Red Sea Dive Adventure on the Blue Horizon - August 2019

RED SEA ADVENTURE - August 2019

brothers, Daedelus, and Elphinstone

Words by Trip Leader Craig Dietrich | Photos by Craig Dietrich and Guests Unless Otherwise Stated

In early August, a group of adventurers (led by myself) descended on the Hilton Hurghada (on the coast of Egypt) before being transferred to Marsa Alam and boarding the M/V Blue Horizon in anticipation of a week of world-class diving in the Red Sea. We opted for Hurghada due to flight travel from the United States is much easier to Hurghada than Marsa Alam (most U.S.  flights only fly to Marsa Alam a couple of times each week).  Our approximately four-hour transfer was on a large comfortable bus, including snack boxes and water.  

Our home during this trip. Photo Courtesy: Blue Horizon Liveaboard.

Upon arrival at Port Ghalib in Marsa Alam, our twenty-two person group was warmly greeted by and introduced to the crew--a group that by the end of the week would be considered friends. The Blue Horizon measures approximately 135 feet (41 meters) and is the flagship fleet vessel of the Blue O Two fleet.  The all-wood ship was updated in 2016 and has a very contemporary yet comfortable feel, including a large salon perfect for our nightly photo workshops, a sundeck with ample seating, televisions in the staterooms, and many other amenities.

View more photos and info on the Blue Horizon liveaboard

Our group was there to experience the “Best Of” itinerary, which included the world-famous sites of Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone.  After our requisite (and important) briefings about the boat, its safety features, and our life vest drill, we were all anxious to start diving!  During the briefings, the crew gave the guests the option of either diving off the platform of the boat, or to take the Zodiac to a spot that couldn’t be reached from the platform.

The first two days of our seven-day trip were spent at Brothers, two islands lying approximately 77 miles from Marsa Alam.  Little Brother was first, and the small teardrop-shaped island didn’t disappoint.  This was our first glance of the colorful, healthy reefs we would see throughout our trip.  We caught a glimpse of a hammerhead shark in the blue, but not close enough to photograph.  There was so much activity on the reefs we didn’t even mind.  

Big Brother (approximately a half-mile distance away) the next day brought more of the same.  In the shadow of its lighthouse (built by the British in 1883), Big Brother presented more pristine reefs and tons of fish activity.  One dive off the Zodiac took us to the Aida, a shipwreck situated near the northwest tip of Big Brother. Reaching the bow at approximately 80 feet, the dive was deep but the visibility on the wreck was incredible. 

The next day brought us to Daedalus Reef, where more vibrant reefs, huge gorgonians, friendly Napoleon Wrasse, green turtles, and fish of every color greeted us.  One highlight of the dives here were huge elephant ear coral that are taller than our divers!  Another highlight was an anemone colony on a shallower part of the reef where clownfish were plentiful in each anemone (we saw up to nine clownfish sharing the anemone).

See also: Best Coral Reefs in the World

After Daedalus, the Blue Horizon headed to Elphinstone, which is a small island located fifteen miles from Marsa Alam.  The southern part of Elphinstone is known for its oceanic whitetip shark activity, and we were lucky enough to have one of the sharks off the back of the boat (with another one joining later).  The crew was very specific about briefing us on the correct protocol when sharks are in the area.  Everyone abided by these rules and a few of us were lucky enough to have close interaction with the sharks and got some great images of the sharks and their accompanying pilot fish. 

 

 

  

Red Sea UW Image Gallery 

  

    

   

PHOTO EQUIPMENT USED 

In case you’re wondering, here is a list of the photography equipment used by trip leader Craig Dietrich to take his photos: 

•  Body: Canon 7D Mark II
•  Housing: Nauticam Housing
•  Lens:  Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye Lens
•  Port: 4" Zen Dome
• Lighting:  Two Sea & Sea YSD-II strobes
•  Nauticam float arms and clamps

BOOK YOUR NEXT DREAM TRIP

Bluewater Travel is a full-service scuba diving travel agency. We can help you book a liveaboard in the Red Sea and countless other world-class destinations worldwide. We are experts in diving, liveaboards, and logistics, and can provide recommendations based on your requirements and preferences. All that at no additional cost than doing it yourself!

To plan your dream trip: 

• View our selection of Red Sea liveaboards (with online booking!) 
• Drop us a line at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or use the live chat box to contact us. 
• Check out our next group trips and photo workshops. 
• Join Craig on one of his next photo workshops: South Africa Jun/Jul 2020 - Galapagos Aug 2021

And let us plan your dream dive vacation!