Blogs
Red Sea Safaris – The Way They All Should Be!
Big Blue might seem like the new kid on the block, but the team behind the highly acclaimed Big Blue liveaboard is far from that. They have been running Red Sea safaris since the late 1980’s and were in fact part of the early pioneers who ventured out to the unknown on vessels that in today’s world, really shouldn’t have left the harbour! It’s that experience and the years of operating the award-winning Roots Red Sea resort which truly set Big Blue apart from the crowd… literally!
What liveaboard diving shouldn’t be but often is!
Diving with crowds. Some boats have 40 divers on board and there can quite often be dozens of boats at a dive site!
Rushing the divers in and out of the water to meet predetermined deadlines.
Following in a procession of inexperienced divers on sites they really aren’t prepared for.
Big Blue’s Unique Selling Point is, quite simply:
SPACE & TIME.
Book Now: info@mybigblue.com / www.mybigblue.com /
Space on Board
We have been operating and running safari boats for over 30 years, all of which was leant on when it came to designing the layout of Big Blue.
When you are spending a week on board a confined space with a group of divers, it’s great to have some areas to relax in peace and quiet away from the social areas. Big Blue has these in abundance.
A large lounge area, spacious sun deck and extensive terrace desk.
A large restaurant with 5 tables with up to 6 chairs per table.
A varied and delicious menu is on offer with special dietary requirements catered for (with advanced warning).
Spacious cabins all have side by side beds and a large walk in wet bathroom.
An ample dive deck for 24 divers, especially when the divers are split into groups.
Did you know Big Blue has two cabins suitable for wheelchairs?
Big Blue welcome all suitably qualified divers!
Book Now: info@mybigblue.com / www.mybigblue.com
Space at the Dive Sites
Our itineraries are fluid rather than a fixed plan. We will take in all the featured dive sites on the safari, however we won’t be sure when until we are sailing. We go where the weather is best, the other boats are fewest and the marine life is awesome.
Dive the best Red Sea dive sites with Big Blue, including:
Rocky Island & Zabargad
The Brothers
Elphinstone the Big Blue Way!
Space & Time Diving
Book Now: info@mybigblue.com / www.mybigblue.com
Dive with your buddy or dive with your group, guided or unguided, it’s up to you!
Why have all 24 divers jump in the water together? We work with groups of 6 with intervals between each group, so whether you’re off the boat or out by zodiacs, its always in a small group! Enjoy the marine life and topology – it’s not an equipment and bubble showroom!
Sometimes, we just can’t avoid other boats on certain sites, but that’s OK – without doubt the majority of these boats will dump their divers in to the same set schedule, so we just wait and enjoy the reef or wreck to ourselves later.
Small and spaced-out groups avoid situations like mass safety stops on the drop line or all divers trying to get in the pickup boats at the same time. Small groups mean safer and more enjoyable diving is had by all!
The Boat
Book Now: info@mybigblue.com / www.mybigblue.com
We are great believers that safaris are about the diving, not the boat. However, clearly there is an optimum standard to maintain in order to ensure the comfort of the guests, and Big Blue delivers: the vessel is purpose built to be very spacious, comfortable and functional for remote diving.
We don’t have an onboard jacuzzi, tv’s in the rooms or other such luxuries, because for us, it’s all about the diving, and we know that’s what it’s all about for you too. We have what you need to have an amazing dive safari with an incredibly attentive crew making it all tick seamlessly.
Your safety is everyone’s priority, whether you are relaxing on board or diving.
Big Blue is fitted with smoke alarms, emergency lighting and a fire alarm system. The lower corridor has a full-size door fire exit at the bow and open stairs to the stern. There are evacuation plans in each room along with life jackets, glass breaker tool and a fire extinguisher.
Where do we go?
Anywhere and everywhere!
We primarily charter Big Blue to groups and discuss with them what they want to do and see. We offer the benefit of 35 years of exploration of the Red Sea by safari and provide ideas as to the best potential itinerary for that group. If the route is viable and safe, we are good to go!
We have our set outlines to provide some pointers, but no two weeks are ever the same!
Itineraries
For full details of Big Blue’s Ultimate Wreck itinerary, click here.
For full details of Big Blue’s Ultimate Brothers itinerary, click here.
For full details of Big Blue’s Pelagic Encounter itinerary, click here.
For full details of Big Blue’s Pelagic Encounter itinerary, click here.
One of our bespoke SOUTHERN EXPLORER trips from last month:
Your home for the week: Big Blue (Watch Video)
Big Blue’s 2024 Schedule
Big Blue’s schedule for 2024 has just been released! Take a look at the schedule and let us know what trip you are interested in, even if it says its full. The boat is often chartered but may have some spaces available which we can release to you, so always ask 😊
View Big Blue’s 2024 Schedule here: www.mybigblue.com/schedule
View Big Blue’s 2024 Rates here: www.mybigblue.com/rates
Book Now: info@mybigblue.com
Steve & Clare Hosted Safaris
In 2024, Big Blue owners Steve & Clare will be hosting 3 safaris on Big Blue. If you are interested in joining, let them know as soon as possible and they will send full details.
