The Red Sea 2026
This time we are truly doing the Red Sea in style, spending the trip aboard MY Neo. She is one of the most luxurious Liveaboards that the Red Sea fleet has to offer, being recently refurbished she is a true gem.
This time we are using Hurghada solidly as our base ending both weeks back here avoiding any long land transfers to and from.
Week one’s itinerary will be based on the stunning “North & Tiran” schedule while week two will take us south past the brothers to enjoy as much of the south as possible, this will be based on the hugely popular “Simply the Best” itinerary.
We are going to jam as much excitement as possible into two weeks of exhilarating diving, coupled with the hospitality Neo & her crew offers this will be truly amazing. There will be as many Red Sea highlights as possible plus at least one beach BBQ thrown in, the dancing is optional 🙂
We depart Manchester Airport on Saturday 20th June sailing from Hurghada early on Sunday 21st June. Week one concludes back in Hurghada ready for a switch over on Saturday 27th June, sailing on Sunday 28th concluding back in Hurghada on Saturday 4th July.
You can choose week one, week two or why not spoil yourself and do both, the choice is yours. The full itineraries as well as a comprehensive FAQ section is all published below.
As always our great friend Ahmed H and his chosen guides will be looking after us throughout the trip, as most of you will know he is one of the most experienced and respected dive guides in the red sea so without doubt we are as always in the best of hands.
MY Neo is without doubt a favourite of ours, she boasts a very high level of luxury, superb food & the best of crews combining together to give you a superior liveaboard experience.
As always we have negotiated the trip cost to be as low as possible; the fantastic price includes:
- Flights from Manchester
- 1 x 25KG Hold Bag
- 1 x 10KG Cabin Bag
- Egyptian Tourist Visa
- Airport Transfers in Egypt
- Up to 4 guided dives per day, up to 42 dives
- Air & Weights
- Marine Park Fees (Currently 100 euros per person per week)
- Tour Tee Shirts
- Island/Boat BBQ
- Liveaboard Insolvency Insurance
- Flight & Boat Cancellation Insurance
- All Mooring Fees
- Fuel Supplement
- Full Board package on Neo including:
- 3 Fantastic meals per day (all dietary needs catered for on request)
- Afternoon snacks including; chicken thighs, samosa, pizza, crisps & pastry delights
- Soft drinks, mixers, tea, coffee & water
One week is a fantastic all in price of £2095, with two weeks being £2985. The deposit is £900 per person and a further two payments will follow before the holiday. The Superior cabins on the upper & top deck will attract a premium; from £100 per person per week.
Neo is side mount & rebreather friendly, nitrox & 15 litre cylinders are both extras, currently £90 per week for Nitrox (highly recommended) & £45 per week for a 15 litre cylinder, full/part kit hire is available POA.
To give you full security & financial peace of mind we will be using our trusted Travel Agent; Jules from Choice Holidays. Jules will handle the behind the scenes work managing flights and travel security.
Please consider if you need an extra weight/hold baggage or extra leg room when booking. Message us for information on current flight extras prices.
The “North & Tiran” itinerary on week one allows you to take in some of the most iconic wrecks and reefs that northern Red Sea has to offer. The Tiran area is in the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba and consists of four main reefs named after British cartographers (Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, Gordon). They are world famous for their extraordinary diversity of corals as well as being home to many large pelagic fish.
We intend to do:
Carnatic
Abu Nuhas Reef Night Dive
Day 2
Kingston
SS Thistlegorm
SS Thistlegorm
The itinerary will remain flexible to enjoy the straits of Tiran
Day 6
Small Gifton
Military Museum or Gotta
SS. Thistlegorm – Shaab Ali
Probably the most famous of the Red Sea wrecks. The 129m English Freighter was bombed by German bombers on 6th October 1941. Today the wreck creates an artificial reef on a sandy bottom at 32m max depth. She is home to an enormous variety of marine life and is especially popular with large schooling fish.
Gubal Island
At the gate of the Straits of Gubal is ‘Bluff Point’ , this gets its name from the turbulence created by strong currents that beat the eastern wall of the island. The wreck of the ‘Ulysses’ lies on the reef north of the lighthouse, starting at 5m and sloping to 25m. ‘The Barge’ wreck, south of the lighthouse, provides divers with a fun and very entertaining night dive. The wrecks skeleton creates protection for all types of creatures including “George”.
