Scuba Diving for gap year and career break divers

Programme Overview

This programme is either one or two weeks in length and incorporates PADI diver training and a Red Sea wreck safari.

Starting in Dahab, you do PADI courses and reacreational diving for the first week. For beginners this involves learning the fundamentals of scuba diving through the PADI National Geographic course. If you're already an Open Water diver you do your Advanced Open Water course and recreational diving whilst those of you who are already Advanced divers just crack on with some recreational diving in the Red Sea.

With diver training out of the way we head down to Hurghada to join the boat for the wreck diving. The boat is exclusively for GYD customers and it's a lovely boat called Aml Hayaty. For one week we now live on board the boat sailing the Red Sea to numerous wrecks.

We start in the North at Ras Abu Nuhas. Here we dive the Ghiannis D, Carnatic, Krissola K and possibly the Kimon M. It's then off to the Thistlegorm for at least 3 dives on the most well known shipwreck in the Red Sea. You'll have plenty of time to explore her holds and ammunition before we head off to the Rossalie Moller. From the 'Rossie' we make our way to the Ulysses wreck before steaming overnight South to Safaga. Here we dive the El Tor, Salem Express, El Kafain and possibly the TV wreck before heading back to Hurghada where we dive the El Mina.

Once the wreck trip is over we go back to Sharm el Sheikh where we stay overnight before leaving the following day.

Itinerary

This is a fixed itinerary. Although our schedule on board the boat may change slightly, you must arriveon the dates specified.

You can see more photos of the wrecks in our photo gallery. A video of the 2009 expedition will be coming soon.

Ghiannis D The Giannis D sank with its cargo of timber in 1983 and lies next to a coral reef. The entire wreck can be seen from either end because of good visibility. It is partly broken up in the centre but there are many access points to the engine room, the bridge and holds.This is a great dive! Expect to see Dolphins, blue-spotted sting rays, glass fish, lionfish, scorpion fish and much more during this dive
Carnatic The Carnatic is a beautiful 19th Century wreck .It is remarkably intact considerting how long it has been in the Red Sea. In the holds you can see the remains of broken bottles and there are shoals of glass fish inhabiting them. Penetration into the holds is easy for any level of diver. A beautiful diveand keep an eye out for Giant Moray Eels!
Chrisoula K This wreck sank in the early 80's along with its cargo of tiles. At reasonable diving depth, the visibility is often very good on this wreck and you may get to see the entire wreck at once. Entry is easy and you can dive the holds of tiles quite easily. A great dive...even better with Seascooters!
Thistlegorm A fantastic dive, which has been voted one of the Top Ten Dives in the World. You'll to do this wreck about three times / four so you have a good chance to explore the holds. Look out for the native turtle, barracuda and bat fish. Inside the holds you will find everything from jeeps, trucks, tanks, ammunition, guns, trains, wellington boots and much more.
Rossalie Moller The Rosalie Moeller was sank shortly after the Thistlegorm by the German Luftwaffe in WWII. The cargo was coal, so it doesn't have the same goods as the Thistlegorm. It's also in deeper water. This obviosuly hinders the visibility a little but the wreck is in great condition.
Ulysses An old wreck from the late 19th Century. It's pretty big, although you won't really grasp the true size of it as much of the wreck is broken-up and covered with corals. I lovely dive follwed by a nice drift dive along the reef wall.
El Areesh El Tor A roll-on-roll-off ferry in Safaga Bay. The wreck is pretty big with lots of soft corals. Life jackets, chairs, tables, life rafts etc still adourn this wreck. The bell was removed in 2003 and is now housed with HEPCA or CDWS. Visibility isn's amazing but it's a great wreck for exploring.
Salem Express Sank in the early 90's during bad weather, the ship actually sank with people onboard. It's a large ferry and the visibility in the area can be incredible. Dive along the corridors and decks or explore the bridge, canteen or storage holds. Lots to see...it's juts a bit eery!
East Star / New Roads This was a cargo ship carrying electrical goods. Visibility on this wreck isn't great but there is loads of marine life! The supastructure has been massively damaged but it is easy to enter the holds and some of the ships cabins.

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Flights

Flights are not included. If you are joining us for the full 18 day trip then you will need to book flights to Sharm el Sheikh. We would like you to take the BA flight which arrives early morning on a Friday.

For those of you who are already AOW divers and do not wish to partake in the Dahab component of the trip, please book your flight through Easy Jet from either London Gatwick or Manchester to Hurghada. Your flight should depart on a Friday.

Transfers

All transfers and travel within Egypt are included (including ferry from Sharm - Hurghada - Sharm) for those of you on the 18 day trip

Accommodation

All accommodation is included:
- Dahab: self-catered divers' lodge - twin rooms
- Hurghada: 3* hotel - twin rooms BB
- Sharm: 4* hotel - twin rooms BB
- Boat: Full board - twin rooms and 4 doubles

Meals - provided

It is self-catering in Dahab
Breakfast is provided at all hotels
Full board, including snacks and soft drinks on board the boat

Requirements

Please call us to make sure you're okay for this trip before booking - thanks.

PADI Materials

All PADI materials have been included if you are doing diving courses

PADI Fees

PADI fees are compulsory and they need to be paid locally.
PADI Open Water costs £23.00
PADI Advanced Open Water costs £23.00.

Money / Living costs

Egypt is cheap and you will find that your money goes a long way! ATM's are widely available and foreign currency can also be exchanged. We recommend you budget around £50 to £70 per week for food, water, soft drinks and alcohol. Some people manage to get by on less than £50 whilst other may spend over £100 in a week. Everyone has different eating, drinking and spending habits!

Standard Prices

Red Sea Wreck Tour	For beginners	For Open Water Divers	For Advanced Open Water Divers +
Dahab - Wreck Tour - Dahab (18 days)	£1,345pp	£1,115pp
Wreck Tour only (7 days)			£595

Dates

JULY TRIP - FULL
Next trip scheduled for October / November 2010. Please call 0845 257 3292 for details.

Local Payments