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Liveaboard Diving in Red Sea
What To Expect On A Red Sea Liveaboard
Liveaboards in the Red Sea have long been a divers favourite destination offering amazing scuba diving with healthy, colourful reefs and abundant marine life. Egyptian liveaboards have provided divers from around the world, some amazing dive experiences on some of the worlds best-known dive sites. Numerous liveaboard itineraries are available which can visit remote reefs or wrecks from WWII.
The name 'Red Sea' is rumoured to come from the seasonal blooms of red coloured algae that appear near the surface at certain times in the year. But despite its name, the waters are an amazing blue water destination boasting comfortable water temperatures throughout the year, superb visibility and great dive conditions year-round. As some of the best dive sites are far from shore a liveaboard dive cruise is the best way to visit the more remote areas of this region.
The Red Sea is actually a seawater inlet extending from the Indian Ocean and lays between Africa & Asia. It holds the title as one of the saltiest bodies of water on earth, due mainly to its geological formation, leading to high evaporation levels. Due to the water's high salinity, divers should be aware that they will most likely need to add extra weight to their normal amount to compensate for the extra buoyancy provided by these salty waters.
Whilst the Red Sea is primarily bordered by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, most diving liveaboards in the Red Sea offer diving safaris directly from Egypt, with multiple well-established tourist destinations located throughout the country from North to South. An Egypt dive liveaboard is certainly the best way to see this amazing dive and snorkelling area.
Diving areas/regions can be split between North & South, with different dive trip itineraries offered in both areas.
Northern Red Sea
The northern area of the Egyptian Red Sea is a divers paradise, offering amazing dive cruises at world-famous dive sites such as the Straits of Tiran, Ras Mohammed National Park. If diving wrecks is your thing, then the SS Thistlegorm or Dunraven wrecks will surely be a must-do on your dive list. A dive liveaboard departing from either Sharm El Sheikh, Safaga or Hurghada is an excellent way to fully explore the different dive sites available.
Southern Red Sea
To the south awaits some fantastic dive opportunities away from the crowds for those visiting on a liveaboard dive trip. Dive sites that are only accessible by overnight dive safaris can be explored. With well known sites such as Daedalus Reef, The Brothers, St. Johns, Elphinstone and Fury Shoals it will surely delight all divers. Most liveaboard itineraries that operate in this southern area will depart from either Port Ghalib (Marsa Alam), Hamata or Hurghada.
Getting There
Northern Red Sea - Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada both have their own international airports which have various international airlines flying directly to them. These would be a more convenient arrival port for dive liveaboard departures. Cairo is the main International airport in Egypt and will also offer domestic flights to most areas within Egypt.
Southern Red Sea - Marsa Alam International airport to the south is used by some international airlines, mainly from Europe and is located very close to Port Ghalib (Marsa Ghalib), so is a perfect arrival port for liveaboard trips leaving from this area. Domestic flights from Cairo are also available. Land transfers from Hurghada to Port Ghalib are also possible, the journey takes approximately 2.5 hours each way.
Red Sea Diving Reviews
- 9.2 Superb
- 244 Verified Reviews
scuba diving in the Red Sea is always beautiful. many fish and beautiful coral. i think i saw one piece of plastic the entire week i dived.
Diving Red Sea in February on the Red Sea Adventurer
In general, I would summarize the Red Sea as beautiful reefs and anthias. These are some of the prettiest reefs I have seen anywhere in the world (and I have been virtually everywhere, from the arctic to the antarctic and everywhere in between.). The reefs have all the color of Raja Ampat except with super clear water. The down side is that it is rare to see anything larger than a shoebox. A single whitetip reef shark sitting in a hole is a big deal. This is not the place to come for "big stuff."
Diving Red Sea in May on the Seawolf Felo
Always a beautiful way to spend a day in your life
Diving Red Sea in June on the Emperor Superior
Excellent and beautiful as i had imagined.
Diving Red Sea in July on the Red Sea Adventurer
Amazing! A dream come true
Diving Red Sea in July on the Miss Nouran
Brilliant - amazing visibility most of the time!
