First time on a Liveaboard in the Red Sea

[NeilK]

I have been on a Liveaboard in the Andaman sea a couple of times. That was great. On one of those trips someone recommended diving in Egypt.

Where do you recommend? I'd like to spend a week on a boat in January 2018 (I will have to firm up the dates later.)

What are the costs roughly? I'll have to rent all equipment. Anything to bear in mind?

 

[AhmedSalem]

Top route in Egypt is brothers dedalos and elphinstone (minimum 50 logged dives and AOWD and sometimes it has strong currents) the budget ranges from 700$ and up to i would say 2000$ per week depending on how luxurious the boat is. Before you book your diving safari make sure you can book flights that would get you there on time specially if you are leaving out of marsa alam (plenty of very nice hotels on the coast where you can spend a night or two before or after your trip with very nice shore dives).

 

[NeilK]

Thanks for the advice.

With these liveaboards, it it hard to co-ordinate the booking with finding flights that match? It would be hard if they took time to get back to you. Matching flights is something that has concerned me.

I have the advanced underwater qualification from Padi. I have more than 50 dives. Not sure I fancy strong currents though!

 

[w3dge]

I'm going on my second liveaboard with Blue O2 to the Red Sea. Absolutely loved it last year, and the boat was top notch. Lots to see, and many different itineraries to choose from depending on your interests. Lots of wrecks, lots of reefs, or a mixture of both.

I can't speak for other operators, but Blue O2 book the flights/visas etc for you.

 

[NeilK]

Thanks for the recomendation. If they book the flights does that make it more expensive than searching on skyscanner?

How do you rate the area compared to the Andaman sea (if you have been there)?

 

[Sunn]

January is not the best moment to dive the red sea... low prices, but cold water

 

[NeilK]

I was looking at the water temperature. Then I noticed that some boats were not available at that time. So I wondered if marine parks were closed or this was a time when companies wound down operations.

I have an event in the UK in late January. I would probably end up going to Egypt in February - which is even worse, I guess.

I will leave this till my next trip in June/July. That gives me more time to plan. Plus I hope the Deep 6 dive computer will be out!

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Sunn]

I would probably end up going to Egypt in February - which is even worse, I guess.

exactly !

 

[Christian]

Agree, summer is the best time in Egypt. Personally I would avoid winter. Currents are sometimes strong, but not worse than what you can experience in the Andaman sea in eg Similan/Surin islands.

 

[AhmedSalem]

Thanks for the advice.

With these liveaboards, it it hard to co-ordinate the booking with finding flights that match? It would be hard if they took time to get back to you. Matching flights is something that has concerned me.

I have the advanced underwater qualification from Padi. I have more than 50 dives. Not sure I fancy strong currents though!

Not necessarily hard to match the flights.. it just depends where you are flying from. E.g.: flights from cairo to marsa alam are just 2 days a week so you will need to plan it accordingly what i meant. otherwise i also recommend that you do it in the summer if you can deal with the heat.