four decks, the lower deck holds 8 of our 9 twin cabins, fitted – like all the other cabins – with a private bathroom, small fridge, and adjustable A/C unit.
On the main deck are a spacious dive deck and platform, with plenty of room for all diving equipment, and a camera table and charging points. From the dive deck, enter our well designed dining area/salon, where all our meals are served throughout your trip.
Further towards the bow, find our four suites – again fitted with private bathrooms, small fridges and adjustable A/C units, as well as the kitchen.
<img class="wp-image-14218 alignright" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/scuba-scene-egypt-red-sea-liveaboard-bow.jpg" alt="Red Sea" width="302" height="184" />The upper deck holds one of our three sundecks, our spacious and comfortable salon, another twin as well as the dive guide cabin, plus the captain’s cabin and second sundeck.
The top deck provides lots of shaded areas to relax in and our third sundeck, all ready with cooled drinks in the two upstairs fridges, as well as the flybridge.
Suite upgrades are available and all cabins benefit from air conditioning, ensuite facilities, mini refrigerators and personal entertainment systems.";s:11:"10_wpeditor";s:281:"<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jtgf2x8d6OI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>";s:10:"9_wpeditor";s:220:"[gallery size="large" ids="14307,14220,14857,14856,14854,14853,14218,14217,14216,14215,14214,14213,14212,14211,14210,14209,14208,14207,14206,14205,14204,14203,14198,14197,14201,14202,15481,5885,3973"]";s:11:"12_wpeditor";s:0:"";s:11:"11_wpeditor";s:4892:"<strong>Sample itinerary:</strong>
<img class="alignright wp-image-11806" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/P9050646-scaled.jpg" alt="Red Sea" width="475" height="356" />**PLEASE NOTE** the itinerary below is an example of the planned route and dive sites cannot be guaranteed. All dives sites are subject to weather conditions and the final route taken is at the absolute discretion of the captain and dive guides. Adverse weather can affect this route which includes several overnight sailings.
This itinerary will depart from and arrive to Port Ghalib. Please note that ports are subject to change.
Day 1 – Visit dive sites local to your departure port for three dives (a check dive, practice zodiac dive and night dive) before heading out to the marine parks.
Days 2-5 – We normally plan to spend a day each at Daedalus, Brothers and Elphinstone area. Normally you will have the opportunity to make three dives per day (night dives are not permitted in the marine parks).
Day 6 – After a week of drop-offs, enjoy two relaxed morning dives local to your arrival port allowing you to cruise into harbour in the early afternoon. Take advantage of an evening onshore to purchase souvenirs and enjoy Egypt’s famous hospitality before your journey home the next day.
<h2>ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS</h2>
<h3><b>DAEDALUS REEF</b></h3>
<img class="wp-image-14680 alignright" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pg_BR_whaleshark-01-870x555-1.jpg" alt="Whale Shark" width="399" height="255" />This huge tear-drop shaped reef rises from the sea bed in the middle of the Red Sea, 80km offshore and more than 300km south of Hurghada. Easily recognised by its zebra-striped lighthouse, this reef offers some of the most amazing dives in the Red Sea. The sheer walls are covered in over-grown hard coral formations and a variety of reef fish.
Napoleon wrasses and turtles are often cruising by, but make sure you keep your eyes open on the blue! Daedalus is one of those places where anything can happen… oceanic white tip, grey reef and thresher sharks are often sighted, but Daedalus is most famous for its scalloped hammerhead sharks which can often be seen in large schools out in the blue during the summer months. The sheer size of this reef means that you can do several dives here and never get bored!
<h3 id="block-966935f1-12e6-4673-acd9-4f7581fe32e3"><strong>BROTHER ISLANDS</strong></h3>
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Located about 70 km from El Quesir, these two islands offer spectacular diving. The sheer reef walls are covered with a very healthy mix of hard and soft corals, including massive sea fans and black coral bushes. They attract a variety of reef organisms, which in turn are an important food source for resident and visiting pelagics.
