Dive Review of
Pegasus in
Red Sea/Sudan

Hawaii, Midway Atoll, Caymans, Palau, Bahamas, Montserrat, Barbados, Sea of
Cortez, Costa Rica, Oman, Arabian Gulf, Puget Sound, California, Oregon,
Alaska

Dive Conditions

Divemasters were adamant about keeping no decompression profiles, but
strict depth limit for us experienced divers was not so critical.  

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.  

Overall Rating

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.
 

Questions?
Send an email to the author of this report

What others have to say about Undercurrent
And get immediate access to ALL 32 dive reviews of Red Sea
and all other dive destinations immediately!