Tour date: May 5 -12, 2012
Itinerary: Sudan-North
Air temperature: 35 °C
Water temperature: 27-28 °C
Visibility: 20 m

The group arrived onboard Andromeda at 10 o’clock Sunday morning, so we were able to start our first dive only in the afternoon, giving everybody some well deserved rest before the check dive.

Monday morning we started the first dive at Blue Belt, better known as the Toyota wreck. Our first meeting with a giant manta was on our second dive, at Qita El Bana, the video of which we have included here for you. The third dive was on the South side of Merlot with hammerhead sharks and a turtle. Our night dive was at Gota Shambaia.

On our morning dive Tuesday at Angarosh we saw a few hammerhead and grey reef sharks. Then we continued on to Shaab Rumi of which everybody – having seen the plenty of great footage these past weeks – had very high expectations. The day’s third dive was at the Precontinent where Cousteau proved in 1963 that divers are able to live underwater for long periods of time. The documentary of this – which probably every diver visiting Sudan has seen – is a world classic to this day. At the entrance of Shaab Rumi we discovered the eerie remains of the research station, lying on the shallow plateau. We missed our night dive because of the strong currents.

Shaab Rumi met us with very strong South currents on Wednesday morning but thanks to this, also with lots of sharks too. The huge range of the reef’s unparalleled marine life was waiting for us this week too as always… unfortunately with some poorer visibility due to the currents.

Our first dive on Thursday was still at Shaab Rumi. Although the currents weakened a bit, nonetheless we met up with a school of 20 hammerheads and uncountable grey reef sharks. Eager fish lovers were able to discover all of the Red Sea’s fish species along the walls of this dive site alone. Our second and third dives were at Sanganeb with hammerheads and a huge school of barracudas. We anchored for the night at Umbria.

The last dives on Friday were at the wreck of Umbria. This was a romantic week in every aspect. We have been sailing virtually all alone along the Sudanese reefs these past weeks. We are only able to experience such rich sights and such peaceful dives at these dive sites in the Red Sea.

Tour date: April 28 – May 5, 2012
Itinerary: Sudan-North
Air temperature: 30-35 °C
Water temperature: 27 °C
Visibility: 20m

The group arrived onboard Andromeda relatively early, at 1:30 Sunday morning. We followed the usual route for our check dive the same morning. Our first dive was at Shaab Suedi Fasma, followed by Gota Shambaia.

Monday morning Angarosh was waiting for us, where in the big blue at 35 metres we saw the first bigger school of hammerheads. The water came to life, flashes and cameras started to work. The second dive here was almost the mirror image of the first one. Then we somersaulted out of the zodiacs at the southern side of Merlot for a nice, cinema-like dive. We difted by beautiful tiny caves being escorted by a curious turtle. The rays of sunshine shimmering through from above mesmorised us all. Our night dive was at Shambaia Reef.

On Tuesday the south winds picked up, so we turned back. Our morning dive at Quita el Banna was made perfect by the sight of another group of hammerheads, surprisingly. Then came Shaan Suedi and Blue Belt, or better known as the Toyota wreck. Under the water it becomes clear why the name. There are numerous Toyota cars and parts scattered around the sea bed. It would be no use removing the cars from the water as the Blue Belt cargo ship sank in the 1970s, so these cars would be quite useless these days on the roads. The deepest point of the wreck is at 90 metres. The beauty of the dive was just enhanced by the gorgeous soft corals.

Then came Shaab Rumi and Cousteau’s Precontinent – the dive site with the hundred faces but with quite a bit of current this time. There were things from over 40 years ago that Cousteau and his team had used, underwater scooter garage, their underwater quarters and the shark cages. Because of the strong currents, the night dive was cancelled.

On Thursday at Shaab Rumi the currents made the team sweat but thanks to numerous grey reef sharks, nobody was bothered by it above the plateau. Some of the divers in better condition and with more stamina, swam out into the blue to see about 50 hammerheads cruising by.

Friday morning was spent at Shaab Rumi with hammerheads and grey reef sharks then we were off to Sanganeb. Visibility was not the best because of the currents, so we continued on to Umbria after the first dive to dive this wonderful reef which you can see in our video shot this week.