While Small Brother is uninhabited and more pristine, Big Brother holds a lighthouse and military station, with a minimum of 4-5 people stationed here at all times.
Despite the fully functional lighthouse, two ships crashed into this island in the 20th century, leaving two dive-able wrecks: the Numidia (sank 1901) & the Aida II (sank 1957).
The wreck of the Numidia ranges from ~18 – 85 metres, while the stern section of the Aida lies between ~30-60 metres. Other traces of these two shipwrecks are strewn across the shallows, by now overgrown with marine life.
Exposed and often windswept, the Brothers can be challenging dive sites; with potentially rough surface conditions and/or strong currents.
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Besides the two wrecks and the spectacular coral walls and diversity of reef fish, a variety of pelagics can be found around these islands, either year-round, seasonally, or completely randomly.
Among them are Pelagic thresher sharks (year-round), Grey reef sharks (year-round), Oceanic whitetip sharks (seasonally, mainly Oct-Nov) and Whale sharks (randomly), to name just a few.
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<h3 id="block-f35e3e23-9ec8-4421-92dc-cf85b17fbd40"><strong>ELPHINSTONE REEF</strong></h3>
<p id="block-f35e3e23-9ec8-4421-92dc-cf85b17fbd40">A Red Sea legend; a finger shaped reef, with north and south plateaus covered in hard and soft corals, unpredictable and exciting this truly is an awesome reef where hammerhead sharks are regularly spotted in the summer and oceanic whitetip sharks often congregate in large numbers during late autumn.</p>";s:10:"7_wpeditor";s:0:"";}|a:7:{s:10:"1_wpeditor";s:5355:"Hosted by our friend, biologist Dr Elke Bojanowski (AKA the Shark Lady) who has been in the Egyptian Red Sea since 2004 and also heads up the fantastic charity <a href="https://www.redseasharks.org./" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.redseasharks.org</a>. As well as taking you to see sharks up close and personal she will do regular talks throughout the week on the different shark species in the Red Sea, how to dive with sharks safely, why sharks are so important to the health of our oceans, the plight of sharks and how you can help her research.
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><img class="alignright wp-image-14679" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pg_hammerheads-01-1-870x555-1.jpg" alt="Hammerheads" width="401" height="256" />This liveaboard holiday explorers the reefs further South which offer a very good chance of encounters with sharks and Dolphins, on one recent trip we managed to swim amongst a pod of 100 or so for around an hour – simply breathtaking!</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">For this trip we will be aboard the luxurious yacht Scuba Scene. M/Y Scuba Scene is a steel-hulled liveaboard, 43 m long and 9 m wide., fitted to rigorous safety standards. She is spacious, comfortable and beautifully laid out, with a maximum capacity for 26 diving guests. Two large speedboats fitted with tank racks and dive ladders are supporting the diving activities.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">This trip is not for the feint-hearted, if you’ve never dived with sharks before it can be quite daunting the first time you enter the water. As soon as you see your first shark the adrenaline kicks in but very quickly you soon realise that they are not the blood thirsty creatures portrayed by the media and fictional books. In fact once your heart stops thumping like a racehorse, you soon see that they are fascinating creatures, often very shy and is an experience that you will never forget.</p>
<h2>THE BOAT: SCUBA SCENE</h2>
Beautifully laid-out across her four decks, the lower deck holds 8 of our 9 twin cabins, fitted – like all the other cabins – with a private bathroom, small fridge, and adjustable A/C unit.
On the main deck are a spacious dive deck and platform, with plenty of room for all diving equipment, and a camera table and charging points. From the dive deck, enter our well designed dining area/salon, where all our meals are served throughout your trip.
Further towards the bow, find our four suites – again fitted with private bathrooms, small fridges and adjustable A/C units, as well as the kitchen.
<img class="wp-image-14218 alignright" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/scuba-scene-egypt-red-sea-liveaboard-bow.jpg" alt="Red Sea" width="400" height="244" />The upper deck holds one of our three sundecks, our spacious and comfortable salon, another twin as well as the dive guide cabin, plus the captain’s cabin and second sundeck.
