The Red Sea's Legendary Southern Waters
Many of Sudan’s varied dive sites hold an almost mythical status with divers from around the world. A few of them are steeped in historical significance and most of them play host to a formidable range of marine life.
The development of Sudan as a dive destination has been restricted in the past by relatively difficult access to Sudan’s coastal waters via Port Sudan. The country’s reefs remain uncrowded and are well preserved. Regaldive’s new liveaboard in Sudan, Royal Evolution, offers a superb two-week itinerary out of Port Ghaleb in Southern Egypt. The combination of a direct flight to Southern Egypt alongside the comfort provided by this luxurious liveaboard arguably makes this the best way to dive Sudan’s long coastline.
From Angarosh to Sanganeb
The warm, crystal clear waters of Sudan support over 400 varieties of coral and over 1500 species of fish, turtle and shark. Schooling fish are encountered in copious numbers. Barracuda, Spotted Stingrays, Moray Eels and huge Parrott fish are all regularly seen. Sudan’s coastal waters are also recognized as one of the best places in the world for Shark enthusiasts to encounter schools of scalloped hammerheads alongside many other species of shark.
Jacques Cousteau
In the early 1960’s, Jacques Cousteau placed Sudan firmly in the psyche of divers worldwide with his experiments in living underwater. The wreck of Conshelf II provides a fascinating window into this unique chapter of diving history.
Close by to Port Sudan, the World War II wreck, the Umbria, is one of the best preserved wrecks in the Red Sea and can lay claim to being one of the world’s great wreck dives.
Diving
Although conditions at dive sites vary greatly, there are a number of deep and drift dives making Sudan a destination that best suits experienced divers. It is a pre-requisite that divers are qualified to a minimum of Advanced PADI Open Water, or equivalent, with a minimum of 50 logged dives. Itineraries offered by Royal Evolution coincide with Sudan’s best diving seasons.
Tailormade Holidays and Twin Centres
We offer tailormade holidays for the majority of the destinations we feature, giving the option to stay for as many nights as you choose. Although we display the prices as 7 nights, these are sample package prices; we can offer you more flexibility.
Many of the destinations featured outside of Egypt are based on flights using scheduled airlines with daily departures. Most fly from the main London airports and some airlines also offer regional UK departures.
Our small, specialised team can also suggest twin centre options for many destinations. Please enquire about the possibilities for a given destination so you can enjoy more than one area during your holiday. Experience contrasting diving as well as varying above water attractions.
Although conditions at dive sites vary greatly, there are a number of deep and open water drift dives making Sudan a destination that best suits experienced divers.
It is a pre-requisite that divers are qualified to a minimum of Advanced PADI Open Water, or equivalent, with a minimum of 50 logged dives. Itineraries offered by Royal Evolution coincide with Sudan’s best diving seasons.
Sample Itinerary from the UK: Weds - Weds
Day 1 Weds: Arrive Marsa Alam - process visa, transfer to Marsa Alam Coral Beach Hotel and overnight (HB) twin share.
Day 2 Thurs: P.M. Transfer to Port Ghaleb - Sailing to Fury Shoal or St. John's reef
Day 3 Fri: Check dive at Fury Shoal or St. John's reef, then sail to Abu Fendira overnight.
Day 4 Sat: Early morning dive at Abu Fendira, then continue sailing to Port Sudan
Day 5 Sun: Early morning arrival to Port Sudan (stay on boat, approx. 3 hours) to process visas and port fees. Sail to Umbria wreck for 2 dives. Onto to Wingate reef for thrid dive and night dive.
DAY 6 Mon: Whole day's diving at Sanganeb Reef - North and South plateaux
DAY 7 Tues: Early morning dive at North plateau, Sanganeb, then onto Shaab Rumi for Cousteau's 'Conshelf' and night dve.
DAY 8 Weds: Whole day's diving at Shaab Rumi. Night to early morning sail to Shab Suadi.
DAY 9 Thurs: Morning dives at The Blue belt (Toyota Wreck), third dive at Northern plateau of Shab Suadi. Overnight sail to Angarosh.
DAY 10 Fri: Day spent at Angarosh reef
DAY 11 Sat: Sail to Abington reef for day dives and night dive
DAY 12 Sun: Sail to Merlo reef for day dives and night dive.
DAY 13 Mon: Early morning sail to Angarosh for 2 dives, tehn sailing to St John's reef.
DAY 14 Tues: Weather conditrions and sailing times dependant, one or two dives on St. Johns, then onto White Rock for your final dive in the afternoon. Continue sail to Port Ghaleb.
DAY 15 Weds: Arrive at Port Ghaleb and process papers for re-entry to Egypt. Disembark (approx. 12.00 p.m.) and transfer to airport/hotel before your departing flight
Time and hotel availability permitting, it may be possible to arrange showering and day use facilities at the Coral Beach hotel for a small fee payable on the spot.
Nb: Schedule may vary according to local conditions and requirements and dive sites chosen to maximise seasonal differences in marine life and currents etc.
How Many Dives are Included?
Approximately 42 dives, including night dives, are planned, local conditions permitting.
Flight Information
Flights depart from Gatwick to Marsa Alam, Egypt, every Wednesday. Manchester departures available on request.
Departure Tax
There is no departure tax when leaving Egypt.
Passports
Passengers travelling to Egypt and Sudan must have six months valid on their passport from the date of departure from Sudan. It is your responsibility to check enaure your passport is valid and you fulfil any entry requirements. British nationals should go to www.fco.gov.uk
You will require a minimum of 4 blank pages in your passport.
Other nationalities should check with their respective consular office.
Visas
You will be required to purchase an entra visa for Egypt on arrival at Marsa Alam. Prices are approximately USD 18.
You will also require a visa for Sudan. This is included in the price of your holiday on Royal Evolution. You are required to return the visa information form for Sudan to Regaldive minimum 6 weeks before your departure. Regaldive will send this to you with your confirmation invopice. For anyone booking travel within the 6 week time frame, Regaldive will need to check if there is sufficient time to process your paperwork.
When you return back to Marsa Alam's Port Ghaleb at the end of your trip, a further Egyptian visa will be purchased for you, which is also included in the holday package price.
Vaccinations
Recommended vaccinations are yellow fever, cholera, typhoid, tetanus and meningitis C.
Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure with your local GP or travel clinic.
Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to Egypt and Sudan can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.
There are no offers at this time.
