I'm the lead organiser for uDare Scuba, which is a 'non-traditional' dive club. Essentially we are a social group and do trips and socials together. It's not a business and we don't aim to make a profit, just cover our costs spread the benefits of group discounts between us.
Check us out and join our group (it's entirely free) on the web here: uDare (London) SCUBA and all things water (London, England) - Meetup
Ok, so here's a fantastic trip we are doing for one-week, departing 16th July:
A week of unlimited diving at the stunning and remote Marsa Nakari
From £925 fully inclusive of flights, food, diving and accommodation!!
We are heading to the southern area of the Egyptian Red Sea, far away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist towns. Marsa Nakari was once the site of a Roman port city, some remains of which can still be found on a hill overlooking the natural bay.
Weve been to nearby Marsa Shagra a couple of times; Marsa Nakari is a quieter, more remote and relaxed (though it hardly seems possible) version of that. We love the diving in this region!
Theres a YouTube video showing what the resort is like here:Marsa Nakari Village - YouTube
The Diving
Theres a great house reef which you can dive as much as you like. Theres lots of it to explore. You can enter directly from the shore or there are RIBs always on standby ready to take you a bit further out on the house reef. That is all fully included (6 days of diving).
There are, in effect 12 different dive profiles that can be done on the house reef. Couple that with the variations between morning and afternoon, throw in a couple of night dives, and you have lots of variety right at the tip of your toes.
Beyond that, there are other dive sites we can visit. These can be relatively short trips by mini bus or fast boat, or even be a full day out such as to the Samadai protectorate (Dolphin House). This is one of the most important national parks of the Red Sea, with a beautiful coral reef and lagoon with resident dolphins.
In fact there are over 60, categorised into Zones (A, B, C):
Zone A
House Reef and shore dives accessible by mini bus or RIB (standard dive package) including the following dive sites (two dives are included in the package we have beyond that these are optional and are booked and paid for on site):
Marsa Nakari
Marsa Abu Dabbab
Marsa Assalai
Marsa Egla
Marsa el Foukery
Habili Dori
South Garden
Marsa Samadai
Abu Ghusoon (Chris fancies this one as you can do two dives on the wreck out there then come back for lunch - a great start to the day!)
Zone B
Short range off shore dive sites accessible by high performance RIB including the following dive sites (these are optional and are booked and paid for on site):
Ras Sammadai
Ras Tondoba
Shaab Nakari
Habili Nakari
Habili Mahmoud
Zone C
Long Range off shore dive sites accessible by high performance RIB including the following dive sites (these are optional and are booked and paid for on site):
Shaab Marsa Alam
Shaab Samadai
Habili el Ghadeer
Wadi el Gemal
Shallaneat
Full Day Excursions
You also have the option to take a full day trip by hard boat to the following dive sites (these are optional and are booked and paid for on site):
Shaab Samadai (Dolphin House Reef)
Shaab Sharm
Shaab Marsa Alam
As said, all house reef diving (and there's plenty of it) and two Zone A dives are included. There really is plenty of diving in that all inclusive deal. However, in case you really do feel so inclined, prices for dives beyond this are given below and are payable locally (and are subject to change) - so you can decide when you are there if you want to do them:
1 speedboat dive to Zone A (half day, min. 6 people) - 11
1 speedboat dive to Zone B (half day, min 6 people) - 17
2 speedboat dives to Zone C (full day, min. 6 people) - 28
Zone C extended range (min. 6 people) - 50
Full day boat excursion (min. 10 people) - 50
Dolphin House (min. 12 people, 2 dives & snorkelling) - 55
Accommodation
There are a few options as described below.
Tent: Two beds about a metre apart, close to the water and with electricity. Share modern toilet and shower facilities. Great value for money and a real experience.
Royal Tent: About twice the size of the regular tents and can be twin or double. Still an adventurous feel, but with more luxury. Theres a floor standing fan, mini-fridge, wardrobe, bean bag seats, table and a small table and chairs situated outside - perfect for catching the early morning sunrise. They share the same bathroom facilities as the Beach Safari tents.
Mandarah Lodge: Named after an ancient Egyptian term for a guest room for very close friends or relatives in an Egyptian house. The huts have a tiled floor and two beds, bedside table and a clothes cupboard. The Mandarahs are three and a half metres square with domed roofs and terraces with a sea and bay view. They also share the same bathroom facilities as the tents.
Madyafa Guest House: Similar Arabic style to the Mandarahs, but more spacious. They include twin or double beds, wardrobe, a side table, dressing table with mirror, shower, toilet and terrace. In addition there are two communal terraces at the front and rear, with have bamboo chairs and mountain or sea views. This accommodation has the benefit of en-suite facilities.
Price
The price is dependent on accommodation as follows, based on twin share:
Tent - £925
Royal Tent - £960
Mandahara Lodge - £960
Madyafa Guest House with fan - £1025
Madyafa Guest House with a/c and mini fridge - £1080
Chris recommends the guest houses, but knows that many people do love the tents - it is entirely subjective! You're unlikely to be hanging out in the accommodation, just sleeping there anyway! The tents can be very warm (though the sea breeze can certainly help).
The price includes
Flights
Transfers
Accommodation
Unlimited house reef diving and two Zone A dives
All meals
Tea, coffee, water and bottled soft drinks
The price does not include:
Equipment hire
Nitrox
Open Water certification dives and certification (£160)
Canned drinks and alcoholic drinks
Single occupancy supplement
Logistics
16-July: We fly from Gatwick (North Terminal) at 13:50 on Thomson Airways flight TOM 416, arriving in Marsa Alam at 20:25.
23-July: We fly back from Marsa Alam at at 21:25 on Thomson Airways flight TOM 417, arriving at Gatwick (North Terminal) at 02:15 (early hours of the 24th).
