Red Sea Liveaboards
Welcome to a holiday on the waves! Liveaboard diving is perfect for
experiencing some of the best dive sites in the Red Sea from luxury surroundings
with a top notch team of dive guides.
Book your dive safari safe in the knowledge that the Liveaboard team of
guides, crew and chefs are trained to a high standard and offer first class
customer service.
One of the best things about liveaboard diving is that we can visit dive
sites that might be busy at peak times of the day, but we get them more-or-less
to ourselves when the crowds have headed back to land.
You don't have to be a seasoned diver to enjoy a liveaboard - whatever your
level, there'll be something to suit you.
Fascinating dive briefings, fabulous meals and an impressive choice of
routes, including Ras Mohamed, Thistlegorm, Elphinstone, Brothers, Fury and
Daedalus.
Our liveaboards offer a range of services and some have free Nitrox and nice
finishing touches with dinner!
Group and individual bookings available - contact us to plan and cost your
cruise! Contact details at the bottom of the page.
Please download and print this document: Things
To Know Before You Go
Asmaa - Silver Class
Asmaa is a custom-built motor yacht designed with the diver in mind and
comfortably accommodating 16 people in 8 twin-berth cabins, all ensuite and with
two towels per guest. The cabins and salon are fully air-conditioned and there
is a large dive deck and sun deck. She has free Wi-Fi, available where there is
a signal. She is also equipped with NITROX and can handle tech diving on
request. You are guaranteed a minimum of two dive guides.
The Asmaa sails from Hurghada, and has the following dive itineraries
available (click on the links for more information about each cruise):
Minimum Sailing Numbers For Individual/Mixed Group Bookings
Cabins
- 2 bunk bed cabins (4 pax).
- 6 twin berth cabins with beds side by side (12 pax).
Single Occupancy Cabins
If a guest requests a cabin alone the following supplements will be
applicable: Twin Berth Cabin: Charged at normal Cabin Share Rate + 50%.
Superior - Gold Class
Measuring 36m, Superior offers ten twin-berth cabins and one double,
comfortably accommodating 22 people. All cabins have air-con and ensuite
bathrooms (WC/shower). For added comfort, and lighter luggage, each guest enjoys
two towels. The spacious dining and salon areas offer air-con, DVD/TV and
stereo. She has free Wi-Fi, available where there is a signal. Outstanding menus
are offered on board. There are also two sundecks, complete with Jacuzzi/hot
tub, and a dive deck with platform. All safety equipment meets International
standards. She is also equipped with NITROX, offers technical diving and is
guaranteed to carry a minimum of two dive guides.
The Superior sails from Hurghada and Marsa Ghalib (near Marsa Alam), and has
the following dive routes available (click on the links for more information
about each cruise):
Cabins
- 2 bunk bed cabins (4 pax);
- 1 double bed cabin; this cabin is not a suite cabin (2 pax sharing 1 bed).
- 8 twin berth cabins with beds side by side (16 pax).
Minimum Sailing Numbers
Single Occupancy Cabins
If a guest requests a cabin alone the following supplements will be
applicable: Twin Berth Cabin: Charged at normal Cabin Share Rate + 50%.
Elite - Platinum Class
Custom-designed and built to a superior standard, Elite is a 38 metre boat
accommodating a maximum of 24 guests in 11 twin-berth cabins and a double master
suite, all with ensuite, air conditioning, flat screen TV with media player and
two towels per guest. She is a spacious boat with free Wi-Fi (available where
there is a signal), three sundecks, dive deck with platform, Jacuzzi/hot tub,
two air-conditioned salons and air-conditioned dining room where good food and
free wine with dinner is served. She has all the diving and safety equipment
including two large RIBs with outboards and is also equipped with NITROX and can
handle tech diving on request.
The Elite sails from Hurghada and Marsa Ghalib (near Marsa Alam), and has the
following dive routes available (click on the links for more information about
each cruise):
Minimum Sailing Numbers
Cabins
- 1 suite cabin (2 pax sharing 1 bed);
- 11 twin berth cabins with beds side by side (22 pax).
Single Occupancy Cabins
If a guest requests a cabin alone the following supplements will be applicable:
- Twin Berth Cabin: Charged at normal Cabin Share Rate + 50%;
- Suite: Charged at normal Suite Share Rate + 75%.