The top deck provides lots of shaded areas to relax in and our third sundeck, all ready with cooled drinks in the two upstairs fridges, as well as the flybridge.
Suite upgrades are available and all cabins benefit from air conditioning, ensuite facilities, mini refrigerators and personal entertainment systems.
<h2 id="block-b15c4bae-6fe8-4b4a-8c10-dab3b54bcec7">PRICE</h2>
<p id="block-0a22becc-f9de-40ea-9270-489a70ecc6fe"><strong>Price: £1,230 + flights and £30 VISA. </strong></p>
<p id="block-f9fc5b16-e0c2-45e0-ba96-5dac65512d1d">Price includes transfers, 7 nights’ accommodation in a twin room, all meals and soft drinks (with the exception of Schweppes tonic, soda and lemon), tea and coffee, 12 ltr cylinder and weights. Not included in the price – flights, crew and dive guide gratuities, on-board merchandise, alcoholic drinks, diving equipment hire. Divers will also need a torch (for 1-2 night dives), dive computer and SMB. We will be renting out regs, BCD, shortie wetsuit, fins and boots at £125/week if you take it from the UK. <strong>A double suite is available for an additional fee of £100pp.</strong></p>
<p id="block-118370dd-383f-4309-9ca2-202a76be4acb"><strong>How to Book Your Place</strong></p>
<p id="block-05167145-50b4-4ef8-b73c-65895ba744c6">There are only 22 spaces available and they will be awarded on a first come first serve basis! To book your place we require a £100 deposit. The balance of payment is due by end of September 2021. Minimum age 18 unless accompanied by an adult.</p>
<p id="block-25e2ecb4-73b7-46c4-bcf9-858e796d594a"><strong>To pay by card</strong> call 0808 253 3064</p>
<p id="block-07af99b0-1927-4702-8688-3ae901b1b5bd"><strong>To pay by bank transfer</strong> send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:info@oysterdiving.com">info@oysterdiving.com</a> confirming that you wish to come on the trip and we will then send you an invoice.</p>";s:10:"8_wpeditor";s:1620:"<h2>THE BOAT: SCUBA SCENE</h2>
<img class="alignright wp-image-14212" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/scuba-scene-egypt-red-sea-deck.jpg" alt="Scube Scene" width="303" height="188" />Beautifully laid-out across her four decks, the lower deck holds 8 of our 9 twin cabins, fitted – like all the other cabins – with a private bathroom, small fridge, and adjustable A/C unit.
On the main deck are a spacious dive deck and platform, with plenty of room for all diving equipment, and a camera table and charging points. From the dive deck, enter our well designed dining area/salon, where all our meals are served throughout your trip.
Further towards the bow, find our four suites – again fitted with private bathrooms, small fridges and adjustable A/C units, as well as the kitchen.
<img class="wp-image-14218 alignright" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/scuba-scene-egypt-red-sea-liveaboard-bow.jpg" alt="Red Sea" width="302" height="184" />The upper deck holds one of our three sundecks, our spacious and comfortable salon, another twin as well as the dive guide cabin, plus the captain’s cabin and second sundeck.
The top deck provides lots of shaded areas to relax in and our third sundeck, all ready with cooled drinks in the two upstairs fridges, as well as the flybridge.
Suite upgrades are available and all cabins benefit from air conditioning, ensuite facilities, mini refrigerators and personal entertainment systems.";s:11:"10_wpeditor";s:281:"<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jtgf2x8d6OI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>";s:10:"9_wpeditor";s:220:"[gallery size="large" ids="14307,14220,14857,14856,14854,14853,14218,14217,14216,14215,14214,14213,14212,14211,14210,14209,14208,14207,14206,14205,14204,14203,14198,14197,14201,14202,15481,5885,3973"]";s:11:"12_wpeditor";s:0:"";s:11:"11_wpeditor";s:4892:"<strong>Sample itinerary:</strong>
<img class="alignright wp-image-11806" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/P9050646-scaled.jpg" alt="Red Sea" width="475" height="356" />**PLEASE NOTE** the itinerary below is an example of the planned route and dive sites cannot be guaranteed. All dives sites are subject to weather conditions and the final route taken is at the absolute discretion of the captain and dive guides. Adverse weather can affect this route which includes several overnight sailings.
