Liveaboard Diving in Red Sea

What To Expect On A Red Sea Liveaboard

Liveaboards in the Red Sea have long been a divers favorite destination offering amazing scuba diving with healthy, colorful reefs and abundant marine life. Egyptian liveaboards have provided divers from around the world with some amazing dive experiences on some of the world's best-known dive sites. Numerous liveaboard itineraries are available, which can visit remote reefs or wrecks from WWII.

The name 'Red Sea' is rumored to come from the seasonal blooms of red-colored algae that appear near the surface at certain times of 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 a seawater inlet extending from the Indian Ocean and lies between Africa & Asia. It holds the title of 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 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 safari on a liveaboard is the best way to see this amazing dive and snorkeling 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 and 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 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 have their own international airports, with 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. It is located very close to Port Ghalib (Marsa Ghalib), so it is a perfect arrival port for liveaboard trips 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

  • 9.1 Superb
  • 460 Verified Reviews
  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Peter G
  • United States United States

I've dove both northern and Southern routes. If I had to choose which was more enjoyable, the southern route comes out on top.

Diving Red Sea in March on the Emperor Asmaa

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • William F
  • United States United States

It was good, but would imagine it would be a great experience if better luck with wind conditions.

Diving Red Sea in April on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Pauline P
  • United States United States

Beautiful corals and easy shallow dives

Diving Red Sea in April on the Emperor Elite

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Maximilian S
  • United States United States

Average overall, reefs are not that good, so if there's no big fish, or a wreck, it could be a boring dive. If you've done any diving in Maldives or Asia, you won't be too impressed with reefs here.

Diving Red Sea in May on the Emperor Superior

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Colin G
  • United States United States

Diving the Red Sea was great lots of life on the reef and corals are in great condition. Pay attention to what Wetsuit to bring at what time of year the Blue-O-Two guide was spot on. We dived in June with 5mm no hood and were comfortable

Diving Red Sea in May on the Blue Horizon

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Kris H
  • United States United States

Very Healthy, vibrant corals - soft & hard, warm

Diving Red Sea in July on the Sea Serpent Contessa

  • 9.2 Superb
  • David H
  • United States United States

Incredible as always for variety ! 26-28 degree water temps, low to moderate winds = smooth channel crossings

Diving Red Sea in August on the Blue Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Diane C
  • United States United States

A little different than I expected but beautiful coral gardens

Diving Red Sea in August on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Elizabeth P
  • United States United States

Loved all of the different fish, unbelievable coral formations and many Nemo sightings. Best place we have ever been to.

Diving Red Sea in September on the Blue

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Steven S
  • United States United States

Diving was very nice, but not our best experience. Water was warm enough so that a skin or 3 mil was all we needed. Visibility was okay but not great. No problem with current. Overall nice but not fabulous.

Diving Red Sea in September on the Blue Melody

  • 9.2 Superb
  • william G
  • United States United States

Rich coral and fish life - the best I have ever encountered

Diving Red Sea in October on the Blue Melody

  • 6.8 Review score
  • Jim B
  • United States United States

3/10. Coral good but lacking color. Plenty of small fish but nothing larger. Extremely crowded dive sights; best quote was "100 divers for every shark seen". Many time the bubbles from so many other divers prevented seeing the sharks. At one dive sight I saw ~50 divers descend from the surface right in front of me. You have to memorize your boat name because there could be 40 zodiacs at the dive sight when you surface.

Diving Red Sea in October on the JP Marine

  • 9.2 Superb
  • webster H
  • United States United States

rougher waters than expected. not as colorful as expected. water temperature perfect.

Diving Red Sea in October on the Blue Horizon

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Larry D
  • United States United States

The water was clear and a great place to dive.

Diving Red Sea in October on the SS Serena Dreams

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Robert S
  • United States United States

The visibility was over 100 ft each day. This is my best week of diving and a new favorite destination

Diving Red Sea in November on the Emperor Elite

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Thomas R
  • United States United States

Best dives of my life--incredible light flowing through gorgeous hard and soft coral fields

Diving Red Sea in November on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Kerry M
  • United States United States

Best I've ever done. SO many fish, and so many varieties of corals.

