Simon Rogerson scales the heights of the new liveaboard , Scuba Scene , on a voyage to the offshore islands of the Egyptian Red Sea
TRAVELSPECIAL
Scenes from a liveaboard
Simon Rogerson scales the heights of the new liveaboard , Scuba Scene , on a voyage to the offshore islands of the Egyptian Red Sea
As our minibus entered the Marriott Marina , I noticed what looked like a big new building at the end of the jetty , towering over the moored vessels . It wasn ’ t some new harbourmaster ’ s residence , but a new liveaboard that puts an end to all ‘ we ’ re going to need a bigger boat ’ jokes .
Welcome to M / Y Scuba Scene – 48 metres of steel-hulled luxury , complete with dedicated cinema room , Jacuzzi and splash pool . Welcome to cabins that would pass for hotel rooms and a dive deck big enough to accommodate two 6m Zodiacs . It ’ s big , bold and bristling with amenities .
Briefing and shakedown
This voyage was a classic Brothers – Daedalus – Elphinstone itinerary , taking in some of Egypt ’ s remote offshore islands .
There ’ s no such thing as a bad route in the Egyptian Red Sea – most experienced divers like to mix it up . Northern routes give you the dead-cert reassurance of the wrecks and the world class reef at Ras Mohammed , while the islands offer big walls and the potential for sharks .
All voyages start with a day of easy diving close to port , at the sites you ’ d probably regard as the highlight of the week if you
Alpha male Napoleon wrasse
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El-Tur
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Sharm El-Sheikh
El-Gouna
Hurghada
Fanous East
Abu Ramaoa
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Small Gifrun
Safaga
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Scuba Scene at anchor Quseer
Brother Islands
Mangrove Bay
Port Ghalib
Marsa Shouna
Abu Dabab
Elphinstone Reef
Marsa Alam
Daedalus Reef
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