January 2010 Archives

Do something a little different this year and join Emperor Fleet for some promising NEW dive adventures!

Sinai Mini Cruise
- Ras Mohammed - Dunraven - Thistlegorm

Sinai Classic Cruise
Ras Mohammed - Thistlegorm - Abu Nuhas or Straits of Tiran

Deep North
Ras Mohammed - Ras Mamlach - Ras Abu Galum - Dahab - Nuweiba

With prices at just over £290 for a mini cruise...what are you waiting for? 

Email info.safaris@emperordivers.com today

The first official Palace Housereef dive took place recently. Now guests are just one giant stride away from one of the most amazing reefs in the area. Hawksbill turtles, barracudas and lionfish are seen on a regular basis.

Marsa Alam Dive Centre Manager, Vanessa Ronecker and Tom Bauer, Area General Manager for InterContinental Hotels in Port Ghalib, are pictured preparing for the giant leap!

Following his first diving experience, Tom decided to start his open water course straight away. During their dive they were accompanied by a little hawksbill turtle, lionfish and loads of anthias. Guests can choose morning or afternoon dives and even really early morning and night dives!

Click here for more on diving in Marsa Alam

As many visitors to Emperor Divers, Nuweiba, know, this is a great location for regular sightings of the elusive Frogfish.  They vary from tiny little finger nail size specimens to the much larger - and thus named - Giant Frogfish.

Frogfish change colour over time to match their surroundings and, not surprisingly, grow larger as they grow older.  Underwater photographer and frequent visitor to Emperor Nuweiba, Jan Davies, has sent us four photos from 2005 to 2009 of what he believes to be the same Frogfish showing how it has adapted its colouration over the years with its surroundings.

Are there any Frogfish experts out there who can confirm that this could be the same fish growing older over the years?

Frogfish 2005

Frogfish 2006

Frogfish 2007

Frogfish 2008

Emperor Divers and Tekstreme are giving adventurous divers the chance to join the platinum liveaboard, Elite, on its exploratory trip to the Red Sea's Deep South on 16 - 23 April.

Sailing from Hamata port to destination unknown, we will be exploring some of the reef systems and Habilis further south of St John's where normal safari boats don't venture.

Technical divers are welcome on the trip to help explore, map and discover new dive sites in the most southern area of the Red Sea.

Cost is 1300 Euros per person, which includes cabin, 7 nights on board (last night either on board or in a hotel), 6 days diving (min 3 dives/day, last day 2 dives), local transfers, guide, weights, full board & soft drinks, wine with dinner, environmental tax, Marine Park fees and port departure fees. Not included: Flight/visa, diving equipment, alcohol.  

Email tekstreme@emperordivers.com for more information.

We like to make life a little easier here at Team Emperor. Which is why we have compiled an easy cross-checker to see what each of Emperor Fleet liveaboards has to offer.

From the number of cabins to the number of zodiacs and whether wine is included with dinner - you'll find it all here at a glance.

Take a look here!

And once you've chosen, contact info.safaris@emperordivers.com to book the liveaboard of your life!

Guests with Emperor Marsa Alam recently spotted a pod of dolphins in the bay at Marsa Shoni Kebeir. Snorkelling gear was donned quickly and the group enjoyed the privilege of being accepted by the dolphins for a while. But the adventure was to get even better as later, during their dive, they met a huge eagle ray leisurely passing by. All agreed, it was a magical day!

Then just the next day, the Zaher family from Switzerland went out on the speedboat for a one-tank dive in Marsa Mubarak. On their way out of the marina they spotted eight bottlenose dolphins and actually went snorkelling with them. What a fabulous family experience! Wait for it...on their dive in Marsa Mubarak south they found two eagle rays passing them on a sandy spot! Yet another magical Marsa day.

Since hitting the reef on New Year's Eve, the 260m-long, Hong Kong-flagged CSCL Hamburg is not interfering with diving in the area as it's on the outside of the reef. Damage is allegedly limited to the bow area and, fortunately, there are no oil or fuel leaks at present.

The extent of damage to corals is to be assessed.

The reason for the incident is not known as yet.

Our thanks to Simon Burrows, aged 12, who is currently diving with Emperor Sharm for these photos of the incident.