Join Dirty Dozen Expeditions as we explore the famous wrecks of the northern Red Sea and dive the world's most famous blue hole in Dahab, onboard MV Legends. 

The Red Sea is often regarded as a recreational playground, however, many of its most famous wrecks are perfectly set up for longer and deeper technical exploration. This route is a classic of the northern Red Sea, from Hurghada to the protected Marine Park of Ras Mohamed, before finishing in the renowned dive mecca of Dahab.

Certification prerequisite on a Dirty Dozen expedition are CCR MOD 2 for rebreather divers. For open circuit divers TDI Extended Range or an equivalent rating that allows you to conduct decompression dives to 55m/150ft or deeper with a twinset and enriched air stage cylinders for decompression. Normoxic Trimix qualifications are recommended although not required.

PLEASE NOTE THAT GUESTS WISHING TO PENETRATE BEYOND THE LIGHTZONE WILL NEED TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF AN ADVANCED OVERHEAD CERTIFICATION (FULL CAVE OR TECHNICAL/ADVANCED WRECK)

Diving

MV Legends will offer guided and unguided dives during this trip on wrecks that have a permanent mooring and some that require a tender drop and free descent. Decompression will often take place along the reef rather than on a mooring line, although some wrecks will have an ascent line available. The dive guides in the Red Sea are just that, guides and not instructors or technical diving gurus.

You are responsible for your own safety and dive planning at all times. There are lots of opportunities to penetrate the wrecks. Some of these penetrations are relatively easy and straightforward while others are quite advanced. Dive guides on MV Legends do not run lines on any guided dives. If you want to run your own lines into the wreck then this is, of course, possible but not on a guided dive. The captain, cruise director, and expedition leader will explain the best course of action on each wreck for penetration.

Solo diving is permitted on the outside of the wrecks. There are big fines for anyone found removing artifacts from the wrecks.

Environment

Diving conditions in the Red Sea are excellent in October, it is relatively comfortable diving and topside temperatures are starting to cool off. The water is a warm 26-28oC/78-82oF, although there may be thermoclines and cooler currents. While the water is warm enough to dive in just shorts and a t-shirt, we recommend a full-length 3-5mm wetsuit or a drysuit with light undergarments. Also, bring gloves and a hood for protection, especially if you are planning on penetrating the wrecks. There is sharp metal everywhere and you want to avoid tetanus, infections, and burns from oil or even worse, aviation fuel. There are also occasional blooms of jellyfish, some of which can sting.

Currents in the Red Sea can be strong and unpredictable. The dive guides will check currents before each dive and advise on the safest routes. Divers should be comfortable making free ascents on an SMB if required.

Visibility in the Red Sea is generally excellent.

Topside weather in October will be warm and dry, with daytime temperatures in the low to mid-30s (95oF). There may be some wind and a swell is possible, especially when transitting between dive sites.

While there are plenty of dive shops in the area, few of them cater to technical or CCR divers. MV Legends will have some basic diving equipment on board for hire, but with different configurations on board, it’s crucial that you bring as many spares as possible so you do not miss any dives. If you service your equipment before coming to the Red Sea, please use it a couple of times before traveling to ensure there are no problems. Bring plenty of torches, the bigger the better. You will not regret it in the engine rooms!

Cylinders

The following DIN cylinders are available on MV Legends:

» Aluminum 12L/80 cu ft Twinsets 

» Sidemount Sets 

» 3L/23 cu ft, and 2L/15 cu ft Rebreather Cylinders

» 12L/80 cu ft Bailout Cylinders 

» 6L/40 cu ft O2 Cylinders

» 7L Steel with LOLA for GUE configuration

There are no M26 valves onboard; adapters are available on request. 

Please specify the configurations you will dive in when you book.

Gases 

Latest oxygen and helium prices can be found in the Inclusions section. All Nitrox mixes from 32-99% will be available. O2 is provided at a minimum 96% purity. After a brief discussion on the first evening, we can fill some standardized gasses which everybody agrees will work for the entire trip.

OC divers can plan their gas costs by looking at the wreck list and assuming there are two dives on one wreck each day. But remember, it’s all based on your planning and consumption.

Sofnolime

Molecular Sofnolime 1-2.5mm is available and is sold in 22kg/44lb containers. The latest price can be found in the Inclusions section.

DPVs

There are 5 DPVs available for rental onboard.

Diving Emergencies
There are recompression chambers located in Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheik, and Dahab, all of which are supported by excellent medical facilities. DAN Egypt's Director of Hyperbaric Medical Facilities is based in Sharm. It is mandatory that our guests purchase dive and liveaboard-specific insurance according to their level of certification. This insurance needs to cover air evacuation and the appropriate depths you plan to dive to. We strongly urge that all guests dive well within recognized limits and follow our advice.

