The Dolce Vita is part of the Seafari International fleet that sails and dives the Red Sea. Explore the best of Tiran, St Johns, the Golden Loop, and other sites to see sharks, mantas and more.
Dive Overview
As one of the seven wonders of the underwater world, the Red Sea offers scuba divers some of the world's most beautiful coral reefs, plentiful marine life, and highly diverse sites to dive.
Both the Northern and Southern Red Sea regions offer excellent diving; the former has amazing wrecks including the world-renowned Thistlegorm, where divers can see some of the world's coral gardens and dive with manta rays and various sharks (including whale sharks). You can also see these corals and sharks in the South, especially around the islands of Big Brother, Little Brother, Elphinstone, and Daedalus.
[See:Red Sea Dive Travel Guide]
Accommodation Overview
The Dolce Vita has 12 cabins in all, 8 on the lower deck and 4 on the upper deck. Ten of the cabins have twin beds, and two have double beds. The twin cabins on the lower deck have portholes, while the twin and and double cabins on the upper deck have windows. All cabins have adjustable air conditioning, private bathrooms and toilets.
Food And Drinks
The MY Dolce Vita offers local and western food. Meals are served buffet-style, with snacks available all day. Dinner is served on the first day, and breakfast is served on the last day of the cruise.
A variety of fresh juices, as well as coffee, tea, and soft drinks, are available and are served with meals. Guests may also order beer and wine (see exclusions).
Dive Information
North - 7 Nights
The northern circuit will delight divers of all levels, especially wreck lovers. Departing from Hurghada, you will head north ti the opening of the Suez Canal between the Gubal and Shadwan Islands. You will continue to the of Sinai and the famous reserve of Ras Mohamed which is among the most beautiful dive sites in the world, with its vertiginous drop-offs leading down to over 800m!
Main Dive Sites- SHA'AB EL ERG - We will do our first dive on the beautiful horseshoe-shaped reef. Dolphins regularly swim on the outside of the reef or in the lagoon. We can observe them either by diving or snorkeling.
- SHAAB ABU NUHAS - More known as Cemetery of ships, this west / east-facing reef is very close to the shipping route that - connects Europe to the East. Indeed, some ships coming out of the Gubal Strait after crossing the Suez Canal came up against this reef fringing the surface.
- On its north face, five wrecks are aligned:
- THE CARNATIC - A 90m long and 1800 barrels steamer came to finish his days on this reef one night of 1869. It rests between 18 and 24m. The cargo was recovered: 32,000 pounds sterling in gold bars. 8 000 are still missing... The hull is covered with hard corals, colorful alcyonarians and sponges. Inside, countless glassfish mingle with beautiful lionfish.
- THE GHIANNIS D - A 100m long cargo ship sunk in 1983. It was traveling between Croatia and Yemen and was transporting wood.
- THE CHRISOULA K - A Greek cargo ship that sunk on October 30, 1981. It carried a transport of tiles from Italy towards Jeddah. Its stern rests on a bottom of -26 m. and is lying on his starboard side.
- THE KIMON M - A cargo ship of 3715 tons poured in December 1978. It was carrying a cargo of 4,500 tons of lentils! Hence its nickname "the wreck with lentils". The holds are home to a multitude of hatchet fish.
- THE ROSALIE MOELLER - 108m. long cargo sunk in 1941, the same week as the Thistlegorm. A magnificent wreck, it is laid straight on a 50m bottom. The descent along the rear mast starts at 17m. The view on the wreck while descending and the trevallies hunt in the clouds of smelts leaves an unforgettable memory. (This wreck is feasible only in light winds).
THISTLEGORM - This English cargo ship dates from October 6, 1941. It was bombed by German aviation while carrying ammunition and war material (trucks, cars, motorcycles, ...). You will see all these remains that are still present in the wreck. It is one of the most famous wrecks in the world.
