FAMILY DIVING TOURS ARE THE HIT OF THE SUMMER! READ ON TO FIND OUT WHY! (2019 appointments)

Most of us started diving in our 20s, and we were mesmerised by the sea. We were voracious students, taking in all the sites, and we could hardly wait for the next time we would go diving. And once we were there again, we just wanted to get as many dives in as humanly possible. We were looking for challenges, and we were up to even more complex dives, in the hope of encounters with larger fish.

Since then, 10, 20, 30 years have passed, and most of us now have families. Spouses, partners, children. And this has changed the dynamics of the good old diving blowouts, which we began to seek out less and less frequently. Either because our partners were not divers, or because now we had families, and smaller children.

So, we have come up with a different concept – a diving liveaboard tour for families. If Mom does not dive, Dad can still dive and enjoy his time under the water, while Mom can enjoy herself along with the children. The twist is that the boat does not sail on after each dive, as she usually does on a regular diving tour, but stays put for a couple of days at various sites. This way there is hardly any sailing time during the week-long holiday. No need to worry about the children bouncing and falling all over the place because of the waves because well, there will be hardly any. And another positive thing – no seasickness.

The boat is moored next to an island or in a protected bay, and the fun can begin. Jumping into the water, snorkelling, racing to the shore with zodiacs. The uninhabited islands boast beautiful white sandy beaches with plenty of room to run around in nature at its most pristine. No crowded beaches, just serene, natural surroundings, and of course, the turquoise sea to play in.

Experience shows that this form of contact and time spent together is very beneficial to parent-child relationships. It is useful, meaningful, enjoyable, healthy, and not boring in the least. It is quite a rush for parents to watch their children become one with nature.

And while all this bonding with nature is going on, Dad (or Mom) can go diving, even up to 3-4 times a day. Since the boat will be staying at one place for a day or two, the dive sites may not be as varied as on a regular diving trip but we are talking about the Red Sea here, and everybody who is familiar with Gubal Island and the Strait of Gubal in Egypt, for example, knows that it is entirely possible to do even 5-6 different dives at the same site, in the interior and exterior areas. But it is conceivable that after a couple of dives, Dad would also like to join the fun, and go snorkelling with the children, talking to them about the corals and fish, in their natural habitat – the sea.

We have been organising these summer trips for years now, and the demand keeps increasing, since our family lives and relationships are also changing. We have reached a point in our lives when we do not want to go diving on our own anymore, we would like our families to become part of this pastime of ours. It feels good to watch our partners being active and not feeling bored for once, and that the little ones are also enjoying themselves so much, it takes a prayer or two to get them out of the water at the end of the day.

Tour dates in 2019 (Sunday-Sunday):

  • June 16 – 23
  • July 7 – 14
  • July 21 – 28
  • August 4 – 11 FULL
  • August 11 – 18 FULL

 

Rates per person:

  • Adult: EUR590 (liveaboard) + EUR50 (port fee)
  • Child younger than 12 years old: EUR295 (liveaboard) + EUR50 (port fee)
  • Child younger than 2 years old: EUR195 (liveaboard) + EUR50 (port fee)

Rates include:

  • Transfers between Hurghada airport and the boat
  • Full-board accommodations onboard
  • 3 main meals a day (buffet style service), snacks, fruits
  • Unlimited mineral water, soft drinks, tea, coffee
  • One 12l aluminum tank / person (DIN connection recommended)
  • Weights
  • Diving
  • 2 dive guides
  • Bed linens and towel use
  • Free Wifi where coverage is available
  • Shisha (water pipe) in the Arabian café onboard

 

Additional expenses:

  • Egyptian entry visa (USD25 / person, at Hurghada airport)
  • Travel and diving insurance
  • Tip to the guides and crew if you are satisfied with the service (EUR30 / person recommended)

 

Rates do not include:

  • All other items not mentioned above
  • Flights
  • Nitrox (for divers)
  • 15l or double tank rental (for divers)
  • Alcoholic beverages (may be purchased at the Duty-Free shops before the tour)
  • Diving equipment rental (for divers)
  • Satellite phone use
  • Beach towels
  • Touristic programs
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance for all guests, plus diving insurance for divers are mandatory for being able to participate in the tours.

Our boat – M/Y Andromeda motor yacht

You can choose between comfortable, air-conditioned twin- and queen-bed cabins equipped with private bathrooms. The bathrooms have warm-water showers, toilets, and a sink. We provide bed linens and towels for cabin use for each guest.

