blue o two "RedTec Extended Range" technical diving weeks are tailored to guests who want to enjoy dives in the 40-68 metre range. See dive sites in a whole new light, without the constraints of recreational limits; extend your time and your depth, enjoy two hours on the iconic SS. Thistlegorm or experience two of the magical deep arches at Thomas Canyon.
The RedTec Extended Range safari is aimed at divers qualified to dive deep air (to 50m) or trimix (to 68m) and there are also opportunities for guests to start their technical diving journey or extend their training during the week (courses MUST BE PRE-BOOKED as there are a limited number of places available).
If you haven't technically dived in a while, our experienced tech instructors can also offer a range of mini-workshops throughout the week including refreshers on kit setup, dive planning and skills.
Divers with non-technical partners may join the trip, but should be aware that there will be a maximum of three dives a day and the itinerary is optimised for technical divers.
Qualifications Needed:
PADI Advanced Open Water diver or equivalent with a minimum of 100 logged dives to join this technical safari.
As with all diving activities, the dive guide has the final decision regarding any divers competency to complete any particular dive.
Gas Details:
There are four gas options for this trip:
Open Circuit Deep Air (max 55m)
Open Circuit Normoxic (max 68m)
CCR Air (max 40m)
CCR Normoxic (max 68m)
Open circuit divers can choose between a single 12l stage cylinder with 60% or two 12l stage cylinders with 32% and 72%.
CCR divers can choose a single air or nitrox and 18/45 bailouts.
Planned Itinerary:
Please note that this plan is subject to change based on weather or other conditions outside of our control. Where possible, similar alternative dive sites will be offered when it is not possible to complete the planned itinerary.
Day One:
Depart the marina and head out to sea.
Dive 1: Poseidon Reef (12m)
Shallow check dive with empty stages for buoyancy check. Back gas air.
Travel to Abu Nuhas:
Also known as the 'Ships Graveyard', this reef is dangerously positioned close to the busy shipping lanes of the Gulf of Suez. This reef has claimed more ships than any other in the area. On the north side are four wrecks laying on a sandy seafloor at the bottom of a steep sloping reef layered with table corals. On the south side is a safe anchorage for liveaboards and two ergs, known as Yellow Fish Reef.
Dive 2: Abu Nuhas Two Wrecks (30m)
90 minute dive without stages (which will be filled for the morning dive). Back gas 30-32% nitrox.
Dive 3: Abu Nuhas Night Dive
Back gas only - stages being filled.
Day Two:
Dive 4: Abu Nuhas Two Wrecks (30m)
Back gas 30-32% + stage(s)
Travel to SS Thistlegorm:
Probably the most famous of the Red Sea wrecks. The 129m English Freighter was bombed by German aviation on 6th October 1941. Today she creates an artificial reef on a sandy bottom at 32m max depth. She is home to an enormous variety of marine life and is especially popular with large schooling fish.
Dive 5: SS.Thistlegorm (30m)
Back gas 30-32% + stage(s); please note stages will be filled in the evening each day.
Dive 6: SS. Thistlegorm Night Dive
Back gas only - stages being filled.
Day Three:
Dive 7: SS. Thistlegorm (30m)
Back gas 30-32% + stage(s)
Travel to Tiran:
Only accessible by boat, the dive area is found in the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba and is made up of four main reefs that form the top of an underwater bridge. These reefs, named after British cartographers (Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, Gordon), are world famous for their extraordinary diversity of corals and strong south westerly currents make them home to many large pelagic fish...
Dive 8: Gordon Reef, Tiran (30m)
Back gas 30-32% + stage(s); please note stages will be filled in the evening each day.
Dive 9: Night Dive
Back gas only - stages being filled.
Day Four:
Dive 10: Thomas Canyon, Tiran (up to 68m depending on qualification)
Back gas: air or 18/45
CCR diluent: air or 15/35
Dive 11: Wreck of the Lara (Top) Jackson Reef, Tiran (up to 60m)
Air top-offs on back gas.
Dive 12: Night Dive
Back gas only - stages being filled.
Day Five:
Travel to Ras Mohamed:
This is a world renowned dive site, situated at the tip of the Sinai. Two small ergs are joined by a vertical wall dropping into the abyss. At Shark Reef the current allows you to drift along the wall, rich with colourful corals. Moving towards Yolanda Reef you reach a plateau scattered with small ergs and coral outcrops. Continuing around the reef you will come upon the scattered remains of the wreck 'Yolanda' complete with its cargo of toilets and baths. The whole of this area is big fish territory so keep an eye on the blue!
Dive 13: Shark & Yolanda Reef, Ras Mohamed (up to 68m depending on qualification)
Back gas: air or 18/45
CCR diluent: air or 15/35
Dive 14: Jackfish Alley, Ras Mohamed (up to 60m)
Air top-offs on back gas.
Day Six:
Travel to Rosalie Moller:
This wreck offers a natural multilevel dive profile both inside and outside and the slightly greenish water creates a mystical ambiance rarely found on other Red Sea wrecks. With the main deck on 35m and the propeller and rudder at 45m this is the perfect wreck for technical divers. Accessible through the workshop and easy to penetrate, the engine room reaches a maximum depth of 38m and the superstructure can be explored up to 30m before you start your ascent.
Dive 15: Rosalie Moller (up to 50m)
Back gas air or top-off on trimix.
Return to the marina in the afternoon.