Details

Availability : 18 places are available on the boat; 15 have been booked already. Those on the trip so far:

Fiona O'Reilly
Stephen Crunkhorn
Paul Greenslade
Gayle Kipling
Sebastian Thaggard
Emma Crawford
Gerry Smith
Julie Groves
Robert Hender-King
Susan Chrisfield
Sam Church
Angella Newell
John Creevey
Ben Crimmen

The Trip
We will depart from Hurghada and not Sharm el Sheik. Main sites we will visit: Abu Nuhas, Giftun Island, Straits of Gubal, SS Thistlegorm and Ras Mohamed This trip has something for everyone. Starting from Hurghada and sailing north gives a perfect combination of reef diving and wreck diving. The famous horseshoe shaped reef of Shaab El Erg is a perfect example of the reefs on offer on this trip with its beautiful hard coral garden and the chance to see dolphins. Abu Nuhas has four
well-known wrecks: Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K and Seastar, all offering spectacular dives and plenty of fish life.

Night dives can be superb in this area, especially Shab um Usk with lots of Spanish dancers. Gubal Island offers protected anchoring for the night. A small wreck at 8-10 metres makes for a spectacular night dive with lionfish, scorpion fish and its resident giant moray eel.

A short ride across the straits of Gubal and you visit the most famous wreck of the Red Sea, the Thistlegorm! An awe-inspiring World War II British vessel with a cargo full of armaments (Bedford trucks and BSA motorbikes), which were all destined for the British troops in North Africa. She was sunk by the German Luftwaffe and now lies in 30 metres of water. Depending on divers' experience, weather and current conditions, we also attempt a night dive here. A number of the club
have done this in the past and it is awsome. Close by is the Ras Mohamed National Park, offering a morning dive at the 'Shark Reef', a sheer wall falling into the blue. Then on to Ras Mohamed Park before the boat heads back towards Hurghada.

The boat

AMELIA measures 29m and was built in the autumn of 2004. Nine twin berth cabins comfortably accommodate 18 people. All cabins have air-con and
ensuite bathrooms (WC/shower). The spacious dining and salon area offers air-con, DVD/TV and stereo.

Costs and financial arrangements
The booking of the boat will cost us 690 Euros a head. (This is about £460.) The cost of the air fare is likely to be an additional £280 per head. A deposit of £150 is required when your name is added to the list. I will settle all invoices as a one off payment and will collect monies from divers in installments. For the avoidance of doubt, this means that I will book all flights.

Technical details:
* Beam: 7.5m
* Lower deck: 4 x 2 berth (beds side-by-side), air-con, ensuite
2 x 2 berth (bunk beds), air-con, ensuite
* Upper deck: 3 x 2 berth cabins (bunk beds), air-con, ensuite
* Air-con dining room and salon
* TV, Video, DVD, CD, tape player
* Dive deck
* Engines: 2 x 500HP MAN
* Generators: 2 x 40kw , Compressors: 2 Bauer
* 20 x 12lt aluminium tanks , 13t fresh water
* Life jackets/Life rafts/fire system
* Zodiac, Radar, VHS Radio ,GPS
* Echo sounder , Oxygen + First Aid

Free Speciality
It is likely that Aquamarine will offer at least one free PADI speciality to our divers. You only pay for your PIC.

Included Items
Shared cabin
6 days diving (min 3 dives/day, last day 2 dives)
guide
tanks
weights
full board
soft drinks
tax
local transfers
6 nights on board, last night on board or hotel
Excluded items.
Travel to and from UK airport.
Any visa requirments
Any equipment you need to rent [the equipment officer may however be able
to supply some items]
Cost of alcoholic drinks
Costs ashore (if we actually go ashore)
Other important points
Nitrox will not be availble
All divers are expected to carry a SMB
All divers are to carry a torch (including daytime dives)
Divers must bring cert cards and log books. PADI advanced or higher is required with evidence of 20+ logged dives.
Divers will need to have medical insurance

Direct any questions to Stephen Crunkhorn on 07775 695 571