The boat boasts 2 sun decks and a covered deck. The dive deck is at the back of the boat along with a spacious platform from where you can enter the water.

Meal service is in the dining room. The European salon is perfect for playing and for watching films. And shisha is available in the Arabian café onboard.

The detailed program

Sunday

  • Arrival in Hurghada
  • Transfer from the airport to the boat
  • Getting settled in the cabins
  • Group briefing in the salon, welcome drinks
  • Individual programs for the rest of the day in the harbour or in town
  • Dinner onboard
  • Shisha in the Arabian café or in the harbour

Monday

  • Sailing out in the morning, heading for Shaab El Erg (about 1 hour ride)
  • Breakfast at 08:00
  • Morning coffee and tea in the salon
  • Snorkelling with dolphins in the morning
  • Diving at Shaab El Erg for certified divers
  • Lunch at 13:00
  • Sailing to Gubal Island, arriving at 15:00-16:00
  • Afternoon snacks, fruits are served
  • Programs until 19:00
  • Snorkelling at the house reef
  • Riding with zodiacs in the Strait of Gubal
  • Relaxing on the inflatable donuts/islands in the water
  • Riding with zodiacs to the white sandy beaches of the islands for some snorkelling, swimming
  • Diving at Gubal for certified divers
  • Introduction dives in full gear for those who are not certified divers
  • Dinner at 19:00
  • After dinner, shisha in the Arabian café, or watching films in the salon
  • Night diving at the wreck in the strait for certified divers

Tuesday, Wednesday

  • Staying at Gubal Island
  • Breakfast at 08:00
  • Morning coffee, tea in the salon
  • Snorkelling at the house reef in the morning
  • Riding with zodiacs in the Strait of Gubal
  • Relaxing on the inflatable donuts/islands in the water
  • Riding with zodiacs to the white sandy beaches of the islands for some snorkelling, swimming
  • Diving at Gubal for certified divers
  • Introduction dives in full gear for those who are not certified divers
  • Lunch at 13:00
  • Siesta
  • Afternoon snacks, fruits are served
  • Afternoon programs until 19:00
  • Snorkelling at the house reef
  • Riding with zodiacs in the strait
  • Relaxing on the inflatable donuts/islands in the water
  • Riding with zodiacs to the white sandy beaches of the islands for some snorkelling, swimming
  • Diving at Gubal for certified divers
  • Introduction dives in full gear for those who are not certified divers
  • Dinner at 19:00 (on days with no wind, BBQ dinner on the island)
  • After dinner, shisha in the Arabian café, or watching films in the salon
  • Night diving at the wreck in the strait for certified divers

Thursday

  • Sailing to Siyul Island
  • Breakfast at 08:00
  • Lunch at 13:00
  • Afternoon snacks, fruits
  • Dinner at 19:00
  • In between meals:
  • Snorkelling, riding with zodiacs
  • Relaxing on the inflatable donuts/islands in the water
  • Riding with zodiacs to the white sandy beaches of the islands for some snorkelling, swimming
  • Diving for certified divers
  • Introduction dives in full gear for those who are not certified divers

Friday

  • Sailing to Tual Island
  • Breakfast at 08:00
  • Lunch at 13:00
  • Afternoon snacks, fruits
  • Dinner at 19:00
  • In between meals:
  • Riding with zodiacs to the white sandy beaches of the islands for some snorkelling, swimming
  • Relaxing, playing on the beach
  • Riding with zodiacs
  • Relaxing on the inflatable donuts/islands in the water

Saturday

  • Sailing out in the morning, heading for Shaab el Erg dolphin reef (about 2 hours ride)
  • Breakfast at 08:00
  • Morning coffee and tea in the salon
  • Snorkelling with dolphins in the morning
  • Diving at Shaab El Erg for certified divers
  • Lunch at 13:00
  • Snorkelling with dolphins after lunch
  • Diving at Shaab El Erg for certified divers
  • Heading for Hurghada at 14:00 (about 1 hour ride)
  • Afternoon snacks and fruits served
  • Individual programs in the harbour or in town until 19:00
  • Good-bye dinner at the back of the boat under the stars
  • After dinner, shisha in the Arabian café, or watching films in the salon

Sunday

  • Breakfast at around 07:00-08:00
  • Transfer to the airport
  • Departure for home
For booking, payment, and cancellation terms, write to us at info@cassiopeiasafari.com .