RAS MOHAMED - Marine park located at the southern tip of Sinai, the ultimate separation between the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez. The water masses of the two straits meet and generate strong currents. Many pelagics evolve on these vertiginous drop-offs (schools of barracudas, snappers ...) We will drift on the extreme southern tip: Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, the most extraordinary sites of the park. We will immerse our- selves on Shark Reef and its steep wall that goes down to -800m! We will follow this vertiginous drop and then go up on the plateau towards Yolanda Reef.
We will have the chance to observe many coral formations covered with alcyonarians and gorgonians. We will cross this beautiful territory inhabited by giant moray eels, napoleons, turtles, groupers, and a huge shoal of batfish, before finishing our dive on the remains of a Cypriot wreck sunk in 1980 which gave its name to the site (the Yolanda). There is only a small part of the debris remaining that slid much lower on the drop. The Yolanda was carrying sanitary equipment! We can see a series of bathtubs and toilets where many fishes found shelter.
2. Best of Tiran (Hurghada-Hurghada) 7 nights
Main Dive Sites
- SHA'AB EL ERG - We will do our first dive on a beautiful horseshoe-shaped reef. Dolphins regularly swim on the outside of the reef or in the lagoon. We can observe them either by diving or snorkeling.
- SHAAB ABU NUHAS - More known as Cemetery of ships, this west / east-facing reef is very close to the shipping route that - connects Europe to the East. Indeed, some ships coming out of the Gubal Strait after crossing the Suez Canal came up against this reef fringing the surface.
- On its north face, five wrecks are aligned:
- THE CARNATIC - A 90m long and 1800 barrels steamer came to finish his days on this reef one night of 1869. It rests between 18 and 24m. The cargo was recovered: 32,000 pounds sterling in gold bars, but 8 000 are still missing. The hull is covered with hard corals, colorful alcyonarians and sponges. Inside, countless glassfish mingle with beautiful lionfish.
- THE GHIANNIS D - A 100m. long cargo ship sunk in 1983. He was traveling between Croatia and Yemen and was transporting wood.
- THE CHRISOULA K - A Greek cargo ship of 100m long that sunk on October 30, 1981. It carried a transport of tiles from Italy towards Jeddah. Its stern rests on a bottom of 26 m and is lying on its starboard side.
- THE KIMON M - A cargo ship of 3715 tons sunk in December 1978. It was carrying a cargo of 4,500 tons of lentils! Hence its nickname "the wreck with lentils". The holds are home to a multitude of hatchet fish.
- THE ROSALIE MOELLER - 108m long cargo sunk in 1941, the same week as the Thistlegorm. A magnificent wreck, it laid straight on a 50m bottom. The descent along the rear mast starts at 17m. The view on the wreck while descending and the trevallies hunt in the clouds of smelts leaves an unforgettable memory. (This wreck is feasible only in light winds).
- THISTLEGORM - This English cargo ship dates from October 6, 1941. It was bombed by the German aviation while carrying ammunition and war material (trucks, cars, motorcycles, etc). You will see all these remains that are still present in the wreck. It is one of the most famous wrecks in the world.
- RAS MOHAMED - Marine park located at the southern tip of Sinai, the ultimate separation between the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez. The water masses of the two straits meet and generate strong currents. Many pelagics evolve on these vertiginous drop-offs (schools of barracudas, snappers ...) We will drift on the extreme southern tip: Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, the most extraordinary sites of the park. We will immerse our- selves on Shark Reef and its steep wall that goes down to -800m! We will follow this vertiginous drop and then go up on the plateau towards Yolanda Reef.
- We will have the chance to observe many coral formations covered with alcyonarians and gorgonians. We will cross this beautiful territory inhabited by giant moray eels, napoleons, turtles, groupers, and a huge shoal of batfish, before finishing our dive on the remains of a Cypriot wreck sunk in 1980 which gave its name to the site (the Yolanda). There is only a small part of the debris remaining that slid much lower on the drop. The Yolanda was carrying sanitary equipment! We can see a series of bathtubs and toilets where many fishes found shelter.
