All safaris depart from Hurghada, Egypt. Some southern routes depart from or end in Port Ghalib or Hamata — this is clearly noted on each route description. Group transfers from Hurghada airport and hotels are included in the price.

M/Y Aphrodite accommodates a maximum of 24 guests across 11 private cabins. Full charters mean the entire vessel is exclusive to one group. Individual bookings on open departures share the boat with other guests — up to the 24-person maximum.

Our crew and dive guides are fluent in English and Arabic. Additional languages may be available depending on the season — contact us to confirm.

Visa requirements vary by nationality. Please check the current entry requirements for your passport before booking. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from Egypt.

All itineraries and dive schedules are examples and subject to weather and sea conditions. Safety always comes first — the captain makes all final decisions on routing and diving. If a planned site is not accessible, we go to the best available alternative. If the Egyptian authorities restrict sea departures, diving sessions will be conducted from shore.

If we need to change the departure or arrival harbour for any reason, we provide transfers for all guests at no additional cost.

We welcome divers of all certified levels — from Open Water to technical divers. The dive guides will brief your group and assign appropriate sites based on experience. Beginners dive shallower, protected sites while advanced divers access the more challenging ones. Non-certified guests can join as snorkelers or take a course on board.

Yes — free Nitrox 32% is included for all certified Nitrox divers on every departure. Our on-board membrane system produces Nitrox continuously. No surcharge, no paperwork beyond your Nitrox certification card. Most comparable boats charge €100–150 per week for this.

Typically 3–4 dives per day including a night dive. On the final day, 2 dives are scheduled to allow time for the return journey. The exact number depends on conditions, travel time between sites, and the group’s preference.

We carry 12L and 15L aluminium tanks, stage tanks (8–10L), twin sets with V weights, and two compressors (L&W 280 L/min + Bauer Mariner 240 L/min). Equipment rental (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins) is available for an additional charge. We recommend bringing your own mask and computer.

Yes — a personal dive computer is mandatory for all scuba diving on board. SMB (surface marker buoy) is also mandatory. Please bring both from home.

Yes — dive insurance is mandatory for all scuba diving guests. We recommend DAN (Divers Alert Network) or equivalent. Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all guests. Please arrange both before departure.

Absolutely. Snorkelers are welcome on all diving departures and will have access to the same sites from the surface. Freediving is also available. If a non-diver wants to try scuba, introductory dives and full certification courses are available on board with our PADI and SSI instructors.

Yes — PADI and SSI courses are available on board at all levels, as well as AIDA freediving courses. Courses can be combined with a safari week or run independently. Contact us to discuss which course fits your schedule and budget.

Kiteboarding safaris are full charter only — the whole boat is reserved for one group. This ensures the water at each spot stays exclusively yours and allows us to optimize the daily schedule entirely around wind and conditions.

A zodiac is on the water at all times whenever your group is riding. If you drift, we come to you. Every kite session runs with active water safety — no waiting on shore, no swimming back.

The captain actively routes the boat to chase the best conditions. On low-wind days, alternative activities are available — snorkeling, diving, island exploration. The itinerary is never fixed and always adapts to what the weather is doing.

Yes — IKO and VDWS certified instructors are available on board. The flat-water lagoons at the northern islands are some of the best learning environments in the world. Beginners can progress through lessons while advanced riders use the same locations for freestyle and distance riding.

Kite equipment rental is available on board for an additional charge. Please confirm availability and sizes when booking — we recommend bringing your own equipment when possible.

Yoga and wellness retreats primarily run as full charters — the retreat leader books the whole boat and runs their own programme. Individual cabin bookings on wellness weeks are released when available. Join our waitlist at /yoga-wellness-retreat to be notified first.

Yes — Aphrodite has three decks available for practice. The sun deck is the primary yoga space for morning sessions (open sky, full sunrise). The shadow deck provides shelter for afternoon sessions. The lower salon can accommodate indoor practice when needed. Yoga mats are provided on board.

No experience is required. Swimming lessons are available on board for non-swimmers. Snorkeling is accessible to anyone who can float. All water activities are fully supervised with zodiac support. The boat accommodates complete beginners alongside experienced water users.

We cannot guarantee wildlife encounters — dolphins are wild animals. What we can tell you is that Sataya (south) and Sha’ab El Erg (north) both have large resident pods that are present year-round. Encounters at both locations are frequent and often extraordinary. We sail the routes specifically to maximize this possibility.

Yes — children are welcome. The boat is safe and the activities are adaptable to all ages. If your group includes children with special needs, please let us know in advance so we can prepare appropriately. Dolphin encounters at the calmer northern spot (Sha’ab El Erg) are particularly suitable for younger guests.

Completely. On a full charter, the retreat leader designs the daily schedule — session times, activities, pace. We handle all logistics: meals, transfers, water activities, and crew support. You lead the retreat; we run the boat.

All meals (full-board buffet), snacks, coffee, tea, water, soft drinks and fresh juices, free Wi-Fi, towels, bathrobes and slippers, all deck and lounge areas, three bars (non-alcoholic), daily housekeeping, zodiac transfers, equipment preparation by crew, special dinner and campfire night, and group transfers from Hurghada airport or hotel. Free Nitrox 32% is included for certified divers. Alcoholic beverages, dive equipment rental, and courses are billed separately.

Yes — vegetarian, lactose-free, gluten-conscious, and other dietary needs are part of the menu as standard. Please inform us of any requirements at the time of booking so the chef can prepare accordingly. We do not treat dietary needs as an afterthought.

Yes — alcohol is available on board and billed separately. Retreat leaders running wellness charters can request an alcohol-free environment for the full week — we accommodate this on full charters.

Yes — free Wi-Fi is available on board. Signal strength varies depending on location — near shore and at populated anchorages, connectivity is good. In remote areas (deep south routes), signal may be limited. The boat is also equipped with satellite phone for safety communication.

All 11 cabins have private en-suite bathrooms (shower, toilet, bidet), air conditioning, comfortable beds, mini bar, bathrobes, slippers, and daily housekeeping. The boat was fully restored in 2025 — cabin quality is boutique hotel standard. See full cabin details at /the-vessel.

Lower deck (A): 6 twin-bed cabins + 1 Master Suite with queen bed and sofas. Middle deck (B): 1 family room (large bed + single bed) + 1 double cabin with sofa. Upper deck (C): 2 sea-view double cabins. All cabins have private bathrooms and individual air conditioning.

Fill in the inquiry form on the relevant safari page or contact us directly via WhatsApp. We’ll respond within 24 hours with availability confirmation and a booking link. A 50% deposit secures your spot.

50% of the total booking amount is due at the time of booking to confirm your reservation. Remaining 50% is due no later than 90 days prior to arrival, and no later than 21 days before arrival at the latest.

More than 120 days before arrival: 20% of the total booking amount is charged as a cancellation fee. Less than 91 days before arrival: 100% of the total booking amount is charged — no refund. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations.

In the event of war, pandemic, border closures, or other extraordinary circumstances officially declared by the Egyptian authorities that prevent the safari from taking place, the deposit will be transferred to the next available safari once the situation has normalized. No deposit is forfeited due to force majeure events.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all guests. Dive insurance is mandatory for all scuba diving participants. Please arrange both before your departure date.

Date changes and modifications are subject to availability and may incur a change fee. Contact us as early as possible — the sooner you reach out, the more options we have to accommodate your request.

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