21/9/24 – Northern Highlights, the Brothers and Safaga
Completely random itinerary taking in several wrecks including Numidia, Salem Express, & a choice at Abu Nuhas, along with spectacular reefs along the way.
Sails from and returns to Hurghada
Prices from £1085 per person sharing a standard cabin
Excludes the government fees paid onboard, expected to be €175 per person
Book Now: info@mybigblue.com
12/10/24 – North Wrecks (hopefully the fabulous Turkia)
No, we don’t mean the typical armada of dive boats racing around the set route together. Ideally we will be heading up the Gulf of Suez as far as Zafrana; however, that’s very weather dependent so we need the right window to get north. Even if we don’t make it to Zafrana, we will still be diving the wrecks off the beaten track – The Million Hope and Thor Guardian, among others. Ask for full details.
Sails from and returns to Hurghada
Prices from £1,175 per person sharing a standard cabin
*If we don’t make Zafrana and the Turkia there will be a €100 refund on the cost.
Excludes the government fees paid onboard, expected to be €100 per person.
Book Now: info@mybigblue.com
30/11/24 – South Explorer: annual end of season jaunt
As the title says, we go south and just explore. It’s our annual pilgrimage for regular guests and friends. We have our regular favourites that we could dive all day everyday and still want more, and they are interspersed with exploration and trying new sites. This year we didn’t see another boat for four days! It was just like the early pioneering days – absolutely fabulous.
There will be a few spots open as most of the group rebook instantly, so if you want to have an awesome adventure, don’t delay and get in contact asap.
Sails from and returns to Port Ghaleb
Prices from £1,025 per person sharing a standard cabin
Excludes the government fees paid onboard, expected to be €175 per person
Book Now: info@mybigblue.com
What our guests say!
They hadn’t even got off the boat and sent this post and rebooked for 2024!
Book your next Red Sea Liveaboard Adventure with Big Blue Now!
Book Now: info@mybigblue.com / www.mybigblue.com / 00447958329059/00201065540888
Voted No. 3 on the Top 10 Ultimate British Isles Bucket List by The Independent, these dives offer the closest marine mammal encounter available to divers in the UK. Friendly and playful, respectful divers are often rewarded by incredible interaction with the Lundy Seals.
Easy Divers has been running guided dive trips to Lundy for nearly 10 years and offers dive equipment hire if required. Trips depart from the stunning harbour town of Ilfracombe in North Devon and Dolphins are often seen during the boat passage.
In addition to diving, Ilfracombe is a great base from which to hike the South West Coast Path, dip into surfing at the UK’s first World Surf reserve, enjoy other water sports or head to Exmoor National Park.
Easy Divers also runs a diver-friendly guest house, with a discount for diving customers and kit rinsing and drying facilities.
The Seal encounter dive sites are shallow and sheltered and are suitable for divers of all levels, making them a great introduction to British diving.
Exclusive Offer for Scubaverse Subscribers
Use your exclusive Scubaverse discount code scubaverse10% before the end of June and join us for a Seal encounter dive trip to Lundy Island, on any trip date with availability this Summer. Visit https://www.easydiversnorthdevon.co.uk/lundy-dive-trips/seal-encounter-dive-trips/ and enter code scubaverse10% at the on-line check out.
Trips book out well ahead, so book now to avoid disappointment. To save 10% on any 1 night stay at our guest house, please call 07833 020424. We offer free cancellation for divers who book a 1 night stay, if we have to re-schedule due to unsafe weather.
Join us for Britain’s best marine mammal diving experience!
Trips run from end of May to mid-October and are bookable via email at info@easydiversnorthdevon.co.uk, on-line via the Easy Divers website, www.easydiversnorthdevon.co.uk, or call 07833 020424 for more info
Divers Alert Network® (DAN®), the world’s leading dive safety organization, has launched a new program called Continuing Education for Dive Professionals. This free program focuses on risk mitigation and is now available to all dive professionals via DAN E-Learning. DAN expects this program will not only enhance divers’ safety but will also help reduce dive operators’ liability risk.
To encourage participation, DAN is offering discounted premiums on individual professional liability and group professional liability insurance to all DAN members who complete the e-learning, which can be done in about an hour.
Any DAN member who has completed the e-learning will be able to claim a discount of nearly 5% on their annual liability policy. This is in addition to the 5% discount that DAN members already receive. If you are on a group professional liability policy, your completion of the e-learning may count toward a discount on the group professional liability premium.
This year we partnered with Tec Clark to create the content of the program. In the future, we will combine Tec’s material with new material created by DAN.
Click here to learn more and access the e-learning.
To qualify for the discount, the e-learning must be completed before you renew your professional liability insurance policy. Refunds will not be given.
We hope you find this program educational and worthwhile. If you have any questions, or need assistance, please contact DAN at liabilityinsuance@dan.org.
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