Vita Xplorer · Egypt · 7 nights
This Egyptian liveaboard adventure explores the northern Red Sea, departing from Hurghada. The itinerary focuses on the renowned Ras Mohamed National Park and its surroundings, offering a blend of vibrant reefs and historical wrecks. Divers can expect to encounter diverse marine life while navigating through dynamic underwater landscapes. The trip combines thrilling drift dives, colorful coral formations, and fascinating wreck explorations, providing a comprehensive Northern Red Sea experience.
Guests arrive at Hurghada Airport and transfer to the boat, located at the Marriott 5* Marina. Boarding is scheduled before 5 PM, allowing time to settle into cabins and enjoy dinner. An important briefing will be held for the upcoming week's diving activities.
Today's diving focuses on the Ras Mohamed National Park, situated at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. This area is renowned for its incredibly rich marine biodiversity, featuring dramatic drop-offs and strong currents that attract pelagic species. Divers will explore famous sites like Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, known for their vibrant coral gardens and the remains of the Yolanda cargo ship.
Dive sites: Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef
Continuing the exploration of Ras Mohamed and nearby areas, divers will experience more of the rich underwater landscape characterized by vibrant reefs and potential pelagic sightings. The journey may also include visits to the famous wreck graveyard of Abu Nuhas. This reef is known for its collection of well-preserved shipwrecks, offering unique historical dives among diverse marine life.
Dive sites: Abu Nuhas
Diving today will take place in the Strait of Gubal, a famous channel separating the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. This area is characterized by strong currents, which contribute to excellent coral health and attract numerous pelagic species. Divers will explore reefs known for their vibrant soft corals and varied topography, offering dynamic drift dives and diverse encounters.
The day is dedicated to exploring iconic wreck sites, prominently featuring the SS Thistlegorm. This famous British merchant ship, sunk in 1941, is a world-class wreck dive, often explored over multiple dives due to its size and cargo. Divers can penetrate various sections, encountering military vehicles and equipment. The area typically offers good visibility, allowing for detailed exploration of this historical site.
Dive sites: SS Thistlegorm
Returning to the northern reaches of Ras Mohamed National Park, divers will revisit key sites known for their spectacular reef formations and abundant fish life. The area features pristine coral gardens, often with vibrant soft corals and impressive wall dives. Currents can vary, offering opportunities for drift diving and encounters with resident reef fish and occasional pelagic visitors. The focus remains on experiencing the unspoiled beauty of the region's underwater ecosystems.
Dive sites: Sha'ab Ali
The final day of diving typically involves sites closer to the embarkation port of Hurghada. These local reefs still offer pleasant diving, often featuring diverse hard and soft corals and a variety of reef fish. Visibility is generally good, providing relaxed dives before preparing for disembarkation. Divers will enjoy their last underwater experiences, reflecting on the week's adventures.
Breakfast will be served on board the liveaboard. Guests are requested to depart from the boat around 8:30 in the morning. Luggage transfer will be handled by the OKEANOS Xplorer team, followed by transfer to Hurghada Airport for return flights.