Egypt Itineraries:

Project Shark: Deep South

The aim of 'Project Shark' is to highlight the global issues facing sharks, with a Red Sea focus, as well as enjoying some of the most spectacular reefs that the Red Sea has to offer.

QUALIFICATION NEEDED: You must be a PADI Open Water diver or equivalent to join this safari.

ROUTE: Deep South

Please note that night diving and snorkelling will only be allowed on some parts of this itinerary as it includes marine parks where this is prohibited.

During this week, divers will experience pristine diving, as well as becoming involved in a fundamental study of one of the world's most unique marine habitats - the Red Sea. The week will involve close encounters with sharks, manta rays and whale sharks (although these sightings cannot be guaranteed!) with the possibility to observe them in their natural habitat and donate vital information to the study.

Founded by our expert dive guide and marine biologist, Elke Bojanowski Ph.D, in her quest to track and collect basic population data on oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus Longimanus), in the Egyptian Red Sea.

Elke began the Longimanus Project in October 2004 and since this date she has been actively collecting underwater photographs and video-clips of the Oceanic Whitetip for catalogue, review and analysis. Joining the blue o two team in 2007, Elke unifies blue o two's unique panel of expert dive guides; all offering our divers exceptional skills in scuba diving, marine studies and underwater audio-visual production.

The week will offer the opportunity to:

- Learn about the biology and behaviour of sharks within the Red Sea
- Learn and develop skills in marine biological studies; collecting data, species identification and analysing data
- Learn about globally endangered marine species and what we can do as divers to ensure their protection
- Enjoy fantastic diving on some of the most unique Red Sea reefs
- Experience potential close encounters with sharks, manta rays and whale sharks*

Expertly run:

Project shark is delivered by our team of expert dive guides, who will conduct seminars giving divers the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the biology and behaviour of sharks within the Red Sea. There will also be a chance to learn about globally endangered marine species and what as a diver we can do to aid their protection.

Why join this itinerary?

Encounters with endangered species allows divers to add a greater purpose to their Red Sea holiday, so anyone who has an active interest in the preservation of the marine environment and its inhabitants would enjoy this itinerary. However, important to bear in mind is that as well as learning from experts about marine bio-studies within the Red Sea, divers will enjoy daily diving on very special reefs; Brother Islands and Elphinstone Reefs, as well as Daedalus Reef, St. Johns, Zabagrad and Rocky Islands on allocated weeks, making this an equally enjoyable week for those just wanting to enjoy the diving.

Sample itinerary:

**PLEASE NOTE** the itinerary below is just an example of the route taken and the order and dive sites are not guaranteed. All dives sites are subject to weather conditions and the final route taken is at the absolute discretion of the captain and dive guides.

Day 1 - Shona or Abu Dabab and Shaab Sharm - overnight sailing

Day 2 - St Johns Reefs (Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya, Habili Ali, Habili Jaffa, Umm Aruk & Dangerous)

Day 3 - St Johns Reefs (Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya, Habili Ali, Habili Jaffa, Umm Aruk & Dangerous)

Day 4 - St Johns Reefs (Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya, Habili Ali, Habili Jaffa, Umm Aruk & Dangerous), St Johns Caves and Sataya

Day 5 - Fury Shoal reefs (Shaab Claudio, Abu Galawa Soraya, Shaab Maksour, Malahi, Abu Galawa Kebir) and Wadi Gamal - overnight sailing

Day 6 - Elphinstone and/or Shona, Marsa Mubarak

Itineray highlights:

Elphinstone: A Red Sea legend. One of the most beautiful reefs, with north and south plateau's covered in hard and soft corals. This is a truley awesome reef.

Fury Shoal: An immense chain of reefs creating a host of outstanding dive sites including Abu Galawa in the north to Sataya in the south. Have fun exploring caves, tunnels, coral gardens, plateaus and drop offs! Abu Galawa is located within Fury Shoal - have fun exploring the wreck of 'Tug Boat'. The reef also has good coral dives on the west side.

St. John's Reef: Exciting drop-offs overgrown with huge gorgonians and colourful soft corals, stunning coral gardens and safe anchorages for night diving. Barracudas, tuna and mackerel are often sighted here and on rarer occasions manta rays and dolphins. Hammerheads, grey sharks, silvertip sharks and white tip reef sharks can often be spotted out in the blue.

St. John's Reef North: Located one hour north of the main St.John's area. Have fun finding your way through tunnels and around pinnacles.

Want to go? Check out the Schedules and Prices HERE

Thanks to (Dray Van Beeck) for providing the featured underwater images.