Tour date: April 14-28, 2012
Itinerary: Sudan North-South 2-week safari
Air temperature: 30-33 °C
Water temperature: 27 °C
Visibility: 20-40 metres

This season’s only 2-week diving safari ended last week. The team has posed us a big challenge as they are a cohesive, well-travelled group looking for true adventures who have travelled half the world but we were able to show them our best onboard and underwater during these 2 weeks in Sudan.

The divers boarded Andromeda at 6:30 in the morning, so the check-dive was delayed and we headed straight South, so everybody had a chance to rest a bit before the first dive. Jumna was the most spectacular from among the Southern sites but Logan, Pinnacolo and Ambar were equally amazing however the large fish were not really present at these sites this time. After a few days in the South, we stopped at Umbria and while the team was diving, the boat got loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables and water.

The next day we started our dives at Sanganeb and we saw a few grey reef sharks but the real show began the following day at Shaab Rumi. There were no dives where we did not see hammerheads and not just one or two but 30-50 of them at a time! After spending a few days at Shaab Rumi we continued on North. Where we were supposed to see sharks, we did see sharks and plenty of them!

On our way back at Qita el Banna, a dive site that is not really known for hammerheads, we were still able to see them. Shaab Rumi outdid itself as even during the late afternoon dives hammerheads were stationed there.

Our last day was at Sanganeb North – and to repeat the earlier –, with plenty of hammerheads crowning this dive too. This 2-week team did not have anything to complain about as this was one of our tours richest in big fish this season.

So far…

Thank you Eva M. Nemethne for the photos!

Tour date: April 7 – 14, 2012
Destination: Sudan-North
Air temperature: 30-33 °C
Water temperature: 25-26 °C
Visibility: 20-30 m

The guests arrived at around 1 o’clock in the morning on Sunday and boarded Andromeda. We quietly left the harbour of Port Sudan early in the morning and headed for Shaab Suedi. The day was bright and the sun scorching which enabled us to sail all the way to Gota Shamaia following the check dive.

We did the first 2 dives on Monday at Angarosh in hair-raising currents. But we were able to catch the sight of a hammerhead and a couple of grey reef sharks too with our hair blowing in the current. We can say that pretty much the whole diving week was quite sporty like this along with some underwater flying but as you will see, all in all it was worth it. J We continued our exercises at Gota Shambia the same day.

We started our Tuesday at Angarosh in even tougher currents than the day before, not even being able to swim out towards the deeper plateau. The second dive was at Quita El Banna which was kind of like watching a movie in a current. We easily drifted motionless over the reef watching the show. The third dive was at Shaab Rumi’s Precontinent.

On Wednesday we jumped into the water over Shaab Rumi’s south plateau where the currents put us to the test once again but by the fourth day we got the hang of it J and reached the end of the plateau. And voila! Countless grey reef and hammerhead sharks awaited the sweaty team. There were some who fell behind while taking in the sight of the first sharks but most of us reached our goal and we could not get enough of the huge schools of sharks.

For the second dive at Shaab Rumi’s south plateau we trained beforehand onboard because we expected even stronger currents this time but we were able to dive with lots of sharks again. During the third dive we had it easy. We drifted weightless with the currents from Precontinent towards north. Our night dive was in a lagoon.

Our early morning dive on the fifth day was not without any difficulties but aside from the promising sight of pelagics, our underwater hair-raising speeding journey was exciting on its own. We saw plenty of hammerheads and reef sharks. For the second dive we jumped in at the southern part of Sanganeb as the wind was picking up. We drifted from the east to the west with the strong currents and our third dive was at the south plateau with some hammerheads and grey reef sharks. Night dive was at Umbria.

Exploring a bigger wreck can be a challenge for even experienced divers. Thankfully we were able to roam around the wreck of Umbria in calmer conditions for our last 2 dives. These were kind of warm-down dives after the week’s challenges.

This past week in Sudan can be really described as a training camp where we had to fight and struggle if we wanted to see anything but in the end everybody got to see what they expected to see in Sudan.

Due to the lack of video footage this week, we are sharing with you our best videos. And our next report will be 1 week later as we are having a 2-week adventure tour at the moment.

