From the Gulf of Akaba along the Sinai Peninsula to the Danakil depression in Eritrea runs a deep floated rift valley, marking the geological border between Africa and the. Arabian Peninsula. The Red Sea is blue and with 4,2 % more salty than any other tropical waters. It is 1200 nautical miles long, 150 - 200 miles wide, between 1500 and 2000 meters deep. its East-West extension is still increasing. The Arab peninsula is drifting eastwards. The last tectonic move started 25 million years ago with strong volcanism in the North (Sinai was born) and in the South, creating the lowest point of Africa -116 m in the Danakil depression. A particular consequence of this tectonic evolution is the temperature of 21° at the deep bottom of the Red Sea. The location between 13 ° N and 29 ° N presents ideal conditions for spectacular reef building corals with more than a thousand species of brilliantly colored fish and thousands of intriguing invertebrates.

The yachts are registered in Egypt. For the time being (July 99) the dive sites inside Saudi Arabian and Sudanese waters are not accessible. Cruises to the Far South in Eritrea and Yemen will be organized, if this area is considered to be safe for tourists. Temperature of water in the Far South rises from 24 ° Ñ (75 ° F) in February to 35 ° Ñ (96 ° F) in August.

Northern Route Egypt

Departure from Hurghada: Sinai Peninsula with Ras Mohammed, Tiran Straits with the Jackson, Thomas, Woodhouse and Gordon reef. Wreck diving in the Gubal Strait and at the most famous Abu Nuhas reef: Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Carnatic, Giannis D. and many others less known wrecks. Tawila Island, Shedwan Island and the wide selection of diving sites in the Hurghada area. A visit to the dive sites inside the Gulf of Akaba (Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba) can be arranged upon group request. Temperature of water from Jan. 19° to April 23° Ñ (65 - 73° F) and from Aug. 32° to Nov. 25 ° Ñ (90 - 77 ° F).

Southern Route Egypt

Departure from Safaga, El Quseir or Marsa Alam for coastal reefs like Panorama, Sha'ab Shar, Ras Toronbi etc. Further southwards along the coast to Marsa Alam the route includes Elphinstone, Erg Marsa, Sha'ab Samadai, Fury Shoal. Erg Ghadeira. More highlights along the coast south of Marsa Alam until the Sudan border are the reefs of Sha'ab Sharm, Wadi Gimal, Sha'ab Sattaia. Temperature of water rises from Jan. 21° to April 24° Ñ (70 - 75° F) and drops from Aug. 33 ° to Nov. 26° Ñ (92 - 79° F).

Visit to the famous offshore islands

Since 29 May 1998 the islands Brothers, Daedalus, Zabargad, Rocky have been declared Natural Protectorates under law 102/83 by the Egyptian Government. Certain requirements have to be fulfilled by the diving ships in order to obtain the now necessary sailing license. For the time being only a handful of boats are licensed. From our boats only M/Y Teate has the offshore sailing license to visit these islands, if conditions of weather and sea are favorable.