EMPEROR ASMAA

This tour has been designed as a live-aboard to give us the best possible access to the swimming spots in the Red Sea. Your home for the week will be the Marine Yacht Emperor Asmaa. This vessel will be our ‘hotel’ for the week, and in addition we will be accompanied by a wet boat and a safety RIB. Emperor Asmaa is a 30m custom built liveaboard. All rooms are equipped with en suite bathrooms, mini bars and towels. Upper deck cabins have large windows with views over the ocean. Decorated in contemporary style, the boat has an air conditioned salon and bar area, and a sundeck with loungers for sun bathing, kicking back or sunrise yoga.

LOWER DECK TWIN

Lower deck twin cabins measure between approx. 7 to 9sqm with port holes, two single beds and individually controlled air con. Ensuite bathroom with shower and 2 cabin towels per guest. Hairdryers available, on request.

UPPER DECK TWIN

Upper deck twin cabins are approx. 9sqm with large windows, two single beds and individually controlled air con. Ensuite bathroom with shower and 2 cabin towels per guest. Hairdryers available, on request.

PRICES

January 2024 Trip Prices

• Lower Deck Twin Share (£1990)
• Lower Deck Sole Use (£2440)
• Upper Deck Twin Share (£2090)
• Upper Deck Sole Use (£2540)

May 2024 Trip Prices

• Lower Deck Twin Share (£2420)
• Lower Deck Sole Use (£2870)
• Upper Deck Twin Share (£2520)
• Upper Deck Sole Use (£2970)

ITINERARY

 N.B. There are two planned swims per day based on how you progress during the week. Please realise that what we have detailed below is only a rough guide to the week and that we will adapt the week carefully for each individual and the weather conditions. All swim activities are planned with safety as the paramount concern. Open water swimming is always governed by tides and weather; so planned swims may need to be changed, depending on the conditions at the time. Swim guides will advise you each day on what is best for you, but in all cases guides will encourage you to achieve your personal goals in safe conditions.  

day 1 (trip starts at 6pm)

On landing in Hurghada, you will be transferred to Hurghada jetty where Emperor Asmaa will be waiting for you to board.  A transfer from the airport to the boat will run at 18:00 on the first day, and is free of charge. Once everyone is on board and settled in, we will assemble in the ship’s lounge for the safety briefing.

day 2

In the early hours, the ship’s anchor will be lifted and we will cruise towards our first swim spot whilst you enjoy the view and have breakfast. After breakfast, a beautifully shallow circumnavigation of Jazirat Umm Ajawish al Kubra Island (approx. 1km – 1.5km).  Whilst you kick back and enjoy lunch, the boat will venture further north towards ‘Paradise Island’ where we will swim along the east coastline (approx. 2km) finishing at Mahmya Bay.

DAY 3

In the morning, we will travel to the famous horseshoe shaped reef of Shaab El Erg - a beautiful hard coral garden. If we keep our fingers and toes crossed - we may even be lucky enough to  spot some dolphins. We will base ourselves here for the day with the opportunity to snorkel / explore in the afternoon before returning to the boat.

DAY 4

In the morning we have the opportunity to swim around the beautiful Siyul Saghira reef before we travel north to Jazirat Jubal or Jubal Saghira (where our boat will moor) for our second, slightly longer swim.

DAY 5

We will travel across the  Gulf of Suez to Shaab Mahmoud – where we will swim along an extensive reef. If visibility is good, keep an eye out for the SS Dunraven. In the afternoon, after a relaxing lunch on board - we will complete a beautiful swim around one of the area's stunning reefs.

day 6

After breakfast we will head towards Ras Mohamed, one of the best kept National Parks in Egypt - and one of the most famous diving sites in the world. Our first swim of the day will be a 2-3km swim, and after lunch there will be an opportunity for a relaxed ‘snorkel swim’ or PADI Discover Scuba Diving (small extra charge) with an instructor in Marsa Baraieka. We will move south to the Safaga area overnight.

day 7 

In the morning,  we have the opportunity to swim around one of the most beautiful reefs in the area before we travel north to Abu Hashesh (in the Sahl Hashesh area) - a small islet, where we will complete our second swim of the day, a circumnavigation. Once back on Asmaa, we will begin to head north again for our final dinner and night onboard.

DAY 8 (check out 9am)

One final breakfast on board before saying goodbye to the crew, and a short boat ride back to the port for your transfer back to the airport.

Please note, check out is at 9am on the final day to allow the boat staff to turn the boat over ready for the next week. There will be a group transfer back to Hurghada airport at 9.30am. 

getting there

Guest are advised to fly to Hurghada airport. You may wish to check flight prices and timings via www.skyscanner.net before booking.

TRIP START TIME - 6PM

meet a represENtative

Guests arriving on check-in day will be met by a representative, who will then transfer you to the port where Asmaa will be waiting.

transfers to your liveaboard

A transfer from the airport to the boat will be at 18:00 on the first day, and is included in your trip price - this takes approximately 20 minutes by car.  If you need a transfer after this time, this is possible and is paid locally.  The cost of this depends on the number of passengers, but as an idea, a transfer for 1 or 2 people will cost 12 Euros.  If there are more passengers, a larger vehicle will be required and so the price will change slightly.

Please note that should separate flights arrive within a short time of each other, you may be requested to wait until all the guests have arrived before departure. This prevents unnecessary journeys to and from the airport.  If you are already in Egypt you should contact us for transfer details.

The boat moors near Hurghada and departs early on the morning following the check-in day.

check out

Check out is at 9am on the last day of the cruise, with a transfer back to the airport for the whole group at 9:30am.  For guests continuing their holiday in the Red Sea at a resort, hotel or another liveaboard, your on-going transfers need to be arranged by you from the airport. We will not be able to arrange direct transfers from the liveaboard to resorts.

READY TO BOOK?

We’re excited about meeting you on tour. To book your swimming holiday, simply fill in the booking form below. Once you have submitted the form, Charlotte (our bookings co-ordinator) will be in touch to request payment and to help you with any additional requirements. A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place, and the final payment is due 10 weeks prior to departure.

PAYMENT

Payments can be made by debit / credit card, or by bank transfer.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In booking with us, you accept our terms and conditions, which can be found here.

FURTHER QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP BOOKING?

If at any point you have any questions, feel free to contact us

• Charlie Beere | +44 7563 389238 | charlotte@swimquest.uk.com
• Alice Todd | +44 7825 301443 | alice@swimquest.uk.com

TRAVEL INSURANCE

As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities. Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim. Please note, if you are a UK resident and eligible for free health cover via the NHS, you do not need to take our a travel insurance policy for our UK based trips. You may still wish to take out insurance to cover you for events such as trip cancellation, luggage and personal liability.

WORLD NOMADS TRAVEL INSURANCE

World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travellers for travellers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.   World Nomads do not offer cover over 65s, however if you are over 65 and looking for insurance, you may wish to browse some of the below price comparison sites. Please note - we are unable to advise on the suitability of any particular insurance policy.

UNITED KINGDOM

• Insureandgo price comparison site for over 65s insurance
• Comparethemarket price comparison site for over 65s insurance

If you are travelling from the US or another country, we suggest you use a travel insurance comparison site based in your own country in order to decide on a suitable policy.