Freedom VIII

OVERVIEW

This intimate yet spacious liveaboard accommodates only 11 guests on unique mini dive safari itineraries to the iconic dive sites of the Northern Red Sea.  

Both 3-night and 4- night itineraries are offered starting Mondays and Thursdays respectively and taking in Ras Mohamed National Park, Tiran and the wreck of the Dunraven. Some itineraries also take in the famous Thistlegorm shipwreck. These mini safari departures can be combined with time at Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village for an enjoyable 7-night adventure. 

ACCOMMODATION 

The Freedom VIII liveaboard features 1 double cabin, 1 twin cabin and 1 triple cabin, all with en suite facilities. There are also 2 twin cabins that share bathroom facilities. All cabins are simple, yet comfortable, and have air-conditioning as standard. 

The boat also features an air-conditioned salon and dining area with TV, 2 comfortable sun decks, a spacious diving deck and all safety equipment. All guides and boat captains are fully trained in first aid and environmental protection best practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. An accompanying RIB is available to escort divers to dive sites where required. 

SPECIFICATION 

• Type: Wooden hull 
• Length: 27 m 
• Width: 5.7 m 
• Engine: 2 x 750 HP 
• Generators: 1 x 30kW & 1 x 50kW 
• Navigation and communications: GPS, Sonar & VHF Radio 
• Safety: Oxygen, Medic first aid kit, life raft and jackets 

DIVING FACILITIES

• Compressors: 2 Bauer Marina compressors 
• Tanks: 20 x 12ltr aluminium 
• Nitrox diving: No compressor, but some Nitrox can be arranged on request 
• Dive equipment rental: Full dive sets available for hire 
• Water Access: 1 accompanying RIB 

Schedules & prices

Dive info

Regaldive offer a range of Red Sea liveaboards, with itineraries giving you a wide variety of diving options, depending on your area of interest and your level of experience. If you are travelling as a large group, you can even decide to pre-book a week of wrecks or favourite reef dives, according to your group preferences.

Northern Red Sea Liveaboards

Regaldive offer itineraries departing from Hurghada. The reef at Abu Nuhas is accessible from Hurghada with several wrecks resting at its base. You can also visit the Straits of Gubal and the famous Thistlegorm World War II wreck. Some boat itineraries may also take in the Ras Mohammed national park where steep coastal cliffs are mirrored underwater with impressive vertical walls, which drop off 70m or more.

The Strait of Tiran has a range of reefs rising out of deep waters where the strong currents and dense plankton attract an impressive range of reef and deep-sea species providing some exceptional drift dives. The Thistlegorm also features on this trip.

For those that want the liveaboard experience from a resort, our Sharm Dive Extravaganza allows you to join a small group of like-minded divers whilst exploring the best diving Sharm El Sheikh has to offer. 

Southern Red Sea Liveaboards

There are many world-class dive sites in the southern Red Sea, and Regaldive offer several itineraries. Fury Shoal is an area where many reefs lie close to each other, some are exposed and some sheltered, many with dramatic sheer walls plunging to over 40m. There are canyons, multiple caves and passages where groupers and morays lurk. The variety of coral is stunning with beautiful brain and fire corals. Schools of fusiliers and anchovies hover above the reefs until suddenly attacked by fast moving tuna whilst Napoleon wrasse cruise majestically by.

The Brothers are two small isolated reefs 33 miles north east of El Quseir. Big Brother Island has a lighthouse and a fringing reef with a sheer plunge to exceptional depths. The diving is challenging with deep wrecks and strong currents. Tuna, barracuda, scalloped hammerhead, oceanic white tips, silkies and reef shark can all be spotted here.

Little Brother is reputed to be one of the most scenic dives in the Red Sea. The drop off is over 40m but the walls are covered in sponges, anemones, soft corals and black coral. Some of the huge gorgonian fan corals are more than 3m high. There are caves, holes and overhangs in the shallow part of the reef. Currents can be very strong and because there is little shelter and strong winds, access is very much weather dependent.

Elphinstone is a site best dived early in the day and there is little protection against wind and waves, making a liveaboard visit ideal. There are plateaux at either end, from 25-40m, but the steep walls drop off to more than 100m. It is an ideal site to experience the larger pelagic marine life including manta, hammerheads and oceanic whitetips. The soft corals and gorgonians are luxuriant and colourful.

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Flight Information

Flights are available to Hurghada (HRG) and Sharm El Sheikh (SHH) from a number of UK airports. Please refer to the tables below for typical flight schedules, or speak to our friendly travel consultants for the latest information.

Direct flights from the UK to Marsa Alam Airport are available November through to April from Gatwick (stating in winter 2023) which work well with certain southern Red Sea liveaboards. There are connecting options via Cairo which work well Cairo and Luxor extensions. Please speak to the team for more information on this option.

Typical Annual Schedule

HRG = Hurghada Airport / RMF = Marsa Alam Airport

SSH = Sharm El Sheikh Airport

Key: * = Winter only (November to April), ** = Summer only (May to October), *** = Irregular schedule ask for more information

NB: Please note that flight schedules may be subject to change by the airlines at any time. Full and up to date flight details will be provided with any holiday quotation.

Flight duration: 5 - 5½ hours

Transfer: Varies and depends on the itinerary, arrival airport and departure port. Minimum transfer time approximately 10 minutes.

Departure tax: N/A

Passports

Passengers travelling to Egypt must have six months valid on their passport from the date of departure from Egypt.

Visas

A single entry tourist visa for Egypt is required for all nationalities. For British passport holders with British citizenship, Egyptian visas can be obtained conveniently and inexpensively on arrival at Hurghada airport.

Other nationalities should check with consular office.

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Egypt, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio. Though malaria does exist in Egypt, it is generally not present in the coastal resorts.

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic.

Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.

Itineraries

The Freedom VIII liveaboard operates 3-night and 4-night Mini Safaris each week, departing from Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village. Shorter 3-night itineraries depart each Monday, while 4-night itineraries begin on Thursdays. 

Guests may join these liveaboard departures on their own or extend to make a 7-night holiday with time at Sharks Bay Umbi Diving Village. 

The majority of itineraries focus on the Tiran Strait, Ras Mohamed National Park and the Dunraven shipwreck. Select itineraries also take in the famous Thistlegorm wreck, while bespoke itineraries can also be arranged for private charter groups - contact us for further details.

Sharm Mini Dive Safari

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