SUDAN SCUBA DIVING TRIPS

The Democratic Republic of Sudan is the largest country in Africa (more than 2.500.000 sq. km) with a population of around 28 million. Sudan has a length of more than 2,000 km, spreading from the Nubian Desert to the Equatorial forests of Kenya, Uganda and Zaire. Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, is situated on the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile, which join together to form The Nile. It has a population of around 4 million

LIVEABOARD - MV SHERAZADE, SUDAN

The M.V. Sherazade is operated by a veteran team of crew and Captain, who have made the Sudan their home for over 20 years. At long last we will be can offer one and two week trips diving the remote and spectacular dive sites of the deep south Sudanese Waters, such as shab Ambar, Masamarit, Kazam Mazamarit and Dahret Gharb in the Suakin Archipelago, along with the extended Northern itinerary which takes the better known but no less unique sites such as Wingate Reef (home of the Umbria), Shaab Rumi and Sanganeb, and up to Angarosh including manta point Ma Suadi and more. This is as a result of the vessel design able to withstand ocean going conditions as well as being licensed to International marine safety standards; such as the all important twin exit points from cabins to decks.

Renato and Christina Marchesan have unparalleled knowledge of the dive sites, marine species, their seasonality and divers satisfaction.

Class: International Bureau Veritas
Category: Luxury
Maximum Capacity: 18 Guests
Length: 33 mt ( 108 ft)
Width: 7,80 mt (26 ft)
Draft: 2,50 mt (8,20 ft)
Cruise speed: 12 knots
Fuel capacity: 45.000 lt
Engines: 2 engines Caterpillar 550 hp
Water capacity: 25.000 lt
Desalinators: 300 lt/hr
Generators: 2 x 50 kw each one
Instruments: GPS, Radar, VHF, Echo Sounder, radio SSB
Safety Equipment: oxygen 50 lt tanks , fire alarm and fire protection, fire extinguishers, First aid kits.

INTERIOR:
Cabins: There are 8 cabins below deck. Each cabin has two twin beds, and is accessible from two stairs in the lounge. There are 3 cabins at the front for crew with separate bathroom and entrances. All cabins have individually controlled air conditioning. On the top deck there are two cabins with bathroom for guests, a crew cabin and one for the captain.
Decks: 3 decks protected from the sun, furnished with teak wood, sofas, tables and solarium.

DIVING EQUIPMENT:
Compressors: 1 Bauer 15,6 cubic meters and 1 Bauer 26,4 cubic meters
Tanks: 30 x 15 lt steel, with double valves DIN/INT
Tender: 1 Asso 7,5 mt with Yamaha outboard 225 HP and 25 HP, 2 petrol tanks of 160 lt, WHF,Echo Sounder, GPS Garmin 45 - 1 Zodiac with Yamaha 25 HP.

**The MS Sherazade accommodates up to 18 guests in spacious luxury cabins.

LIVEABOARD - MSY SAN MARCO

The San Marco is a splendid 30 metre Turkish Caique, constructed in 1997 and completely restructured and adapted for scuba diving activities in 2005.
The vessel is a classic twin mast, schooner equipped boat. Entirely constructed in wood with structures and finishes in mahogany and iroko, it has 6 double and three triple cabins, all en-suite and with individual air conditioning.
There are wide sunbathing areas and a spacious veranda with table and sofa. Inside is a large sitting area with bar, sofa, table, LCD TV, DVD, Hi-fi, Mp3 player and board games.

DIVING EQUIPMENT

Tanks 20 x 15lt steel, with double valves INT/DIN, 2 compressors of 1600lt/h, first aid and oxygen , recharge station, Tender – 1 rubber of 6 mt engine 100 HP and 1 rubber of
5,20 mt engine of 60 HP – PADI diving courses available on request.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Class: AINAKIC
Year of Constr: 1997
Year of refitting: 2004
Wood vessel
Deck: Iroko
Category: Schooner
Length: 27,65 mt
Width: 7,30 mt
Draft: 2,20 mt.
Instruments: 2 Compasses - Vhf Shipmate- Char plotter GPS Furuno - Radar JRC 24 MGL
Accessories: TV –DVD player – Stereo Cd - Telephone Gsm
Engine: Caterpillar of 542 Hp
Cruise Speed: 10 Knots
Generators: 1 Kohler 10 KWA - 1 Onan 22,5 KWA
Cabins: 4 double - 4 twin beds plus bunk beds
All cabins have individually controlled air conditioning and bathroom
Crew cabin in separate area with bathroom.
Fuel capacity: 5.000 LT.
Water Capacity: 8.000 LT.

LIVEABOARD - MV ELEGANTE

Elegante is a Turkish goulet built in1995 with Maltese flag, its design has been studied to offer the maximum comfort and it’s perfectly equipped to be a diving Liveaboard boat.
On board of Elegante you can spend an unforgettable holiday thanks to the professional crew, periodical maintenance of the boat, the comfort of the cabins (all with private bathroom) and spacious spaces both over and under the deck.

