AL FAROUK II I 2021 I ST JOHNS I RED SEA

OUR BOAT

The Farouk II liveaboard is an elegant, Diver designed 33m yacht. The friendly and experienced crew members provide quality service to ensure guests will have the perfect dive vacation.

OUR CABINS

This dive safari liveaboard yacht will accommodate 24 guests in 12 spacious and comfortable air conditioned cabins.  Liveaboard Al Farouk II has 12 Deluxe Cabins especially furnished for the utmost comfort of our guests. The cabins can sleep a maximum of 2 people, while 4 cabins have a double bed in addition to the single bed. All cabins are equipped with individual climate control, en-suite bathrooms with shower, mini bar and music. These cabins are perfect for sleeping and relaxing in privacy between dives.

FOOD ON BOARD

Meals will be plentiful and will appeal to every appetite and include International cuisine as well as a range of interesting Egyptian and Arabic specialties. The spacious and air-conditioned restaurant has 3 large dining tables and plenty of space for the meals and Cocktail parties. In addition to the mouth watering cuisine, snacks and beverages will be served between meals. Soft drinks, beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks are available for purchase.

AMENITIES

There is a spacious, panoramic Saloon on the Sundeck which features a TV, DVD and music entertainment system complete with movies.  For additional comfort, the Sundeck and Fly Bridge offer lots of room for sun bathing.  Quiet naps can be taken on the lounge chairs in the shaded deck areas while enjoying the fresh air and gorgeous seascapes. Enjoy a freshly made cocktail from the bar while watching the spectacular sunsets in the Red Sea. For guests who want more active leisure time activities, they may try their hand at fishing or go snorkelling.

DIVING WITH US

The boat visits the most spectacular diving areas of the Red Sea:

Shark routes such as Brothers-Daedalus-Elphinstone, where you can find many different species of sharks such as whale, hammerhead sharks, oceanic sharks, tigers, greys, silver tips, silky and thresher sharks.

The Deep South - St Johns, Sataya, Rocky and Zabargad have endless walls of living reefs, dolphins and dugongs.

On the northern routes, you'll dive the famous shipwrecks: SS Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Abu Nuhas Ship Cemetery, Ras Mohamed National Park and Tiran Strait, an area of whale sharks and giant manta rays.

Whichever route you choose, with Al Farouk II you can be sure that you will be accompanied by professional and experienced guides who will ensure that your journey in the Red Sea is memorable.

Safety is always important. The crew is trained to handle emergency situations and first aid. There are life jackets and emergency rafts on board, as well as firefighting equipment in each cabin.

Diving in Egypt is available all year round. The best season is from March to mid-December. All these months diving is amazing in this region with water temperatures of 25-28 degrees. Water temperatures in winter (mid-December to February) are still 23º at this time there are excellent offers of discounts on boats and a minimum number of boats in the area, the dive sites are almost exclusive to you.

MAIN DECK DOUBLE CABIN

The deluxe cabin is specially furnished for the utmost comfort of our divers. Our cabins sleep a maximum of 2 people , and come with individually controlled air-conditioning , ensuite bathrooms with shower,mini bar and music with individual control . The photo shows a Lower Deck Cabin, but Main deck will be similar with window - not porthole.

• Size:  9 m²
• Beds:  2 Single
• Max occupancy:  2
• Shareable:  Yes
• Private bathroom:  Yes
• Air Conditioning:  Yes

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UPPER DECK DELUXE CABIN

The deluxe cabin is specially furnished for the utmost comfort of our divers. Our cabins sleep a maximum of 2 people, and come with individually controlled air-conditioning , ensuite bathrooms with shower, mini bar and music with individual control .

• Size:  9 m²
• Beds:  2 Twin
• Max occupancy:  2
• Shareable:  Yes
• Private bathroom:  Yes
• Air Conditioning:  Yes

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LOWER DECK DELUXE CABINS

The deluxe cabin are specially furnished for the utmost comfort of our divers. Our cabins sleep a maximum of 2 people and come with individually controlled air-conditioning , ensuite bathrooms with shower, mini bar and music with individual control .

• Size:  8 m²
• Beds:  2 Twin
• Max occupancy:  2
• Shareable:  Yes
• Private bathroom:  Yes
• Air Conditioning:  Yes

MOST RELEVANT INFORMATION

• For this route the boat leaves from Port Ghalib and ends at Port Ghalib
• Attention! The departure/arrival at the marina can change due to the internal logistics of the boat, the bad weather conditions of the previous week or the bad weather forecast.

