Mini Plus: Tiran - Ras Mohamed (Aqaba Coast only)

Highlights

  • This five-day safari is a great choice if you are new to live aboard cruising and wish to gain more experience
  • You like to combine your stay in Sinai with land-based activities and love reef diving
  • Up to 15 dives are possible between Tiran and Ras Mohamed National Park area at world class coral gardens, drop offs, endless walls and colorful slopes rich in marine life
  • To enjoy diving you are an Open Water certified diver with at least 15 logged dives, an Advanced Open Water license is needed for some of the more demanding dive sites visited on this safari

Itinerary

Requirements

  • You need to be at least an Open Water certified diver with a minimum of 15 logged dives. Advanced Open Water diver or equivalent is recommended for some of the more demanding dive sites visited. Open Water divers are able to join the night dives if they have previous night dives logged.
  • You must have dived in the last year and recorded this in your log book, if needed join a reactivate program or complete a Scuba Review prior to join this safari.
  • This trip is suitable for snorkelers to join. You can snorkel at assigned snorkeling sites, however priority is given to diving activities.

Sample Itinerary

1. Day     Evening: transfer to New Marina (El Wataniya) port and embark. Welcome on board, cabin arrangement and boat–briefing. Permission work with port authority, sailing very early next morning.

2. Day    In the morning a check dive at Temple or Ras Katy. The next dive is either at Ras Ghazlany – a steep wall with caves and overhangs, which becomes a gentler slope, scattered with colourful coral pinnacles or at Ras Um Sid with an outstanding, superb gorgonian fan coral forest. After boat sails the Strait of Tiran. Get ready to visit Gordon Reef, which gently slopes to the south and forms a large plateau. Your last dive of the day will depend on sea conditions either at Gordon Reef, North or South Lagoon for an optional night dive.

3. Day     Al full day at Jackson Reef where you can choose out of several dives, superb wall and drift diving with sights of hammerheads, barracudas, jacks, turtles and open ocean fishes, just keep on looking into the blue waters. Fish life is excellent. Strong current that carry divers along the reef bring plenty of nutrients for reef and schooling fish. Only if sea conditions are good, dive the outside of Jackson Reef or the wreck of the Million Hope. The boat will stay at North or South Lagoon for an optional night dive.

4. Day     First dive of the day is usually Thomas Reef, the smallest of the four Tiran reefs but probably the most interesting and richest in marine life. Next dive can be Woodhouse Reef, which is perfect for a drift dive along the sheltered eastern side.  After, you will leave the reefs of Tiran coming closer to Ras Mohamed National Park.  If you like night diving then Temple will be a great location to jump in.

5. Day     Dive at Shark and Yolanda Reef, the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula with an endless wall - unique in the Red Sea. Next dive will be at Jackfish Alley where you dive through a cave full of glass fish. On leaving the cave you will have a fantastic view into the blue water. After, return back to New Marina (El Wataniya) port and disembark.

Important Info

The itinerary is an example, if you have a special wish for a certain place in this area let your dive guide know. Live aboard itineraries are subject to various unpredictable changes including weather conditions. All dives and especially some wreck dives are subject to diver’s 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!

The last dive of the trip will be on the final day. Divers are recommended to wait for 24 hours before flying after the last dive.

Last Updated 23.06.2023

Included

Complementary, shared transfers to/from liveaboard at embarkation/disembarkation times
Transfers are as a round trip in the area of Sharm El Sheikh (from Hotel or Airport)

Accommodation in shared twin berth, double bed cabin or Master Suite according to booking

Full board: 3 meals, starting with dinner on arrival day, ending with lunch on last day
Snacks between meals and after dives - Water, Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks throughout the day

Fuel surcharge
*) Should an additional and substantial increase be enforced by the government we keep the right to review rates.

3-4 dives per day including Night dives, not on arrival/departure day
Dive Guide, 12 L Alu Tank DIN/INT, weight belts, weight

Snefro Pearl, Snefro Spirit, Snefro Target, Snefro Love: filling of Nitrox up to 32 % is free for certified divers
*) FREE NITROX: as it is complementary in case of technical problems no refund

Excluded

Visa required is the so called, free of charge "Sinai Only" Visa valid for Aqaba Coast only.

The free of charge entry stamp is only available arriving to Egypt in Taba or Sharm El Sheikh to certain nationalities (please check the visa regulations that apply to you). Please also see Evisa service: https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/Home. King Snefro Fleet does not take any liability for guests that are refused entry to the country due to failure to carry correct documentation.

Mandatory Local Fees (National Park, Environmental & Departure Fees) 60 EUR per person
*) All fees according to local rules and regulations, changes are possible on short or even without prior notice

Courses, Equipment Rental, 15 L Tanks, Twin Sets & Manifolds

Local Alcoholic Beverages, Espresso (if available) – Guest can bring own alcohol and consume after leaving port

Recommended gratitude for the crew and guides per guest: 40 EUR on this mini safari

How to get there

Port of Departure: New Marina Sharm El Sheikh (known as El Wataniya, Army Jetty or Port Jerry on Google maps)

Port of Return: New Marina Sharm El Sheikh

Nearest Airport:  Ophira, Sharm El Sheikh International (SSH)

Ferry Service:  Sharm El Sheikh to Hurghada is not working

Bus Service:  regularly from Cairo, Taba, Nuweiba, Dahab (online booking possible with several companies)

Information on complementary transfers:

Only transfer to and from the liveaboard at the given embarkation/disembarkation times in the area of Sharm El Sheikh are included with the liveaboard booking (either from hotel or Airport). Transfer from or to Taba / Dahab are not included.

Transfer are shared transfers, round trip and not private transfers. The actual pick up time might vary as delays could occur while picking up other customers joining the transfer. Guest have to wait at the hotel reception or at the airport pick up point (according to booking, for transfer only meeting point is in front of the arrival hall. Guides are presenting a welcome sign stating King Snefro Fleet and client or/and group name beside the name of the booking travel agency.

We have extreme difficulties collecting guest from public places, restaurants or coffeeshops, places inside pedestrian areas, parking lots, private villas or so-called guest houses. We therefore will not collect from such places, if suitable we will advise a meeting point at the area, otherwise guest will have to make their own way to port.

Call the emergency number only if the pickup delay is greater than 30 minutes. For now, guests departing on an International flight are required to be at the airport at least 3 hours before their flight and 2 hours before a domestic flight.

If you do not want to miss a dive, arrange flight respecting the 24-hour no-fly time, same if your going to altitude (Mountain areas in Sinai, in special St. Catherine) after the last dive!

If arrival transfer information is not provided latest 7 days prior to start date of the trip, guest need to arrange on their own. Any additional cost related to own transfer arrangements  e.g. port entrance fee is not covered by King Snefro Fleet.

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