« May 2007 | Main | August 2007 »
July 12, 2007
Whale shark sightings on the increase
Since November 2006, two new whale sharks have been formally identified and added to the ECOCEAN Photo Identification Library bringing the count to six in the Red Sea.
ECOCEAN is a global data collection programme that uses a special computerised technique to identify the spots on the skin of the Whale Shark similar to how NASA "maps" the stars in the galaxies. The total number of recorded whale shark encounters is less than 3000, with just 772* identified worldwide.
Whale sharks have been sighted in the last few weeks, north around the area of Shabruur Umm Gamar and as far South as Shaab Rumi in Sudan. Several Whale Sharks have also been seen in the areas around Marsa Alam and Fury Shoal.
The whale shark, Rhincodon typus dates back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods 245 -65 million years ago
They are fish and therefore obtain oxygen via their gills
Regarded as highly migratory
Produce live young. Pups are born at a fraction of their adult size, approximately 55cm in length at birth
Thought to reach sexual maturity after 30 years
Estimated life span is between 80 and 150 years
The whale shark is considered "vulnerable to extinction" by the ICUN, but is only protected in a few of the approximately 100 countries it is said to visit - indicating the need for us all to be concerned for the future of this amazing giant of the oceans!
Have you seen a Whale Shark? Find out how you can help protect and learn more interesting facts about the largest fish in the world by logging on to www.whalesharkproject.org or www.ecocean.org and submit your photos!
And don't forget to post them on your Emperor Gallery too.
Paul photos the dugong
Paul Smith has some fabulous photos of the new dugong we told you about last month. Paul and his girlfriend, Emma Fishbourne, were diving at Marsa Mubarak when 'the dugong turned up to play'.
Says Paul, "We were diving with Emperor from the Coral Beach Diving Hotel in Marsa Alam with guides Mo and Chris. I am a complete novice, this being only the second diving holiday where I have used an underwater camera. It was fantastic to be up close yet respectful of this amazing creature!"
So beginner's luck or right time right place; either way Paul and Emma had some wonderful memories to take home with them.
If you would like to know more about diving in Marsa Alam, click here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 09, 2007
High season diving at low season prices until July 29
Exclusive & extended!
What a great time to dive the Red Sea and save some money!
Emperor Divers are doing a one-off special deal by extending their low season period until the end of July. Low season prices were previously valid on arrivals up until July 8th, but now they're vaild for arrivals right up until July 29th 2007!
Don’t miss out! Low season discounts are offered on the following day diving packs and courses.
Daily Diving
Discover Scuba Diving
Scuba Review
Scuba Diver
Scuba Diver Upgrade
Open Water Diver
Fastrack Open Water Diver
Open Water Referral
1 Day Diving + AOW Course
* Diving includes 2 dives per day with guide, tanks and weights.
Extras in resort (special trips, third dives, night dives etc),
equipment, fees & taxes are extra, payable locally.
* Course materials and certification are additional, payable locally.
For example:
Save up to 17 Euro a day on Daily Diving.
Save up to 25 Euro on Discover Scuba Diving course.
Save up to 80 Euro on Open Water Diver course.
(saving amounts shown are calculated from our resort rates)
Savings apply to all Emperor centres in Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Nuweiba and Sharm El Sheikh.
Only applicable on pre-paid reservations and for new bookings.
Check out the full range of savings here www.emperordivers.com/prices
Book now! Contact our Reservations Department on reservations@emperordivers.com
July 07, 2007
NEW! Overnight Hammerhead Diver trip from Sharm
Want to get close to hammerheads? Then this is your ideal chance to dive with these fabulous creatures.
Photo: Paul Vinten
You leave at mid-morning for your first dive at Tiran. When the day boats have left, your second dive is at Jackson Reef in search of hammerheads. You then overnight at Laguna where you can do a night dive with the likelihood of seeing spanish dancers, octopus and leopard morays, returning to Jackson Reef early in the morning for your first dive of the day at about 05.30. Then to make the most of quiet waters and hardly any divers, it’s breakfast and another dive at around 07.30 before the day boats start to return.
Photo: Paul Vinten
This itinerary is ideal for giving you a much stronger chance of seeing hammerheads when there are fewer boats and divers about. And Emperor is the only dive centre offering this one-day safari trip so book your place now.
Cost of trip 99 Euro includes night dive and second day's diving.
130LE extra - meals and drinks (paid in cash on the day)
Please note this is in addition to the daily diving rate
Diving experience: Open Water diver +
Email: reservations@emperordivers.com
NEW! One-day photo trip from Sharm to Nuweiba
Love underwater photography? Love this!
The diving and house reef at Nuweiba are a photographer’s dream. Seahorses, frogfish, anemonefish, glassfish, damsels and fusilier fish all make marvellous models.
Take this new one-day trip from Sharm to Nuweiba and hone your underwater photography skills in this picture paradise. You travel by road to arrive in Nuweiba in time for breakfast and your first dive is planned for around 9am on The Pipeline or The Sinkers, depending on current and weather.
The Pipeline is actually two pipes, around 5 metres apart. Over the years they have become riotous with soft corals and small table corals, which have attracted an abundance of fish. You’ll find jackfish, grouper, parrotfish and sometimes leopard rays.
The Sinkers is a shipping buoy that was dropped into water that was too deep. It now lies at 8 - 12 metres and has become encrusted in coral. Schools of blue fusilier fish shoot up and down at full speed chased by jackfi
The Sinkers, Nuweiba
At the buoy itself, you’ll be spoiled for choice - glassfish, damsels and banded boxer shrimps abound.
After your morning dive, you’ll have a surface interval back at the hotel before doing a second dive at about 11am on the hotel’s house reef – and it’s on this house reef that you will discover why so many ardent photographers return to Nuweiba time and time again.
Happy divers
In the afternoon, you can use the hotel facilities for some relaxation or go snorkelling on the house reef before making the journey back to Sharm, complete with an impressive portfolio!
Cost 85 Euro includes breakfast, lunch, 2 dives, transfers and use of the Hilton facilities.
Please note this is in addition to the daily diving rate
Diving experience: Open Water diver
Email: reservations@emperordivers.com