Liveaboard Includes
- 7 Nights (last night either onboard or in a hotel - confirmation of which
will be given to the guests upon embarkation)
- 6 Days of diving, 3-4 dives/day (last day 2 dives)
- Return transfers to boat as per transfers listed on the website here
(transfers only included on day of embarkation/disembarkation):
- Guide, tanks and weights
- Nitrox fills - 15 litre tank rental
- Full board, soft drinks and snacks
- Glass of wine with dinner
Marine Park & Fees Included:
- 14 Euro Environmental Tax
- Marine Park Fees - 20 Euro per person
- Port Departure Fee for Southern & Marine Park Safaris
- Fuel Surcharge
Liveaboard Does Not Include:
- Flight and visa
- Diving equipment
- Alcohol
- Tip for the crew
- Extra tanks
Dive Requirements:
Egyptian law states that for the Marine Park Cruises all guests have a
minimum of:
- 50 Logged dives for Simply the Best, Simply Magnificent, Just Brothers,
Famous Five.
It is recommended that all guests have a minimum of:
- 40 Logged dives for South & St John's Cruise.
- 20 Logged dives for Get Wrecked Cruise.
- 15 Logged dives and certified to dive to 30 metres for Classic Cruise and
Reefs & Wrecks.
The Cruises
Classic Cruise:
Minimum of 15 logged dives recommended. This cruise has something
for everyone. Starting from Hurghada and sailing north, it offers a perfect
combination of reef diving and wreck diving. The famous horseshoe shaped reef of
Shaab El Erg is a perfect example of the reefs with its beautiful hard coral
garden and the chance to see dolphins. Abu Nuhas has four well-known wrecks:
Giannis D, Carnatic, the lentil wreck and the tile wreck, all offering
spectacular dives and plenty of fish life. Night dives can be superb in this
area as Gubal Island offers protected anchoring for the night. A small wreck at
8-10 metres makes for a spectacular night dive with lionfish, scorpion fish and
its resident giant moray eel. A short ride across the Straits of Gubal and you
visit the most famous wreck of the Red Sea, the Thistlegorm! An awe-inspiring
World War II British vessel with a cargo full of armaments (Bedford trucks and
BSA motorbikes), which were all destined for the British troops in North Africa.
She was sunk by the German Luftwaffe and now lies in 30 metres of water.
Depending on divers' experience, weather and current conditions, we also try to
offer a night dive here. Close by is the Ras Mohamed National Park, offering a
morning dive at 'Shark Reef', a sheer wall falling into the blue. From here the
boat heads back towards Hurghada.
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Just Brothers (from Hurghada):
50 logged dives required by Egyptian Law. No night dives are allowed in
The Brothers Marine Parks thus limiting the total number of dives on this route.
These are challenging dives, with strong currents, so not for inexperienced
divers. Adverse weather can affect this route. The Brother Islands are
the pinnacles of two undersea mountains rising from the depths of the abyss and
are located about 60 miles offshore. Part of the Marine Park Islands National
Park, these islands offer stunning wall diving, with the walls being covered in
soft corals and forests of gorgonians, creating a kaleidoscope of ever-changing
colours. They attract a diverse array of marine species and large pelagics.
Large tuna, jacks and snappers cruise in the blue, accompanied by occasional
hammerheads, silvertips, silky and oceanic white tip sharks and mantas. Even the
rare thresher shark can be found here. Sightings of the grey reef shark are
almost guaranteed on the North and South Plateaux of Small Brother. For the
wreck diver, the Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel, and the Numidia, a cargo
ship, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. Both are covered in a rich growth of
soft and hard corals. Marine life includes a family of Napoleon wrasse and grey
reef sharks. The Salem Express is a dramatic dive. The 100-meter ferryboat was
on its way back from Mecca to Safaga after the annual Muslim pilgrimage in
December 1991 when it hit the reef during a stormy night. It is now home to a
thriving underwater life, including a famous resident frogfish, blue-spotted
stingrays, angel and butterfly fish. The ship itself is covered in a large
quantity of hard and soft corals. It is one of the largest wrecks in the
Egyptian Red Sea - roughly the same size as the Thistlegorm. There is superb
wall diving at Panorama, which is in fact one of the largest reefs in Safaga. A
great reef with overhangs where gorgonians and soft corals thrive with the
frequent nurturing currents. Due to the size of the barrier, there are at least
three different dives to be done here: the south plateau and the east and west
drop offs. Barracudas and white tip reef sharks and occasionally hammerheads and
manta rays can be found. The south plateau is somewhat more protected by the
current. Abu Kafan is a 300-metre long and narrow reef offering a plateau at
both north and south tips. We normally jump in the water on the north plateau
and glide with the frequent strong current southwards along the impressive walls
covered with soft and black coral, giant fans and gorgonians.
