HEPCA is a recipient of the prestigious Shark Project award for its efforts to combat shark finning activitiesin the Red Sea and eventually banning shark fishing completely in Egypt. HEPCA’s patrolling team regularlychecks for illegal shark fishing activity in coordination with authorities and pursues legal avenues in cases of infringement. With already some basic research conducted on shark activity, presence and abundance in the Red Sea by HEPCA, this trip is a continuation of HEPCA’s efforts in shark conservation and supports the conservation efforts HEPCA is constantly exerting to protect the Red Sea Sharks and the environment as a whole.
Egypt's offshore islands were declared natural protectorates in 1983, which granted them marine park status. Amongst these islands are the now legendary Brother Islands, or El Akhawein as they are called in Egyptian. A popular Red Sea liveaboard dive destination, the Brothers are a pair of tiny islands situated about 5 minutes from each other. They are located 200 km south of Ras Mohammed and are basically steep-sided cones, likely formed by volcanic eruptions. They are barely visible and easy to miss, save for the Victorian stone lighthouse, a legacy of British rule, which towers some 32 metres above Big Brother Island. One of the most amazing scuba dives, not only in the Southern section but the whole of the Red Sea, the Brothers Islands are quite isolated and thus a delicacy to be savoured by the privileged few.
This long finger like reef runs from north to south in the open Red Sea. Steep walls drop to the depths on the reef’s east and west sides, while the north and south ends of the reefs are marked by submerged plateau. Sharks often swim by the spot to feed on the abundant reef fish population.
Daedalus Reef (also known as Abu Kizan) is a 400-meter-long and 100-meter-wide (1,310–330 ft) standalone reef in the Egyptian Red Sea situated about 90 kilometers from Marsa Alam.[2][3] There is a small artificial island in the center of the reef, which hosts a lighthouse constructed in 1863 and rebuilt in 1931.[4] Daedalus reef is a well-known place for diving because of good chances to see pelagic fish, such as hammerhead sharks, and an abundance of corals. In the high season one can find many dive safari boats staying overnight, anchored to the reef.
Abu Dabbab is one of the most famous dive sites in the Red Sea and of all of Egypt. It is one of the few places in the world where you can dive with the very rare and endangered Dugong aka the Sea Cow. In fact, there are two resident Dugongs in the Abu Dabbab bay named Dennis and Dougal. This dive site also features friendly giant Green Sea Turtles that you can swim with up close and personal. In the shallow water, it is not rare to spot the bizarre looking but completely harmless Guitar Shark. In addition to the big stuff, there are also superb macro subjects such as the ornate Ghost Pipefish, the rare thorny seahorse and the delicate Hairy Pygmy Pipehorse!
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