Dive Review of Pegasus in
Red Sea/Sudan

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Pegasus, Nov, 2004, by Kent Backman, wa, USA . Report 1474.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	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.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Hawaii, Midway Atoll, Caymans, Palau, Bahamas, Montserrat, Barbados, Sea of Cortez, Costa Rica, Oman, Arabian Gulf, Puget Sound, California, Oregon, Alaska
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, dry	Seas	calm
Water Temp	29-30°C / 84-86°F	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	10-30 M / 33-98 Ft
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Divemasters were adamant about keeping no decompression profiles, but strict depth limit for us experienced divers was not so critical.
Liveaboard?	yes	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	1 or 2
Dolphins	1 or 2	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	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.

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Dive Review of Pegasus in Red Sea/Sudan

Pegasus, Nov, 2004,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Pegasus in
Red Sea/Sudan