EGYPT - EXTENDED NORTH ROUTE- Red Sea Blue Force 2

RED SEA - “EXTENDED NORTH ” ROUTE
 7 nights Liveaboard Diving with 6 days of intensive diving, boarding and disembarking in Sharm El Sheikh
   
The EXTENDED NORTH Route is the most complete route in the North of the Red Sea and It is considered the best route to discover Red Sea diving. It is a very complete and simple route for diving, matching all diving levels, although we recommend advanced open water level or equivalent. The sailing on this route is very short and pleasant, reaching the furthest dive sites in about two hours. The wide range of dive sites will give you the opportunity of diving amazing reefs like those found in Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran, visiting a living WWII museum at the wreck of SS Thistlegorm and enjoy all the underwater wonders of the Red Sea reefs in pristine dive sites like Small Crack or Shag Rock and the possibility of snorkeling with dolphins.

On this route we offer 7 days liveaboard with  6 full days of diving. The last day is to desaturate nitrogen and do a bit of shopping and clubbing in Sharm el Sheikh.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ROUTE ARE:

STRAIT OF TIRAN
The Strait of Tiran, is actually a submerged ridge that rises from more than 300 meters depth and extends from the southeast point of Sinai until the island of Tiran. It is basically a passage between the Gulf of Aqaba and the main basin of the Red Sea, forming an area of strong tidal currents.
In the Strait we find 4 reefs which are famous for the quality of their coral and abundant sea life.  Large oceanic fauna sightings are typical.

Ras Mohammed National Park

ANEMONE CITY, SHARK REEF & YOLANDA REEF
The most famous dive in Red Sea and considered one of the best sites in the world. We start off at Anemone city, where dozens of huge anemones (Magnificent heteractis) hosting a multitude of clownfish and damsels are to be found. From here we leap into the blue, crossing over the depths below, to the walls of shark reef.

Along the way possible sightings include; sharks, tuna, red snapper and other large pelagic marine animals. From there, the dive continues on to shallower water between the two reefs. Here, you’ll be able to see parts of the freighter ship: Yolanda, which struck the reef and gave it its name. Among the debris, you’ll find a large collection of toilets and the remains of the captain’s BMW. The area around the wreck often houses lionfish, blue-spotted stingrays and moray eels. The entire stretch between the two reefs is strewn with rocks overgrown with coral, as well as lots of coral on the sides of the reef, which contrast nicely with the white, sandy bottom. The shallow water, the light reflecting off from the bottom and colorful reefs make this a photographer’s paradise.

JACKFISH ALLEY
The traditional dive starts off with a cave at 5 meters which is actually a swim through coming out at a depth of 9 meters. The cave is covered with small gorgonian fans and a crack on the roof allows the rays of sun through. From here we swim on to a long Sandy Alley that gives the name to this site; it was originally named Fisherman's Bank, due to the large amount of jack fish found here. You can see barracuda, tuna and all the usual Red Sea residents here. The dive finishes at the end of the sandy alley where most people are on 50 bar.

RAS GHOZLANI
Ras Ghozlani is a beautiful dive site with lots of interesting things to see and discover. You start off on a sandy slope at a depth of around 6 meters which slowly descends to the drop-off found at around 25 meters. Tons of pinnacles in different shapes and sizes distract us with their fauna and coral during the whole dive. The pinnacles are covered with Table corals, big Gorgonian fans and healthy soft corals in many different colors. The pinnacles are teeming Anthias and other colorful reef fish. Another part of dive site, houses a small anemone city of Magnificent hecteractis anemones.

S.S. THISTLEGORM
The worlds most famous wreck, it is located in Shaab Ali, about 30 miles from Sharm El Sheikh.
It was sunk by German aircrafts in October of 1941 and later discovered by Jacques Cousteau. It offers some of the most spectacular dives in the world, with its sunken cargo of trucks, cars, motorcycles, locomotives, weapons, ammunitions, wagons, aircraft wings, boots…. Normally a minimum of two dives are made on the wreck, one outside, visiting the propeller, anti-aircraft gun and locomotives and another one going through all its decks and holds. It is highly recommended to use Nitrox on this dive.  If possible, we can make a spectacular night dive on the wreck, and perhaps even get to see the skiddish lantern fish!

TRAVEL PROGRAM “EXTENDED NORTH ROUTE”

Saturday: SHARM EL SHEIKH – LIVEABOARD DIVING CRUISE
Meet & Assistance at the airport in Sharm El Sheikh by our staff at the airport. Transfer to the jetty. Embarking from 19:00 pm onwards. Welcome cocktail, boat and crew introduction. Cabins distribution. Dinner on board.

Sunday to Friday: LIVEABOARD DIVING CRUISE “NORTH ROUTE”
Liveaboard diving cruise on full board basis (including water) and 6 days diving, up to 4 dives per day. Some of the highlights of the route are the Straits of Tiran, National Park of Ras Mohamed and wrecks like Thistlegorm.

Saturday: Port of disembarkation – SHARM EL SHEIKH

Disembarkation in Sharm el Sheikh. Transfer to Sharm el Sheikh by road, lunch non included. 5* Hotel accommodation. Leisure time to enjoy the local environment and do some shopping. Dinner at the hotel.

Sunday: SHARM EL SHEIKH

Breakfast. Airport transfer. Check-out formalities assisted by our staff.