This itinerary will depart from and arrive to Port Ghalib. Please note that ports are subject to change.
Day 1 – Visit dive sites local to your departure port for three dives (a check dive, practice zodiac dive and night dive) before heading out to the marine parks.
Days 2-5 – We normally plan to spend a day each at Daedalus, Brothers and Elphinstone area. Normally you will have the opportunity to make three dives per day (night dives are not permitted in the marine parks).
Day 6 – After a week of drop-offs, enjoy two relaxed morning dives local to your arrival port allowing you to cruise into harbour in the early afternoon. Take advantage of an evening onshore to purchase souvenirs and enjoy Egypt’s famous hospitality before your journey home the next day.
<h2>ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS</h2>
<h3><b>DAEDALUS REEF</b></h3>
<img class="wp-image-14680 alignright" src="http://oysterdiving.local:57728/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pg_BR_whaleshark-01-870x555-1.jpg" alt="Whale Shark" width="399" height="255" />This huge tear-drop shaped reef rises from the sea bed in the middle of the Red Sea, 80km offshore and more than 300km south of Hurghada. Easily recognised by its zebra-striped lighthouse, this reef offers some of the most amazing dives in the Red Sea. The sheer walls are covered in over-grown hard coral formations and a variety of reef fish.
Napoleon wrasses and turtles are often cruising by, but make sure you keep your eyes open on the blue! Daedalus is one of those places where anything can happen… oceanic white tip, grey reef and thresher sharks are often sighted, but Daedalus is most famous for its scalloped hammerhead sharks which can often be seen in large schools out in the blue during the summer months. The sheer size of this reef means that you can do several dives here and never get bored!
<h3 id="block-966935f1-12e6-4673-acd9-4f7581fe32e3"><strong>BROTHER ISLANDS</strong></h3>
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Located about 70 km from El Quesir, these two islands offer spectacular diving. The sheer reef walls are covered with a very healthy mix of hard and soft corals, including massive sea fans and black coral bushes. They attract a variety of reef organisms, which in turn are an important food source for resident and visiting pelagics.
While Small Brother is uninhabited and more pristine, Big Brother holds a lighthouse and military station, with a minimum of 4-5 people stationed here at all times.
Despite the fully functional lighthouse, two ships crashed into this island in the 20th century, leaving two dive-able wrecks: the Numidia (sank 1901) & the Aida II (sank 1957).
The wreck of the Numidia ranges from ~18 – 85 metres, while the stern section of the Aida lies between ~30-60 metres. Other traces of these two shipwrecks are strewn across the shallows, by now overgrown with marine life.
Exposed and often windswept, the Brothers can be challenging dive sites; with potentially rough surface conditions and/or strong currents.
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Besides the two wrecks and the spectacular coral walls and diversity of reef fish, a variety of pelagics can be found around these islands, either year-round, seasonally, or completely randomly.
Among them are Pelagic thresher sharks (year-round), Grey reef sharks (year-round), Oceanic whitetip sharks (seasonally, mainly Oct-Nov) and Whale sharks (randomly), to name just a few.
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<h3 id="block-f35e3e23-9ec8-4421-92dc-cf85b17fbd40"><strong>ELPHINSTONE REEF</strong></h3>
<p id="block-f35e3e23-9ec8-4421-92dc-cf85b17fbd40">A Red Sea legend; a finger shaped reef, with north and south plateaus covered in hard and soft corals, unpredictable and exciting this truly is an awesome reef where hammerhead sharks are regularly spotted in the summer and oceanic whitetip sharks often congregate in large numbers during late autumn.</p>";s:10:"7_wpeditor";s:0:"";}
This itinerary combines some of the greatest reefs for spotting large pelagics such as a variety of shark species, and one of the most unspoilt reefs in the Red Sea, which is where it gets it’s itinerary name ‘Best of the Red Sea’.