Moray x2

Daedalus Coral

17th to 18th September 2024

Abu Dabab

Sailing out of Port Ghalib for 3 dives at Abu Dabab, dive #1 was a nice easy weight check dive from the boat deck at Abu Dadab 3, where there were two or three nice Moray Eels, a pretty coral garden and all the usual suspects found on an eqyptian reef. Dive #2 was Abu Dabab 2+3, out and back by rhib. The small wreck Heaven One was here at around 15mtr but it is pretty much flattened. We also did a cave swim thru but had to exit the same way as we went in because it has collapsed inside preventing passage through the complete reef. There were several Blue Spotted Rays around during the dive and the usual reef wildlife, and Dive #3 at Abu Dadab 2+3 was a night dive from the boat deck, a shoal of large Butterfly fish pretty much shadowed us and many smaller fish followed our torch beams looking for prey.

Daedalus

Travelling through the evening and night after the evening meal was complete, we woke the next day at Daedalus reef for 3 dives. All three were deep dives, negative entry from rhib, to around 30mtr, with fairly strong currents and quite lumpy sea. Drifting along the walls I didn't see anything particularly interesting but they were nice pleasant dives, the usual reef inhabitants including large shoals of orange or blue blenny who looked at you indignantly as you swam through them.
One of the group reported a Manta but unconfirmed, we did encounter a nice big Grouper. Between this and the next dive a few of us visited the lighthouse on the reef and climbed to 125 steps plus two ladders to the light balcony. Amazing views from the top.
The last again followed the same format as #4 and #5, some surge and spectacular hard corals along the wall, a watchful eye kept for sharks in the blue, but none seen, so pretty uneventful.

19th to 21st September 2024

Elphinstone

We had a couple of deep dives at Elphinstone to a nice coral garden. Came across a beautiful Turtle and an agressive trigger fish that appeared to be protecting its 'nest'. Yasser, the dive guide had to back off quickly and protect himself by putting his fins between him and the trigger fish. A well camoflaged Scorpion fish, tuna and barracuda as well as the usual reef inhabitants made an interesting dive.

Ras Toromb

Nice and easy 17 mtr dive to a pretty coral garden with trigger fish, masked puffer, glass fish, a couple of blue spotted rays and a crocodile fish to name a few highlights. After dinner that evening the captain set sail for The Brothers, about 6-7 hours away in a quite lumpy sea.

The Brothers

We did 6 dives at the Brothers, 3 at Little Brother and 3 at Big Brother. A couple of nice wrecks to explore at Big Brother; the Aida Steamship, sank in 1957 when it hit the reef during a storm, and the Numidia Steamship, struck the reef and sank in 1901. Both wrecks go from quite shallow to quite deep but ar great to explore at the accessible depths. Pretty Coral walls are good to ezplore at both islands with Grouper, Trigger, Cornetfish, Masked Puffer and Scribbled Filefish, to mention but a few.
After the first 2 dives at Big Brother and the first dive at Little Brother we did a 4th dive at Little Brother and had just about given up on seeing sharks but then, having charged up and down the wall looking for them, there they were, underneath the boat! Not one but two Oceanic Whitetips, very inquisitive and very close encounters. They remained hanging around the for the 3rd dive at Little Brother, which again we only saw when we got back to the boat. Last dive here was at big Brother again and the Numidia wreck. One of the group claimed to see a Hammerhead down deep as he looked down the length of the wreck but no one else saw it.

Bluespotted Stingray

Oceanic Whitetip

Salem Express Propeller

Turtle

22nd - 232rd September 2024

Safaga

Last day of diving now, before returning to port at Hurghada for the last night aboard. Two dives to come, the wreck of the passenger ship MV Salem Express which sank in 1991, and for the second dive, Giftun Reef. Salem Express is getting well colonised with coral and the usual reef inhabitants. A large Hawksbill Turtle was scouring the hull and nibbling away at the coral as we dived.
We did a minor penetration at the stern on what would probably have been a passenger deck, but nothing much to see where we went. We swam the topside past the smoke atacks, looking down on a lifeboat sitting on the sea bed and ended up at the bow and saw the jagged breack in the hull resulting from striking the reef.
An enjoyable but eerie dive and one I'd like to do again and explore further inside, although that is controversial given the number of deaths resulting from the accident.

Giftun Reef

Dropped off by rhib, this was a long (70 minute) slow drift along the reef back to the boat. The highlight was a lovely turtle with lots of other typical creatures such as goatfish, cornetfish, giant triggerfish, scribbled filefish and masked puffers.

Hurghada Marina

Back in port overnight we had an evening stroll as a group and a beer or two in one of the bars around the marina. Next day were went by bus to the Swiss Inn where we chilled for the day until pick-up for the ride to the airport and flight home. A truly excellent week on a fantastic boat with great company. I'd do it again.