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Famous Five Cruise (from Hurghada):
50 logged dives required by Egyptian Law. No night dives allowed in the
Brothers Marine Parks. Starting from Hurghada, we sail north towards
Gubal Island and on to Abu Nuhas and its four well-known wrecks: Giannis D,
Carnatic, the lentil wreck and the tile wreck, all offering spectacular dives
and plenty of fish life. Explore the Rosalie Moeller (the sister ship of the
slightly more famous Thistlegorm), which lies from 30 to 50 metres deep and is
in excellent condition. Although the visibility is not always good the wreck is
covered in glassfish from bow to stern and hunting them are masses of lionfish.
Around the wreck are the usual pelagics such as tuna, trevallies, Emperor fish
and many more. A short ride across the Straits of Gubal and you visit the most
famous wreck of the Red Sea, the SS Thistlegorm! An awe-inspiring World War II
British vessel with a cargo full of armaments, Bedford trucks and BSA
motorbikes, which were all destined for the British troops in North Africa. She
was sunk by the German Luftwaffe and now lies in 30 metres of water. Depending
on divers' experience, along with weather and current conditions, we try to
offer a night dive here. Nearby is the Ras Mohamed National Park, offering a
morning dive at the renowned 'Shark and Yolanda' reefs. Ras Mohamed National
Park is the furthest Sinai destination before heading south towards the
Brothers. The Brother Islands are the pinnacles of two undersea mountains rising
from the depths of the abyss and are located about 60 miles offshore from El
Quseir. Part of the Marine Park Islands National Park, these islands offer
stunning wall diving, with the walls being covered in soft corals and forests of
gorgonians, creating a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours. They attract a
diverse array of marine species and large pelagics. Big tuna, barracudas, jacks
and snappers cruise in the blue, accompanied by occasional hammerheads, silky
and oceanic white tip sharks and mantas. Even the rare thresher shark can
sometimes be found there. Sightings of the grey reef shark are almost guaranteed
on the North and South Plateaux of Small Brother. For the wreck diver, the Aida
II, an Egyptian supply vessel, and the Numidia, a cargo ship, lie on the walls
of the Big Brother. Both are covered in a rich growth of soft and hard corals.
Marine life includes a family of Napoleon wrasse and grey reef sharks. The boat
will then sail back to Hurghada via Safaga where you can dive at Panorama Reef
or the famous wreck of Salem Express for a memorable finale!
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Simply the Best (from Hurghada or Marsa Ghalib):
50 logged dives required by Egyptian Law. No night dives allowed in the
Marine Parks. Long overnight sailings are required and due to distances
travelled the number of dives is limited compared to other routes. These are
challenging dives, with strong currents, so not for inexperienced divers.
Adverse weather can affect this route. Dive the Best Top 3 sites in this
area: Big and Little Brothers, Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone. The Brother
Islands are the pinnacles of two undersea mountains rising from the depths of
the abyss and are located about 60 miles offshore. Part of the Marine Park
Islands National Park, these islands offer stunning wall diving, with the walls
being covered in soft corals and forests of gorgonians, creating a kaleidoscope
of ever-changing colours. They attract a diverse array of marine species and
large pelagics. Large tuna, jacks and snappers cruise in the blue, accompanied
by occasional hammerheads, silvertips, silky and oceanic white tip sharks and
mantas. Even the rare thresher shark can be found here. Sightings of the grey
reef shark are almost guaranteed on the North and South Plateaux of Small
Brother. For the wreck diver, the Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel, and the
Numidia, a cargo ship, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. Both are covered in
a rich growth of soft and hard corals. Marine life includes a family of Napoleon
wrasse and grey reef sharks. Daedalus Reef, also part of the Marine Park, is a
large, oval reef with a lighthouse and is the furthest offshore reef in the
Egyptian Red Sea. Its deep walls and drop-offs offer some of the most
spectacular diving to be found. Daedalus has mountainous, pristine, hard coral
formations. There is also a strong chance of spotting schooling hammerheads and
grey reef sharks. Elphinstone, with its sheer walls covered in soft corals,
offers a likely encounter with oceanic white tip sharks.