Please click the following link for more information about our preferred insurance provider:

DiveAssure Insurance

MV Legends is equipped with fully stocked medical first aid kits for treating minor injuries and ailments as well as for assisting trained medical professionals in remote locations. The yacht has a full complement of medical-grade oxygen which can be administered to divers through DAN kits or unit-specific attachments. You will also find an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on board. AEDs have been proven to greatly increase survival rates in the eventuality of cardiac fibrillation. The dive teams are all qualified emergency responders. Should you feel unwell at any point during your cruise, please seek the advice of your cruise director who will be able to assist you.

Medical Treatment

Medical facilities in Egypt are ecxcellent and pharmacies stock a large variety of common medications. Nonetheless,  ensure you bring any medication you need as pharmcy opening hours vary. Normal precautions should be taken with food and it is advisable to drink bottled water only.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required before entering Egypt, however, we recommend consulting with your doctor for updated information prior to departure. If you are traveling from a Yellow Fever area, proof of immunization might be required. It’s recommended that tetanus immunizations are also up to date before traveling to Egypt. Egypt is a malaria-free zone and mosquitoes are not a problem on the boat. But they can be annoying on shore, so consider bringing insect repellent.

Flights

You should book your international flight to and from Hurghada International Airport (HRG). There are some direct flights from the US, however, most guests will likely need to transfer through Cairo or a European hub. We highly recommend arriving at Hurghada 48 hours prior to embarkation day to allow time for delayed flights, missed connections, and lost baggage.

Visa

All visitors arriving in Egypt are required to purchase a 30-day Visa on Arrival when they land. This costs $25 for a one-time entry or $60 for a multiple entry visa.

It is also possible to purchase the visa online in advance at this website: https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/Home?VISTK=AMEV-QAST-XKKB-4X4J-LYML-KSS1-J4VF-B3V5-GO2U-AYIZ-4F82-1WR5-RW7O-0L87-4CZ8-9CFV

Arrival

It is highly recommended that you plan to arrive in Egypt several days before the cruise start date to allow time to acclimatize, and in case of flight cancellations or delayed baggage. Hotel accommodation is wide-ranging and readily available, depending on whether you prefer to relax in a resort or dscover some of the local culture.

On embarkation day you will be picked up from your hotel, or the airport, by the boat transport mid-afternoon.

Food

MV Legends offers a choice of international and local cuisine, served buffet style in the indoor, air-conditioned dining area. We cater to special dietary requirements. Please inform our reservations team prior to your trip to ensure we have plenty of dishes to suit your needs. A range of carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices, black, green, and herbal teas are available, as well as instant and freshly brewed coffee. A selection of fresh fruit is always on hand, as well as some tasty treats in case you feel peckish in between meal times. You may also select beer, wine, or spirits from the cocktail bar for an additional fee.

Clothing

It is recommended that our guests bring casual and comfortable clothes. Think swimwear, shorts, and t-shirts. A sweater is advised for cooler nights, particularly after multiple dives. We request that guests respect others by wearing clothing at all meal times. Most guests prefer to walk barefoot on board the vessel.

Electricity

Local electricity and the power onboard is 220V/50Hz supplied through European-style round two-pin sockets (Type C and F). While MV Legends can provide a limited number of UK and US plug adapters, we recommend guests bring their own.

Gratuities

Tipping is a matter of personal choice. Should you feel that your crew has made your expedition extra special, then they will certainly appreciate a tip. Please be advised that the boat can only accept cash tips. An envelope will be provided for your convenience by the cruise director and gratuities are divided equally between all the crew, including the captain and the dive guides. If you would like to tip we recommend approx. 10% of the trip price.

Smoking on board is permitted in designated outdoor areas.

Designed to accommodate divers of all levels, our boat boasts spacious cabins, modern amenities, and a dedicated diving deck. Each detail of the vessel reflects our commitment to providing a superior diving experience. From the advanced filling stations for technical diving to the comfortable relaxation areas, every aspect of the boat is tailored to meet the needs of our guests. We are also the only boat in the Red Sea with a diver lift.

Accommodation

Renovated and refurbished, now MV Legends has 11 fully refurbished, modern, air-conditioned cabins complete with ensuite bathrooms and ample storage space within every cabin.

Experience some of the best views that the Egyptian Red Sea has to offer from one of our upper deck Double Cabins. Perfect for diving couples and for those who want to bring a “non-diving” partner with them to enjoy some sunbathing or snorkeling. Space and comfort are part of the core design of our lower deck Twin Cabins. With not a bunk bed in sight, cabins on MV Legends have been developed much more like hotel rooms than liveaboard cabins. 