Cousteau’s favourite dive sites (2019 appointments)

Many dive sites close to Cousteau’s own heart had since become world-renowned. But which were the great explorer’s top 10 favourites?

  1. Shaab Rumi, Sudan
  2. Sipadan, Malaysia
  3. Cocos Island, Costa Rica
  4. Poor Knights Islands, New Zealand
  5. Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
  6. Vancouver Island, Canada
  7. Blue Hole, Belize
  8. Cozumel, Mexico
  9. Heron Island, Australia
  10. Richelieu Rock, Thailand

It is no surprise that Sudan’s Shaab Rumi made the list, after all, great experiences, and exciting work and discoveries connect him to this site. Marvellous diving and an Academy Award. Jacques Cousteau, also known as the father of scuba diving, not only loved diving in this region of the Red Sea, but he had made several discoveries as well.

Jacques Cousteau, or Captain Cousteau to many, was a world-famous marine explorer who dedicated his entire life to marine discoveries. His main fields of interest bore not only great significance to science, but they also raised the curiosity of the general public. He garnered absolute fame with his underwater experiments he conducted in the beginning of the 1960s. Can man live underwater for a prolonged period of time? As part of his Precontinent II experiment, he spent a month living underwater, which they documented in a film. The film, titled “World Without Sun”, was awarded the Oscar in the category of Best Documentary Feature. It says a lot that of all the seas in the world, he chose the Sudanese Red Sea for his experiment. Though to those who had been to Sudan before, this is a no-brainer. One thing is for certain – Captain Cousteau had definitely managed to place Sudan into the psyche of divers.

Anybody who had dived in Egypt before knows that the Red Sea is an amazing and excellent place for scuba diving. Yet, one cannot simply think that if they had dived in Egypt, they saw everything the Red Sea has to offer. Far from the truth, since the Sudanese Red Sea is exceptional and incomparable. While you dive in the same Red Sea in both countries, the two experiences could not be any different. In Egypt hundreds of liveaboards sail the waters, but in Sudan this number barely reaches ten. The result of which may be that during a liveaboard trip, you see no other boat in sight. Sudan hides the most gorgeous and most pristine coral reefs in the Red Sea that shelter an feed its entire marine life.

This is where you will find the Red Sea’s marine life at its most abundant. Sudan’s warm and crystal clear waters support over 400 species of corals, and over 1,500 species of fish, turtles, and sharks. Large fish live here in large numbers, many of which are rare and even endangered. Here you will always see barracudas, spotted rays, morays, and giant parrotfish, to name a few. The coastal waters of Sudan are also ranked among the top sites for shark lovers. You will encounter grey reef, silky, hammerhead, white-tip, and whale sharks in this region.

If you had a diving bucket list, what would you include? If Sudan is up there, then…

… you should know that the most ideal time for diving in Sudan is between February and May. During these months water temperatures are around 25-28C, and this is when the marine life is at its best and richest. Dive with us on one of our trips:

And now would be a good time to mention that you can visit more of Cousteau’s favourite sites with us, like Mexico (Socorro and Guadalupe).

We are happy to send you further details. Send your inquiries to: info@cassiopeiasafari.com

Photo Adventure Scuba Cruise in Sudan!

Diving Holiday and Photo Workshop in Sudan, Red Sea. Deep South Sudan to Eritrean border, 14 nights onboard AndromedaExperience something new with us!

Diving Holiday in Sudan
The World’s most Inspiring Photo Adventure Vacation!

Our adventures offer you a chance to combine a spectacular vacation with a wonderful creative learning experience. Whether you are a beginner, an enthusiast, or a professional, we invite you to join us on a truly amazing photographic adventure of a lifetime. May all who come as guests… leave as friends.

Daniel Selmeczi underwater photographerSign up now for an amazing, fully immersive photography workshop in an exotic locale with award-winning photographer Daniel Selmeczi who knows these waters, guides you to all the best spots, gives you feedback, critiques your work and helps you edit your new travel portfolio along the way.

Date: May 18 – June 01, 2015
Route: The Best of and the Deep South of Sudan
Port: Port Sudan

TRAVEL
We arrange the Sudanese visa for all our guests. The usual travel to Port Sudan is through Dubai.

This trip is recommended only to advanced divers.

