Hammerhead II

Location: Egypt

About Hammerhead II

The 32-meter Hammerhead II explores Egypt's Red Sea, known for its extensive coral formations and diverse marine ecosystems, offering focused dive itineraries.

Egypt’s Red Sea is an aquatic corridor set between two vast deserts. This unique geography, with high evaporation rates and intense sunlight, has produced one of the world’s most concentrated coral reef ecosystems. The sea's deep central trough acts as a channel for nutrient flow, attracting large pelagic predators to its offshore pinnacles and walls. It is in this environment of dramatic drop-offs and open-ocean encounters that Hammerhead II operates. As a vessel constructed for dive travel, it provides the range and stability required to access the region's most remote underwater sites, far from coastal day-boat routes. Dive operations are centered on efficiency and site access. Two 5.2-meter Zodiac tenders, powered by 40-horsepower Yamaha motors, transport small groups directly to the action points of each reef. This tender-based approach allows for precise drop-offs in areas with current, ensuring divers begin their immersion where the topography is most compelling. The main vessel features an organized dive deck with dedicated areas for equipment setup and personal gear storage. Dives are conducted under the supervision of experienced guides with extensive local knowledge of the complex reef systems. An additional emergency Zodiac is also kept on standby. Life aboard is structured for comfort and relaxation between dives. The vessel accommodates up to 20 guests in a configuration of 16 private cabins, ensuring ample personal space. Staterooms are available on both upper and lower decks, including standard and master options, and each cabin is appointed with a private bathroom. For social time, guests can gather in the air-conditioned indoor salon. Outside, multiple sun decks offer open-air seating and lounging areas, providing quiet corners for enjoying the sea breeze or views of the open water and desert coastline. The culinary experience onboard is an integral part of the daily routine. An onboard chef prepares a variety of meals throughout the day, often blending international flavors with local Egyptian elements. Dining is typically served communally, fostering a friendly atmosphere where guests can share stories from the day’s dives. The menu is structured to be wholesome and satisfying, providing the necessary sustenance for a full dive schedule. A selection of beverages is available to complement meals and for refreshment during downtime. Hammerhead II is a modern, purpose-built motor yacht launched in 2017. It measures 32 meters in length with an exceptionally wide beam of 9.3 meters, a design that contributes significantly to vessel stability during open-ocean crossings. It is powered by two 680-horsepower main engines, allowing for a cruising speed of 10 knots. This power and range are essential for navigating the long distances between the mainland and offshore marine parks. The steel hull construction provides a solid and comfortable ride in the varied conditions of the Red Sea. The vessel primarily operates itineraries focused on Egypt's southern Red Sea and its legendary offshore reefs. These routes, which often include the marine parks of the Brothers Islands, Daedalus Reef, and Elphinstone, are typically run from spring through autumn. Departures and returns are commonly scheduled from Marsa Alam or Port Ghalib for direct access to these southern locations. Given the nature of these sites—characterized by deep walls, strong currents, and open-ocean conditions—this liveaboard is best suited for experienced divers. It is an ideal platform for those with advanced certification seeking challenging dives and encounters with pelagic species.

Vessel Specifications

Guest capacity: 20
Year built: 2017
Nitrox: Available