ISLANDS AND LIVEABOARDS
07
Whirlwind is also an
07 The crew tie off after
enduring winner with regulars another beautiful day in
returning year after year. Apart the Red Sea
from the plentiful storage
and chill-out space with a sit-up bar in the saloon,
ample room for all 20 guests in comfortable ensuite cabins and on the large dive deck, it is also
incredible what the kitchen staff come up with at
sea, as there are constant snacks around the three
generous meals and nothing is too much trouble
for any of the good-natured staff.
The diving is either in the north or south of the
Red Sea. In the north are stunning wrecks such as
the Carnatic and world-famous Thistlegorm, iconic
reefs like Shark and Yolanda at Ras Mohammed and
Jackson Reef in Tiran, and substantial options of
less-dived, more-pristine sites for example around
the Alternatives or Small Gubal Island, home to
one of the best locations in world for honing your
underwater photography techniques, the Barge.
Southern itineraries will take you to sharks,
manta rays and more sublime wrecks. Explore
the spectacular light streaming into the large cave
system in St. Johns, drop deep on Elphinstone
for hammerhead and oceanic whitetip sharks
or explore the many fantastically healthy reefs
just fizzing with life among the pristine soft and
hard corals.
PRACTICALITIES
WHEN
All year with water temperatures
ranging from 30oC in summer
(July–September) to 21oC in winter
(November–February). Summer
months bring the best sharkspotting and also large schools of
snapper, barracuda and other fish
spawning on the reefs, whereas
winter is quieter with fewer visitors
yet still has amazing diving.
HOW
Fly to Hurghada direct from the
UK on EasyJet, or from many other
European cities as well as Istanbul
in Turkey. Alternatively, many
international flights reach Cairo
followed by a short hop on Egypt
Air from there down to Hurghada.
STAY/DIVE
• Tornado Marine Fleet
www.tornadomarinefleet.com
• Scuba Travel
www.scubatravel.com
SDOP
70
TOPSIDE
It’s really all about the diving, but
surprisingly, non-diving guests also
really enjoy a relaxing week on
the boat away from the stress of
home with sunbathing, reading,
snorkelling and just watching the
seabirds and the beautiful sea and
the divers come and go. Evenings,
there is a bar and excellent deck
seating area for chilling and
chatting and comparing the day’s
experiences and photos.
ENTRY
EU passport holders and other
countries require a full visa for
liveaboard charters, which can
be arranged in advance with your
travel company, or purchased on
landing at the airport. Passports
must be valid for at least six
months on your return to your
starting country.
HURGHADA
INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
EGYPT
RED SEA