MV Royal Evolution

Overview

MV Royal Evolution is a 39m vessel, designed by divers, for divers, and is built with long distance dive trips in mind.  It was the first boat with permission to operate itineraries to Sudan departing from Egypt, and now offers itineraries in both Egypt & Sudan.  Royal Evolution is an extremely stable vessel, equipped for the distance.

It is a spacious vessel with equal attention paid to the interior and exterior facilities.  This high level of comfort, combined with access to the best the Red Sea has to offer, makes this a compelling choice for divers. Royal Evolution offers roomy sun decks with plenty of space and choice of seating for relaxing, in or out of the sun.

Accommodation

Royal Evolution has 10 twin cabins: 8 on the lower deck and 2 on the main deck. There are also 2 double cabins on the main deck, one with disabled facilities. All have en-suite shower, A/C, mini bar, TV & DVD, desk and chair and music system.  Cabins have individual fire safety equipped.

Click here for deck floor plan

Other Facilities

There is a large dive deck with nitrox, photo editing facilities and 12l & 15l cylinders.  Facilities are available for technical kit and rebreathers (please give prior notice & details).  Royal Evolution has a lounge/diner with generous seating, a large screen TV & DVD.

Specification

Length: 39m; Beam: 8.20m; Engines: 2 x 1100 hp; GRT 476 t; Cruising speed 12 knots; Range: 2,000 nautical miles

Navigation / Safety

2 x 25 person SOLAS approved life rafts; 8 x SOLAS life buoys; 10 x SOLAS approved life jackets; Flares; fire alarm and automatic sprinkler system; bilge alarm; 20 fire extinguishers; CO2 and fireflood system for engine; O2 cylinders with demand valve and First Aid; 24-hour crew watch.

GROUP DISCOUNTS

• One FREE boat space with 7 full paying passengers (7+1 FREE boat space). All passengers must be booked at the same time.

itineraries

From 2023 the Royal Evolution operates two Sudan itineraries (both 14 nights) and 3 Egyptian Red Sea Itineraries (7 nights) covering Deep South (Elba Reef), Red Sea Grand Tour (BDRZ), and Special Wrecks (northern).

Schedules & prices

Dive info

The Red Sea's Legendary Southern Waters

Many of Sudan’s varied dive sites hold an almost mythical status with divers from around the world. A few of them are steeped in historical significance and most of them play host to a formidable range of marine life.

The development of Sudan as a dive destination has been restricted in the past by relatively difficult access to Sudan’s coastal waters. The country’s reefs therefore remain uncrowded and are well preserved.

From Angarosh to Sanganeb

The warm, crystal clear waters of Sudan support over 400 varieties of coral and over 1500 species of fish, turtle and shark. Schooling fish are encountered in copious numbers. Barracuda, Spotted Stingrays, Moray Eels and huge Parrott fish are all regularly seen. Sudan’s coastal waters are also recognized as one of the best places in the world for Shark enthusiasts to encounter schools of scalloped hammerheads alongside many other species of shark.

Jacques Cousteau

In the early 1960’s, Jacques Cousteau placed Sudan firmly in the psyche of divers worldwide with his experiments in living underwater. The wreck of Conshelf II provides a fascinating window into this unique chapter of diving history.

Close by to Port Sudan, the World War II wreck, the Umbria, is one of the best preserved wrecks in the Red Sea and can lay claim to being one of the world’s great wreck dives.

Diving

Although conditions at dive sites vary greatly, there are a number of deep and drift dives making Sudan a destination that best suits experienced divers. It is a pre-requisite that divers are qualified to a minimum of Advanced PADI Open Water, or equivalent, with a minimum of 50 logged dives.

Departure Tax

There is no departure tax when leaving Egypt or Sudan.

Passports: Passengers travelling to Egypt and Sudan must have six months valid on their passport from the date of departure from Sudan. It is your responsibility to check and ensure that your passport is valid and you fulfil any entry requirements. British nationals should visit www.fco.gov.uk

You will require a minimum of four blank pages in your passport. Guests from other nationalities should check with their respective consular office.

Visas

On arrival on the boat, the Sudanese entry visas, taxes and fees will have to be paid in cash, as these are not included in the cost of your holiday. The cost is currently €400 + $155. These fees have to be paid in these currencies.You will receive the paperwork at time of booking and are required to return the visa information form for Sudan as soon as possible. A minimum of 6 weeks may be required to process your paperwork.

When you return back to Marsa Alam's Port Ghalib at the end of your trip on Royal Evolution, a further Egyptian visa will be purchased for you. This is included as part of the local payment made.

Vaccinations

Recommended vaccinations are yellow fever, cholera, typhoid, tetanus and meningitis C. Some guests are advised to take antimalarial tablets.

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure with your local GP or travel clinic.

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

Itineraries

Although conditions at dive sites vary greatly, there are a number of deep and open water drift dives making Sudan a destination that best suits experienced divers.

It is a pre-requisite that divers are qualified to a minimum of Advanced PADI Open Water, or equivalent, with a minimum of 50 logged dives. Itineraries offered by Royal Evolution coincide with Sudan’s best diving seasons.

Sample Itineraries:

Sudan Red Sea itineraries:

Egypt to Sudan itinerary

Egypt to Sudan (Suakin, Deep South)

Egypt Red Sea itineraries:

Red Sea Grand Tour

Wreck Special

St John's & Elba Reef

Reviews