Your cabin will be cleaned daily throughout your stay and features include 220v electricity, reading lights, storage cupboards, ensuite bathroom, fresh towels (for both bathing and dive use) and purpose made mattresses for maximum comfort.

- 11 twin-bed/double/single A/C and en suite cabins for 14 guests

- Spacious indoor dining area with a camera station, complete with numerous charging points and storage facilities 

- The dive deck provides individual set up stations, under-bench storage, and a camera table - Large entry platform to the rear and staff deckhands to assist with entry and exit 

- The only boat in the Red Sea with a dive lift

- Booster to fill O2 to 200 bar 

- Oxygen generator 

- Indoor lounge and bar with a plasma screen for planning expedition dives 

- Plenty of space to set up rebreathers and fill scrubbers 

- Big rinsing tubs 

- Shaded outdoor relaxation area with lounge chairs 

- Sundeck and captain’s bridge 

- One dive tender for doing exploratory wrecks 

- Brand new, customized expedition tec diving facilities

Check out what previous guests had to say about their experiences with Dirty Dozen Expeditions:

Jill Heinerth, Explorer in Residence, Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Author, INTO THE PLANET - My Life as a Cave Diver “The Dirty Dozen experience makes diving iconic Truk Lagoon safe and simple. Through the leadership of expedition leader Aron Arngrimsson and his team, a carefully curated small group of conscientious and skilled technical divers can have an unequaled experience diving the less frequently explored wrecks in the lagoon.

When you can sit on top of the wreck and be supported by an experienced team of safety divers, guides and crew, then anything is possible. I can’t recall a trip where I have had a better experience. I value organizations like Dirty Dozen Expeditions that prioritize the safety and comfort of the guests. It is hard to imagine, but we had more crew than passengers. I was moved by the history, enlightened by the beauty of the marine life and inspired by the leadership of the organization. I’ll be going back as soon as I can!"

Richard Lundgren, Co-Founder of Global Underwater Explorers

“My memories still linger from my last adventures with Dirty Dozen Expeditions and Global Underwater Explorers (GUE). Memories of a lifetime. A year ago, a team of GUE divers set up a wreck diving expedition to the remote and rarely visited Bikini Atoll together with adventure diving company Dirty Dozen Expeditions. The results and experiences during the expedition made it compelling to look forward and plan the next adventure following the same narrative.

The target, the wrecks of Chuuk Lagoon, came as naturally as our continued collaboration with Dirty Dozen Expeditions. We also chose to continue to use and rely upon the excellent liveaboard  with its world-class service and crew well-catered for technical diving — just the way we like it. Traveling into Chuuk is much easier and less of an adventure compared to getting to Bikini. A short jump from mainland Asia (the Philippines in my case) to Guam and then onwards on the island hopper to the next stop heading east, Chuuk Lagoon. Approaching the islands of Chuuk from the air is impressive, the islands are beautiful and green with mountains and hills. You can see the artificial extension to the small island of Etten, where the Japanese army built its strategic air force base during the war. Setting up for technical diving onboard, in our case involving rebreathers, is easy even if at GUE we depend on a standardized configuration different to most. The divers bring their own key components, including special cylinder valves with a flexible manifold. The rest is supplied by the ship. Oxygen is produced onboard using an oxygen generator. An oxygen generator cannot produce 100% oxygen, only 92-96% and as such, special procedures are needed if diving a fully-closed rebreather in order to get the calibration of the oxygen sensors right among other things. Helium is available and required for the wrecks deeper than 30m/100 ft. We used 18/45 Trimix as our standard diluent mix. A clear head and lots of fun memories are what we’re looking for after all. My total setup time was less than 30 minutes thanks to the Truk Master’s excellent crew. Underwater: picture yourself in a well-kept aquarium, no current, warm waters, and great visibility. What more can you ask for? Well, wrecks of course, and Chuuk Lagoon does not fail to deliver those. My favorite penetrations involve the engine rooms where one can still study the gauges and telegraphs frozen in time. The diving is truly world-class if you are passionate about wreck diving and history. After 10 days diving it’s time to depart, not because you want to, more that you have to, sadly. The diving in Chuuk is so good that another week would not have been sufficient to satisfy my appetite for adventure. Compared to the wrecks in Bikini Atoll, well, it’s like comparing apples and pears, both are delicious in their own way and the only choice you have is not to chose one, but to enjoy both. I enjoyed Chuuk and Bikini tremendously and will undoubtedly return to both for more adventures.”

