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A fantastic boat sailing to some spectacular reefs.

Relax and sail the Red Sea with good company and great dives

After enjoying all the rusty metal in last years trip we have decided to go back to the Deep South and enjoy some spectacular reefs and drop offs along with the incredible St John's Reef caves. These really are spectacular reefs, and even the die hard wreckies had to admit that it was very impressive diving, that tempted them back from "The Dark Side". Many people have dived the Northern reefs, particularly Ras Muhammad which is regarded as one of the best in the Red Sea, but most of us preferred these reefs. They are very colourful, and marine life is very abundant. St John's Reef caves are truly spectacular. This is a very shallow cave system that is suitable for non techies. Because it is shallow there is plenty of light and each tunnel opens up into a "room" of very spectacular coral and marine life. A magnificent dive suitable for all levels of experience. If you would like to see a few pictures follow this link

The Deep South tour has a wide variety of dive sites, offering big drop-offs overgrown with huge gorgonians and colourful soft corals. On this safari divers will have the opportunity to explore a variety of truly unique dive sites home to some very interesting and unusual reef formations. This itinerary is perfect for divers wanting to experience a slightly more 'untouched' Red Sea and is not to be missed. You must be a PADI Open Water diver or equivalent with a minimum of 30 logged dives to join this safari. This is not strictly adhered to as we are not diving in a marine reservation. If you don't meet this criteria and would like to come on the trip please speak to Derek or Denise.

Due to the locations of the dive sites visited on this itinerary there may be a bit more traveling during the safari. This may mean that it is only possible to complete 3 dives on certain days, though this wasn't the case when we did it last time

Highlight of this trip are likely to be St.John’s, Fury Shoal and best of all .......Elphinstone reef, which is often claimed to be one of the best in the world. Other sites could include Abu Galawa, Sataya Reef, Mikauwa Island and St John’s Caves - which is not to be missed

The Blue Fin

Not only that we are aboard the truly luxurious Blue Fin. This is new to us and really is a top notch boat. For the people who have been with us before it is similar to the Blue Seas just bigger, better and newer.

With her understated luxury and un compromised safety, blue Fin is 100% quality - combining the best of British with the best of Egyptian. Built in 2005 blue Fin is blue o two's first vessel. At 39 metres she is a 5* Super class cruiser.

The Top Deck creates a small sundeck area. Perfect for catching a few rays in between dives, or hiding away with your favourite book.
The Upper Deck forms the main sundeck on board M/Y blue Fin. Comfy seats and a shaded area create the perfect relaxation area. A small outdoor bar situated on the sundeck is well-stocked with refreshments. The Upper Deck also hosts the well-equipped bridge.
The middle deck forms the main saloon and dining area, along with 2 of the master king-size suites - boasting a king-size bed, A/C, en-suite, mini bar, 21" TV, AV In/Out and DVD player. In the saloon, a large dining table and a 42" Plasma Screen provide a luxurious dining and entertainment area.
The Lower Deck is the main cabin area, holding the 3rd master king-size suite and 8 twin cabins, all well equipped with A/C, en-suite, mini bar and a personal entertainment system including LCD Screen, AV In/Out & DVD Player

If that doesn't convince you then look at the pictures below

The Itinerary

We will be sailing on one of the Blue OTwo Fleet - The Blue Fin. The trip starts on Friday 8th October from Gatwick Airport. After landing at Hurghada Airport we will be taken by coach down to Marsa Alam and the new harbour now renamed Port Ghalib. The journey takes around three hours, during which you will se some amazing scenery and the "real Egypt", out of the towns and resorts.

We will arrive at the boat sometime on the Friday evening and unpack and have a meal on the boat.  As you can see, this is an excellent boat.  It is only four years old and is well fitted out.  There are three decks, and a superb lounge and restaurant area.  As with all these boats bedrooms are usually comfortable but a bit on the small side.  All meals are provided, that is three meals a day. In addition all soft drinks, water, tea and coffee are included. The only expense on the boat is the cost of any beer you may drink in the evening, or Nitrox if you use it (at £4.50 per fill or £60 for the whole week). Again ask anyone one who has been with us, the food is very good and plentiful. Early Saturday we will set sail and have a check out dive later in the day, with at least one more dive on the first day.  We will then have three dives a day (4 if you do a night dive) until Thursday,  when we arrive back into the harbour.  We then have Thursday evening/night on the boat.  (This usually allows time for some limited sight seeing and several beers !!!) Dinner is provided on the boat though  you may wish to eat in one of the restaurants in the harbour.  

On Friday morning we will taken by coach back to Hurghada and the flight home. Flight times have not been confirmed yet,  but hopefully we may have time to have another wander around town on Friday before flying home. Having said that there isn't a great deal to do in Port Ghalib. There are quite a few shops selling the usual trinkets but they are usually shut !!!

Boat Specification:

• Type	5* Super Class Cruiser
  Built	2005
  Length	39 Metres
  Beam	8.5 Metres
  No. of Guests	24
  Deck	Teak
  Cabins	3 x Suites (King-size Bed/En-Suite/Air-Conditioning/Personal Entertainment System - 21' TV/DVD/CD/AV in-out/Mini Bar). 10 x Twin Cabins (En-Suite/Air Conditioning/Personal Entertainment System - 15' flat screen/DVD/CD/AV in-out/Mini Bar).
  Saloon	Spacious air conditioned room offering entertainment system (42' Plasma Flat screen TV/DVD/video/surround sound home cinema system/AV Output Adapter) & bar facilities
  Water	2 x Desalination Unit
  Engines	2 x 764HP Caterpillar Engines
  Generators	3 x Independent Generator Sets
  Compressors	German Custom Divemix 265Ltr Double Filtration Compressors
  Zodiacs	2 x Zodiac; 1 x 30HP, 1x 40HP Outboard Engines
  Tanks	32 x 12 ltr aluminium tanks DIN/INT
  Nitrox	DMX LP280 low pressure screw compressor in silent housing with external filtration unit
  Sundecks	2 x Sundecks
  Safety	2 x Life Rafts/Life Jackets/Life Aids/First Aid & Oxygen Delivery System. Simple Safety "tag & dive" system recording divers in & out of water/Diver logging system. Captain & crew fully trained in internationally recognised search & rescue techniques. Breathing Air Purity testing equipment. Zodiacs - 2 x Portable DAN Oxygen Delivery Systems/International Diver Below Flag/Flares/Tools/Basic Dive Equipment Spares/First Aid Kit/Personal Hand Held Radios for 2-way communication with main vessel
  Marine Electronics	Satellite EPIRB, Radar, Depth Sounder, GPS Chart Plotter, DSC VHF Radio, Hand Held VHF Radio, SSB radio

If you would like to see a few pictures of what you can expect to see underwater please look at the gallery pages from previous trips or follow this link

If you would like to see deck plans please follow this link