Red Sea Explorers

Based in Hurghada, Red Sea Explorers has been operating since 2005, providing specialized liveaboard expeditions that stretch from the northern Sinai reefs down to the waters of Sudan. Their itineraries are designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of diving, from relaxed reef holidays to demanding technical adventures.

The operation is built around a fleet of four dedicated liveaboards, including the MV Tala, the Falcon, the High Wave, and the Long Island. These vessels serve as mobile bases for divers looking to access remote sites like the Brothers Islands, Daedalus, and Elphinstone, which are often unreachable from shore-based centres.

The team is composed of highly qualified instructors with expertise spanning multiple disciplines. They offer instruction in GUE Fundamentals, UTD and INTD normoxic trimix, RAID open circuit, and AIDA 4* freediving. This depth of knowledge ensures that both the recreational diver and the technical explorer are well-supported.

Beyond standard instruction, the crew is specifically trained to manage the logistics of sophisticated technical diving. Over the last decade, they have facilitated dives to depths of 180 metres and provided the necessary support for various marine research and conservation efforts on board.

The centre offers a diverse range of training programmes through various affiliations including GUE, UTD, INTD, and RAID. Divers can work through standard progression or specialise in technical disciplines.

Specific courses available include GUE Fundamentals, UTD and INTD normoxic trimix, and RAID open circuit instruction. For those interested in breath-hold diving, they also provide AIDA 4* freediving certification.

The fleet consists of four liveaboards, including the MV Tala, the Falcon, the High Wave, and the Long Island. These vessels are configured to provide a comfortable home for seven-night trips, with cabins featuring private en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning.

On board, you will find spacious lounges and relaxation areas, along with full catering including three meals a day and non-alcoholic beverages. For technical divers, the boats are well-equipped with a variety of gases, a selection of cylinders including 12L options, and underwater scooters. The vessels also support night diving and provide towels and bathrobes for guest comfort.

Red Sea Explorers provides a complete range of rental equipment for those not travelling with their own kit. For technical divers, the centre maintains a professional selection of specialised gear, including a variety of gases and underwater scooters to assist with long descents or exploration.

Cylinders are provided as part of the liveaboard experience, with a wide variety of gas blends available to suit different profiles. The boats are also equipped to handle the logistics of rebreather diving and advanced trimix profiles.

The reefs are home to a vast array of resident species, including various types of reef sharks, turtles, and large schools of fish such as barracuda, tuna, jack, and trevally. You will frequently see colourful reef life like clownfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, and many species of grouper and lionfish.

Macro life and interesting invertebrates are common, with octopuses, moray eels, and various species of anemones and gorgonians decorating the seabed and walls. The reefs are also rich in hard and soft corals, providing a complex habitat for many smaller creatures.

For divers seeking larger pelagics, the area is famous for hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, and silky sharks. During the autumn months, oceanic whitetip sharks are particularly noted. You may also encounter manta rays, thresher sharks, and even the rare dugong in certain southern locations.

Diving conditions vary significantly depending on the itinerary. Sites like Daedalus, Rocky Island, and Elphinstone are known for having strong or unpredictable currents, which may require more experienced divers.

While many reef sites offer easy, recreational conditions, the deeper wrecks and remote offshore reefs are subject to the natural movement of the Red Sea. Divers should be prepared for various environments, from calm reef flats to exposed wall dives in open water.