Ras Mohamed Reef
This is a world renowned dive site, situated at the tip of the Sinai. Two small ergs are joined by a vertical wall dropping into the abyss. At Shark reef the current allows you to drift along the wall, rich with colourful corals. Moving towards Yolanda reef you reach a plateau scattered with small ergs and coral outcrops. Continuing around the reef you will come upon the scattered remains of the wreck ‘Yolanda’ complete with its cargo of toilets and baths. The whole of this area is famous for its big fish.
Jackson Reef – Tiran
This is the most northerly reef and on its northern edge lays the wreck of a freighter serving as a stark warning to ships in the narrow straights. Dives are usually conducted from the moorings on the south side which is sheltered from the main swell and currents. Moving northwards you will come across a forest of spectacular Gorgonia fan coral as well as many different kinds of reef fish. This site can also be done as a drift dive heading from the mooring towards the East with the reef on the left where it is mostly wall diving with its excellent corals.
Woodhouse Reef – Tiran
This is the longest reef of the four in the Strait of Tiran. Home to reef sharks and Rays, it is dived as a drift dive usually from South to North. There is a canyon going along the reef at about 25m which spreads out into a beautiful coral garden with sand alleys.
Thomas Reef – Tiran
This is the smallest reef in the Strait with a large plateau at about 25m on the south eastern side. This plateau often has sleeping sharks on the sand patches and the colourful coral has a fence of Gorgonia fans.
Gordon Reef – Tiran
This is the most southerly reef of the four and has a different topography from the others offering both a shallow plateau area and drop offs. A huge variety of reef fish and big schools of groupers can be seen here and on the sandy bottom. There is an eel garden area along with coral encrusted drums. The top of the reef, with its lighthouse, is also home to the wreck Lovilla which sits almost parallel to the wreck on Jackson Reef.
The “Simply the Best” Itinerary is exactly that – simply the best scuba diving of the Southern Red Sea. The itinerary focuses on the reef systems of the Brothers and Daedalus, which together make up the Northern Marine Park and the beautiful wall dives of Elphinstone. The Red Sea Marine Parks are protected areas and places of magnificent beauty underwater. Drift dives, long drops offs, pelagic encounters and even wreck dives. Dive after dive, Simply the Best is a phenomenal addition to your logbook.
We intend to do:
Day 3, 4 & 5
Daedalus Reef
Day 6
Small Gifton
Military Museum or Gotta
The Brothers
They are pinnacles of two undersea mountains & are part of the Red Sea National Park. These islands offer stunning wall diving covered in soft corals and forests of gorgonians, creating a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours. They attract a diverse array of marine species and large pelagics. Large tuna, jacks and snappers cruise in the blue, accompanied by occasional hammerheads, silvertips, silky and oceanic white tip sharks and mantas. Even the rare thresher shark has been seen here by us. Sightings of grey reef sharks are almost guaranteed on the North and South Plateaux of Small Brother.
For the wreck diver, the Aida, an Egyptian supply vessel, and the beautiful Numidia, a cargo ship, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. Both are covered in a rich growths of soft and hard corals.
Daedalus Reef
This is also part of the Red Sea Marine Park, it is a large, oval reef with a lighthouse and is the furthest offshore reef in the Egyptian Red Sea. Its deep walls and drop-offs offer some of the most spectacular diving to be found. Daedalus has mountainous, pristine, hard coral formations. There is also a strong chance of spotting schooling hammerheads and reef sharks.
Elphinstone
Being 30km from Port Ghalib; Elphinstone reef is 300 metres long with sheer walls richly covered in colourful pink and red soft corals and elegant red gorgonians descending to around 40 metres. Other areas of the reef have near vertical cliffs, overhangs, small caves and drop offs. Elphinstone is known to experience some strong currents attracting many diverse species such as barracuda, angel fish, groupers, Napoleons, morays, reef sharks and great shoals of dogtooth tuna and jacks. Occasional sightings include dolphins, turtles, oceanic white tip and hammerhead sharks.
Ready to book?
To do this trip you need to be a PADI Advanced Open Water diver with an Enriched Air speciality (If you choose the Nitrox Option). Holding a Deep & Night certification is a bonus but not essential, we will be your support & guides complimenting Ahmed & his team. If you need to gain experience and qualifications before the trip there is loads of time, we will be delighted to assist you with whatever you need. You could always do a course such as Night or Deep on the trip, what a place to get these much sought after qualifications.
It is advisable to take your own kit, you can however hire anything you need as well as bigger cylinders should you need them. This can all be easily arranged.