EMBARKATION AND DEPARTURE

• The nearest airport is Hurghada (HRG) or Port Ghalib (RMF). The best-known and easiest airport to reach is the one in the city of Hurghada.
• The transfer from either of the two airports to the boat and from the boat to the airport on the first and last day is included in the price.
• If you arrive in Hurghada and the boat leaves from Port Ghalib, the transfer by land is included and takes around 3 hours.
• If the boat leaves from Hurghada or Port Ghalib, the transfer from the airport Hurghada or Port Ghalib to the boat is 10 minutes
• Transfers from hotels to the boat are included as well
• Only two transfers are included, one on boarding day and the other on disembarkation day
• Transfers other days that are not specified here are extras, they cost money and it is not guaranteed that the boat can do them since it is not in the program.
• At the airport or at the hotel, a person carrying your liveaboard sign will pick you up (transfers are shared group, there may be a waiting time at the airport, depending on the flights of other passengers, transfer might need to go pick up others clients from hotels)
• The embarkation is the first day indicated on the date the cruise begins, the boarding time is in the afternoon from 6 pm until the early morning of Friday maximum 6 am.
• The boat leaves port in the morning around 8 am to go to the first diving point where a shallow dive to test the diving equipment, surface buoy, adjust each divers' group will take place

ARRIVAL AND DISEMBARKATION

• The boat arrives at port in the afternoon on the penultimate day, this day only 2 dives are done in the morning.
• It is your responsibility to make sure that you are respected 24 hours before flight time after your last dive
• Once the boat arrives at port, you can get off and visit the area if you want to, dinner will be served on the boat, and the night of this day you will sleep on the boat.
• Transfers to the airport will be according to the time of your flights, the maximum time to disembark is at 10:00 am.
• In case of need the boat could give advance notice and of necessity to provide the last night in a 4 * HB hotel, if it was the case, the hotel is paid by the boat and any extra transfer is offered free of charge,

EXTRA INFORMATION

• On the Deep South area is located the Navy base of the naval forces of the Army of Egypt. 
• The dive operator routine is to request permission and receive a response 2 days before the trip. In the case of a ban on navigation in the areas of Zabargad and Rocky, as well as the areas of St Johns and Abu Fendira, the route will be changed to a similar accessible one. Trip compensation and cancellation are not possible.
• Port departure/arrival can be changed due to internal boat logistic, bad weather conditions on previous week or bad weather forecast. In case of changes all transfers are provided to the new marina, cannot be issue of refund or compensations.

TRANSFERS

HURGHADA AIRPORT

• GROUP transfer from Hurghada to Marsa Ghalib are for afternoon arrivals at Hurghada airport the first bus leaves around 14:00 and the last bus 18:00. 
• You may need to wait at the airport as we combine close arrivals in the same bus. 
• EARLIER DEPARTURES from Hurghada can be served only by car 60 Euro per car one way.  
• If pick up from HOTEL. We collect only from Hurghada city, not from El Gouna, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh or Safaga and only from standard hotels, not from residential areas. 
• RETURN GROUP transfer from Marsa Ghalib to Hurghada Airport departs around 08:00-10:00, reaches Hurghada approximately 12:00 to 14:00.                                       

MARSA ALAM AIRPORT           

• We collect all arrivals to Marsa Alam airport (check in time on the boat is only at 17:00), earlier arrivals wait in the Marina. 
• After your trip we arrange only one group transfer from Marina to Marsa Alam airport at 10:00 -11:00 (but we can drop at the hotel inside Marina Marsa Ghalib, Coraya Bay or the airport).

GENERAL INFORMATION

• This itinerary requires 30 logged dives and Open Water certification.
• We require you have a minimum of 20 logged dives for cruises that visit the Wreck of the Thistlegorm and 30 logged dives for cruises that visit the marine parks (Brothers, Zabargad, Daedalus & Rocky).
• To dive with a dive buddy, you must be a PADI Open Water diver or equivalent and be able to complete each dive with your buddy or following your guide.
• On some dives the recommended depth is below 18m therefore advanced or Deep Diver training is advised.
• Many of the dives in the Red Sea are suitable for all levels of divers, however, unpredictable and strong currents are to be expected anytime and anywhere.
• Inexperienced divers may find some dives challenging and may be asked by the Cruise Director to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience
• Number of planned dives depending on the weather conditions and the route are around 18 to 21 dives.
• Currents in some areas of this route can be strong.
• No night dives in Marine parks such BDE

PROGRAM

• DAY 1: Arrival and assistance at the airport. Collecting your luggage. At the indicated time, transfer to the port in Port Ghaleb. Boarding the boat, welcome drink and presentation briefing of the boat and crew (depending on the schedule of flights will be the first day or the next day early morning). Distribution of cabins. Overnight on board. You can take some time this day to prepare your diving equipment. The Cruise Director will tell you if you have to make any payment, remember that the rental equipment, nitrox, other payments are made before the ship leaves port, the payments are cash.
• If you want to buy beers or wine for your trip on the boat you will have to tell the Cruise Director before the departure of the ship, buy and pay it at once, you can store the drinks in your cabin or in the boat's refrigerators.
• DAYS 2nd to 6th  19 - 21 are the nº of dives in this trip -DIVING CRUISE "ST JOHN'S, ROCKY, ZABARGAD": Diving trip with full board and daily diving plan. You will dive the most important dive sites of this route.
• DAY 7TH 2 dives in the morning. Afternoon / night, arrival at port. Dinner and accommodation on board. Free time to enjoy the local atmosphere, shopping and / or optional excursions in the area.
• DAY 8 PORT GHALEB: Disembark in Port Ghaleb. Transfer to the hotel or airports