Diving Red Sea in April on the SS Serena Dreams

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Eric K
  • United States United States

Awesome coral and fish life

Diving Red Sea in April on the Tillis

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Andrew P
  • United States United States

Visibility was average at best at most sites and the marine life was pretty sparse. I guess I am used to a bigger ecosystem with plentiful quantities and species of fish in other places I have dove in the past.

Diving Red Sea in May on the Emperor Elite

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Richard E
  • United States United States

good. vis wasn't the best.

Diving Red Sea in June on the Blue Storm

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • daniel D
  • United States United States

Beautiful. Warm, good visibility

Diving Red Sea in August on the Snefro Pearl

  • 7.6 Good
  • Mark B
  • United States United States

I went for the large animal experiences, and there were none in the first week of November due to higher water temperatures.

Diving Red Sea in October on the Blue Horizon

  • 9.2 Superb
  • James T
  • United States United States

Generally good. Manageable currents

Diving Red Sea in November on the Sea Serpent Grand

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Juha V
  • Finland Finland

In the winter water is cold but visibility is good.

Diving Red Sea in December on the Blue Seas

  • 7.6 Good
  • Joost R
  • Germany Germany

Nice shark-points, but i didn´t like the reefs and corals, not really nice and colourful

Diving Red Sea in October on the Nouran

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Benjamin B
  • France France

Great visibility and water temperature

Diving Red Sea in November on the South Moon

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • John B
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Excellent, varied and beautiful

Diving Red Sea in November on the Blue

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Paola B
  • Italy Italy

Very colorful coral gardens

Diving Red Sea in November on the Blue

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Rahel L
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Good but we were not lucky to see any sharks or dugongs

Diving Red Sea in November on the JP Marine

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Raissa M
  • Switzerland Switzerland

I love it, there was as well current as easy diving

Diving Red Sea in November on the JP Marine

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Adil G
  • United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates

Amazing visibility and marine life

Diving Red Sea in November on the Blue Melody

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Ekaterina Z
  • Russia Russia

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

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Rob M
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Diving was simple and quiet at this time of year with lots to see.

Diving Red Sea in February on the Blue Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Derek M
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Healthy coral, many fish and life

Diving Red Sea in March on the Blue Seas

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Maxime C
  • Canada Canada

A little bit cold in march

Diving Red Sea in March on the Blue

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Richard D
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

March is great for a bit of winter sun but a little early in the season really.

Diving Red Sea in March on the Blue

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Ingemar H
  • Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia

Clear water, healthy corals,

Diving Red Sea in March on the South Moon

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Nasr A
  • Jordan Jordan

The Red Sea as usual is very charming, beautiful and highly recommended.

Diving Red Sea in March on the Sea Serpent Contessa

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Christian R
  • Switzerland Switzerland

great, but bad visibility in the north

Diving Red Sea in March on the Emperor Elite

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Kobus M
  • South Africa South Africa

I was pleasantly surprised about the perfect health of the corals in the Red Sea

Diving Red Sea in April on the Red Sea Blue Force 2

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Bjorn E
  • Sweden Sweden

Not great visibility and a bit chilly (mid April) but still very good!,Not great visibility and a bit chilly (mid April) but still very good!

Diving Red Sea in April on the Blue Horizon

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Joanne T
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

good, less pelagics than previously sadly and quite a lot of dead coral :(

Diving Red Sea in April on the Sea Serpent

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Conchita H
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

I don't think you can get better value for money diving anywhere else.

Diving Red Sea in April on the Sea Serpent Grand

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Axel R
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Great but with less fish than before.

Diving Red Sea in May on the Blue

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Jean-Francois L
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Nice but a very windy week

Diving Red Sea in May on the Blue Storm

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Robin M
  • South Africa South Africa

Warm water, Superb visibility

Diving Red Sea in May on the JP Marine

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Dean T
  • Australia Australia

Visibility was amazing (20m+) but cooler than expected (24 degrees).

Diving Red Sea in May on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Michael R
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Corals are well intact, you can spot nice life, be it big or small.

Diving Red Sea in May on the Emperor Elite

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Christian
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Still - after several Red Sea diving experiences - diving in the Red Sea is exciting! And: as THE responsibility of all of us - To be protected and preserved for future generations!

Diving Red Sea in June on the Tillis

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Goran M
  • Slovenia Slovenia

Corals are here healty and full of life.

