Take a look at our gallery for pictures from our 2008 and 2007 Brothers trips
In the middle of the Egyptian Red Sea, miles from the shore, are two lighthouses perched on islands sticking up from the depths. One lighthouse marks Daedalus reef and the other marks two islands called “the Brothers”. Both these names are synonomous with some of the best diving, certainly in the Red Sea, if not the world. The islands are like oases in the middle of a desert; with nothing but deep water for many miles these islands act like magnets to the bigger pelagic fish that fancy a reef fish snack. The clear, unpolluted waters are usually a few degrees warmer than the northern Red Sea, which along with the nutrient-rich, up-welling waters encourages fantastic growth of hard and soft corals. This in turn encourages a great number of reef fish which in turn feed the sharks, large tuna, etc, which are abundant in the area.
The best time of year to go is at the end of May when the waters are warming up enough to attract the big fish without being too warm which tends to send them deep.
When we went at this time of year previously we saw sharks on every dive. On one dive at Daedalus we saw a school of 17 hammerheads, and on most dives hammerheads were spotted. There were also lots of grey and white tip reef sharks as well as oceanic white tips and thresher sharks, a manta and a dugong. Some of the tuna were bigger than the sharks. If you like big stuff then this is the trip for you. The corals and smaller fish life are also spectacularly abundant and colourful and alone are well worth the doing the trip. There are also a couple of wrecks, fantastically covered in soft corals, precariously resting on the steeply sloping reef walls. Take a look at our gallery for photographs.
For this trip we are flying to Hurgharda airport. The boat we are using is the Blue Horizon. Built in 2006, blue o two describes its flagship liveaboard as 'one of the most luxurious liveaboards that the Red Sea has to offer; with mini bars, personal entertainment systems, a sky lounge and a Jacuzzi - the non-divers are as spoilt for choice as the divers'. Every cabin is air-conditioned and has its own minibar and TV, DVD & CD personal entertainment system. For socialising, visit the large and luxurious main saloon, which features an intergrated 34" flat-screen TV, two large dining tables and a bar. For a more relaxing evening, the sky lounge plays host to a Surround Sound Cinema System, as well as its own bar. There are two teak sundecks and a five person open-air jacuzzi. Nitrox is available for anyone wanting it. The first dive is normally a checkout dive; the boat then travels to either the Brothers and then a few days later to Daedalus or the other way around. The final dives are made at Elphinstone, another spectacular ‘pinnacle’ reef but closer to port. Please be aware though that all itineraries are subject to sea and weather conditions. Please note that at one point in the trip (either on the first or last day) there will be a bus transfer from Hurgharda to Marsal Alam. This is because the boat does not following a circular route, so we use land transport to reach the airport. The diving on these trips is not suitable for novices so to book you need to be qualified as PADI Advanced Open Water or higher and have done 50 dives or more.
The cost of the trip includes flights, transfers, accommodation, diving with standard tanks and weights, food and non-alcoholic drinks on board. For the first time this year, visas and marine park fees are also included. Not included but required are crew tips, other gear hire and travel insurance.
A condition of booking is that you have adequate travel insurance. If you already have insurance please check that it covers you for scuba diving including recompression treatment. If you do not have any travel insurance, or if your policy does not include scuba diving then the link below will take you to a company that does. We recommend you get cover when booking the trip in order to get the maximum benefit from your cancellation cover.
For those of you needing to hire gear, we can offer rental of BCD, regulator with octopus and depth gauge, wetsuit and mask, snorkel and fins for £80 for the week. You will need to book this in advance and take it out with you. We strongly recommend hiring (£20) or buying a computer, as it makes a big difference to the diving you can do.
The trip this year is from Friday 22nd May 2009 to Friday 29th May 2009. This is the week of the May bank holiday.
There is a single supplement option @ £450 and also an upgraded cabin option @£100
As this is one of the better boats at the best time of year, spaces will go very quickly so book now and don’t be disappointed. We need a £300 deposit, with the balance being due 10 weeks prior to departure. Payment can be made by debit card, credit card, or a cheque. For credit card payments there is a 2% handling charge. The trip is being arranged through a tour operator,BlueOTwo and, in order to be covered by their ATOL bonding, cheques should be made payable to Blueotwo.
If you are still not convinced then please do look at our gallery to see photos from the previous trip.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call, 020 7381 5000, or e-mail, info@e-scuba.co.uk