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Cabins

7

Length / Width

34 m / 7 m

Year built / renovated

1984  / 1998

Rental equip.

YES ($)

Internet

NO

Nitrox

YES ($)

Highlights

  • Uncrowded diving on the Sudanese Red Sea’s rarely-visited dive sites, with opportunities to discover new unchartered spots
  • Don Questo is the only dive ship in Sudan with a decompression chamber on board, and its environmentally-friendly approach to anchoring made it first choice for various scientific research expeditions
  • This is an underwater photographer’s dream location, with its crystal clear waters and prolific marine life, including hammerheads, manta rays and dugong
  • Breakfast is cooked to order every morning before the first dive, and usually served al fresco, with coffee and a fresh ocean breeze to wake you up
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Dates & Prices

Prices include taxes. Prices shown may be for non-divers.
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You only need to pay 48h after your booking is confirmed.

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Booking process

1. BOOKING

Once we receive your booking, we double check availability with the dive operator and reserve your spot

2. CONFIRMATION

We usually get back to you within 24 hours to confirm that your booking is final

3. 48H FREE CANCELLATION PERIOD

You then have 48 hours to take care of other travel arrangements. Your credit card will only be charged after that period

Payment & cancellation

Payment terms

  • Now: 0%
  • 48 hours after booking confirmation: 30%
  • 150 days before trip start: 100%

Cancellation fee

Free cancellation for 48h after confirmation

  • 35.0% of the total booking amount will be charged if you cancel more than 127 days prior to arrival
  • 45.0% will be charged if you cancel between 127 and 67 days prior to arrival
  • 55.0% will be charged if you cancel between 67 and 52 days prior to arrival
  • 95.0% will be charged if you cancel less than 52 days prior to arrival

Cabins

Description

Sailing to the furthest most parts of the Red Sea - where few other boats venture, the sturdy and environmentally-friendly Don Questo takes Divers on fun-filled itineraries around Sudan’s Red Sea.

An exceedingly reliable boat with an experienced crew. Built to work in the European North Sea. The Don Questo has excellent seaworthiness and the ability to withstand the harshest and most extreme weather and sea conditions. The ship is able to keep stationary in many places and conditions in which the typical recreational diving vessel would have to run for shelter. This allows for minimum interruption to the scuba diving program and offers plenty of options in the event of a sudden deterioration in the weather. This is particularly important in the South / Deep South of the Red Sea - Sudan.

We have been working in Sudan since 1998 and are aware of environmental issues. Our boat does not anchor in a damaging way on the pristine Sudanese Reefs and most of the time, we prefer drifting even if it is more demanding for our experienced Captain and crew. Our environmentally friendly approach is the main reason that our boat has been chosen for Scientific Expeditions by Scientists and Researchers several times in the last few years, including the famous Cousteau Society.

SOUTH AND DEEP SOUTH CRUISES

We have been exploring the South and Deep South part of the Sudanese Red Sea since 2008 and we have discovered many new dive sites (at least 21), and therefore we know by experience which are the right scuba diving sites to explore in accordance with the weather, sea and current conditions. Our maps and the names we gave to sites are sometimes even used on the web sites of our competitors.

The Don Questo was built in Selby (England) in 1964 as a trawling vessel. In 1984 she was transformed into an Oceanographic Research Vessel under the Italian flag. In 1991 she had a complete overhaul but it was in 1998 that the Don Questo was fitted out to become a Diving Liveaboard Ship. New toilets and cabins were added, the Restaurant and Kitchen were renovated, state of the art compression systems were installed and a hydraulic platform was built. Every year the boat undergoes a careful maintenance and some modifications and improvements are made, following suggestions and emerging needs by guests and collaborators.

The Don Questo can accommodate 17 guests in 8 cabins. 7 of the Cabins include Double beds while the 8th Cabin is a triple with a Double lower bunk and a Single upper bunk. All cabins include air-conditioning and a hand basin with cold and hot water. Four hot water showers and five toilets are shared between the guests.