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South & St. Johns (from Marsa Ghalib Port &
Hamata):
Minimum of 40 logged dives recommended. This trip takes you to some
of the best diving the Red Sea has to offer. Here the diving is less arduous so
it's a trip for those who want to see the best but have a more relaxed time
while doing so. Sailing to the southernmost reefs, you'll depart from Marsa
Ghalib Port or Hamata (depends on the time of year) and dive the sites at Fury
Shoals en-route to the vast reef system of St John's. When leaving Marsa Ghalib
the route can sometimes take in a dive at Abu Dabab on the first or last day.
Often spoilt for choice, your guides will pick sites that they know to be the
best for the time of the year and can find excellent alternatives should the
weather affect the normal route. Although the distances are long, where possible
we travel overnight so, as a 21 plus route, our aim is to get as many dives in
as possible at some of the most impressive reefs. Below are some of the
highlights. On the way to Fury shoals, dive Shab Sharm with its wall dives and
white tip reef sharks. Oceanic white tips and silky sharks can sometimes be
found in the blue and turtles often visit the south side before heading further
south. At Fury Shoals, dive Shaab Claude with its famous swim-throughs and huge
porite corals. White tip reef sharks and an anemone and clownfish settlement can
be seen a little off the reef to the South. Abu Galawa Soraya has a fantastic
coral garden and a wreck of a private sailing boat populated with glass fish. St
John's is a vast collection of small reefs offering some of the most remote and
rewarding diving in the Red Sea. This incredibly beautiful reef lies a short
distance north of the Sudanese border. The reef covers a huge area and many
dives would be needed to explore the numerous coral heads and islands. Habili
Ali offers giant gorgonians and black corals whilst grey reef, silvertip and
schools of hammerhead sharks might be found on the west side. Habili Gafaar is a
mass of soft corals teaming with shoals of snappers, butterfly fish and
barracudas. Mantas, grey reef and silvertip sharks can often be seen in the
blue. Gota Kebir is a massive reef, famous for its tunnels and south plateau,
where jacks and barracudas swim and the occasional manta. The tunnels are an
ideal for novice cave divers. Gota Soraya is rated as possibly one of the best
wall dives in the Red Sea, with overhangs and cracks in the reef wall full of
glass fish and sweepers as well as an abundance of corals, grey reef, silvertips
and hammerhead sharks.
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Tech North & South
Seven-day liveaboard safaris give the perfect opportunity to discover and
explore unknown wrecks and reefs that the Red Sea has to offer. There are
northern and southern trips available. Leaving from Hurghada, the northern trip
is spent diving on unspoiled deep wrecks around the Straits of Gubal,
breath-taking drop-offs in the Ras Mohammed Marine Park and long penetration
dives on world-class wrecks like the Thistlegorm, the Rosalie Moller and the
deeper Al Gamar Al Saudi Ferry. The water temperature and the dive sites make it
possible to do two dives in one: The first part being a deep dive exploring a
wreck, a surprising canyon or an astonishing wall in crystal clear water. The
second part of the same dive is spent in shallow water, swimming around
colourful coral reefs, teeming with marine life, while completing the
decompression stops.
