My first liveaboard. Red Sea. What to expect?

[String]

I've accidentally seem to have signed up to go on my first liveaboard on October this year (i was tired and confused).
I've never been to the red sea before nor on a liveaboard so can anyone tell me what to expect, in particular what sort and type of diving to expect?

Im on the MV Valerie and doing the Brothers itinerary.

Am i looking at shallow reef, wreck, sand or what?

[steveharriss]

Bloody hell.....shallow reefs! Most certainly not! The Brothers are two islands in the middle of nowhere that come straight up out of the depths. They're renowned for the wall diving and massive drop offs. The islands are close to each other but AFAIK only Big Brother has wreck diving. My log books show Aida and Numidia. Numidia was really impressive as it appears to cling to an almost vertical slope and you can pick a depth and explore.

You'll love it.

[Whale Shark]

Beware of the current...can be very strong at Shark's point. Some British divers were swept out into open sea a few years back. Fortunately, they stayed as a group and were rescued many hours later.

[Noel Johnson]

Confirmed.

The Brothers is one of my favourite places to dive. We are talking deep as you want, As per Steve Harris' post only 2 wrecks on big brother but lots and lots of life. Big stuff too like Hammerheads etc.

There are a couple of good DVD's too. There's to dive for, the red sea and Red Sea wreck heaven. Both are available on John McIntyre - under water Television and DVD and video filming. If you get the Wreck Heaven DVD you'll have the added bonus of seeing Team Bunny on the AIDA. We're the first 2 divers you see on the Aida with the pony bottles.

Are you doing Elphinstone on the same itinerary? If so that's more reef based deep (ish) stuff.

You'll love it, I'm actually quite jealous.

HTH

Noel.

[Noel Johnson]

Originally Posted by Whale Shark

Beware of the current...can be very strong at Shark's point. Some British divers were swept out into open sea a few years back. Fortunately, they stayed as a group and were rescued many hours later.

That happened to Dawn and I the year before that happened. This was before the SMB is mandatory rules came into force. Thankfully we were the only buddy pair on the boat with DSMBs. When we were taken from the reef we kept depth and launched one of the blobs. The Zodiac driver saw the blob go and followed us. After surfacing all I could see was a container ship, then Mohammed saying to get on board, we did and were taken back for a nice breakfast.

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by String

Im on the MV Valerie and doing the Brothers itinerary.

Am i looking at shallow reef, wreck, sand or what?

Blimey that really was an accident then

Maybe some research would have been in order - is it just the Brothers ? if so I would be a bit bored and an itinerary which included Daedalus and Elphinstone would have been better

[Sleepy]

Originally Posted by Noel Johnson

That happened to Dawn and I the year before that happened. This was before the SMB is mandatory rules came into force. Thankfully we were the only buddy pair on the boat with DSMBs. When we were taken from the reef we kept depth and launched one of the blobs. The Zodiac driver saw the blob go and followed us. After surfacing all I could see was a container ship, then Mohammed saying to get on board, we did and were taken back for a nice breakfast.

At least you know how to use a DSMB (alot don't !)
I love liveaboards, wake up, have a dive ,get breakfast, have another dive etc.
No lugging around gear or swapping over tanks all the time, just take off your first stage after each dive, the crew fill your tank while you off gas, reconnect first stage and you're ready to go.
Remember to take a few spares (O rings, cable ties, reg clips etc) as you won't be coming back to port untill the last day. Don't take too many clothes though, you will spend most of the week in swim shorts, and a T shirt and longer trousers for the evenings. You don't wear shoes on board either.
The brothers is fantastic, wish I was going with you !
Have a great trip
Sleepy

[Ding Dang Doo]

You are looking a world class diving off th Brothers.

Plenty of massive drop offs, currents sometimes, amazing fauna, fish life, as already ready stated a couple of great wrecks ( I seem to remember the Numidia starts at 27m then goes down to over 80m!)

You'll probably do a check dive before reaching the Brothers, this will just be a taster of what's to come!

You'll love it!

Pete

[Scubee]

I did the Brothers, Elphinstone and Daedalus last year.

Depths were more or less what you wanted, depending on your nitrox (which was free).

Depending on the current, you could either do your dive hugging the reef, or out towards the blue (looking for the big stuff).

the day goes somethign like this:

6.30 (latest) woken up, time for drink/snack like cake or biscuit
7.30 go diving

Breakfast happens when all divers are back and have had time to sort themselves out

10.30 /11 ish - more diving

Lunch happens when everyone is back

3.30 ish - another dive

(Beer O'Clock occurs anytime from now)
Post Dive Snacks - sometimes sweet, sometimes savoury

Dinner is later, after everyone has had time to shower etc. I thknk about 8pm

Out there, night diving isn't allowed, so you would probably be limited to those 3 dives on most days. We had one night dive available, which was near the end, and I can't remember the name of the place.

The crossings are long, and ours were done overnight, so you will be rocked to sleep.

You will need to be proficient in the use of a DSMB (), and be careful about how you ascend - the zodiac drivers claim to be able to see the divers and know how far below the surface they are. Consequently, the come a bit close with their props running, which is as scary as hell.

Enjoy!

[BJ]

You'll have a great time and never look back. It'll be the first of many live-aboard trips I'm sure.