We’re sure that most of your time on the Don Questo will be taken up by diving or talking about diving. Yet when you need a break, there are plenty of entertaining things to keep you occupied. A large solarium on the Upper Deck is perfect for relaxing with a good book under the hot Sudanese sun. The air-conditioned Lounge features a TV, DVD-player and Hi-Fi system. Finally, the Dive Pros and Crew are always available in the evenings to help you identify some of the stranger Endemics. There won’t be a lazy minute on board the Don Questo.

Food and Drinks

Your day aboard the Don Questo begins with a breakfast cooked to order. With a stomach replenished with eggs and pancakes, you will venture into the water for your first dive. Lunch and Dinner are served family style, and snacks are enjoyed regularly between meals.

All food and soft drinks are included in the charter. Beer and wine can be purchased for an extra charge. Do not attempt to bring you own beverages. Importation of liquor is forbidden by the Sudanese government.

A mix of superb, fresh Western and Sudanese food will be served throughout the trip. Often Lunch and Dinner are caught from the boat shortly before they land on your table. This results in delicious meals of Barracuda Sashimi and grilled fish. Most of the dining takes place in the open-air Dining Room. the Chef has more than 18 years experience and is well trained in International Cuisine and specialized in the preparation of Italian dishes. He takes great delight in preparing a good variety of pastas, bread, pizza, fish, seafood, meat and desserts.

Hyperbaric Chamber - The Don Questo is the only ship running in Sudan that has a Decompression Chamber on board.

Sudan has World Class Diving but unfortunately isn’t able to offer facilities in the same league as Egypt. The closest decompression chamber is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We believe that safety is a top priority and therefore we have invested in a one man hyperbaric chamber on the Don Questo, the only one available in Sudan. This is not a ticket to dive carelessly, the chamber has never been used (although it is tested regularly) and we would like to keep it that way!

WHICH IS THE BEST PERIOD FOR DIVING IN SUDAN?

The diving season is from October to mid July. This means that we usually do not organize cruises from mid July to mid October.We usually also stop for maintenance from mid January to mid February and usually do not organize cruises in that period. Best visibility: February - March – April - May. Good period to see Hammerhead Sharks: December to July. Best time to see Hammerhead Sharks: February to July. Best time to see Manta Rays: October.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT/DO WHEN I ARRIVE IN PORT SUDAN?

In Port Sudan Airport you will be met by our agent, Mr El Samkary. He will be in the terminal building and will help you with passport control and customs. He will then drive you to the Don Questo. The 
Airport is 24 km from the Port, the trip to the boat will take approximately 25 minutes. You must leave your passport for immigration registration at the airport. Don't worry: our agent will take care of it and hand it back to you later on.

HOW TO GET THERE

Pls refer to logistics section of each itinerary to find detailed info on how to get there.

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Deck Plan

DIVING SERVICES

For your safety

  • Fire Alarm
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Life Jackets
  • Life Rafts
  • Emergency Oxygen Kit
  • First Aid Kits
  • Vhf Radio
  • Emergency Positioning Radio Beacon

Diving gear

  • Tanks With Int (Yoke) Valves
  • Tanks With Din Valves
  • Din/Int Adapters
  • 15L Tanks Available
  • Nitrox ($)
  • Rental Equipment ($)

Languages spoken

  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Italian
  • Arabic

PADI® Courses Available

  • Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Nitrox Certification
  • Other Specialties

Dive Center Facilities

  • Battery Charging Station
  • Fish Id And Diving Books

Boat Amenities

Activities

  • Land Excursions

Sports & Watersports

  • Snorkeling

Great for families

  • Movies

Amenities & services

  • Wi-Fi (Free)
  • Air-Conditioning
  • Spacious Diving Platform
  • Separate Zodiac/Dhoni

Food & drink

  • Buffet
  • Alcohol
  • Vegetarian Food
  • Not Allowed To Bring Your Own Alcohol

Payments

  • Cash (Usd)
  • Cash (Eur)
  • Cash

Facilities

  • Lounge/Tv Area
  • Power Socket Adapters

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