Red sea diving

Hi all. Trying to book a trip to the red sea. I won a week long liveaboard. It's operating out of Sudan now till July then out of Hurghada, Egypt after that. I would appreciate some input regarding the safety and also the diving from any photographers who have been recently or has knowledge.

Cheers, Eiko

I can't comment on the Sudan aspect, but I've been going to Egypt each year for th last 5 years, and never seen any problems in any of the resorts. Last time I was in Hurghada (June 2013), there were reports of relatively minor disturbances over a night or 2, but the vast majority of troble is in Cairo - and 11 hour car journey away. From speaking to other divers, I am not aware of any reason not to take a liveaboard out of Hurghada.

The southern routes of the Red Sea liveaboards generally offer the better diving, but there are several regular routes to consider if you have the option, take a look at the websites of places like emperordivers.com or blue0two.com and they will give a bit more detail about the routes

Hi

I've been doing the Rea Sea every year for the last 10years with out any issues, even when their were bombing Sharm.

The diving has always been great,

regards,

Andy.

I was last in Sudan in 2012, on a boat that travelled down from Egypt. It's good diving, better than all but the "Deep South", the Northern Marine Park, and a few sites like Ras Mohammed when the big schools of fish are around in May, in Egypt.

Travel into Sudan by air is unpredictable and sometimes a bit scary. The larger Italian boats are good, but the Egyptian boats are probably a better bet, even if you have to waste a day before diving because of the Sudanese rules that require the boat to register in Port Sudan before any diving in Sudanese waters.

It's safe, the Egyptian boats in the south usually depart from tourist ports which are, essentially, owned and run by senior military personnel. The archaeological sites have seen trouble, but the diving resorts haven't: the Sharm attacks were well away from the diving resorts.

The boats are very comfortable.

The dives can be spectacular.

Port Sudan has one of the best wrecks in the Red Sea, although it is full of explosives...

Since visiting Red Sea for the first time, my advice is do it from Egypt and I think no need for the Sudan adventure (not so easy to get there, safety and eventually value when cross compared to specific parts of Egypt IMHO).

Again, for the first time visitors, I strongly advise liveaboards from Sharm or Marsa Alam and not Hurghada or other places due to routes. From Sharm you have "North" routes and access to Ras Mohammed and best wrecks which are just pure heaven for underwater photography. Choose your season carefully since crossings depends on weather. After "North" routes, I suggest "South" ones starting from Marsa Alam in variety of several specific destinations. I did liveaboard from Hurghada twice and I think never again but almost yearly I am back to North/South routes..

I suggest you to do your own homework and refer maybe to Alex Mustard's Red Sea photo workshops, as well as other photo workshops (Duxy's maybe) or just regular trips by UK dive operator he uses (skipping name but 1 min googling will reveal name). Also, don't underestimate the quality of liveaboards since they vary so choose a bit more expensive option just to be sure you'll be happy. Being keen on photography, there is a big difference in how liveaboards and their crews complement your needs.

And yes, check my UW portfolio at http://www.markodragoljevic.com/underwater_photography/ for photos from Res Sea North route from last year while on Alex Mustard workshop

If you won a trip from a specific boat it's hard to be picky with the itinerary, I guess you have to chose from what they offer. I've dived pretty extensively in both Egypt and Sudan, from liveabaords departing out of both Egyptian ports and Port Sudan. Inmo Sudan generally offers superior diving to anything you can find in Egypt. More diversity, bigger numbers, more big fish and very few divers. But it is less comfortable and more expensive. I'm not updated on the safety right now and you'll have to consult your embassy and others who have been there recently (there are a lot of people who have never been with a lot of opinions). All I can say is that I have never felt unsafe in Port Sudan or Egypt.