Dive The Best of Beautiful Djibouti

Includes:

• Return flights in economy class on Ethiopian Airlines ex JNB
• 7 nights’ accommodation onboard M/Y Lucy
• Scheduled Airport Transfers
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on board
• 16 Dives
• Dive Guide
• Tanks and weights
• Nitrox
• Drinking water and soft drinks
• Kempinski Palace Hotel Day Use with pool access on day of arrival
• Tour to Lac Assal, lowest point in Africa (-155 metres)
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Excludes:

• Airport Taxes (approx. R7 000)
• Entry visa to Djibouti (approx. R300)
• Equipment Rental
• Dive & Travel Insurance
• Nespresso and alcoholic beverages
• 15L Tanks (approx. R1000 per cruise)
• Tips & Gratuities

Where is djibouti?

Located in the Horn of Africa. With Eritrea in the north, Somalia along Djibouti's southeastern border, and Ethiopia to both the west and south, Djibouti is surrounded by three other African countries. Djibouti lies along the coasts of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea as well.

M/Y Lucy

M/Y Lucy is a 37-meter luxury dive safari boat designed for maximum level of comfort, high standard and secure environment. Lucy sleeps up to 20 guests in climate-controlled cabins with en suite shower, mini bar, reading lights and bedside USB charging points. The lounge is equipped with a HD cinema surround system and a bar to relax. The three-course meals are served in a fresh and contemporary dining room.

The dive deck has ample space for all your accessories, charging points and wall mounted Bluetooth/USB Clarion music player, marine grade amps and Q Acoustics ceiling installed speakers. The top and sun deck are furnished to the highest standard with bean bags and sufficient seating to relax or sun tan.

Diving Highlights and Bucket List Dive Sites:

Moucha Island

This island is part of a group of islands located only 11km off the coast of Djibouti and provides divers with multiple dive sites which range from easy to expert. Here the check dive (the dive where the boat staff analyse your diving capabilities) is done at the beginning of each Djibouti liveaboard tour. It will give you a chance to dive in some crystal-clear waters and even some wrecks for the more experienced divers.

Seven Brothers Islands

This is a group of seven uninhabited islands located off of the east coast of the horn of Africa, in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Some of the dive sites include a shallower dive site ranging for 5m – 20m (15ft – 60ft) meaning it is accessible for divers of all certifications, including snorkelers while others are reserved for the more experienced divers, including a wreck. In general, these dive sites here are an underwater photographer’s heaven with so many species of corals and their inhabitants to capture.

Gulf of Tadjourah

This is a basin within the horn of Africa that lies at the entrance of the Red Sea. This is one of the more popular diving and snorkelling areas, with dive sites ranging from 5 metres (15 ft) to 30 metres (90 ft) deep. It has a flourishing reef for everyone’s enjoyment. There are also dive sites which are sea walls and which have caves to dive through. Many species of sharks have been spotted here swimming gracefully through the rainbow colours of the coral reef.

Ghoubet al Kharab

Also known as the Devils Goblet, this is a bay which connects to the open ocean as well as the Gulf of Tadjourah and here there are two extremes; incredibly deep waters which can plummet down to almost 200m (600ft) and these waters are surrounded by high mountains, and overall impressive site to see. It is part of the junction between the African and Arabian continental plates. There are deep waters and strong currents here, but definitely a stunning dive to experience, here you will see large fish including different species of sharks who let themselves be swept by the current. There are also underwater volcanic islands to explore. Another popular dive site here is ‘The Crack’ a literal crack between three tectonic plates and there is a certain level of excitement when descending between these massive structures.

LANGUAGE

English, French, Portuguese and Arabic are spoken

TIME ZONE

GMT + 3: 1 hour ahead of South Africa

CLIMATE

Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 24°C to 35°C. 

WATER TEMPERATURE

Average sea temperature in Djibouti is 28^oC

POWER SUPPLY

Cabins fitted with UK style sockets as well as USB sockets

Visa

As you are acquiring your visa on arrival, please ensure you have the following:

• Valid passport with two unused pages
• DJF 2000 Fee
• Return or onward tickets;
• Supplied Immigration letter
• Supplied Visa Assistance letter

TIPPING

Gratuities are never expected but always appreciated. €50 is the recommended amount at the end  of the cruise

STAYING IN CONTACT

You can get a local SIM card by visiting the local telecom operator and registering using your passport. However, the wi-fi on Lucy and the coach also uses 4G network so the speed is the same as any other phone so it is not necessary for guests to get a SIM card.

WHAT PAYMENT METHOD IS ACCEPTED

Payment for on board sales have to be only in cash as there is no credit card processing service on board. Major currencies such as USD, Euro and UK Stirling are accepted.

WHAT TO BRING

• Proof of dive insurance and dive certification card.
• Passport valid from 6 months from the time of entry
• One full empty page in your passport in which to put the Visa on Arrival sticker.
• Dress is generally casual. T-shits and cotton clothing are most suitable.
• Hat and polarised sunglasses.
• Reef safe sunscreen
• Rechargeable batteries.

ALCOHOL

Guests are able to bring their own alcohol on board, but keep in mind that bar on the boat is fully stocked

DIVING

• Dive Gear: You will need a full set of diving gear including mask & snorkel, fins, BCD, regulator. All guests are required to use a dive computer. A torch is required for all night dives.
• Certification must be presented as well as a log book and dive insurance
• Safety: Every diver needs to be equipped with a diving computer, SMB and drop line which is to be deployed at the end of each drift dive after completing the safety stop
• Alcohol Consumption: If alcohol is consumed in between dives by an individual then they will be required to refrain from diving for the remainder of the day
• Flying After Diving: A minimum surface interval of 18 hours must be allowed prior to flying or going to altitude
• Decompression Chamber: The nearest decompression chamber is in Djibouti city at the French military base.