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Reefs & Wrecks (from Hurghada):
Minimum of 20 logged dives & PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification
or equivalent recommended. The best of both worlds, where you visit
famous wrecks in the northern Red Sea along with some stunning reef diving. The
famous horseshoe shaped reef of Shaab El Erg is a perfect example of the reefs
on offer on this cruise, with its beautiful hard coral garden and the chance to
see dolphins. Abu Nuhas has four well-known wrecks: Giannis D, Carnatic, the
lentil wreck and the tile wreck, all offering spectacular dives and plenty of
fish life. Night dives can be superb as Gubal Island offers protected anchoring
for the night. A small wreck at 8-10 metres makes for a spectacular night dive
with lionfish, scorpion fish and its resident giant moray eel as well as the
wreck of the Ulysses and the Rosalie Moeller. Next onto the Kingston lying at
Shag Rock; the Carina lying close to Sha'ab Ali and the Dunraven at Beacon Rock
in Ras Mohamed National Park. And finally the most famous wreck in the Red Sea,
the Thistlegorm, at Sha'ab Ali. The SS Thistlegorm was sunk in 1941 after being
bombed by the German Luftwaffe while on a mission to deliver a cargo of
ammunition and other war materials to the British troops in North Africa. The
Rosalie Moeller, carrying a cargo of coal, suffered the same fate just two days
later. Whilst in Ras Mohamed, you may have the chance to do a dive at Shark
Reef; a sheer wall falling into the blue. From here the boat heads back towards
Hurghada. In between wreck dives you will also visit the reefs of the Straits of
Gubal, Gulf of Suez and those to the north of Hurghada. A variety of deep walls
and hard coral gardens with an abundance of reef fish make them well worth a
visit. All wrecks are subject to divers' experience and weather conditions.
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Get Wrecked! (from Hurghada):
Minimum of 20 logged dives recommended. If you are not certified to dive to
30 metres, you will need to complete your Advanced Open Water Course whilst
onboard. Be sure to pre-book when making your liveaboard reservation. This
trip gives you the chance to dive the best of the best of the northern Red Sea's
wrecks as well as the chance to do some fabulous reef diving. Leaving from
Hurghada, we aim to dive all the wrecks in the area including: El Mina, an
Egyptian mine sweeper lying just outside Hurghada's harbour; Suzanna (or
Excalibur), a small pleasure yacht; the Carnatic; the tile wreck; the lentil
wreck and Giannis D at Abu Nuhas. At Gubal Islands: the Barge; the Ulysses (sunk
in 1887) and the Rosalie Moeller; the Kingston (or Sarah H, sunk in 1881) lying
at Shag Rock; the Carina (sunk in 1926) lying close to Shab Ali and, of course,
the Dunraven (sunk 1876) at Beacon Rock situated in the Ras Mohamed National
Park and the most famous wreck in the Red Sea, the Thistlegorm, which lies at
Shab Ali. These wrecks are spectacular and make fantastic material for the
underwater photographer being smothered in corals, especially the Carnatic,
which sank in 1869. The famous SS Thistlegorm and the Rosalie Moeller are World
War II wrecks and one of the highlights of this cruise. The SS Thistlegorm was
sunk in 1941, bombed by the German Luftwaffe, while on a mission to deliver a
cargo of ammunition and other war materials to the British troops in North
Africa. The Rosalie Moeller, carrying a cargo of coal, suffered the same fate
just two days later. In between wreck dives you will also visit the reefs of the
Straits of Gubal, Gulf of Suez and those to the north of Hurghada. A variety of
deep walls and hard coral gardens with an abundance of reef fish make them well
worth a visit. All wrecks are subject to divers' experience and weather
conditions.
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Simply Magnificent (from Marsa Ghalib Port):
Minimum of 50 logged dives requested and no night dives permitted in the
Marine Park area. These are challenging dives, with strong currents, so not for
inexperienced divers. Long overnight sailing is required in order to meet the
itinerary. All the dive sites are subject to weather conditions. Only two dives
and one night dive are achievable on some days due to the travelling distance. Daedalus
Reef, part of the Marine Park, is a large, oval reef with a lighthouse and is
the furthest offshore reef in the Egyptian Red Sea. Its deep walls and drop-offs
offer some of the most spectacular diving in the Red Sea. Daedalus has
mountainous, pristine, hard coral formations. There is also a strong chance of
spotting schooling hammerheads, grey reef sharks and oceanic white tip sharks.
Further south are the spectacular overhangs and deep walls of Rocky Island and
the abundance of soft coral and spectacular coral pinnacles at Zabargad. St
John's is a beautiful reef system which lies approx. 40km north of the Sudanese
border and 20km south of Zabargad.
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Booking
To plan your cruise fully and work out costs, please contact Cecelia on
+27 11 678 4777 or +27 11 478 2884 or email us on:
info@egyptandbeyond.co.za.
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