The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between the continents of Africa and Asia. It is renowned for its abundant and colourful coral reefs and remote seamounts that attract large marine megafauna such as sharks. The Red Sea Expedition 2022 will be our first shark and ray expedition in which we will sail the extraordinary Marine Park Route consisting of Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone Reef. During this time of the year - with waters not yet as hot as in summer - we expect to observe gray reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), Oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus), scalloped hammerheads (Shpyrna lewini), and whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), although sightings can not be guaranteed.

During our expedition, we want our participants not only to dive, instead we want to teach our participants about sharks and rays, research and conservation measures, and potential threats these predators are facing. To do so, daily morning lectures and one evening lecture will be organized. Furthermore, each participant will have the opportunity to be part of a citizen science programme conducted by our partner organization Red Sea Project. Participants will be encouraged to take underwater pictures of marine megafauna and upload them on the Red Sea Project's database. Above all, we want to play an active role in scientific research projects in this area. 

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The last day of the expedition will be spent visiting the Red Sea Project's field station in Marsa Abu Dabbab. Participants will be able to follow lectures about the local dugong and sea turtle populations and will get the chance to snorkel with them. 

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This expedition includes: 

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• Daily diving (3 dives per day).

• Daily lectures on sharks and rays (e.g., biology, ecology, conservation, threats).

• Evening lecture by team member of the Red Sea Project.

• Each participant will be encouraged to act as citizen scientist by taking identification pictures of sharks, rays, dolphins, whales, turtles, and dugongs. These pictures can then be uploaded to the Red Sea Project database.

• Day trip to the Red Sea Project's field station in Marsa Abu Dabbab to snorkel with dugongs and sea turtles. 

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Requirements: 

• Advanced diving certificate or a minimum of 50 logged dives (seamounts are in depths of 30 meters where strong currents are common).

• Diving insurance (e.g., DAN insurance).

• The last dive should not be longer than 1 year ago.

• Strong interest in marine megafauna and conservation. 

• To participate in the citizen science programme, personal underwater camera equipment (can also be a GoPro) required needed. 

• The expected water temperature during this time of the year varies between 23 - 25 Grad Celsius. It is therefore recommended to bring a 7 mm wetsuit (or at least a 5mm wetsuit). 

• Each participant needs to bring his/her own dive equipment. Equipment can be rented directly in Egypt, or through our partners at the dive shop TSK in Zurich or Bern, Switzerland.

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Our boat