Need advice for a LOB week in the Red Sea this year.

[Blackdog017]

Hello there,

This year we were planning to go to Bonaire in August, but the situation with the SCTLD made us rethink the strategy and opt for the Red Sea for this time.

This is going to be our third time diving in the Red Sea: We did the North reefs and wrecks plus BDE with the Emperor Elite in 2018. Good 2 weeks diving, but the boat was in pretty poor condition at the time. I think it was refurbished since…

Then in 2019 we dived the North and Deep South with the brand spanking new Blue Force 3. Excellent 2 weeks diving again and really enjoyed Zhabargad, Rocky and Claudio. But they have moved the BF3 to the Maldives now.

This year we have already booked one week in August with the Dune Alia to dive at St John’s. We chose them because we had a very good experience with the Dune Aurora in Komodo last year.

I’m looking at options to add another week on a different boat (previous week in the Alia is a family/snorkel thing, and following week is not confirmed).

We don’t want to do BDE again, not big fans of spending 20 mins in the blue at 25m just waiting for the sharks to show up.

Currently thinking of diving Fury Shoals and St. John’s on the Sea Serpent. The cruise we have confirmed is more focused on St. John's.

What do you people think ? Would it be too repetitive to add another week diving Fury Shoals and St. John’s ? We'd like to do Zhabargad again, but the boat going there that week is the JP Marine and I don’t think we want to deal with them.

Opinions/suggestions ?

Thanks for the support.

 

[RedSeaDiver2]

Take a look at what Faisal has running to see if anything suits - Schedule | Red Sea Explorers

 

[Sunn]

Take a look at what Faisal has running to see if anything suits - Schedule | Red Sea Explorers

Thank you, you gave me an idea for next trip...

 

[divezonescuba]

This month will be our fourth time in Egypt. Our typical trip is one week on a liveaboard and one week on the shore. I don't think I could go for back to back safaris, particularly in the same area. We like the northwest area that includes the Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammed, and the Abu Nuhas area. After doing the Tiran Island twice, we would rather concentrate on the other side of the Red Sea. For us, Dahab and the Blue Hole is a must. This year we are going a little bit before the safari liveaboard to dive Sharm some.

We are suppose to go to Bonaire in December, but with the SCTD, I am not sure how that will turn out.

 

[Jai Bar]

Dahab has some good dive sites, the Blue Hole by itself us probably not the best of them- perhaps a matter of personal taste. If possible, I'd add some excursions to Gabr El Bint south of Dahab or Ras Mamlach and R. Abu Galum to the north. If time allows, I think Nabeq nature reserve is also a nice, different experience.

 

[scubaozy]

There is an itinerary called North and Brothers I did last year. It is a very good combination of a bit of everything, I highly recommend. Departure from Hurghada, avoiding the transfer to Port Gharib.

 

[Lukasvtrier]

Hello there,

[...]

We don’t want to do BDE again, not big fans of spending 20 mins in the blue at 25m just waiting for the sharks to show up.

Currently thinking of diving Fury Shoals and St. John’s on the Sea Serpent. The cruise we have confirmed is more focused on St. John's.

What do you people think ? Would it be too repetitive to add another week diving Fury Shoals and St. John’s ? We'd like to do Zhabargad again, but the boat going there that week is the JP Marine and I don’t think we want to deal with them.

Opinions/suggestions ?

Thanks for the sup

Hi there! Realise this thread is from last year, but I'm kind of in the 'same boat' for a trip I'm planning this summer.

Like you, I have done BDE before and - though it was amazing - I'm not super keen on spending again as much time hanging in the blue waiting/hoping for the big stuff to show up. So therfore keen to do Zagharbad (and Rocky Island) but with JP Marine is the only option for that route for my specific dates. You were not sure that you wanted to 'deal with them' and I have seen some less-than-great reviews on them elsewhere too. What was your concern/hesitation based on? Do others here share this?

What route did you end up taking and on which boat? Would be interested to hear your experience. If I slightly adjust my dates, I could do a similar south itinerary with Seawolf Dominator or Sea Serpent Excellence. Does anyone here have experience with (either of) them? For these too, I have seen rather mixed reviews on some platforms...

Or is the South not worth the hassle of dealing with lower-quality operators and should just do BDE again!?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

 

[Mod63]

stay away from Seawolf

 

[Vincent Hanon]

10 croisières avec OCEANOS SAFARI | Croisière Plongée Mer Rouge | Egypte et Soudan et toujours pleine satisfaction ! Good luck !

 

[Searcaigh]

stay away from Seawolf

Why?

This is your second identical post on this subject, without justification it is pointless!