Route change from BDE to North

[Scuba-74]

A buddy and I had a BDE trip scheduled next week, out of Hurghada. Liveaboard.com just notified us via email that "due to unfavorable conditions in the BDE area, the operator has made the difficult decision to adjust the routes to North and Ras Mohamed". It seems like we may have an option to cancel if we don't want it.

We have never dove in the Red Sea, and while the BDE route is pretty well known, I have no idea what "North and Ras Mohamed" diving entails. Would appreciate the feedback on the following:

1. Is the new route worth going to (we will be flying from Boston, not exactly the shortest trip)?
2. What's there to see? Is marine life remotely comparable to the BDE route? Is there a chance to see OWT/longimanus?
3. Is it somewhat representative of the deeper Red Sea diving, or is it just a generic shallow inshore reef devoid of any character?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

No indication yet. There has been a bad weather warning in effect for Hurghada since yesterday, which prevents the day boats to leave, and there is a good chance that the freighter that ran around just off the Mövenpick in El Quesir was affected by that.

We have never dove in the Red Sea, and while the BDE route is pretty well known, I have no idea what "North and Ras Mohamed" diving entails.

Did Liveaboard.com not provided information on that route? what does the Liveaboard.com site says about that route?
Should be fairly easy to do some recherche on your own...

1. Is the new route worth going to (we will be flying from Boston, not exactly the shortest trip)?

Yes.

1. What's there to see? Is marine life remotely comparable to the BDE route? Is there a chance to see OWT/longimanus?

You will have several wrecks including the Thistlegorm and the usual chances to encouter all the fishs of the Red Sea.

1. Is it somewhat representative of the deeper Red Sea diving, or is it just a generic shallow inshore reef devoid of any character?

What is a generic shallow inshore reef? if you are on a LOB you will reach spots not available from land or by zodiac. so, it won't be generic.
If you never dove the Red Sea and you were willing to take the journey, that will definitely be a decent alternative.

 

[Scuba-74]

Did Liveaboard.com not provided information on that route? what does the Liveaboard.com site says about that route?
Should be fairly easy to do some recherche on your own...

No, they haven't provided anything besides "North and Ras Mohamed". I have emailed them with questions including if they have a more specific itinerary.

You will have several wrecks including the Thistlegorm and the usual chances to encouter all the fishs of the Red Sea.

Good to know, thanks.

What is a generic shallow inshore reef? if you are on a LOB you will reach spots not available from land or by zodiac. so, it won't be generic.

Something that I can see at a number of, say, Caribbean destinations much closer to home, without any local character or marine life.

If you never dove the Red Sea and you were willing to take the journey, that will definitely be a decent alternative.

That's promising, thanks. I was definitely willing to take the journey to BDE, as I've read and heard a lot about those specific locations. While I'm disappointed by the switch, this new route may be worth it for Thistlegorm and other wrecks alone.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

Ras Mohamed is also one of the must see spots in the Red Sea.
And indeed my back garden will be different to your back garden
...
PS: have you been told the name of the boat?

 

[Parlem]

Hi!

Sorry to hear about the change of plans.

A few thoughts:

1) your chances of seeing large animal species in the north are small to very small, but you will see abundant coral and plenty of smaller species.
2) "North and Ras Mohamed", if you are departing from Hurghada, will usually involve wrecks (strait of Gubal, Abu Nuhas) and reefs (Ras Mohamed), perhaps 50-50, even.
3) I'm pretty sure that, weather permitting, the route will include the Thistlegorm and Shark & Yolanda Reef in Ras M. The latter is one of my favourite dive sites ever. I've dived it a dozen times and will not tire of it. December will typically mean fewer boats so a more pleasant experience, overall.
4) Being winter, you won't have the massive presence of schooling fish in Ras Mo but it should still be very nice, in my opinion.

I hope this is of some use to you.

 

[Valerii Vakshul]

A buddy and I had a BDE trip scheduled next week, out of Hurghada. Liveaboard.com just notified us via email that "due to unfavorable conditions in the BDE area, the operator has made the difficult decision to adjust the routes to North and Ras Mohamed". It seems like we may have an option to cancel if we don't want it.

We have never dove in the Red Sea, and while the BDE route is pretty well known, I have no idea what "North and Ras Mohamed" diving entails. Would appreciate the feedback on the following:

1. Is the new route worth going to (we will be flying from Boston, not exactly the shortest trip)?
2. What's there to see? Is marine life remotely comparable to the BDE route? Is there a chance to see OWT/longimanus?
3. Is it somewhat representative of the deeper Red Sea diving, or is it just a generic shallow inshore reef devoid of any character?

Thanks in advance.

It is possible with 100% probability that you will visit Tiran, 4 reefs, Jackson, Gordon, Woodhouse and Thomas, a very excellent option.

I will dive there daily from 31.12.

 

[Parlem]

It is possible with 100% probability that you will visit Tiran, 4 reefs, Jackson, Gordon, Woodhouse and Thomas, a very excellent option.

I will dive there daily from 31.12.

Mmmm ... something tells me that "North and Ras Mohamed" will not include Tiran if departing from Hurghada. But it's easy enough to check with the operator, I suppose.
Tiran is definitely nice and the odd white tip reef shark can be spotted at Jackson reef from time to time.

 

[Valerii Vakshul]

Mmmm ... something tells me that "North and Ras Mohamed" will not include Tiran if departing from Hurghada. But it's easy enough to check with the operator, I suppose.
Tiran is definitely nice and the odd white tip reef shark can be spotted at Jackson reef from time to time.

On Thomas dive canyon.

 

[BoltSnap]

I will dive there daily from 31.12.

Live aboard or land based?

 

[Scuba-74]

PS: have you been told the name of the boat?

Tillis