Diving Red Sea in February on the Emperor Superior
Overall good. Visibility was 50-75’ and a little disappointing. Had heard visibility was 100’ plus. Many reefs were heavily covered with silt. Some fish species were quite large, e.g. Napoleon Wrasse, Moral eels, which were fun to see. There were lots of colorful tropical fish and a high concentration of Crocodile Fish were seen. After hearing many accolades from other divers and reading about great diving in the Red Sea, I was a bit underwhelmed with the variety of species. After 10 dives (including 2 night dives) I did not see a single crustacean, shark or turtle.
Diving Red Sea in May on the King Snefro 5
Great area to dive and visit. Will certainly return.
Diving Red Sea in June on the Tillis
I could not ask for better.
Diving Red Sea in June on the Excellence
A little sparce, but some interesting citing. Wreck lovers will enjoy!
Diving Red Sea in June on the Blue Planet 1
In the south, we did not have any close encounters with hammerheads since the water was too warm
Diving Red Sea in July on the Blue Horizon
i preferred the reefs closer to hurghada than the brothers. i found much more variety of wildlife on the reefs closer to shore
Diving Red Sea in October on the Seawolf Dominator
Good vis, great coral, fewer fish than I was expecting, maybe due to time of year. Wreck dives were very impressive.
Diving Red Sea in December on the King Snefro 5
A bit chilly for me since the water ranged from 21 to 23 degrees and I am a tropical water diver, but having a thick wet suit helps.
Diving Red Sea in December on the Emperor Superior
I would recommend-GREAT corals, but if you want sharks, end of February is not the right time of year.
Diving Red Sea in February on the Blue Seas
A touch cold but great viz!
Diving Red Sea in April on the Tillis
Excellent, lots of variety.
Diving Red Sea in May on the Tillis
transfers were great. The staff helpful and friendly. Felt safe on the dives and in the area. Great condition of the reef and the many species of fish. Visibility was usually 30 meters and only a few dives dis it go down to 20 meters. I love the Red Sea.
Diving Red Sea in June on the King Snefro 5
Great- Lots of fish and coral, excellent visibility.
Diving Red Sea in June on the Liberty
Gorgeous, wonderful, breathtaking.
Diving Red Sea in October on the Vita Xplorer
Definitely a diving bucket list
Diving Red Sea in October on the South Moon
Overall good; lot of variety,Good
Diving Red Sea in November on the Emperor Superior
Overall the diving in the Red Sea was great.
Diving Red Sea in November on the Red Sea Blue Force 3
A bit cold for me (I'm a Caribbean diver - so my being cold is not a spectacular remark). Some divers bring dry-suits, I settle for a 7 mm wetsuit. I like the Red Sea - there's always something to see on each dive.
Diving Red Sea in December on the Emperor Echo
Our February trip was quite windy and cool, visibility was just okay, and water temp was 20-21C. But what can you do about Mother Nature?
Diving Red Sea in February on the Blue Planet 1
Well, a bit disappointing compared to other well known dive spots (Raja Ampat, Alor, Cuba, etc. ). Coral is healthy but fish life is lacking. Best time for sharks is mid September to early December.
Diving Red Sea in March on the Blue
I was somewhat disappointed. I had seen pictures of beautiful colorful reefs and on our trip we saw very little of this. I was told the reefs are more to the south. Watch which direction your trip goes. I wished I had den some more research on this and made a better decision for such a long and expensive trip.
Diving Red Sea in November on the Blue
Didn't know the water could be so blue.
Diving Red Sea in October on the Snefro Spirit
great as always, perfect visibility
Diving Red Sea in February on the Red Sea Adventurer
Nice and diverse, but not a lot of "big stuff" in February.
Diving Red Sea in February on the Snefro Pearl
Amazing dives. I've already done a number of safaris in the Red Sea
Diving Red Sea in March on the Blue Melody
Wonderfull. Great sea life and fauna. Although Egypt doesn't take care of the reefs as it should.
