Egyptian Red Sea - Safaris
Brothers/Daedalus/Elphinstone
Oceanic White Tips and more
The Egyptian Red Sea is the most popular diving destination of European divers. And for good reasons! It is only a short flight, sun is guaranteed, Egyptians are renowned for their hospitality and friendliness, plus the Red Sea boasts some of the best reefs and wrecks in the world like “The Brothers” and the Thislegorm wreck. The reefs and fish are beautifully colored and big fish is guaranteed at the offshore reefs. So it is a true heaven for underwater photographers and videographers.
The Red Sea is home to over 1,000 invertebrate species and 200 soft and hard corals and is the world's northernmost tropical sea. The Red Sea is a rich and diverse ecosystem. More than 1100 species of fish have been recorded, and around 10% of these are found nowhere else. This also includes around 75 species of deepwater fish. The diversity is in part due to the 2,000 km (1,240 mi) of coral reef extending along its coastline; these fringing reefs are 5000-7000 years old and are largely formed of stony acropora and porites corals. The reefs form
tables and sometimes lagoons along the coast and occasional other
features such as cylinders (such as the “Blue Hole” at Dahab). These coastal reefs are also visited by pelagic species, including some of the 44 shark species that include hammerheads, oceanic whitetips (October / November), silvertips, grey reefs, whitetips, blacktip reef sharks, and thresher sharks. Occasionally a tiger or a mako shark can also be seen.
The special biodiversity of the area is recognized by the Egyptian government, who set up the Ras Mohammed National Park in 1983 and more recently Dolphin House National Park. The rules and regulations governing this area protect local wildlife, which has become a major draw for tourists, in particular for diving enthusiasts. Egypt is one of the few countries in the world that prohibits shark fishing and finning. Culprits are heavily fined and their boats impounded. As the Red Sea is large and impossible to entirely monitor by the coastguard, safari boats gladly help in spotting and reporting shark fishing boats.
Heaven Freedom and Heaven Harmony, accommodation and travel
Both “Heaven Freedom” (2003) and “Heaven Harmony” (2007) belong to the “First Class Line” of “Divers Heaven Fleet”, which guarantees an excellent dive safari with the well known “Heaven Fleet” service. Both ships can accommodate 18 to 22 guests. The crew speaks excellent English and German and will use its vast knowledge of the Southern Red Sea to compose beautiful dives.
HEAVEN FREEDOM has four double and four big triple cabins on the lower deck level, all of them with natural light oak finishing. Every cabin has its private A/C and bathroom. On the upper deck is a honeymoon suite with direct sea view and private A/C and bathroom. 
HEAVEN HARMONY has 7 spacious double and triple cabins on the lower deck level, also with natural light oak finishing. Every cabin has its private A/C and bathroom. On the upper deck are two honeymoon suites with direct sea view and private A/C and bathroom.
Room division is up to the guests when booked as a full charter (20 guests) and up to the organization when booked by individuals. The kitchen is excellent and will cater to every need during the trip according to the high standards of “Divers Heaven Fleet”. Food and drinks (including beer and wine) are all inclusive on board.
How to get there
You will fly directly from Europe to Marsa Alam where you will be transferred to the ship in Port Ghalib, located at only 15 minutes from the airport. If you fly to Hurghada the transfer will take approximately 2.5 hours.
Diving Destinations: Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone
The Brother islands are located in the middle of the Red Sea. The Brothers are considered to be among the best dives site in the world. Steep vertical walls with fantastic coral growth and rich fish life means great diving. Sharks will cross these waters. Two beautiful wrecks - the Aida and the Numidia - rest on the slopes of El Akhawein (Big Brother). Thresher sharks, grey reef sharks, whitetips, hammerheads, oceanic whitetips (Longimanus) and silky sharks are the most common sharks to encounter at the Brothers.
Next to the Brothers, “Daedalus” is another top place for scuba diving. The “Daedalus” reef is also located in the middle of the Red Sea. A long boat ride to the lighthouse of “Daedalus island” will give you another opportunity to meet all kind of sharks, but in particular hammerheads. Unspoiled huge corals, big schools of fish, mantas and even the majestic whale shark can be seen here...
Elphinstone especially attracts oceanic whitetips in this season and for sure you will be able to dive with them close to the surface out in the blue. A unique experience! But the reef offers more. The East and West walls are covered in soft corals and encounters with morays, napoleons and at shallow depth scorpion fish are very likely.
Furthermore you will visit some other special Southern Red Sea reefs.
For more information about the reefs click here.
The Diving
You will be able to make at least two dives during the day (plus a night dive close to shore on the way back), except for the last day, when there is only a morning dive for your flight safety. Nitrox is free for Nitrox certified divers. NRC Nitrox courses are available on board.
All three big reefs are known to have strong currents and dives in the blue are not for everybody, so some experience is needed for this tour.
Water and weather conditions
| Month | Air Temperature |
Water Temperature |
| January | 14 / 22 |
22 / 23 |
| February | 13 / 20 |
21 / 22 |
| March | 17 / 23 |
22 / 23 |
| April | 21 / 27 |
23 / 24 |
| May | 24 / 30 |
24 / 25 |
| June | 27 / 32 |
24 / 25 |
| July | 28 / 33 |
25 / 26 |
| August | 28 / 39 |
26 / 27 |
| September | 22 / 39 |
28 / 29 |
| October | 16 / 34 |
27 / 28 |
| November | 11 / 32 |
25 / 26 |
| December | 6 / 28 |
24 / 25 |
SharkSchool™ workshop program
On board the Interaction I course will be taught. During the dives you will be able to do some exercises (not mandatory) while interacting with the sharks.
Typical course day
First dive
Breakfast
Second dive
Lunch
Third dive
SharkSchool™ Workshop
Dinner
For more information about the vessels and the tour go to Heaven Fleet or Wirodive.