Visit with us some of the best dives sites in the Northern Red Sea together with the Brother Islands in the South. The area that is covered is quite large and therefore at times the boat is traveling during the night.
You will Dive - Eat - Sleep - Repeat for one week with 18+ dives
Magnificent dives that are challenging, with sometimes strong current this safari is not recommended for beginners. Frequent sightings of big pelagic and an astonishing variety of marine life but less night dives as they are not allowed at the Brother Islands
You must be an Advanced Open Water certified diver with at least 50 logged dives, this safari is not suitable for beginners
Sample Itinerary
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
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 to 7. Day
After finishing permission work with port authority sailing to dive sites Alternatives or Beacon Rock for check dive. Continue travelling South through the Gulf of Suez to Abu Nuhas, a paradise for wreck lovers. The area is known for historical and more recent wrecks like the Giannis D., the Chrisoula K. and the Kimon M. Next dive can be at Gota Abu Ramada, a very popular dive site in the area of Hurghada.
The Brothers Islands are situated 67 km offshore east of El Quseir and south East of Safaga. These "islands" are the exposed tips of two massive reef pillars that rise from the sea. The Little Brother Island is uninhabited (length 200 m) and deep walls surround the island on all sides except on the northern point it has a reef plateau at about 40 m. This plateau is one of the Red Sea's best places for sighting sharks. Silvertips and grey reef sharks are frequent in the area. The eastern and western walls are surrounded by sheer walls covered with black corals, mammoth gorgonian fans with exceptionally dense hard and soft corals covering the spectrum of all colors. The Big Brother has as a landmark a small lighthouse. It has two wrecks lying on its walls. At the northern most tip of the island lays a large freighter named the “Numidia”; the other is the “Aida II”, an Egyptian supply vessel that struck at night. There is excellent wall diving all along the southern side of the reef with strong currents promoting the growth of a spectacular forest of soft corals. Frequent sightings of big pelagic and an astonishing variety of marine life. Night dives are not allowed at the Brother Islands.
On the way back you might stop at the Panorama Reef, it is in fact one of the largest reefs in the area, featuring numerous grottos and overhangs, where gorgonians and soft corals thrive with the frequent nurturing currents. Ras Abu Soma is located near the southeast tip of a large outcrop area of coastline, near Safaga. There is a large lagoon in the reef top and the reef drops down from around 15m where there is a sandy slope littered with pristine hard coral formations to 25m before the wall drops away into the depths. Travelling North you will pass Abu Nuhas and you come back to the area of Sharm el Sheikh here you will visit the Thistlegorm and Ras Mohamed National Park with the famous Shark and Yolanda Reef – unique in the Red Sea.
Update 16.03.2019:
Brother Islands are open with new rules that will effect trip plans as we will no longer be able to stay over night, routes will be adjusted to rules in place when trip takes place:
With reference to CDWS announcements no. 22 for year 2018 and no. 6 for year 2019 about the decree of Red Sea Governor to close brother islands for diving activities and safari trips until 15 March 2019.
The decree of Red Sea Governor no. 148 for year 2019 defines the action plan for diving activities implementation at brother islands as of 16 March 2019. All dive operations CDWS members have to abide to the provisions mentioned in the Governor decree, as follow:
1- It is not allowed to stay overnight in brother islands. The implementation of diving activities will be only from 6 AM till 4 PM after which all boats should leave.
2- The daily maximum capacity of boats on the brother islands are 18. 12 boats for the big brother and 6 for the small brother and only during the timing mentioned in item no. 1.
3- For Safari boats to apply for sailing permit to visit brother islands, first they have to get a coordination record with CDWS to be able to present it to the coast guard office of Red Sea governorate.
4- It is totally forbidden to dump any organic waste in the area of brother islands. It should be dumped in open water by a sufficient distance for at least 5 nautical miles.
Important Info
You need to be at least an Advanced Open Water certified diver and have 50 logged dives. Advanced Open Water level is mandatory for wreck penetration dives and some of the more demanding sites visited on this safari,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.
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!
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 brunch 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 - 20+ dives are planed
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
Your liveaboard is leaving the Aqaba Coast and the area of Sharm El Sheikh.
A Visa to all Egypt (25 USD - 01/2023) is mandatory to join this itinerary. Guests are responsible for checking with an Egyptian Embassy if, for the passport they hold, a visa can be issued on arrival in Egypt. 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) 90 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: 80 EUR on week long safari
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 15 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.