Technical characteristics
Engine Fiat Iveco AIFO HP 260 diesel
Speed 8 knots
Length 25 meters
Width 6,5 meters
Sail Ketch
Water 2.500 Litres +7.000 litres & water maker 200Lt. by h.
Cabins 6 doubles and 2 suites all cabins with a/con and private bathroom
Cabins crew One cabin with 2 bed and one with single bed
Services on board TV-VCR-HI FI-Diving-Recharges torches and flash - medical oxygen
Generators (3) 15 KW/h; 8 KW/h; 5, 5 KW/h_220 V. AC.
Systems of
Communication Radio UHF long range and portable short range, satellite mobile.
Navigation systems Plotter, GPS, Radar, sonic depth finder.
Compressors (2) N.2 Bauer 11.000 Lt/h
Cylinders N° 18, 15 litres, double attack ( Int., Din)
Rubber dinghy Marshall 5,80 Mt, with 40 Hp Yamaha
Marshall 4,60 Mt. with 40 Hp Yamaha

LIVEABOARD - MOTOR YACHT FELICIDAD II

With an Italian crew (who also speak English) our vessel offers, in addition to an undisputed expertise, an excellent cuisine.

Built in 1991 and entirely refurbished in 1995, she is made of steel, which guarantees perfect steadiness whilst cruising.

The company which manages Felicidad and her crew is one of the most experienced connoisseurs of these waters, with over 20 years of experience, and was amongst the very first one to offer diving cruises in Sudan.

Cabins 8 air conditioned cabins:
- 6 cabins with 1 double and 1 single bed
- 2 twin cabins
- 8 bathrooms with hot and cold water shower
Living Room 6.50m x 4.50 air conditioned living room, TV, DVD/VHS videos and player, Music system, Library, Mini-bar
Kitchen 3.50m x 4.50m air conditioned kitchen, fridge and freezer
Crew Accommodation 1 twin cabin, 1 quadruple cabin, 1 bathroom
Other Equipment storage room, Divers area, Sunbathing area

DIVING IN THE SUDAN

Everything is still pretty “wild” in Sudan including living conditions, which is why the best way to enjoy a diving holiday there, exploring some of the most beautiful submerged sceneries in the world, is a one or two weeks long cruise.

Multicoloured coral gardens, vibrating with what Cousteau described as “the highest concentration of life in the world” make the Sudanese sea beds one of the most interesting diving destinations.

We will reach Shaab Rumi, seat of Precontinente II (Master Cousteau’s the famous expedition); the Umbria, a wreck covered in corals like a stunning submerged cathedral, Sanganeb, Shab Suedi and other reefs which are less known and for this reason even more astounding, and, during the two-weeks cruise, we will go as far as Hangarosch, the sharks’mother .

Islands which are home only to birds and turtles, the turquoise-green bays, the playing dolphins, the absence of currents and the transparency of the water make Sudan the perfect destination for diving safaris and for fishing The Sudanese Red Sea is simply the most beautiful in the world! When you compare it to the underwater hustle and bustle of Egypt, or even the murky green waters of Eritrea and Yemen, you can be guaranteed that Sudan is one of the few places left in the world that remains relatively untouched by man. No dive site is crowded, the reefs are undamaged and the marine life is prolific. Visibility is usually crystal clear but varies during the year. The water temperatures range from 23-26C in the winter to a warm 30C in the summer

ITINERARIES

Boarding and disembarkation take place every Saturday in Port Sudan.

The possible itineraries are not preset as they are agreed with the captain from time to time, according to what you are interested in and to the weather conditions.

All cruises set sail from Port Sudan (“Boarding Point”) and include diving the wreck of the famous “ Umbria”, a glorious Italian ship which was scuttled in 1940, then they follow different itineraries.

Classic: Sanganeb, with its towering lighthouse and two of the most beautiful diving sites, South Point and North Point, for an encounter with a shoal of hammerheads. Sha’ab rumi, where Costeau carried out the “Precontinente II” experiment, with its awesome South Point which will never stop to amaze you and where an encounter with sharks is guaranteed. Sha’ab Suedi, where the wreck of the “ Toyota” lays.

North: as well as all the destinations of the Classic itinerary, it reaches Gurna reef, Qita el Banna, Shanabaya and the spectacular dives at Angarosh (the sharks’ mother), Merlo and Abington. It also includes a visit to the island of Mersharifa, in search of the devil rays.

South East: it reaches some very charming destinations, such as Jumna, Sha'ab Anabar, Hindi Gider, Seil Ada Kebir, the unrivalled "turtles island”, Pinnacle, Two Islet, Long Island...

OUR OPINION

This vessel can be described as good value for money. Despite not being a luxury Motor Yacht, it is well structured, convenient for diving activities and very comfortable.

The crew is very professional and experienced as well as friendly, and look after the clients from the moment they arrive at the airport until their departure.

The cuisine is excellent, with a strong Italian influence.

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