3. The Golden Loop (North/Brothers) - 7 Nights
This innovative circuit will delight lovers of sharks, dolphins, magnificent wrecks, reefs and drop-offs. We will go up to the point of Sinai before descending to the two islands of Brother Island. We will leave in the direction of Safaga to dive on Panora-Reef and Abu Kifan, unmissable sites, before heading north towards Hurghada to complete this magical loop, the Golden Loop.
- The morning after your arrival, we will go to our first coral reef for our first dive. In the late afternoon, we will head north to the Sinai Point and descend to the islands of Brother in the next days. A wild site, more than 6 hours of sailing off the Egyptian coast of El Quseir.
- Main Dive Sites
- SHAAB EL ERG - We will do our first dive on a beautiful horseshoe-shaped reef. Dolphins regularly swim on the outside of the reef or in the lagoon. We can observe them either by diving or snorkeling.
- RAS MOHAMED - Marine park located at the southern tip of Sinai, the ultimate separation between the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez. The water masses of the two straits meet and generate strong currents. Many pelagics evolve on these vertiginous drop-offs (schools of barracudas, snappers ...) We will drift on the extreme southern tip: Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, the most extraordinary sites of the park.
- We will have the chance to observe many coral formations covered with alcyonarians and gorgonians. We will cross this beautiful territory inhabited by giant moray eels, napoleons, turtles, groupers, and a huge shoal of batfish, before finishing our dive on the remains of a Cypriot wreck sunk in 1980 which gave its name to the site (the Yolanda). There is only a small part of the debris remaining that slid much lower on the drop. The Yolanda was carrying sanitary supplies, and we can see a series of bathtubs and toilets where many fishes found shelter.
- THISTLEGORM - This English cargo ship dates from October 6, 1941. It was bombed by the German aviation while carrying ammunition and war material (trucks, cars, motorcycles, etc). You will see all these remains that are still present in one of the most famous wrecks in the world.
- SMALL BROTHERS NORTH PLATEAU - We will go down to 35/40 m, above the northern plateau. This is where you will have the best chance of seeing gray sharks and hammerheads. It is even possible to cross a Manta ray and/or a moonfish (Mola-mola). We will then leave the plateau and the deep zone to reach the western slope, which is full of life with alcyonarians of all colors, magnificent sea fans and an extremely varied fauna: groupers, barracudas ...
- On this island, you have the chance to see an incredible number of shark species: gray reefs, white tips, silky, hammerhead, thresher, and of course, often near the surface, the one we all expect: the oceanic white tip.
- ADA II WRECK (BIG BROTHER) - A wreck of 1,426 tons, sunk in 1957 northwest of Big Brother. The zodiac will drop you along the reef, before the wreck, in the direction of the current. You will descend along the wall down to 30 meters. You will see the wreck of Aida. You will first discover a gaping hole from which hang ropes covered with multicolored alcyonnaires. If you look inside, you will be able to admire clouds of glassfish. You can continue your exploration and, coming by the back of the wreck, you will admire an explosion of colors. The railings covered with multi-colored alcyonnaires transform the wreck into a beautiful garden.
4. St. John's - 7 Nights
A circuit in the south, not far from the border of Sudan. that will allow us to go beyond the Tropic of Cancer. We will leave from Marsa Alam or Hamata. The reefs of St Johns are very varied. The circuit, alternating between drop-offs and dives in the middle space, will delight all divers who are in love with colorful reefs, like photographers passionate about macro. We can meet trevallies, turtles, dolphins, sharks, napoleons, and for those who choose the St Johns / Abu Fendira circuit, big bumphead parrotfish.
Main Dive Sites- HABILI ALI - This magnificent pinnacle is 150 meters long by 50 meters wide. It goes up to one or two meters below the surface. It is oriented east-west. The boat will stop on the southwest or southeast side of the reef. We will be dropped generally on the northern point, to return along the fall, to the side where our boat is, by being carried by the current. From our backswing, we will descend to the 30/40 meter zone to observe the pelagics. We can see evolving in the current jacks, tuna, barracudas and gray reef sharks. Sometimes a hammerhead can hang around. On this northern slope, you will see large black coral bushes. We will then drift away and leave the deep zone. If you return to the west, you will pass by a garden of giant sea fans around 25-30 meters. Remember to look regularly in the blue, because it is common to see dolphins passing by in the morning on this site. Do not hesitate at the end of the dive to look on the plateau as life is abundant there.
