Silky is a deluxe standard professional dive yacht run by Dune Fleet, offering scuba trips all around the Red Sea : Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti. It can accommodate 26 guests.

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Lucie

15/08/2024

Magnifique croisière apnée! Encadrement à l'écoute, très professionnel. Je recommande!!!!

Description

Boat

Silky is a 44 meters long and 9.5 meters wide liveaboard with a steel hull built in 2020. It is a modern and spacious boat, equipped with the best materials to guarantee you optimal comfort.

The lower deck constitutes the dining room, in a warm design. The first 9 cabins are located on the main deck, they all have a sea view!

The upper deck has 4 cabins, a bar and a shaded outdoor relaxation area, as well as a large indoor lounge equipped with a flat screen TV. You can enjoy a WIFI connection on board.

The whole crew will be at your disposal. Passionate and professional, the members of Dune Red Sea will make you discover the magnificent seabed and guide you during your dives to make you live an unforgettable experience.

After your day diving in the most famous sites in Egypt, you can bask in the relaxation area of the boat and debrief between divers on your discoveries and the marvelous sites you have just explored...

Cabin

Silky has 13 guest cabins, and it can welcome up to 26 guests per trip.

All cabins have ensuite bathroom, individual AC, mini bar, storage area, 220V power supply facilities.

2 Seaview Cabins (#14, 15) :
Located on the upper deck, each cabin comes with a double bed, largest cabin type onboard, lots of sea view windows, direct access to shared outdoor sun lounge.

2 Balcony Cabins (#11, 12):
Located on the upper deck, each cabin comes with two large single beds side by side, sea view windows.

9 Standard Cabins (#2 - 10):
Located on the main deck, each cabin comes with two large single beds side by side, sea view window.

Diving

Usually offer 3 dives per day, about 16 dives per week
No night dives are allowed in the Egyptian Marine Parks
Only 1 - 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.
No dives on the day of embarkation and disembarkation.
All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
Divers should be AOW with at least 30 logged dives

Other Information

Nitrox：Complimentary for Nitrox divers
15L Tanks：Available with additional cost
Dive Equipment Rental：Available with additional cost
Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
Wi-Fi Internet ：Complimentary for all guests
Laundry Service：Not available at the moment
Massage Service：Not available at the moment
Payment on board：By cash (Euro/USD) ONLY
Crew Number：13, include 2 dive guides

Itineraries

Egypt

Egypt offers scuba divers the chance to explore the rich underwater history of the Red Sea. The region is home to countless shipwrecks, some dating back centuries, providing a unique blend of maritime archaeology and natural beauty.

Egypt’s Red Sea is a thriving ecosystem where you can swim alongside majestic manta rays and encounter a kaleidoscope of marine species. The vibrant coral gardens and bustling reefs are a testament to its marine biodiversity.

Egypt’s underwater world is filled with intriguing dive sites, including the famous Elphinstone, Daedalus , and the Brothers Islands. These sites offer thrilling depths and encounters with pelagic creatures, adding an element of mystery to your dives.

EGYPT Routes

St John's Reefs : Gota Sharm, Saint John's Reef, Fury Shoals, Sheleneyat

North Tiran : Abu Nuhas, Yolanda Reef, Thomas Reef, SS Thistlegorm, Gifturn Island, Safaga

Best of Egypt : Hurghada, Tiran, Ras Abou Gallum, Dahab, Ras Mohamed, SS Thistlegorm, Gubal, Abu Nuhas, Brothers, Daedalus, Rocky/Zabargad, St. John's, Fury Shoals, Sheleneyat, Elphinstone Reef

Golden Triangle : Brothers Islands, Daedalus, Elphinstone

Northern Reefs and Ras Muhammad : Abu Nuhas, Sinai, SS Thistlegorm, Shaab Mahmud, Ras Muhammad, Hurghada/Safaga

Djibouti

Djibouti offers scuba divers the opportunity to immerse themselves in one of the world’s most diverse and captivating marine environments, making it a hidden gem for underwater enthusiasts.

Glide alongside majestic Manta rays as they gracefully navigate Djibouti’s pristine waters. These gentle giants provide an unforgettable spectacle for divers to cherish.

Dive into vibrant coral gardens that burst with life beneath the surface. Djibouti’s thriving reefs showcase a symphony of colors and host a rich variety of marine species.

Sudan

Sudan offers scuba divers the opportunity to immerse themselves in one of the planet’s most diverse and enchanting marine environments, making it a true diver’s paradise.

Encounter the majestic Manta rays as they glide gracefully through Sudan’s pristine waters. These gentle giants provide an awe-inspiring spectacle for divers to cherish.

