El Tawil 2, back to top

El Tawil 2 الطويل ٢

Private diving, snorkeling and island trips on the Red Sea, leaving from Sharm El Sheikh. Book the whole boat for up to 12 people or join a shared trip.

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El Tawil 2, a white three-deck motor yacht, at anchor in turquoise shallows with desert mountains behind.
Home port
Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai
Built
2004, by Omar El Tawil
Guests
Up to 12
Trip length
1 to 6 nights
Diving
Up to 3 dives a day, with a PADI Instructor and Divemaster on board
Crew speaks
Arabic and English

Our story

El Tawil 2 is the second boat in the family. Salah El Tawil built the first one, Tawil 1, in Suez, and she worked out of Hurghada.

In 1997 his son Omar El Tawil, a PADI Instructor and Divemaster, renovated Tawil 1 and brought her to Sharm El Sheikh.

In 2004 Omar retired Tawil 1's licence and built El Tawil 2 from scratch, so he could run private trips to a higher standard.

An instructor checks a diver's equipment on the boat's dive platform before the diver steps into the water.

The boat

El Tawil 2 takes up to 12 guests. There is shade and seating on deck, an indoor saloon, a freshwater shower and 12 bathrooms.

On board

  • Shaded deck with seating
  • Indoor saloon and cabin space
  • 12 bathrooms
  • Freshwater shower
  • Smart TVs and BOSE speaker
  • Paddle board

Safety

  • Oxygen and first aid kit
  • Crew trained in EFR (Emergency First Response)
  • Licensed sailors and mechanic
  • Dive briefing and buddy check before every dive
  • The captain has the final say on safety
The saloon, with polished wooden window frames, cream built-in seating, blue cushions and a varnished table.
Cushioned seating on the open deck facing deep blue water, with a pigeon perched on the rail.
The sun setting over calm sea, seen past the bow rail.

Trips we offer

Trips are from 1 night (2 days) up to 6 nights (7 days). We normally leave at 6 AM and come back at 3 PM.

Diving

Up to 3 dives a day. Day dives, night dives, or 2 day dives and 1 night dive. A PADI Instructor and a Divemaster are on board. If you're not certified you can do an intro dive (age 10 and up).

Snorkeling

Guided snorkeling on the reef for guests who don't dive.

Island days

We stop at islands, quiet bays and sandy shallows for swimming and relaxing. Good for yoga, meditation and sunsets. We also support kitesurfers.

Whole boat

Book the whole boat for your group. There's no minimum number of guests. Ask us about group rates.

If you're travelling alone you can join a shared trip. Shared trips go ahead once at least 10 guests have booked.

Guests wading through clear, sandy shallows, with El Tawil 2 anchored beyond them and mountains on the horizon.

What's included

Included

  • The boat and crew
  • Diving tanks and weight belts
  • 3 meals a day
  • Soft drinks and water
  • Wi-Fi on board
  • Dive guide and safety briefings

Not included

  • Rental diving equipment
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Personal dive insurance
  • Transfers, unless arranged with us

Dive sites

Where we go depends on the weather, the season and your level. Open Water divers can dive to 20 m and Advanced divers to 30 m.

A guest stands on the bow looking at a large rusted shipwreck lying on a reef in clear blue-green water.
Chart of the dive sites around Sharm El Sheikh Sharm El Sheikh sits near the southern tip of Sinai. Ras Mohammed is just south-west at the tip, the Strait of Tiran is north-east, the SS Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas are west in the Gulf of Suez, Dahab is north up the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Brothers Islands are about 100 nautical miles south, beyond the chart.
Positions on the map are approximate.

Ras Mohammed

National park. All levels, 3-30 m.

Egypt's most famous marine park, at the southern tip of Sinai. Sites include Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef and Jackfish Alley, with coral gardens and reef sharks.

Strait of Tiran

Reef and drift dives. All levels, 5-30 m.

Jackson, Thomas, Woodhouse and Gordon reefs. Clear water, coral walls and drift dives. Turtles and rays are common, and you may see sharks in season.

SS Thistlegorm

Wreck dive. Advanced, 15-30 m.

A British cargo ship sunk in World War II. Trucks and motorcycles are still in the holds, and there are big schools of fish and barracuda around the wreck.

Abu Nuhas

Wreck dives. Intermediate, 15-30 m.

Four wrecks on one reef, the Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K and Kimon M. People call it the ship graveyard of the Red Sea, and it's great for photos.

Dahab

Shore and wall dives. All levels, 5-40 m.

Blue Hole, The Bells, Canyon and Eel Garden. Easy entry from the shore, with sites for beginners up to technical divers.

Brothers Islands

Wall and open-water dives. Advanced, 10-40 m.

Two small islands in open sea with walls of soft coral. Some of the best shark diving in Egypt, including oceanic whitetips and hammerheads.

Marine life calendar

You can dive the Red Sea all year. December to February is the coolest and quietest time. The water goes from about 21°C to 30°C over the year.

Marine life
DolphinsYear-roundSataya, Dolphin House
Sea turtlesYear-roundRas Mohammed, Strait of Tiran, Abu Dabbab
Eagle raysSpring to autumnRas Mohammed, Strait of Tiran
Whale sharksMarch to JuneBrothers, Daedalus, southern Red Sea
Manta raysMay to AugustSouthern Red Sea, Daedalus
HammerheadsJune to SeptemberBrothers, Rocky, Zabargad
Coral spawningJune to AugustNight dives on selected reefs
Oceanic whitetipsOctober to DecemberBrothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone

These are the usual seasons. We can't promise what you'll see.

A pod of dolphins swimming just below the surface in deep blue water, seen from above.

Book a trip

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FAQ

Can I book alone?

Yes. Solo guests join shared trips, which go ahead once at least 10 guests have booked. If you book the whole boat there's no minimum group size.

Can beginners dive?

Yes. If you're 10 or older and not certified, you can do an intro dive with our PADI Instructor and Divemaster.

What's included?

The boat and crew, tanks and weight belts, 3 meals a day, soft drinks, Wi-Fi and a dive guide. Rental equipment is extra.

How deep can I dive?

Open Water divers go to 20 m and Advanced divers to 30 m, depending on conditions and the site.

What if someone gets sick on board?

We have oxygen and first aid on board. In an emergency the crew calls the coast guard or heads to the nearest port for a hospital.

What languages does the crew speak?

Arabic and English. We can arrange a divemaster who speaks another European language if you ask in advance.