LGBTQ+ Liveaboard Charter of
Emperor Elite

A favorite of European divers, the Red Sea is considered one of the best scuba destinations in the world. Thousands of kilometres of coastline are blessed with extensive reef formations and islands. The underwater scenery is rich with coral-covered walls and beautiful "gardens". Over 400 varieties of coral and 1500 species of fish, turtles, and sharks inhabit the Red Sea.

Jacques Cousteau once said "The Red Sea is a corridor of marvels. The happiest hours of my diving experience have been spent there". That statement is as true today as it was when Jacques Cousteau explored here. Surrounded by desert, there is no runoff to cloud the crystal-clear waters.

All guests on our expeditions must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, regardless of Egypt's current entry requirements. Join our friends from Northern California Rainbow Divers to travel by liveaboard and dive an exciting and popular Red Sea itinerary at the best time of year!

Planned Itinerary:
Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone

Note: 50 logged dives required

Attention: This is an intermediate to advanced itinerary. We'll mostly dive from a live skiff, requiring a backward roll to enter the water, sometimes with a negative entry. Emperor Elite skiffs are equipped with a ladder for ease of re-entry. You should have Advanced Open Water training and be comfortable with buddy diving, currents, descent and ascent without a visual reference, deploying an SMB from your safety stop, and hopefully large sharks!

    

Dive the top three Egyptian Marine Parks: Big and Little Brothers, Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone

The Brother Islands are the pinnacles of two undersea mountains rising from the depths of the abyss and are located about 60 miles offshore. Part of the Marine Park Islands National Park, these islands offer stunning wall diving, with the walls being 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 can be found here. Sightings of the grey reef shark are almost guaranteed on the North and South Plateau of Small Brother.For the wreck diver, the wrecks of the Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel, and the Numidia, a cargo ship, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. Both are covered in a rich growth of soft and hard corals. Marine life includes a family of Napoleon wrasse and grey reef sharks.

Daedalus Reef, also part of the Marine Park, 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 grey reef sharks.

Elphinstone, with its sheer walls covered in soft corals, offers a likely encounter with oceanic white tip sharks.

Please note the itinerary is an example of the planned route, and the order and dive sites are not guaranteed. All dives sites are subject to weather conditions and the final route is at the absolute discretion of the captain and dive guides.

Package includes:

Not included: airfare to Hurghada (see air info below), any extra nights in Hurghada, visa on arrival (currently US$25), Friday night dinner in port, training or equipment rental if needed, crew gratuity in cash, and trip insurance (required for this expedition).

Air Connections:
European divers have air connections directly to Hurghada (HRG) from multiple gateways. Please arrive no later than the morning of October 5, preferably a day early. Once the ship departs port, no delayed passengers or luggage can be brought on board.

North American divers can fly to Cairo (CAI) non-stop from JFK on EgyptAir, or to Hurghada or Cairo via connections in Europe. Please plan to arrive at least one day early. You can relax overnight from travel at the Marriott Hurghada, or we're happy to arrange a stay at a resort with diving.

You can depart from Hurghada around noon on October 12, which is 24 hours after our last scheduled dive. If you join our Nile Cruise and Land Tour, please plan to depart Cairo on Sunday, October 22.

Due to Port Authority regulations, late arrivals cannot be boarded after our scheduled 6 am departure from Hurghada on Friday, October 6. Please purchase travel insurance to cover you in case of delay or cancellation.

REQUIRED MEDICAL DIVING FORM: The Government of Egypt requires that all dive operations obtain a Diving Medical History form before allowing anybody to participate in recreational diving activities (certified and non-certified). The universal RSTC Medical History Questionnaire is acceptable. If you answer YES to any of the questions, you will need to visit with your local medical professional for an examination and obtain their approval (via their signature) before participating in recreational diving. A positive response simply means that there is a pre-existing condition that may affect your safety while diving and you must seek the advice and approval of a medical professional before engaging in diving activities.

Deposit: $700; second deposit of $500 due at 180 days; final payment due 120 days prior to departure.

How to reserve your space:

1. Call or E-mail us to check availability.
2. We'll place a space on courtesy hold for you and send you a confirmation e-mail.
3. Complete and return the trip application and waiver from the letter with your deposit by check or credit card.
4. After your space is confirmed with application and deposit, make your airline reservations. We're happy to help you find the best flights.