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Dive Review of Pegasus in
Red Sea/Sudan

Pegasus, Nov, 2004,

by Kent Backman, wa, USA . Report 1474.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 2 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Currently due to the political situation in the Middle East, the Red Sea of Sudan probably has fewer American divers than any tropical dive destination on the planet. During our entire trip and even after meeting up with other boats, we did not see or hear of any other Americans.

The liveaboard Pegasus was owned by Emperor Divers, a UK-based Red Sea diving operation who has all but one of their boats in the Red Sea of Egypt. The M/Y Pegasus was a very organized, professional operation. The few other European-owned liveaboard operations in Sudan did not seem so well polished. These guys have apparently refined their operation with the competition in Egypt. In fact, the Dutch and German divemaster couple was "rotating" this season in Sudan from their normal positions in Hurghada, Egypt. So about the diving. Very good. There were several reefs on several days where we encountered schools of 20-50 hammerhead sharks. Most dives had one or more grey reef sharks. This operation was against shark feeding, but it was implied that others may not be. Nonetheless, a unique shark lure of a half-filled bottle of water taken down and shaken by the Dutch divemaster ensured that we would have close grey shark encounters. Great for photographers. Most dives were along steep walls, with very healthy coral, large schools of jacks and reef fish, and excellent wrecks. Visibility near the surface during our week trip was only mediocre due to the prevailing wind, but once below 20 meters, it was very nearly unlimited. It was reported that best time for sharks is fall through spring. Nitrox and rather large 15-liter (95 cubic feet) steel cylinders allowed us to exceed 75 minutes on many of my dives. Generally, the stronger the current, the more sharks. Highly recommend reel and large safety sausage, even though the tender operators were very good, and extra computer batteries as there are no sources to obtain batteries in Port Sudan. The dive facility and boat in Sudan do not have computers for rent. Sudan is a very poor country and I do not think it was a coincidence that as an American I was targeted for theft of my video system. The Red Sea is tremendously popular with Europeans, and Sudan is a great way to escape the crowds of the more northern Red Sea areas. Make sure you are adequately insured for any camera equipment you bring. Heard a discussion that this will be the last liveaboard season for Emperor Divers in Sudan, though they say they may maintain their shore-based boat. Apparently this day-boat operation (and the Hilton Port Sudan) is immensely popular with visiting Chinese businessmen.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Hawaii, Midway Atoll, Caymans, Palau, Bahamas, Montserrat, Barbados, Sea of Cortez, Costa Rica, Oman, Arabian Gulf, Puget Sound, California, Oregon, Alaska
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm
Water Temp 29-30°C / 84-86°F Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 10-30 M / 33-98 Ft

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Divemasters were adamant about keeping no decompression profiles, but strict depth limit for us experienced divers was not so critical.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments Have the minimal rinse bucket for cameras, but no power strips or work desks for equipment set up. My entire video housing and light setup in its Pelican case was stolen after it was checked in as luggage for my return flight to Cairo from Port Sudan. I suspect it never left Port Sudan, though would not rule out being stolen by Cairo airport employees either. Several weeks later I have not received any compensation from Sudan Airways. My credit card company is still attempting to get information Sudan Airways.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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