Diving Red Sea in June on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Ariel C
  • Taiwan Taiwan

Every trip we saw different things! And variety of diving spots too,Good

Diving Red Sea in July on the Blue Melody

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Clyde B
  • South Africa South Africa

Such great diving. Superb conditions, great viz, amazing sea life and incredible variety.

Diving Red Sea in August on the Snefro Pearl

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Gijs C
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Warm water, great visibility, lots and lots of fish and corals.

Diving Red Sea in September on the Sea Serpent Grand

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Francisco R
  • Spain Spain

Great (although not many big fishes)

Diving Red Sea in September on the Snefro Pearl

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Jazz B
  • Canada Canada

I felt cold at 27 degrees. Getting a 5ml for next time.

Diving Red Sea in September on the Snefro Target

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Maximilian L
  • Germany Germany

Crowded, Diving is a real Mass tourism in the Red sea.

Diving Red Sea in September on the Emperor Asmaa

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Claire J
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Wasn't as good as it has been. Missing the sharks, octopus and turtles

Diving Red Sea in September on the Snefro Pearl

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Florian S
  • Germany Germany

Das rote meer fasziniert mich immer wieder mit den beeindruckenden Riffen und der Vielfalt.

Diving Red Sea in September on the Blue Horizon

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Ian M
  • Australia Australia

Good. Visibility and fish not. not as good as previous trips to the Straits of Tiran.

Diving Red Sea in October on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Igor
  • Russia Russia

Very colorful, a lot of marine life, warm 29-30C water in early-october

Diving Red Sea in October on the Emperor Elite

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Tim P
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Great BUT The Red Sea needs help and a rota of boats is essential to allow reef recovery. More attention needs to be devoted to environmental preservation in the dive briefing. The golden goose of liveaboards will evaporate if more species such as the already missing garden eels disappear altogether

Diving Red Sea in October on the Blue Melody

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Gabriel C
  • Spain Spain

Beautiful well-preserved reefs all over.

Diving Red Sea in October on the Tillis

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Linda G
  • Germany Germany

Can only recommend - good vis and stunning reeves

Diving Red Sea in October on the South Moon

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Pau H
  • Spain Spain

Great. The colours, the life, the different kind of fishes.

Diving Red Sea in November on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Maria Jose O
  • Uruguay Uruguay

Amazing marine life and visibility, great weather in November.

Diving Red Sea in November on the Blue Melody

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Paul G
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Overall very enjoyable! Some coral bleaching noticeable in relation to the last time I was there around 10 years ago

Diving Red Sea in November on the JP Marine

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Anastasiya D
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Always plenty of fish, turtle, lion fish, stingray. Group saw a shark 2 times!

Diving Red Sea in November on the Freedom III

  • 7.2 Good
  • Jerome R
  • France France

Warm water. Little chilly close to the coast but late in season.

Diving Red Sea in November on the Sea Serpent Contessa

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Paulo P
  • Portugal Portugal

Not so cold in the water, but super uncomfortable on surface on this time of the year. Visibility was very good

Diving Red Sea in January on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Joel A
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Very good, but water in Febnruary is fresh (24 degrees)

Diving Red Sea in February on the Blue Storm

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Tamas S
  • Hungary Hungary

Warm(ish) water, nice marine life.

Diving Red Sea in March on the Emperor Superior

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Roman K
  • Russia Russia

Rotes Mehr ist immer gut zum Tauchen. Es ist für alle Geschmäcke etwas dabei: Ob Kleinkram oder Großfisch, ob Korallen oder Fauna. Wasser ist selbst im Winter noch erträglich warm. Wir hatten Anfang März 22-23 Grad. Im Sommer, sind aber wohl zu viele Taucher und Taucherboote an bekannten Plätzen unterwegs.

Diving Red Sea in March on the Sea Story

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Erin H
  • Canada Canada

It wasn't the best. Apparently it was off season for everything

Diving Red Sea in March on the Blue Horizon

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Eduardo T
  • Brazil Brazil

Excellent dives. Water moderately cold (21-23 C) in March.

Diving Red Sea in March on the Blue Melody

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Marc C
  • Spain Spain

Good visibility, amazing colours and abundance of life

Diving Red Sea in March on the Freedom III

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Rob V
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Red sea has it all. Colourfull reefs and also the big fish!!