Hundreds of you have filled out our questionnaire this past month and we thank you! Your efforts, as we have promised, will not be unrewarded. We have chosen the winner of a Sudan safari this spring from all who had filled out the questionnaire and this winner is….:

Name: Davide Cassata

Congratulations and have a great trip!

Here you can see the actual draw!

Tour date: March 31 – April 7, 2012
Itinerary: Sudan – South safari
Air temperature: 26 – 28 °C
Water temperature: 24 °C
Visibility: 20 – 30m

The guests boarded Andromeda at 3:30 in the morning and at 6:30 in the morning we were off to Sanganeb West for the first check dive. Taking advantage of the great weather, we headed South. The second dive was at Hindi Gidir and the third at Protector Reef. There was no night diving here because of the unusually strong currents towards the open sea. Instead the boat and the shisha room have become alive and a nice lively buzz filled the air.

Monday morning started at Protector Reef then Burkut Island for the second dive. We had to wait for the first big meet with hammerheads and grey reef sharks until our dive at the Southern plateau of Shaab Anbar. But there, during just one dive, three special species marched before us – white-tip, grey reef and hammerhead sharks. We had our night dive in the lagoon of Shaab Anbar, protected from the wind and currents, at an especially beautiful coral block pulsing with thousands of tiny fish.

Andromeda dropped anchor at Pinnacolo Reef Tuesday morning for the next 2 dives. Some hammerheads and grey reef sharks showed up although not in such big numbers as before. Our third dive was at the Southern plateau of Shaab Ambar where white-tips and grey reef sharks were swimming by. Night dive was by the coral wall next to the boat in the lagoon of Shaan Ambar.

By Wednesday the winds picked up and the itinerary had to be modified, unfortunately leaving out the Reefs of Logan and Keary. Everybody who has sailed at sea before knows that we must always be prepared for such things to happen. In the face of strong waves and bad weather even the toughest steel vessels and the best captains cannot win. But on the third dive at Jumna Reef it was all made up by the 50-100 hammerheads that marched right in front of us. It was an amazing dive! At night we found shelter again from the strong currents in the lagoon of Shaab Ambar.

During the early morning dive at Jumna, we were witnesses once again to a 50-member school of hammerheads swimming by. Our next dive was at the South plateau of Sanganeb as we could only leave the lagoon in daylight. Our night dive was at the wreck of Umbria.

On Friday, during the last 2 magical dives, everybody was able to discover the Umbria in beautiful sunny conditions before returning to Port Sudan harbour. You can see the highlights of this week in the video. Despite not so perfect visibility at the Southern dive site, the video speaks for itself.

Tour date: March 24-31, 2012
Itinerary: Sudan-North
Air temperature: 26-28C
Water temperature: 24C
Visibility: 20-30m

Check dive was at the usual Shaab Suedi site, thankfully in calm waters. Taking advantage of the great weather, we were off to Gota Shambaia after the dive, to get closer to the dive sites further North. The second dive was in the afternoon at Shambaia. On the way there a live dolphin show caught the attention of the divers which you can see in the video here.

The following morning we started at Angarosh where, to our delight, we met up with 10-15 hammerheads and a school of grey reef sharks right away. After the second dive, the following dive in the afternoon and the night dive was at Merlo Reef where we were able to marvel in the grey reef sharks hunting in the area.

On the third day at Angarosh we ran into hammerheads again then at Qita el Banna we met a manta as well. Our dive at Precontinent was at dusk.

Shaab Rumi’s South plateau provided the site for our next dive on the fourth day early in the morning where again about 20 hammerheads welcomed the group. During the second dive 20 grey reef sharks and of course, the hammerheads were circling around us. Night dive was at Precontinent.

On the fifth day we saw the usual hammerhead clan on the South plateau of Shaab Rumi then we did 2 dives at Sanganeb. This time instead of sharks we swam with schools of barracuda and jackfish so large that they made up for the lack of sharks. At the end of the day, the night dive was at the wreck of Umbria.

The final 2 dives on the sixth day were at Umbria which was again breathtaking!

The attached video is a testament to all the great things we saw this week! We have had a fantastic week and every dive has brought us unexpected surprises. The smile has remained on the faces of the group throughout the week.