Dive into vibrant coral gardens that burst with life beneath the surface. Sudan’s thriving reefs showcase a symphony of colors and house a rich variety of marine species.

North : Pelagic Encounters
Dive sites : Sha'ab Swedi, Merlo's reef, Angarosh, Albington, Merlo's reef, Sha'ab Rumi, Quita El Banna, the vestiges of Cousteau's Pre-Continent 2 expeditions, Sha'ab Rumi's southern reef-flat, Sanganeb Marine Park, Windgate Reef, the famous shipwreck of the Umbria.

South : Suakin A Taste of Adventure Encounters
Dive sites : Sha'ab Ambar East, Sha'ab Ambar South, Kerry's reef, Nahalat or Logan, Sha'ab Ambar south, Sha'ab Rumi, Quita El Banna, the vestiges of Cousteau's Pre-Continent 2 expedition, Sha'ab Rumi's southern reef-flat, Sanganeb Marine Park, Windgate Reef, the famous shipwreck of the Umbria.

Big South
Day 1 : Arrive Port Sudan's International Airport
Day 2 : Windgate Reef to Protector
Day 3 : Dahrat Abid & Dahrat Qab
Day 4 : Dahrat Abid & Dahrat Qab
Day 5 : Suakin to Sha'ab Ambar
Day 6 : Kerry's Reef & Sha'ab Ambar
Day 7 : Jumma's Reef
Day 8 : Sha'ab Rumi's
Day 9 : Sha'ab Rumi's to Sanganeb Marina Park
Day 10 : Umbria
Day 11 : Disembarkation

Schedules & routes

Silky
7 nights

From

Included

Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
VAT and local taxes
Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
Soft drinks
Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
Dive guide service
Larger tank (15 L)
Nitrox fills
Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
Boat accident insurance
Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
Cabin cleaning service
Wi-Fi
Crew gratuity

Not included

Domestic flights in destination country
Marine park fees & Port fees
Fuel surcharge
Alcoholic beverage
Dive equipment rentals
Dive courses on board
Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)

Useful information

Egypt

Best time for diving
March to May & September to October, however, Egypt can be good for scuba diving any time of the year. The whale shark season occurs from the end of May until the end of July. The plankton blooms bring manta rays in to feed from May to August. From May to July, there is a higher chance to spot schooling of hammerheads in Daedalus, then the hammerheads move to Jackson Reef from July to September. And the turtle nesting season also happens from late May to early July. The Thresher Shark can be best spotted in winter. Grey reef sharks, dolphins, and dugongs can be spotted year-round.

About temperatures
Air : winter months are between 18°C - 25°C, summer months are between 32°C - 40°C.
Sea : winter months are between 20°C - 24°C, summer months are between 27°C - 30°C.

Wetsuit Recommendation
In the winter months, a 5 - 7 mm full wetsuit is recommended. In summer months a rash vest or 3 mm shorty wetsuit is recommended.

Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels depending on which route you are heading to. We do recommend a minimum of 30 logged dives with AOW or equivalent level to enjoy the dives in Egypt.
You can find out more information about diving in Egypt here : Egypt.

Embarkation / Disembarkation
Depending on which route you are heading to, the embarkation and disembarkation can be from Hurghada (HRG), Marsa Alam (RMF), or Sharm El Sheikh (SSH).

Visa Requirements
Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Egypt’s international airports. If you opt for a visa on arrival, you’ll need a passport that’s valid for at least six months from your arrival date, a travel itinerary, and documentation to prove accommodation or any booked tours.

Vaccinations
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if traveling from a country with a risk of YF virus transmission and ≥9 months of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with a risk of YF virus transmission. This includes Eritrea, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, and Zambia.1 In the absence of a vaccination certificate, the person will be detained in quarantine for up to 6 days after departure from an area at risk of YF virus transmission. An overview of the countries to which this applies can be downloaded here: Yellow Fever Risk Countries.

Money Matters
The local currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP), and ATMs are common, especially in the main tourist areas. Major hotels will usually accept payment by credit card. However, smaller hotels may expect cash and hard currency payments (USD/EUR).

Drones
To bring a drone to Egypt and fly it, you need to receive permission from the country’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). If you do not have documentation of authorization, your drone will be confiscated at customs. However, getting permission to fly a drone from the CAA is difficult. Should you somehow manage to get your drone in, the onboarding screening will detect your drone and one of two things will happen: 1. your drone will be confiscated at the point of arrival and stored at the airport. 2. the drone will be detected and confiscated when you are leaving the country and you’ll be sanctioned for bringing an illegal commodity to Egypt. - So don't risk it, and leave your drone at home if you’re planning to travel to Egypt.

Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such a service.