Joseph Fellows - Scientific Diver, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

“Bucket List Check! I’m trying to put together the words to describe the adventure to Truk Lagoon with Dirty Dozen Expeditions... not easy! A trip of this magnitude is daunting to say the least especially if you’re not a world traveler. There are a lot of moving parts from the preparations, gear considerations, and travel to such a remote location. Aron and his Team made all of this so easy for me through continual guidance, Zoom meetings, and online resources. The most difficult thing was making the decision to go...the rest fell into place perfectly! The crew of the Pacific Master were fantastic and completely accommodated all of my needs fully. I am so happy I decided to go and I left with such amazing friends and memories. I can’t wait for the next adventure...life is way too short to wait....GO!”

Payment Schedule

Booking deposit (non-refundable)                            25% 

Payment 2 - 12 months prior to departure               25% 

Balance payment - 6 months prior to departure   50%

Terms & Conditions

All bookings are subject to the provisions in our "Terms and Conditions" and "Payment and Cancellation Terms" found on our website:
Terms & Conditions
Payment & Cancellation Terms

Booking a Dirty Dozen Expedition offers you a unique and unparalleled experience, distinct from conventional travel offerings. This exclusive expedition is meticulously crafted to cater to technical divers and dive teams, providing an extraordinary journey evolved from thousands of hours of wreck exploration.

At Dirty Dozen Expeditions we understand and respect the effort you will put into your trip of a lifetime, be it the funds and time spent on equipment and training or time away from family and work - we know how much it means to get your trip just right. We pride ourselves in providing first-hand knowledge and experience of technical diving in every destination we book, and so can offer you the very best advice and guidance on all aspects of your journey.

We believe it’s the little things that make the biggest difference, from direct access to company founder, Aron Arngrimsson, to making life-long friends as part of #teamdd. This is what you can expect from your Dirty Dozen Expedition:

• We are available by email or phone whenever you need to ask questions about your trip, from the moment you sign up until well after you return home;

• Our team have visited and dived all the destinations we book, so you are guaranteed the most accurate and experienced guidance;

• Solo travelers are welcomed and supported within our dive team culture, while established groups are given the freedom to dive and explore as they prefer;

• A Dirty Dozen Expeditions Leader onboard every trip will support and assist guests with daily expedition life;

• Safety is at the forefront of every expedition and we pride ourselves on being industry leaders in the use of ’splash checklists’, gas management procedures, and other onboard safety protocols;

• We offer our customers a FREE Human Factors in Diving (Fundamentals) training course with every booking;

• The option to pre-pay for onboard consumables to avoid hefty bills at the end of your trip;

• Access to preferential Trip Insurance rates with our preferred partner, DiveAssure;

• Expedition members are invited to 2 team Zoom meetings before every expedition, one to
  assist with long-term planning and one to answer final queries shortly before departure;

• A team WhatsApp group is set up 12 months before each trip to support planning, answer
  questions, and develop teamwork and camaraderie in the run-up to the expedition;

• Many of our trips feature special guests, certification agencies, or manufacturers, giving you
  the opportunity to meet and dive with some industry greats!

• Every team member receives a complimentary expedition t-shirt and water bottle, as well as
  novelty stickers and postcards as a souvenir of your time with #teamdd;

• Many trips feature a photographer/videographer who will document your time onboard and underwater to provide long-lasting memories.

And this is all on top of the standard trip inclusions listed further down the page!

We believe in transparent pricing with as many inclusions as possible to avoid unexpected charges at the end of your trip. While our trip price may appear higher than some other operators, this should help you plan for the realistic costs of this type of dive expedition and avoid nasty surprises down the road.

We hope you agree that booking with Dirty Dozen Expeditions will provide you with an experience quite unlike any other, and that we are the premier choice when it comes to technical diving expeditions.

We highly recommend you plan to land in Egypt 48-hours prior to embarkation day.

- Flight lands in Hurghada.

- Pick up from airport or hotel, if you arrive early.

- Boat briefing, paperwork, an overview of safety and emergency procedures.

- Equipment setup.

The itinerary below serves as a rough guide to the dive sites that we aim to explore. Please allow for flexibility onboard based on weather conditions as well as diver preferences/cert levels as we normally decide the final dive sites and plan while onboard based on these factors.

• Wrecks of Abu Nuhas 

• Thistlegorm 

• Rosalie Moller

• Lara Wreck 

• Thomas Canyon 

• Abu Talha / Abu Helal

• Tiger Canyon 

• Blue Hole 

• Tiran 

• Ras Mohamed

• Gulf Fleet

2 dives per day of up to 120-minutes each, with a minimum 4-hour surface interval.

07:30 – Coffee!

08:00 – Breakfast

08:30 – Briefing/Dive 1

12:00 – Lunch

14:00 – Briefing/Dive 2

16:00 – Snacks

19:00 – Dinner

20:00 – Team Debriefing 

- Disembark expedition vessel after breakfast.

- Transport to the airport.

- Flight out.

There is no need to stay overnight in Egypt at the end of the trip.