Ghazala Explorer Red Sea Liveaboard

Travel

Flight options

Our holiday packages are inclusive of flights from London Gatwick for a fully ATOL bonded holiday. A supplement may apply for regional departures if possible. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. Unfortunately, not all regional flight routings are compatible with liveaboard schedules. Our advertised liveaboard packages with Emperor and Aggressor fleets exclude flights. Please ask for a quote to add these to your booking. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Egypt, let us know and we can arrange transfers as required. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your boat space is confirmed by us.

Stopovers

As flights are direct between the UK and Egypt, there are no stop over options available.

Arrange before you go

Visa requirements

All UK visitors to Egypt need an entry visa (valid for a 30 days.Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. This can be obtained on arrival with cash payment. Or you can now apply online by clicking here Save time and prebook your visa with Scuba Travel's prepaid visa service. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review

Insurance

Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.

Immunisations

Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice for the required travel immunisations for your destination: click here to go to the NHS

Preparing to fly

Seating

Flights to Egypt are charter flights with TUI or EasyJet. TUI seating is allocated at check in and you cannot check in online. For EasyJet flights you will be able to manage your booking online with the airline directly and select any payable seating/baggage extras.

Check in

Egypt does not permit digital boarding passes. You must print your boarding passes/flight coupons for both flights. TUI do not enable online check EasyJet allow online check in via their website

Lounge

An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here for more info on Lounge Pass

Parking

Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here for holiday extras

What happens when I arrive?

On arrival in Egypt, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. Our representative will be waiting either airside around the baggage carousel or in the arrivals hall. They will be holding a board with either Scuba Travel, your destination or your name on it. If you have prepaid for our visa service, you will be given your visa on arrival. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.

Transfers

Airport transfers are always included in your liveaboard or resort holiday package when using our flights. Our representatives will advise where to find your transfer outside of the airport. We try to keep transfer times as short as possible, with most being no more than 30mins travel time from the airport to the boat/hotel. If you have made your own flight arrangements to land in Egypt, please confirm at the time of booking if airport transfers are included or available at an additional cost

Departures

At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. There is currently no departure tax leaving Egypt.

Info

Tipping

Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the guides and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.

Currency

All onboard prices are in Euro, but Sterling, US Dollars are accepted (subject to onboard exchange rate). The boat does have a card machine.

Phone coverage

Mobile coverage is itinerary dependent. Most of itineraries will have phone coverage when close to shore. WiFi is limited for browsing and connecting to communication applications only when a mobile signal is present normally nearby or in port. Signal strength can vary which may result in intermittent and/or slow connections. This service is provided as a courtesy but is dependent on the local mobile provider. Laptops/computers or other devices for using internet are not supplied on-board, you should bring your own computer to use the internet service

Plugs and electricity

2 pin European sockets. Plugs are located on dive deck, saloon and in cabins.

Extras

Hire equipment

We offer a very wide range of rental equipment onboard Ghazala Explorer please request pre holiday

Extras

Ghazala Explorer offers a wide range of PADI courses on board. Please speak to your travel consultant for current course prices and options.

Souvenirs

There is an on board boutique selling t-shirts and some on board souvenir items. All stock items are subject to local availability.

Nitrox/Gas

We recommend all divers to dive with Nitrox when suitable.

Payments

Deposits and Balances

Over 300 days prior to departure a £250 deposit is required, within 300 days a £500 deposit is required, with full balance due 90 days before departure. Due to some airlines, a higher deposit may be requested, which will be advised by your travel consultant.

Ways to pay

We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.

Group Payments

If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation

Discounts

Repeat Guests

Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers?
Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.

And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction on your ATOL bonded Red Sea package.

5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
If you have travelled with Scuba Travel with 12 months ask about free cabin upgrades (subject to availability)
Repeat discounts are not cumulative with other discounts and cannot be applied to special offer prices

Included

Airport transfers, 7 or 10 nights (depending on itinerary) accommodation on full board basis in a twin share cabin

12ltr tank, air fills, weights and all diving - the number of dives offered will depend on your chosen itinerary. Recreational nitrox is included in your package

Depending on your package, flights are included from UK regional airports with Easyjet or TUI

Niitrox, Marine Park fees, Port fees

Excluded

Rental kit hire can be requested onboard however it is preferable to pre book.15lt tanks may not be available if not prebooked

Egyptian entry visa - £35 pre paid service with our airport rep or USD cash at the visa windows on arrival at your entry point to Egypt

Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the guides and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.

