Dive experience: A standard Open Water Diver license or equivalent is all that is required to dive in Djibouti since the conditions are easy and usually there is no current. However, advanced certification is recommended for Seven Brothers since some dives can have strong current.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, hot drinks, return transfers from local airport or hotels, dives (as detailed in the trips above), 2 experienced English-speaking divemasters, tanks, belt and weights, all taxes.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental (US$ 175 per week), torch (US$ 44), SMB (US$ 27), diving insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash only - EUR and USD).
Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, enriched air for nitrox-certified divers (US$ 55 per week), dive computer (US$ 85 per week), 15 litre tank (US$ 49 per week). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.
How to get there: Lucy liveaboard trips normally use the harbour in Djibouti City. Once you arrive at Djibouti International Airport (code JIB), a boat representative will greet you outside the arrivals hall. Major airlines that fly to Djibouti include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air Djibouti, Air France, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Fly Dubai and Kenya Airways.
Transfers are provided form the airport and local hotels and take 20 minutes. Boarding takes place at 5 pm and the boat leaves the harbour at 8 am the following morning.
The last dive of the tour will be at 2 pm on the penultimate day before the boat returns to port at 5-5:30 pm. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. Guests disembark at 9 am on the final day.
Diving Environment: Djibouti is located close to the Horn of Africa, in the Gulf of Aden and at the entrance to the Red Sea. The best known region is the Seven Brothers archipelago and there are relatively untouched soft and hard coral reefs, amazing drop offs and ship wrecks. You will have the opportunity to see large schools of fish, dolphins and manta rays. But the region is best known for its abundant whale sharks. Although they can be seen throughout the year, whale shark encounters are especially common from the beginning of November to the end of January.
Over 200 species of coral are found in Djibouti, at the mouth of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, making it an extremely diverse ecosystem. Currents coming in from the Indian Ocean attract large marine animals such as the whale sharks, pilot whales, beaked whales, grey and nurse sharks, manta rays and dolphins. It’s also very common to see large schools of stingrays, barracudas and groupers.
All dives are done from the 2 motorised tenders. The visibility during whale shark season is about 15m (50 ft), but improves to 30m (100 ft) by April until early July. The water temperature from November to January is 26-28°C (80-82°F), and rises to 30°C (86°F) by April. A 3 or 5 mm wetsuit is recommended during whale shark season, 3 mm at other times. Khamsin winds blow from mid-July until early September, closing all dive operations.
Non-diver rate: US$ 55 discount off published price.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin, or pay a supplement of US$ 875 for their own cabin.
Dive clubs and group discounts: None. See whole boat charter policy below.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 18 guests and 2 additional persons can join the tour free of charge (total 20 guests).
Customer reviews:
"The boat was poorly maintained and old, with paint chipping, smelly bathrooms with no ventilation, leaks and mold. The rooms were never cleaned, very small (compared to the price), and located next to the kitchen which was noisy. The dive guide never showed interest in pointing out things and actually left us once in the water without notice. The food was mostly overcooked and bland. There was no introductions of the crew or the passengers.