 Deep South Route - St Johns, Rocky, Zabargad or St Johns, Abu Fendira

• The farthest Red Sea Deep South route is the one with the greatest variety of environments and greatest diversity in the Red Sea. With long navigation distances between the points, it is a route that can be easily adapted to different levels of diving and where we can see unique and exclusive places that only liveaboard ships can get access to.
• South stands out for the reef life, coral formations and a homing point for sharks, we can snorkel with wild dolphins. We will visit the island of Zabargad with its mysterious Russian wreck, its spectacular coral garden and the impressive soft coral walls of Rocky Island where there are great possibilities to find pelagics. In addition, we will visit the submerged Habilis, with its exuberant life and where so many pelagic come to feed, the pinnacle forest of Umm Arouk, the incredible caves of Umm Hararim and the incredible reefs of Claudius, Malahi and Shaab Maksour.
• We will visit the labyrinth of caves of "Shaa Claudia" in Fury Shoal and we will be dazzled by the play of lights that form underwater, a paradise for the underwater photographer and if the conditions allow it we will explore the reef of Habili Ali in search of the Longimanus. Back to port we will dive in the Marsa Alam area and we will go in search of the Dugongs that inhabit the sand meadows.

Diving spots

• Rocky Island, Drop Sogheira, Habili Ali, Umm Hararim, St. Johns, Fury Shoals, Zabargad

The highlight on the dives

• Wrecks, shark is (oceanic white tip, grey reef shark, white tip reef shark, whale sharks), dolphins, turtles, mantas.

INCLUDED

• Full board, including water, tea, coffee, snacks between meals and after dives
• Dive guides
• 7 nights onboard or 6 nights onboard and last night in a hotel on land
• Shared group transfer to the marina (Hurghada, Marsa Alam) from airport or local hotel (Hurghada or Marsa Alam) and back
• Fuel surcharges
• National park fees

NOT INCLUDED

• Harbour fees 25 EUR per person per trip
• Environmental tax: 70 EUR per person per trip
• 15 liter tanks 35 EUR per person
• Nitrox 70 EUR per person
• Tips for the crew (recommended)
• Soft drinks, Beer, Alcohol
• D.E.C.O. International Chamber Support Program 7 EUR per person
• Full set of rental equipment including computer 192 EUR per person per trip
• Full set of rental equipment without computer

NEW NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEE PRICES AND REGULATIONS

• From Wednesday 27th November 2019, as per a recent decree issued by the Ministry of Environment, new National Park entrance fees will be applicable to all diving and snorkeling activities in dive / snorkeling sites located in the following areas:
• Ras Mohammed National Park – € 7.00 per person, per day
• Straits of Tiran – € 7.00 per person, per day
• Blue Hole & Canyon in Dahab – € 13.00 per person, per day
• The additional charges will be added to the guest’s bill and are payable on check-out. They apply to both liveaboards and daily diving. 
• The new fees are for the development and funding of the National Park Authority and to support its recently enhanced efforts aimed at protecting, maintaining, and monitoring the health of the Red Sea, both on land and underwater.

CANCELLATION FEES

What if I need to cancel my reservation?

Your reservation request is free and can be cancelled at any time within the first 72 hours. During this time, you can easily find matching flights and get answers from our booking team for any other questions you may have. Once you have confirmed and paid for your booking, the following cancellation policy will apply:

• 30 % non refundable
• Between 120 days and 90 days before trip = 70 % refundable
• Less than 90 days before trip = no refund

In case of cancellation, the refund will be transferred to your bank account, credit card or PayPal account within 10 business days

BEFORE TRAVELLING

• Make sure you meet the country's requirements corresponding to your nationality
• Make sure your passport is valid at least six months after the date you plan to visit the country
• Diving insurance is mandatory for divers of all ages on all of our trips: bring your certificate as proof
• It is strongly recommended to have travel insurance that is appropriate for the type of diving holidays you are going to do
• Check the electrical standards (such as which plugs are used) in your destination country before travelling and bring the appropriate adaptor if necessary.
• The itinerary and the number of dives are indicative and are subject to weather conditions and conditions: safety is always first
• All divers must provide their diving certification card
• Diving computers are compulsory
• Local rates, fuel surcharges, distance rates, port fees, etc. may change without notice due to changes in government policy, changes in the price of oil, etc. The changes are beyond our control and the increases must be paid if the boat requests them. We will endeavour to inform you of any changes as soon as possible. A change in these rates does not entitle you to cancel the trip.