Alcohol is available on board - the boat will run an honesty tab to pay at the end of the trip

Ghazala Explorer Specifications

37m in length and 8.4m breadth

2 x MAN 1100 Hp

2 x 95 KVA Cummins

Construction - Steel

Safety Statement

Highest Safety Standards: Safety is our top priority, and the Ghazala Explorer stands out with its exceptional safety measures and maintenance programme. The vessel is equipped with state- of-the-art safety equipment, including CCTV throughout, automatic fire shield system in galley and engine room, centralised alarm system allowing any issue to be pin pointed with speed. Automated fire detection and suppression system using Elide fire extinguishing balls, fire extinguishers located throughout the boat including cabins, engine room, galley, dive deck and corridors. Water tight bulk heads and emergency exits. Quality life jackets, lifeboats and advanced communication systems.
Ghazala Explorer is taken out of the water for inspections and maintenance every year. As she is a steel hulled vessel this is not required for maritime compliance to come out of the water yearlyfor the first 3 years, however this has been completed annually. Regular safety drills and comprehensive crew training ensure that both guests and crew are well-prepared for any situation.
Guests are provided with a detailed safety briefing once onboard, with a walk through of all emergency exits plus shown how to find and use lifejackets, fire extinguishers, and fire blankets located in each cabin, in the saloon and relaxing areas of the boat. A muster drill is also run at the beginning of the week for all guests.

Experienced and Professional Crew The crew of the Ghazala Explorer is in our experience, second to none.
The captain Abo Al Hassam has worked on Ghazala Explorer just after she was built in 2021 and is highly respected with over 20 years of captaining Red Sea safari boats experience. A large proportion of the crew have also worked on Ghazala since she launched, showing great loyalty and dedication.
The captain will not hesitate to adjust the route within an itinerary to avoid bad weather conditions, ensuring a smoother and safer experience for everyone on board. If conditions pose any risk, the dive will be cancelled - safety is always the top priority.
While Ghazala Explorer strive's to deliver the best diving adventures, they never compromise when it comes to the well- being of guests and crew.
The Dive Guides onboard each week are certified professionals all holding PADI Instructor and recently SSI Instructor certifications. They have extensive experience in underwater safety and rescue operations. The entire crew undergoes rigorous safety training and regular refresher courses to maintain their skills and knowledge. Their dedication to customer service excellence ensures that your journey is comfortable, enjoyable, and safe.

Safety Equipment Onboard

• 1. Life Jackets and Lifeboats: Each guest is provided with a personal life jacket, and our lifeboats are regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are in perfect working condition.
• 2. Fire Safety: The Ghazala Explorer is equipped with state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression systems. The advanced fire detection system quickly determining the affected area allowing for swift action. Plus smoke detectors, fire extinguishers (30 throughout the boat), fire blankets in all cabins and galley, fire extinguishing balls on each deck, audible fire alarms in cabins and throughout the boat. Automatic fire extinguisher by AC units in each cabin,
• 3. Emergency Exits and Lighting: Clearly marked emergency exits and backup lighting systems ensure safeevacuation in case of an emergency.
• 4. First Aid and Medical Supplies: Our onboard medical kit is fully stocked with first aid supplies, a defibrillator, and our crew is trained in first aid and emergency response.
• 5. Communication Systems: We have advanced communication systems, including VHF radios and satellite phones, to ensure constant contact with shore and emergency services.
• 6. Safety Drills: Once onboard you will have a full safety briefing followed by a safety drill including exiting the boat through emergency exits, meeting at the muster point with lifejackets. These weekly safety drills are conducted to ensure both crew and guests are familiar with emergency procedures.
• 7. CCTV : Monitoring corridors, engine room, galley and dive deck
• 8. Night Watchmen : Continuous detailed boat inspection
• 9. Battery Charging : Batteries should only be charged on the dedicated area of the dive deck
• 10. EPIRB's : Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon are provided for guests whilst diving

Regular Training and Safety Drills:

• Monthly fire and safety drills conducted by our experienced team to ensure readiness in any situation
Safety Inspections:

• Thorough inspections before and during each sailing to identify and mitigate potential hazards, ensuring a safe environment for our guests
Scheduled Consultations:

• Regular visits from maritime consultants to proactively address safety risks, demonstrating our commitment to continuous improvement
Detailed Safety Briefings:

• Comprehensive safety briefings provided to guests upon embarkation, including evacuation and fire plans, and clear signage throughout the yacht for enhanced awareness

• Earth-leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) on all electrical installations
• Automatic fire extinguisher system around the main electric panel
• Automatic fire extinguisher around AC units inside cabins
• Elide fire extinguishing balls on each deck
• Smoke detectors in all cabins and indoor common areas
• Co2 fire extinguishers in the engine room and the galley
• 9 liters stainless steel FireShield RC50 against cooking oils and fats in the galley
• Fire extinguishers in all cabins and other areas on the boat - 30 in total
• Fire blankets in all cabins and galley
• Audible Fire alarm in cabins
• Audible fire alarm throughout the boat
• Automatic fire suppression system in the engine room
• Detailed safety briefing on guest arrival
• Emergency evacuation plan clearly marked on different parts of the boat
• 2 life rafts for 50 passengers
• 2 RIBs
• Engine failure audible alarm system
• Flares and smoke signals
• Radar station
• Marine VHF radio
• AIS sender & receiver
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
• Life jackets in all cabins and muster point
• CCTV
• First aid stations including a defibrillator
• Dive guides and other crew members are emergency first-aid responders

Navigation Equipment

Radar, Eco Sounder, VHF Marine Radio, HF Radio, Satelitte Phone, Compass