MV Royal Evolution - Egypt

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

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.

Click here for GROUP LIVEABOARD OFFERS

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

Royal Evolution follows a selection of popular itineraries in the southern Red Sea in Egypt and Sudan and operates out of Hurghada and Port Ghalib depending on the itinerary. Please click on the links below for more information on individual itineraries. Itineraries offered by Royal Evolution coincide with Egypt's best diving seasons.

SAMPLE ITINERARIES:

Egypt Red Sea itineraries:

Red Sea Grand Tour

Wreck Special

St John's & Elba Reef

Sudan Red Sea itineraries:

Egypt to Sudan itinerary

Egypt to Sudan (Suakin, Deep South)

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