Get in touch with any questions. Would love to see you joining us!
Chris
Check us out and join our group (it's entirely free) on the web here: uDare (London) SCUBA and all things water (London, England) - Meetup
Ok, so here's a fantastic trip we are doing for one-week, departing 16th July:
A week of unlimited diving at the stunning and remote Marsa Nakari
From £925 fully inclusive of flights, food, diving and accommodation!!
We are heading to the southern area of the Egyptian Red Sea, far away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist towns. Marsa Nakari was once the site of a Roman port city, some remains of which can still be found on a hill overlooking the natural bay.
Weve been to nearby Marsa Shagra a couple of times; Marsa Nakari is a quieter, more remote and relaxed (though it hardly seems possible) version of that. We love the diving in this region!
Theres a YouTube video showing what the resort is like here:Marsa Nakari Village - YouTube
The Diving
Theres a great house reef which you can dive as much as you like. Theres lots of it to explore. You can enter directly from the shore or there are RIBs always on standby ready to take you a bit further out on the house reef. That is all fully included (6 days of diving).
There are, in effect 12 different dive profiles that can be done on the house reef. Couple that with the variations between morning and afternoon, throw in a couple of night dives, and you have lots of variety right at the tip of your toes.
Beyond that, there are other dive sites we can visit. These can be relatively short trips by mini bus or fast boat, or even be a full day out such as to the Samadai protectorate (Dolphin House). This is one of the most important national parks of the Red Sea, with a beautiful coral reef and lagoon with resident dolphins.
In fact there are over 60, categorised into Zones (A, B, C):
Zone A
House Reef and shore dives accessible by mini bus or RIB (standard dive package) including the following dive sites (two dives are included in the package we have beyond that these are optional and are booked and paid for on site):
Marsa Nakari
Marsa Abu Dabbab
Marsa Assalai
Marsa Egla
Marsa el Foukery
Habili Dori
South Garden
Marsa Samadai
Abu Ghusoon (Chris fancies this one as you can do two dives on the wreck out there then come back for lunch - a great start to the day!)
Zone B
Short range off shore dive sites accessible by high performance RIB including the following dive sites (these are optional and are booked and paid for on site):
Ras Sammadai
Ras Tondoba
Shaab Nakari
Habili Nakari
Habili Mahmoud
Zone C
Long Range off shore dive sites accessible by high performance RIB including the following dive sites (these are optional and are booked and paid for on site):
Shaab Marsa Alam
Shaab Samadai
Habili el Ghadeer
Wadi el Gemal
Shallaneat
Full Day Excursions
You also have the option to take a full day trip by hard boat to the following dive sites (these are optional and are booked and paid for on site):
Shaab Samadai (Dolphin House Reef)
Shaab Sharm
Shaab Marsa Alam
As said, all house reef diving (and there's plenty of it) and two Zone A dives are included. There really is plenty of diving in that all inclusive deal. However, in case you really do feel so inclined, prices for dives beyond this are given below and are payable locally (and are subject to change) - so you can decide when you are there if you want to do them:
1 speedboat dive to Zone A (half day, min. 6 people) - 11
1 speedboat dive to Zone B (half day, min 6 people) - 17
2 speedboat dives to Zone C (full day, min. 6 people) - 28
Zone C extended range (min. 6 people) - 50
Full day boat excursion (min. 10 people) - 50
Dolphin House (min. 12 people, 2 dives & snorkelling) - 55
Accommodation
There are a few options as described below.
Tent: Two beds about a metre apart, close to the water and with electricity. Share modern toilet and shower facilities. Great value for money and a real experience.
Royal Tent: About twice the size of the regular tents and can be twin or double. Still an adventurous feel, but with more luxury. Theres a floor standing fan, mini-fridge, wardrobe, bean bag seats, table and a small table and chairs situated outside - perfect for catching the early morning sunrise. They share the same bathroom facilities as the Beach Safari tents.
Mandarah Lodge: Named after an ancient Egyptian term for a guest room for very close friends or relatives in an Egyptian house. The huts have a tiled floor and two beds, bedside table and a clothes cupboard. The Mandarahs are three and a half metres square with domed roofs and terraces with a sea and bay view. They also share the same bathroom facilities as the tents.
Madyafa Guest House: Similar Arabic style to the Mandarahs, but more spacious. They include twin or double beds, wardrobe, a side table, dressing table with mirror, shower, toilet and terrace. In addition there are two communal terraces at the front and rear, with have bamboo chairs and mountain or sea views. This accommodation has the benefit of en-suite facilities.
Price
The price is dependent on accommodation as follows, based on twin share:
Tent - £925
Royal Tent - £960
Mandahara Lodge - £960
Madyafa Guest House with fan - £1025
Madyafa Guest House with a/c and mini fridge - £1080
Chris recommends the guest houses, but knows that many people do love the tents - it is entirely subjective! You're unlikely to be hanging out in the accommodation, just sleeping there anyway! The tents can be very warm (though the sea breeze can certainly help).
The price includes
Flights
Transfers
Accommodation
Unlimited house reef diving and two Zone A dives
All meals
Tea, coffee, water and bottled soft drinks
The price does not include:
Equipment hire
Nitrox
Open Water certification dives and certification (£160)
Canned drinks and alcoholic drinks
Single occupancy supplement
Logistics
16-July: We fly from Gatwick (North Terminal) at 13:50 on Thomson Airways flight TOM 416, arriving in Marsa Alam at 20:25.
23-July: We fly back from Marsa Alam at at 21:25 on Thomson Airways flight TOM 417, arriving at Gatwick (North Terminal) at 02:15 (early hours of the 24th).
Get in touch with any questions. Would love to see you joining us!
Chris
