CCR Mini Safaris, A la carte.

[Simon TW]

I posted a thread just before Christmas asking if anyone would be interested in CCR mini safaris. I've been trying to sort out a boat and I think we're on a winner. The term "safari" is used to describe "livaboard" (only the Brits use "livaboard") so don't expect to see lions and rhino.

The boat is at present undergoing a refit and when it's complete it will have all cabins en suite.

The idea is that the boat will have no fixed route other than an outline. I suggested in the other thread that we could just tie on the Rosalie Muller, give out meal times and then you can dive as you please. If you've had enough we can then move to another site and the same rules apply.

It's good for getting hours up and if you plan it right you can get as much diving in in a few days as you would on a normal boat in a week.

I've also sorted a hotel with a really nice house reef and different levels eventually reaching 95 metres. There is a nice wreck dating back to the 1600s and you can see lots of intact amphorae. The diving is unlimited so great for getting the hours in and doing courses.

If you're looking for training this is ideal as you can do the course and get the hours in. Courses are available up to MOD3 instructor trainer/Trimix instructor trainer.

Shore based is running from 10 January and I have various dates when I can get the boat for the safaris.

Shore based should be around 50 euro per day half board sharing a room.
and Safari is 85 euro per person per day sharing a cabin.

The dates I've been given that the boat is available are below however a minimum of 8 divers are required.

25 March - 17 April
1 June - 20 June
13 July - 23 July

I haven't put specific dates if you're interested then please be as flexible as possible and just let me know the dates that you would be able to make it.

If we can get all YD groups that's great but if we can't get 8 from here for certain dates then we will put it open.

You'll need to sort your own flights and they have come down in price. The Airport to arrive at is Hurghada, Easyjet even fly there.

[steveharriss]

Simon can you just confirm what the money buys you. Is it lime, gas, and meals or are there some extras to pay for? I appreciate that training would be extra.

[Simon TW]

Originally Posted by steveharriss

Simon can you just confirm what the money buys you. Is it lime, gas, and meals or are there some extras to pay for? I appreciate that training would be extra.

I think the hotel is half board I'm trying to get a better deal out of them but I'm better doing it face to face in a couple of days, it's priced in euros though which is difficult to say what the Sterling price will be but I'm hoping to get discounts based on numbers.

The Boat is full board.

Air is free Lime and gas are at cost, the cost of lime is 150 euro per 20k tub (i'm hoping this will get cheaper now because of the weakness of Sterling but the company who supplies it have stock) O2 doesn't cost much and Helium is between 2 pence and 5 pence a litre, it depends on how much I buy. If there's a few who want it a J cost is about 2 pence if I want a 3 litre with mix in it's 5 pence a litre. Personally I normally pay about 3 pence and fill a 15 with 200 bar.

I hope that answers your questions Steve if you think of anything else let me know.

If you work out (all in euro)

255 for the boat for 3 days full board and diving
200 for the hotel for 4 days half board and including diving
250 ish for a flight

Then you're on a very cheap week for a shit load of diving if you dive CCR then you have to expect the additional costs that you would pay these should be
150 for lime
20 should do the O2 easy (Helium is whatever you want)

[SoggyFox]

Simon - what are the airlines flying into that part of the world like for carrying CCR's, whats the likely costs for the extra heavy box. Went last year with BA (i think, or their carrier at the time) and had to fight for the extra and heard in places the others flying out where begining to charge large amounts for the excess baggage?

[Dr T]

It is getting harder and harder to take the units anywhere.

Aim for 30kgs baggage and take the unit in the plastic AP box with some trunks and sunnies.

What more you need

[Dr T]

well it is looking pretty good.

Easyjet from london to hurghada 1st to 8th June

£200.70

and that includes their sports bag allowance which allows you to take the entire unit upto 32kg as well as your hold baggage of 20kgs

this might be a go-er

ash

[Simon TW]

Originally Posted by Dr T

well it is looking pretty good.

Easyjet from london to hurghada 1st to 8th June

£200.70

and that includes their sports bag allowance which allows you to take the entire unit upto 32kg as well as your hold baggage of 20kgs

this might be a go-er

ash

Cheers Ash I was just about to post that. It Depend son when you fly but £200 ish should see it. £16 is an extra 20k of sporting luggage and hand luggage is unlimited so long as it fits into the Hand luggage frame that they use for measuring. It's on the easyjet website.

[Simon TW]

Originally Posted by SoggyFox

Simon - what are the airlines flying into that part of the world like for carrying CCR's, whats the likely costs for the extra heavy box. Went last year with BA (i think, or their carrier at the time) and had to fight for the extra and heard in places the others flying out where begining to charge large amounts for the excess baggage?

I've sent you a PM but it depends where you're flying from. I'm backwars and forwards with units all the time and that's with a standard 15k allowance.

Easy Jet seem to be best at present 16 quid for 20 k of div kit on top of your standard hold baggage and as much as you can carry in the cabin.

[safagamarc]

PM sent as you'll be in my neck of the woods