Diving Red Sea in March on the Emperor Elite
Love it - the water could have been a little warmer but it was such a great experience that didn't matter
Diving Red Sea in March on the Emperor Superior
Visibility is perfect, weather is fine, sea life is beautiful
Diving Red Sea in May on the Emperor Superior
Wonderful and colorful as always
Diving Red Sea in May on the King Snefro 5
First time there, so I didn't expect to see lots of big stuff. But still we saw few hammerheads and oceanic white tip. The coral formations are amazing and visibilty pretty good.
Diving Red Sea in May on the Emperor Elite
Diving in the Red Sea is just amazing, one of the greatest diving spots in the world that any diver should have.
Diving Red Sea in August on the Excellence
Great combination of wrecks, coral reefs and dolphins
Diving Red Sea in August on the Blue Pearl
Very nice destination for divers who wouldn't travel too far from Europe to live good experience underwater...
Diving Red Sea in September on the Emperor Asmaa
Really nice, very nice water
Diving Red Sea in September on the King Snefro 5
The red offers really nice diving for all levels
Diving Red Sea in June on the Blue Melody
Good if who like shark don't miss.
Diving Red Sea in June on the Tillis
Das erste mal am Roten Meer - beeindruckend!
Diving Red Sea in June on the Blue Planet 1
Red Sea diving is my absolute favorite, after having seen Central America and the Caribbean, Central Pacific, Mediterranean, Great Barrier reef, Maldives and Oman, this was by far the very best diving I have ever experienced.
Diving Red Sea in June on the Tillis
Interesting divesites nice wrecks no sharks
Diving Red Sea in July on the Red Sea Adventurer
Still one of the best locations to dive
Diving Red Sea in July on the Contessa Mia
Fantastic, clear waters, big pelagics, pristine corals, we loved it
Diving Red Sea in August on the Blue Fin
It was great to dive in the Red Sea thanks to good visubility, mild current, variety grographical features, beautiful marine life, accessibility, warm underwater temperature and reasonable diving price.
Diving Red Sea in August on the Blue Melody
Splendid as always - water was 30c+, would not recommend a 5mm even for a trip with over 30+ consecutive dives.
Diving Red Sea in August on the Nouran
Current is always issue but you MUST have experienced dive master who nows when and where to go.
Diving Red Sea in October on the King Snefro 6
As always the Red sea offers really great diving! Especially for its price and closeness to Europe.
Diving Red Sea in December on the Emperor Asmaa
Very colorful. Very much life.
Diving Red Sea in December on the Tillis
Excellent! Dolphins are definitely the highlight!
Diving Red Sea in March on the Tillis
Very good visibility all over, nice reefs and not too busy
Diving Red Sea in April on the Blue Planet 1
Relatively nice and calm with warm waters and countless dive sites to explore all over the red sea.
Diving Red Sea in April on the King Snefro 5
too cold water temperature for me
Diving Red Sea in April on the King Snefro 5
Easy diving with marvelous corals and small marine life.
Diving Red Sea in April on the Blue Horizon
Nice and warm and my 7mm was never too warm.
Diving Red Sea in May on the Emperor Superior
Overall very good and diverse.
Diving Red Sea in May on the King Snefro 5
Really nice with good variation,Please see question one
Diving Red Sea in May on the Emperor Superior
very salty. coral life generally healthy but didn't see nearly as many pelagics as expected.
Diving Red Sea in June on the Emperor Asmaa
Great overall - plenty of sea life and corals in very good condition (bit bleached as it happens all over the world). Highlights were seeing plenty of Giant Morays, also two sea turtles and an octopus.
Diving Red Sea in June on the Liberty
The richness of marine life is staggering
Diving Red Sea in June on the South Moon
Made it to the top 3 of my favorite ! STUNNING !
Diving Red Sea in June on the King Snefro 5
Excellent. Dreamlike conditions. Warm, blue, clear, and full of life.
Diving Red Sea in July on the Blue Melody
Wonderful, the beauty in the sea is still amazing.
