Diving on the Betel Gueser liveaboard
Boasting some of the best dive sites in the world, the Red Sea is divided into the northern region, including the Sinai Peninsula and the Hurghada wrecks, and the southern region, from Brothers Islands to St. John’s and the Sudanese border. Ideal year-round weather and sea conditions make diving in the Red Sea perfect any time of the year.
On land though, the hottest months run from June to September, with temperatures reaching all the way to 113 F (45 C), something to keep in mind when planning your trip. However, the sea temperatures this time of year can top out at 84 F (29 C), perfect for those who prefer the warmest water. Throughout the rest of the year, water temperatures range from 62 to 75 F (17 to 24 C), sometimes requiring divers to wear a thicker wetsuit.
The Betel Gueser runs week-long liveaboard trips with varied itineraries from wreck diving on the historic SS Thistlegorm, to visiting protected Marine National Parks like Ras Mohamed, to diving with sharks at Brothers Islands. Additionally, guests can encounter some mesmerizing marine and coral life, including dolphins, barracudas, turtles, and more.
A crew of professionally trained staff and guides are available round-the-clock to meet the needs of guests above and below the water, with complete knowledge of dive spots and emergency procedures. In addition, mandatory orientation and instructions are provided once all guests are checked in, covering all the information needed before starting the journey.
Free nitrox is also available for certified divers, and a nitrox course is offered for those looking to get certified. To ensure divers have the best experience, two speedboats are available to deliver divers to sites that are otherwise inaccessible.
Highlights:
- Incredible visibility up to 100 feet (30 m)
- Free nitrox
- Wrecks, caves, reef walls, and marine life
- Two speedboats for easy dive site access
Onboard the Betel Gueser
The Betel Gueser measures 118 feet (36 m) and accommodates up to 22 guests in 13 ensuite cabins. Each of these is equipped with an en suite bathroom, TV, mini-bar, storage space, and individually controlled air conditioners.
The cabins are located on both the lower and upper deck, with both double bed and twin bed options available. Some of the cabins on the upper deck even feature sea views.
Guests can enjoy the spacious indoor salon on the main deck, which is furnished with comfortable sofas, an entertainment area with a TV, DVD player, sound system, a buffet station, a bar, and a dining room. With another open-air lounge and bar located on the sundeck and a third lounge on the sky deck, guests have plenty of room to relax between dives or socialize and stargaze at the end of a long day.
The large open dive deck at the back of the boat was designed with ample space for divers to gear up and store their equipment and cameras. Here you’ll also find rinse tanks, freshwater showers, and the two speedboats. Non-divers can enjoy snorkeling for an added ocean experience, with rental dive and snorkeling gear available for reservation upon booking.
Finally, the friendly and professional staff are prepared to take care of guests from the moment of their arrival, waiting with cocktails and snacks, to the moment of their departure, and all that comes in between.
Highlights:
- Lots of relaxation spaces
- 13 ensuite cabins
- Friendly, professional, multilingual staff and crew
Dining on the Betel Gueser
No trip is complete without delicious local and international meals, and buffet-style food prepared by a highly trained crew each day will keep everyone satisfied. Vegetarian and vegan options are included, but guests with special dietary requirements should make requests upon booking.
Complimentary drinks such as water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee, as well as snacks, are served to guests throughout the day. Spirits, wine, and other alcoholic beverages are available for purchase for those who would like a drink with dinner or at the end of a long dive day.
Highlights:
- Local and international cuisines with vegan and vegetarian options
- Complimentary water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks
- Local alcoholic beverages are available at extra cost
I took a trip 19-26 June 2021 with another 2 friends.
The boat shows the signs of the years it’s been at sea. We had two rooms and one of them the A/C wasn’t working and they couldn’t make it work.
A few words on the logistics: I was surprised to discover that transfers to the boat where not included, after I asked about it over mail. The I got response was: yes we provide them. If it’s not included, a sincere answer would be like: we provide transfers and their price is xx €.
Also, we had a booking on the Tillis, when we arrived at the boat it was the Betel Gueser…Surprise, surprise :) That was really upsetting. Maybe the Betel Gueser is better than the Tillis, maybe it’s not. But I chose to go with the Tillis after talking with people that had already been on it. Please note that the Nitrox was extra 60 € and not included in the price.
Apart from that the divemasters were very professional and the dive sites were awesome!