2 – week Deep South tour plan
Day 1: 1. Sanganeb South / 2. Shaab Jibna / 3. Shaab Ambar (night dive)
Day 2: 1. Shaab Ambar South Plateau / 2. Keary Reef / 3. Logan Reef / 4. Shaab Ambar (night dive) Day 3: 1. Protector Ree / 2. Protector Reef / 3. Preserver Reef / 4. Preserver Reef (night dive)
Day 4: 1. Bara Musa Saghir / 2. Karam Masamirit / 3. Karam Masamirit / 4. Masamirit (night dive) Day 5: 1. Karam Masamirit / 2. Masamirit / 3. Masamirit / 4. Masamirit (night dive)
Day 6: 1. Ghab Abi Island / 2. Dahrat Qab Island / 3. Dahrat Qab Island / 4. Dahrat Qab Island (night dive) Day 7: 1. Dahrat Qab / 2. Dahrat Qab / 3. Dahrat Qab / 4. Dahrat Qab (night dive)
Day 8: 1. Miyum / 2. Qab Miyum / 3. Dahrat Qab / 4. Dahrat Qab (night dive)
Day 9: 1. Dahrat Abid / 2. Dahrat Abid / 3. Dahrat Qab / 4. Dahrat Qab (night dive)
Day 10: 1. Dahrat Ed Dak Hilat / 2. Ed Domesh Shesh Island / 3.Shaab Loka / 4. Shaab Loka (night dive) Day 11: 1. Shaab Loka / 2. Bara Musa Kebir / 3. Shaab Tawil / 4. Shaab Tawil (night dive)
Day 12: 1. Nakhalat Pinnacle / 2. Pender Reef / 3. Shaab Ambar / 4. Shaab Ambar Lagoon (night dive) Day 13: 1. Shaab Jibna / 2. Sanganeb South / 3. Umbria

Reserve your spot now at info@cassiopeiasafari.com!

A look into the scubalife onboard Andromeda in Sudan:

https://sudan-diving.com

Our Sudan fall season has officially started!

Great anticipation preceded our first week in Sudan this fall especially since this was going to be our first week-long Deep South tour in Sudan in the fall. We have travelled this itinerary in the spring many times and we were curious what it was going to be like down south close to the Eritrean border a few months later. What can we expect? What can we see? What is the weather like? How is the visibility? How warm of a sea can we jump into?

Sunset in SudanAir temperature: average 36C
Water temperature: 30-31C all the way to 40m
Visibility: varying from moderate to excellent
Tour dates: October 6-13, 2014
Itinerary: Sudan – Deep South
Boat: Andromeda

Mantas, even in groups, are a common sight, especially in the Northern region. But the South is not lagging behind either. 🙂 We were met by a world of gorgeous corals and insanely rich marine life. At the end of the dives, we almost had to force the divers out of the water!

Silky shark in the sudanese red seaOh, and since this is a true expedition and discovery tour, true to it, we have discovered a brand new site – Farsa Andromeda! 🙂

The schools of dolphins escorting our boat, sharks, brilliantly coloured corals, schools of fish packed by the hundreds in each school, magical sunsets, endless tranquility and smooth waters helped everybody soon forget the rush of civilization left behind.

Dolphins in the Sudanese Red SeaThe group this week was just as colourful and vibrant as the sights below the water but the week was spent in perfect and jolly harmony. Thank you for diving with us!

Group photo AndromedaTIP OF THE WEEK:
After a couple of our guests had planned on staying in Sudan after the safari and doing some sightseeing, we must emphasize that the Sudanese visa we issue you is valid

– only for the Red Sea State which is the Port Sudan area and
– only for the duration of the safari.

This visa is not valid for any areas outside of Port Sudan or for any periods before or after the safari.

In case someone wishes to do further travelling in Sudan outside of the safari period, please inform us about these plans in advance. In this case, the visa would have to be acquired from the local Sudanese Embassy.

Diving cruise AndromedaSchedule of the week:

Tuesday:
1. Shaab Ambar lagoon – check dive
2. Shaab Ambar South
3. Night Dive

Wednesday:
1. Dahrat Abid
2. Dahrat Abid
3. Darraka
4. Darraka – night dive

Thursday:
1. Habili Dahrat Abid
2. Quab Miyum
3. Habili Dahrat Abid

Friday:
1. Dibsel
2. Dibsel
3. Protector

Saturday:
1. Protector
2. Farsa Andromeda (a new site we have discovered! 5*)
3. Jibna
4. Umbria – night dive

Sunday:
1. Umbria
2. Umbria

https://sudan-diving.com