Alia Soul · Egypt · 9 nights
Embark on an unforgettable journey to the pristine waters of the Deep South and Elba Reef, where vibrant coral gardens and abundant marine life create a stunning underwater environment. This serene deep-south escape is perfect for divers of all experience levels, offering opportunities for underwater photography and thrilling big-blue encounters. Enjoy exploring dramatic walls, impressive pinnacles, and relaxed drift dives in crystal-clear waters, often with fewer boats present.
Upon arrival at Port Ghalib, guests will check in to their cabins on the Alia Soul. The evening allows for settling in and an overnight stay in the harbor, preparing for the diving adventure ahead.
Today features a check dive at Abu Dabab, an area well-known for its sandy bottom and seagrass beds, frequently visited by dugongs and green sea turtles. Following this, the vessel will undertake an overnight trip to Sha'ab Sharm, a reef system celebrated for its diverse marine life and vibrant coral formations.
Dive sites: Abu Dabab, Sha'ab Sharm
The vessel heads to St. John's, a spectacular reef system offering diverse dive sites with varying topographies. This area is renowned for its impressive hard and soft coral gardens, along with challenging drift dives that can reveal pelagic species. An overnight trip ensures ample opportunity to explore this remote and pristine region.
Today is dedicated to exploring the Elba Reef, a highlight of the Deep South with its vibrant coral gardens that teem with colorful fish like anthias, butterflyfish, and parrotfish. The area is known for its walls, pinnacles, and relaxed drift dives in crystal-clear waters. Occasional eagle rays and reef sharks commonly glide through this serene environment.
The adventure continues with an overnight stay at Zabargad Island, an area celebrated for its unique topography and marine diversity. Dive sites around Zabargad often feature impressive coral formations, swim-throughs, and a chance to encounter various pelagic species. The island's remote location contributes to its untouched beauty.
Another day is spent at the St. John's reef system, providing further opportunities to explore its extensive coral gardens and diverse underwater landscapes. Divers can enjoy drift dives along walls and discover hidden pinnacles, with the potential to spot various sharks and other large marine life common to this region. This allows for continued exploration of this magnificent reef system.
The exploration of the St. John's reef system continues, allowing divers to delve deeper into its pristine condition and vibrant ecosystem. This region offers excellent visibility and a rich array of reef fish, along with common sightings of pelagic visitors. Opportunities for drift dives and exploring remote sections abound.
Today, the trip focuses on the Fury Shoals, a large collection of reefs known for their intricate coral formations and abundant marine life. The area is famous for its labyrinthine reef systems and impressive pinnacles, offering unique opportunities for exploration and common encounters with various reef sharks and schooling fish.
The penultimate day includes dives around Elphinstone, a legendary offshore reef known for its dramatic walls, potentially strong currents, and consistent sightings of oceanic whitetip sharks. After an exhilarating day of diving, the vessel will return to Port Ghalib for an overnight stay in the harbor. Divers are recommended to wait 24 hours before flying after the last dive.
Dive sites: Elphinstone
Following breakfast, guests will check out from the liveaboard in Port Ghalib, concluding their Deep South and Elba Reef diving adventure.