- HABILI GAFAR - One of the most beautiful sites in the vast area of St Johns. This reef is just 15 meters wide by 30 meters long. Imagine a steep cone slowly flaring up to the 20-meter zone to form a small plateau before continuing its descent to over 80 meters. Generally, the current is quite strong here. We will descend along the north face of the cone until we reach the area of 30-35 meters. On the descent, we will see the small plateau that materializes at this depth. It is here, on the north face, in the current, that we will have our chances to cross pelagics. It is not uncommon to see gray reef sharks or other species. Then, we will ascend along the reef describing a slow spiral. The wall is extremely rich in alcyonarians of all colors, hard corals, clouds of anthias, snappers, barracudas, tunas, trevallies ...
- ERG OM ARUK - This site is composed of a main reef of 80m and a large number of coral columns forming magnificent light plays in the south-east and north parts. Divers have dubbed this site Halong Bay. You will come across countless shoals of fusiliers, snappers, surgeons. There, towers are flush with the surface and descend on a bottom from 20 to 27m. Gray or oceanic sharks can be seen, as well as a very big Napoleon at the safety stop, under the boat.
5. Rocky, Zabargad, Daedalus, Elphinstone - 7 Nights
Highly known in the diving community, these four diving spots are distinguished by their beauty and the diversity of underwater life that abounds there. A tour that takes you to the tropics of cancer, on the mythical islets of Rocky Island, refuge and nesting place of a wide variety of birds and Zabargad, surrounded by a beautiful lagoon with Polynesian airs that becomes in summer uyn nesting place for sea turtles.
Main Dive Sites
- DAEDALUS NORTH FACE - A dive we will do at dawn. It is on the northern slope of Daedalus, which is the most exposed to the dominant current, that we have the most chances to make beautiful encounters with the pelagics.
- Indeed it is very common here to swim with a school of hammerhead sharks composed of about twenty individuals. Trevallies and tunas are also very often seen.
- ZABARGAD - Zabargad is an island of about 5 km. It is next to Rocky. On the south side where the boat will be moored is a turquoise lagoon with a coral reef reminiscent of a Polynesian lagoon. Diving on the plateaus you will discover abundant wildlife and coral towers covered with multicolored alcyonnaires. It is not uncommon to encounter turtles during the dive.
- ROCKY - 5km south of Zabargad is Rocky Island, close to the Sudanese border. This is without a doubt the wildest site in Egypt. As the dive goes on, the shallow plateau that is home to all kinds of species changes to a drop off covered with giant sea fans, corals and sponges. The south of the island is the pelagic point with white tip sharks, grays, hammerheads, and even manta rays.
- ELPHINSTONES NORTH PLATEAU - We will jump in the water early in the morning. After the rollback entry from the zodiac we will descend along the reef to reach the plateau twenty meters deeper. You will see an impressive life. We will not linger and follow the plateau down to 40 meters.
- There, around the fault and in the current, hammerhead sharks and gray reefs evolve very frequently.We will be able to observe all the richness of this descent with the multicolored alcyonnaires, the sea fans, whips, and do not forget to look regularly in the blue: it is common to see passing the silhouette of a shark. Above your head, you have a great chance to see barracudas.
- At the end of the dive, in the landing zone, take the time to stroll while looking at the top of the reef: a large number of fish are there as refugees among a wide variety of multicolored hard corals.
6. B.D.E. Cruise the Golden Triangle - 7 Nights
This famous circuit tales you to the middle of the Red Sea. The route makes a triangle between 3 islets and reefs: Brothers, Daedalus et Elphinstone. A delight for fans of Sharks, shipwrecks and stunning drop-offs full of dizzying colors, where gorgonians and alcyonarian abound.