Date: March 17-24, 2012
Destination: Sudan North
Air temperatures: 28-33C
Water temperatures: 24-26C

At 11 o’clock in the morning the briefing took place and after detailed and complete instructions, we started our first dive at Shaab Suedi then the second dive in the early afternoon. The Sudan coral reefs along the shores are home to a swarming marine life, so already during the check dive we had the chance to be awed by the sight.

The second day began at Shaab Rumi. This is the cherry on the cake for divers with its irresistible underwater bustling and the ever present large fish species. If diving had its own Mecca, Shaab Rumi would be it.

The reef proved itself once again. Already on the first dive a large school of hammerheads showed up on the south plateau. And while we were swimming towards the southern part of the plateau, we met up with grey reef sharks too on the reef’s south-eastern part. We stayed by the reef for the next 3 days. Whether for luck or for the weather, we were able to meet at least half a dozen grey reef sharks every day above the plateau along with hammerheads stationed in the area.

Above the reef hundreds of barracudas entertained the group in the pristine coral world. In the mornings the humphead parrotfish showed their presence. On occasion we were able to see 20-30 of them! And at one time we could clearly hear 2 males fighting somewhere in the distance. Even the windy weather did not hinder visibility. We were able to monitor the fish in the distance of 30-40 metres.

In 1963 Shaab Rumi became home for Cousteau’s legendary underwater experiments which tried to find out whether man can stay underwater for days at a time. Divers were able to retrace the steps of these unforgettable experiments. Today only the hangar of the flying saucer, some cages and tool sheds remain on the sea bottom. Seeing them helped divers imagine the lives and memories of those who had been the first to brave the underwater world.

The buildings have long been overgrown by corals but despite this, nothing has really changed. There is still an abundant marine life here and we were able to see plenty of species that live near the reefs and in the open seas. Mackerels and snapperfish are still present in large numbers.

Sanganeb: Grey reef shark visible right at the drop-off, smaller grey reef sharks on the plateau along with hundreds of barracudas and jackfish that welcomed the divers here. The second dive, although several hours later, pretty much brought the same experience, making this a very satisfying experience. Photographers and videographers were sharing their photos and videos happily after the dives.

Umbria: Again, Andromeda was the only liveaboard in the area, so there were no worries about sharing the 60-year-old wreck with any other divers. The night dive and the 2 daily dives the next day were also a great success. We managed to cover all the nooks and crannies of the boat, starting with the Fiat cars, through the pizza ovens all the way to the bombs and wine bottles.

This was our second week. Stay tuned…

One of the most visited sites in the Red Sea – Ras Mohamed. It received National Park status in 1989 to protect its unique marine life. In the underwater coral gardens among giant corals swim grey sharks, barracudas, snapper fish, mackerel, tuna, morays coral fish and dozens if other school if fish. Thanks to the currents from Akaba Bay, large oceanic species also find food and shelter here.

There are many dives you can make here – all of which are drift dives – and they can be varied, depending on different factors. The most classic and most complete dive will allow you to visit not only Shark Reef, but the other two sites, Anemone City and Yolanda Reef, in one.

The dive begins northeast of Shark Reef on a line with a plateau commonly known as Anemone City, which lies at a depth of 12-20 m and just out like a large balcony  over the blue. After explore the Anemone City you must swim in the blue for a few minutes at a depths 20 m, which will lead you directly to Shark Reef, clearly recognizable by the unmistakeable profile of some gorgonians.

If you observe the blue you will easily spot schools of batfish, walls of jackfish, snappers and emperors and bluespine unicorn fish. After going a few dozen meters more, you will reach the sandy  and shallow saddle that connects Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef which silhouette takes shape right after a big gorgonian situated at a depth of 20 m and a second gorgonian at 14 m.

After having crossed this garden you will see – at a depths between 25 and 10 m – the remains of the cargo of Yolanda, a Cypriot merchant ship that sank here on the night if 1 – 2 April 1980 while on its way to Aqaba: containers, bathtubs, sanitary fixtures, wallpapers, cases of whiskey and even a BMW automobile that belonged to the ship captain.