I’m sure you are bristling with questions so give us a call or call in and see us. There is an FAQ section below that may help also.
Get booking, get enjoying, this trip is unique!! Thanks Hotch.
Normal trip T&C’s apply.
Please check out the Frequently Asked Questions section below, hopefully most of your questions can be answered here.
You will need an Egyptian Tourist Visa, we will ensure you get one on arrival into Egypt. It costs 30 euros and this is included in the price of the trip.
There is an online option however for ease we recommend you leave the visa arranging in our hands.
It is possible to book extra leg room seats as well as speedy boarding.
You may also add extra weight to your hold bag in 3kg increments up to a maximum bag weight of 32kg.
You can also book an additional 23kg hold bag should you wish too.
Any additions need to be requested at the time of booking especially extra leg room as it is very limited.
All prices for extras will be checked and determined at the time of the request.
You get one hold bag included in the booking, if you want to have more than one hold bag you will need to pay an additional fee.
There is no meal included in the flight – it is a wise idea to purchase any food and beverages you may want prior to boarding.
You can of course purchase food and alcohol onboard, however it may be limited due to demand.
All dietary needs can be accommodated. For instance if you have allergies, are vegetarian, vegan or pescatarian please let us know before the final trip payment is made and we will instruct the chefs onboard to accommodate you.
Nitrox is an option, we recommend its use due to enhanced bottom time, safety reasons & recovery.
If you want Nitrox it is 90 euros per person per week, this MUST be booked in advance and paid with your trip fee.
Room shares will be allocated by us unless a request is made.
Anyone who suffers from travel/sea sickness is best situated in the lower cabins due to their stability.
Please complete this form, if you have any Yes answers on page 1 & 2 then you will need to obtain medical advice which confirms you are fit to dive. This must be from a suitable medical professional.
If your GP will not sign off your form (which is often the case) then please contact Dr Adam Connor, located near Nottingham. He is specifically specialised in dive related matters.
There are three forms that you will need to complete before you can dive. It is highly recommended that you do these in plenty of time in case you need to get GP/Doctor approval.
The forms are:
Stellar Divers Trip Liability Release
PADI General Diving Liability Release
These forms need to be presented to Ahmed & Hotch when you arrive on the boat.
There are no card facilities on Hero so you will need cash, Euros are best – you will need:
100 euros per person per week for a boat service charge,
40 euros for a hotel day room on our final day if you choose to stay with us during the transfer home.
Plus any additional meals & drinks in harbour, plus for any beer purchased on the boat.
NOTE Egyptian cash machines dispense Egyptian pounds (up to a maximum of 3000 per transaction @£45)
One of the most convenient ways to get Euros is online through the Post Office, minimum 500 euros, it is of course your choice.
Yes, we offer a few specialities that are conducive with the trip. These are:
PADI Digital Underwater Photography
You can either pre book these or decide on the boat, it helps us plan if we have prior knowledge of your intent please.
Each person will receive a hand, bath and deck use towel as well as a robe for wet wear upon arrival in the cabin.
All towels and robe will be changed at least once a week, if more frequent change is required the cabin crew will accommodate this upon request.
The boats power sockets are European standard 2 pin – you will need adaptors & USB charge ports.
All charging of large devices eg camera/torch batteries MUST be done in the lounge/communal area so any overheating issues can be seen.
Phones and small items can be charged in the cabins.
If you feel that a particular crew member has stood out tipping is at your discretion and will be greatly received.
As with all of Egypt, Euros are preferred please.
Yes you can, this I cheapest when purchased at Manchester duty free, pre booking will ensure a discount. Current Customs entry limits you to 1 litre of spirit per person.
Yes you can, beer can be purchased per pack (24 cans) upon arrival and this can then be put into your cabin fridge.
Of course you can share this with your room mate/friends.
Beer is 60 euros per pack.
If you are with parents then 15 is the minimum age. Solo divers must be 18 to come.
We recommend that you use bubble wrap and pop them in your hold luggage. This will save any hassle in customs.
Of course this is up to you; to give you a steer though there is no formality on the boat and you will not wear any shoes while you are on the boat. Less is by far best! Make sure your scuba kit is well protected and put most of it in your hold bag. We recommend that you carry dive computers, laptops/tablets and camera equipment in your hand luggage.
There are no laundry facilities onboard, you can take wash powder/liquid and hand wash in your cabin sink if you feel the need.