- Main Dive Sites
- NUMIDIA WRECK (BIG BROTHER) - A 130 meter long and 6 400 ton wreck which has been on the northern tip of Big Brother since it sank in July 1901. The ship was making her first journey from Glasgow to India with railway material. Today it sits on the skew, almost vertically, between 10 and 80 meters deep. Do not forget to look in the blue so you can see gray sharks or hammerheads.
- From our backswing, we will descend to admire this wreck covered with a large number of multicolored alcyonarians and teeming with life, especially in the hold. In the early morning, do not forget to look in the water to see gray sharks or hammerheads. This is their spot!
- ADA II WRECK (BIG BROTHER) - A wreck of 1426 tons, sunk in 1957 northwest of Big Brother. The zodiac will drop you along the reef, before the wreck, in the direction of the current. You will descend along the wall down to 30 meters. You will see the wreck of Aida. You will first discover a gaping hole from which hang ropes covered with multicolored alcyonnaires. If you look inside, you will be able to admire clouds of glassfish. You can continue your exploration and, coming by the back of the wreck, you will admire an explosion of colors. The railings covered with multi-colored alcyonnaires transform the wreck into a beautiful garden.
- SMALL BROTHERS NORTH PLATEAU - We will go down to 35/40 m, above the northern plateau. This is where you will have the best chance of seeing gray sharks and hammerheads. It is even possible to cross a Manta ray and/or a moonfish (Mola-mola). We will then leave the plateau and the deep zone to reach the western slope, which is full of life with alcyonarians of all colors, magnificent sea fans and an extremely varied fauna: groupers, barracudas ...
- On this island, you have the chance to see an incredible number of shark species: gray reefs, white tips, silky, hammerhead, thresher, and of course, often near the surface, the one we all expect : the oceanic white tip.
- DAEDALUSS NORTH FACE - A dive we will do at dawn. It is on the northern slope of Daedalus, which is the most exposed to the dominant current, that we have the most chances to make beautiful encounters with the pelagics. Indeed it is very common here to evolve with a school of hammerhead sharks composed of about twenty individuals. Trevallies and tunas are also very often seen.
- We will leave the deep zone to explore the falling area which requires great attention as it is varied with many faults and overhangs. We will be able to observe many branches of black corals that colonized the reef. During your ascent, remember to raise the head: you will be able to see the barracudas which also rode around.
- ELPHINSTONES NORTH PLATEAU - We will jump in the water early in the morning. After the rollback entry from the zodiac we will descend along the reef to reach the plateau twenty meters deeper. You will see an impressive life. We will not linger and follow the plateau down to 40 meters.
7. Fury Shoal - 7 Nights
Enjoy the best sites in the area of Marsa Alam and Hamata at your own pace! This cruise offers excellent value for money compared to a stay in a hotel in the region. This circuit is open to open water divers, non-divers and families (from 8 years old). 7 days cruise in the south of Egypt, exploring magnificent dive sites, accessible to all levels. You will discover the richness and the diversity of Egyptian underwater life.
- Main Dive Sites
- ABU GALAWA - Famous site with its Tienstin wreck that goes from the surface to -17m at the stern. A wreck of about thirty meters colonized by so many corals that in some places, it is impossible to discern the end of the wreck and the beginning of the reef.
- SHAAB CLAUDIO - Site with a particular topography with large, magnificent cathedral-shaped caves that offer superb light. In the morning, it is not uncommon to meet small white tip sharks laying on the sand, and most of the time a huge napoleon wrasse hangs around at the safety stop.
- MALAHI - Site consisting of a maze of canyons where a magical atmosphere occurs with a magnificent light. Very often, schools of yellowfin mullet colonize the canyons. It is not uncommon to see a turtle during the dive.
- SATAYAS REEF - Huge reef more than 1.5 kilometers long. In summer, the water exceeds 33 in the lagoon. This site is home to a colony of more than 100 spinner dolphins often divided into several groups. Depending on the time of year, we can observe baby dolphins with their parents. This site also allows us to snorkel with these magnificent marine mammals.