Diving Red Sea in July on the Sea Serpent
I saw many new fish and visibility always great comparing with others places. Good price and good guide.
Diving Red Sea in July on the Tillis
As ever fantastic and great value for money.
Diving Red Sea in August on the Tillis
Warm, clear, relaxing. Why wouldn't you dive?
Diving Red Sea in August on the Emperor Superior
The diving in the North Red Sea was amazing and I am looking forward to now visit the South.
Diving Red Sea in August on the Ghani
Good, the soft corals are amazing and the thistlegorm is fantastic
Diving Red Sea in August on the Emperor Superior
Amazing. Currents vere too much on some days but other than that I have no complaints
Diving Red Sea in August on the Emperor Superior
Thanks to Red Sea to share with us all the beauty of itself...
Diving Red Sea in August on the Contessa Mia
It is a wonderful place to dive, plenty of life and wrecks. It can be physically demanding on some sites as currents can be strong.
Diving Red Sea in September on the Tillis
It was our first dive in the red Sea and we were positively impressed.
Diving Red Sea in September on the Tillis
Very good for wreck diving
Diving Red Sea in September on the Dreams
Amazing and 1st time there, but wont be the last
Diving Red Sea in September on the Emperor Superior
Good visibility and nice temperature
Diving Red Sea in September on the King Snefro 5
Für mich immer noch das schönste Tauchgebiet
Diving Red Sea in October on the King Snefro 6
One of the days we found a pod of dolphins, that carried up coral and played coral catch with us.
Diving Red Sea in November on the South Moon
Not as much fish as I was expecting but I hear may/ June are the best months - we were at the end of the season ,I look forward to returning in high summer for the epic fish schools :)
Diving Red Sea in November on the Emperor Superior
Good, but not world-beating like had been hyped on various sites / articles. That could be because we have been diving in the Philippines for four years. Nothing we saw compared to Tubbataha or Verde Island.
Diving Red Sea in December on the Blue Seas
At between 21 to 24 degree celsius for this December trip, this was some of the „cooler“ diving we have done so far but it was well worth it and the dive sites were not as crowded as they can get during peak season.
Diving Red Sea in December on the Sea Friend
Super great, I will make a tour to the south red sea after this great experience in the north
Diving Red Sea in January on the Emperor Elite
5 stars. Dolphins and coral in the north were incredible
Diving Red Sea in January on the Emperor Elite
always awesome to see the all kind of colores
Diving Red Sea in February on the Emperor Asmaa
Disappointing. No sharks or big animals at all. Specially because the package sold was specifically targeting diving with sharks.
Diving Red Sea in September on the Emperor Asmaa
Good value for the money but nothing exceptional. Maybe we weren't lucky this time.
Diving Red Sea in September on the Golden Dolphin
Everything is wonderfull in the red sea !
Diving Red Sea in October on the Blue
good temperature very good view
Diving Red Sea in November on the Blue Seas
Only about 23 degrees and chilly on the surface with the wind, but very nice and good coral health.
Diving Red Sea in February on the Emperor Asmaa
Extreme clear water with perfect marine life
Diving Red Sea in July on the Snefro Pearl
I love diving the Red Sea - healthy coral and marine life
Diving Red Sea in August on the Emperor Echo
I loved it. Very colorful. I missed some more sharks and macro, though
Diving Red Sea in September on the Snefro Spirit
beautiful reefs with a lot of colorful sea life
Diving Red Sea in September on the Snefro Pearl
Like swimming in an aquarium
Diving Red Sea in October on the Tillis
The Red sea is always a pleasure to dive in, and the liveaboard experience just made it better.
Diving Red Sea in October on the Emperor Echo
Great but a bit cold especially during night dives , I think it could be more comfy starting from April to November.
Diving Red Sea in January on the Emperor Superior
Diving was simple and quiet at this time of year with lots to see.
Diving Red Sea in February on the Blue Pearl
Wild life and environment is well protected and kept
Diving Red Sea in March on the Blue Adventurer