Red Sea – Simply the best
Third time of trying and the trip is finally happened. We left for Gatwick with a sense of relief rather than excitement and trepidation as the news was running items about plane cancellations.
We had travelled down the night before and met everyone at the Europa hotel and met the remaining stragglers at Gatwick Weatherspoons ready for breakfast and a few beers.
The transfer to our MV Hurricane was quick and easy and soon after we were on our way to the first dive. A slight hiccup when we had to collect one of the other passengers who had gone for a walk and nearly missed the boat!
Over the week the sun was beating down with temperatures of up to 40C but a strong wind kept us cool. This wind, whilst cooling, proved to be a problem and made for large swells that made the zodiac rides uncomfortable and entries and exits tricky.
Accommodation on the boat was practical and comfortable. Food was in plentiful supply and was tasty and varied, catering for all needs, the morning omelette was a particular hit. There was plenty of indoor seating and outdoor space for rest between the dives and socialising in the evenings. The briefing took place in the upstairs lounge. Briefings and food were announced by the ringing of a bell at which point people would appear from their various locations around the boat.
We took part in 16 dives in total, all of which provided the usual high standard of Red Sea scenery. Many of the dives began in the blue with a deep dive between 30 and 40 m looking for the large pelagics. We then moved into the reef and finished the dive gradually ascending whilst observing the incredible marine life.
Our dives were as follows:
Small Gifton – check dive
Small Gifton – Lighthouse point
Small Gifton -West – South, Night dive
Big Brother – South point from the jetty
Big Brother -Numidia
Little Brother -Northern plateau
Daedalus – North point
Daedalus – Southern plateau
Daedalus – West side
Daedalus – North point/plateau
Daedalus – Westside part way up
Elphinstone – North plateau
Elphinstone – South plateu
Marsa Trombi – Reef
Abo Romada Reef – North – east – south
Abo Romada Reef – North – heading down the westside
This turned out to be a superb week with a great bunch of people. It was perhaps helped by the fact that there were only 15 of us as opposed to a full boat of 22, but everyone got on and hopefully we will see a few of them on dives again.
During the week we were lucky enough to see Thresher sharks, dolphins, Hammerhead sharks and Manta Rays. We also saw turtles, Napoleon Wrasse, nudibranchs, Jacks, Rays, Morays, Antheas, Tuna, octopus, Crocodile fish, Stone fish and (as our guide told us) Red Sea fish.
A week of good diving was completed by a relaxed visit to the Marriott hotel to finish off a highly recommended liveaboard.
Thanks to all who attended.
