Imagine peering into a dusty antechamber, illuminated by a single candle, and seeing treasures untouched for over 3,000 years. This was the moment Howard Carter uttered the famous words, “Yes! Wonderful things,” upon discovering the tomb of Tutankhamen. This same sense of awe and wonder awaited us on our latest Snorkel Venture tour to Egypt, where we explored both ancient history and the vibrant underwater world of the Red Sea.
Our journey began in Cairo, where we visited the brand new Grand Egyptian Museumthe largest museum in the world. The sheer scale and meticulous design of this modern marvel made it easy to navigate, even with its vast size. Our Egyptologist, Amira, guided us through a curated selection of the most famous exhibits, including the treasures of Tutankhamen. Though we only had half a day, it was enough to savor the incredible place and whet our appetites for a future visit.
The Pyramids and the Sphinx
The day before our snorkeling adventure, we visited the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. The accessibility and organization of the site have been greatly improved, with hop-on hop-off air-conditioned tour buses making it easy to explore. As the majority of our guests travel from the States via Cairo, it was a perfect way to kick off our trip to Egypt.
Underwater Wonders of the Red Sea
After a couple of days in the bustling city of Cairo, we were ready to escape to the tranquil waters of the Red Sea. Our destination was Marsa Alamhome to the Red Sea Diving Safaris resort, known for its commitment to preserving the delicate balance of the reef ecosystem. Despite some initial visibility issues due to recent winds, we soon found ourselves in the clear, vibrant waters of the Red Sea, teeming with Sgt MajorsSurgeon FishMoraysand Crocodile Fish. And, of course, there were the ever-present turtles.
Encounters with Mythical Creatures
One of the highlights of our trip was the excursion to spot the elusive Dugonga mythical creature often compared to its freshwater cousin, the manatee. Our guide, Anja, a Swiss expert known as the “whisperer” for these gentle giants, led us to a likely spot. Within minutes, we were face-to-face with a Dugong, munching away on its sea grass diet. Despite its size, the creature moved quickly, giving us a thrilling chase before we could all get a good look.
Turtles and Starry Nights
Our adventure didn’t end there. We also visited Abu Dabbab Baywhere we encountered massive Green Sea Turtles grazing peacefully on the seagrass. That night, under a sliver of a new moon, we ventured into the nearby desert with our guide, Mohsen, nicknamed “Star.” He introduced us to his Bedouin family and treated us to traditional coffee and a barbecue meal under a sky filled with stars. Star shared his knowledge of the heavens, both from a Bedouin navigation perspective and the latest astronomical findings.
Liveaboard Luxury and Dolphin Encounters
After a week that flew by too quickly, we boarded our luxury liveaboard, the Turquoisealso known as the Red Sea Aggressor IV. Our home for the next week, this spacious and comfortable boat impressed everyone on board. We set sail for the southernmost destination of St Johnsnear the Sudanese border, known for its hard coral offshore reef systems and remoteness.
Our first stop was Sataya Reeffamous for its resident pods of Spinner Dolphins. These playful creatures did not disappoint, interacting closely and enthusiastically with us. Our guide, Mohamed, suggested a second visit to Sataya on our way back north, which turned out to be one of the best dolphin encounters in recent years.
Coral Canyons and Clown Fish
We also snorkeled at various reefs, including Paradise and Syul Island. Despite some challenges due to wind and recent hot water events, we were heartened to see the reefs showing signs of resilience. At Abu Dabbabwe witnessed the smaller reef fish working hard to prepare the surfaces for new coral growth. Our final snorkel at Marsa Shouna was a fitting end to our epic adventure, with more encounters with the gentle giants, the Green Sea Turtles.
Trips like these, filled with variety and wonder, seem to fly by. Yet, when we look back on what we’ve done, it feels like an age away from walking around the Grand Egyptian Museum, marveling at the boy king Tut’s Golden Death Mask. Indeed, in the words of Howard Carter, “wonderful things.”