Diving Red Sea in April on the Tillis

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Ross H
  • South Africa South Africa

Southern Red sea is a different vibe to the north, and well worth the travelling time.

Diving Red Sea in April on the Emperor Elite

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • michael K
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Great visibility and the team are preserving the reef through education of guests

Diving Red Sea in April on the Tillis

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Margaux P
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

I loved it. You have such a nice mix of everything, from nudis to sharks, from reefs to blue waters... It's all there!

Diving Red Sea in May on the Tillis

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Sandy B
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Good visibility and plentiful coral and sea life, not too crowded given the number of dive boats about

Diving Red Sea in May on the Snefro Pearl

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Julian H
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Warm and wealthy of fish & reef, very nice.

Diving Red Sea in May on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Marleen B
  • Netherlands Netherlands

May sea water temperature 24 Celsius - 5mm full wets uit recommended incl. hood. Beautiful corals (pinnacles and walls), great tropical fish life, no pelagic encounters.

Diving Red Sea in May on the Snefro Pearl

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Cheryl R
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Much better than a few years ago although still some poor dive sites that have nor recovered as well as others. Perhaps need to be left alone to recover?.

Diving Red Sea in May on the Emperor Superior

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Jacek P
  • Poland Poland

Red Sea is still one of most colorful and full of marine life dive sites in the world

Diving Red Sea in June on the Emperor Superior

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Eleanor S
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Beautiful coral, canyons and variety of sea life

Diving Red Sea in June on the Sunshine

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Daniel H
  • Australia Australia

beautiful and warm water, 27deg and no need for a wet suit. (June Dive)

Diving Red Sea in June on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Joanne M
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

The diving overall was good. We didn't see so much "big stuff" unfortunately but the diving was enjoyable and we were able to enjoy a lovely night dive.

Diving Red Sea in July on the Blue

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Stefani E
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Overall fantastic diving- such an abundance of life and colour, with comparatively healthy reefs to what you can find elsewhere.

Diving Red Sea in July on the Sea Serpent Contessa

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Alex J
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Warm waters (30 degrees), fantastic visibility and great dive sites - perfect!

Diving Red Sea in July on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Antonio Gines B
  • Spain Spain

Hay multitud de sitios de buceo para todos lo niveles y con la diversión asegurada.

Diving Red Sea in August on the Blue Seas

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Adam F
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

My first time diving there and exceeded my expectations. You're sailing past the most breathtaking scenery and beautiful shallows and reefs, and then you jump in and see the magical world down below.

Diving Red Sea in September on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • James C
  • Switzerland Switzerland

I enjoyed my first time diving in the Red Sea. The coral gardens are magical. I had hoped to see more large fish, but perhaps the time of year and high water temperatures may have been factors in their absence. I will definitely be back, perhaps at a different time of year, hoping to see larger fish.

Diving Red Sea in September on the Blue

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Anna B
  • Canada Canada

Overall, very impressed with diving in the Red Sea, the corals look healthy and there seems to be endless dive sites that provide a diversity but it does get crowded in peak season with other boats and divers. Didn’t see any hammerheads in the week and very few Longimanus - not that you can expect to see them but people used to describe the hotspots as teaming with sharks. Not sure if that’s a result of overfishing, climate change or just wrong place at the wrong time.

Diving Red Sea in September on the Blue Seas

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Jennifer L
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

The coral was lovely . . like a garden

Diving Red Sea in October on the Blue Storm

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Anis R
  • Pakistan Pakistan

The clear waters were great to dive. The marine life was average, and we saw no large fish or sharks. Many corals were bleached and lifeless. The soft corals were few.

Diving Red Sea in October on the Tillis

  • 4.4 Review score
  • Sven B
  • Germany Germany

water temperature around 28 °C, visibility often limited

Diving Red Sea in October on the Sunshine

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Lara A
  • Australia Australia

We had a lovely trip. Whale shark was an unexpected bonus on our trip.

Diving Red Sea in December on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Gemma W
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Good, although not much variation with the reef dives - saw many of the same things at each site.

Diving Red Sea in December on the Blue Melody

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Justin G
  • Italy Italy

Water temperatures were great 24-25C, overall light currents, light traffic.

Diving Red Sea in December on the Emperor Elite

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Moritz-Gabriel H
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Nice visibillity, not that warm water, beuatiful dicespots

Diving Red Sea in January on the Tillis