Liveaboard Diving in Safaga

What to Expect on a Safaga Liveaboard

Safaga is a port town in Egypt, just south of Hurghada on the Northern Red Sea coast. Due to the remoteness of the best dive sites in this area, it is best dived by liveaboard.

What Can You See

Diving around Safaga is included in numerous Red Sea liveaboard itineraries to enjoy unspoiled reefs and wreck dives. One of the signature sites of the Safaga region is the wreck of the Salem Express passenger ferry, which sank on a return journey from Mecca. Though there was a tragic loss of life and, as such, exploration of the interior has been restricted, the wreck is still of historical interest. It has attracted a variety of marine life, from schooling snapper to network pipefish. Sha'ab Saiman is another excellent dive site with its pristine and exciting reef, full of bright corals harboring sweetlips, batfish, snappers, jacks, and tunas. Other dive sites in the area may include Panorama Reef, Middle Reef, Ras Abu Soma, or Abu Kifan.

Due to its exposure, this area is not always possible to dive by day boat; thus, a liveaboard trip gives you a fabulous opportunity to dive here. Our Red Sea liveaboard itineraries that include Safaga depart from Hurghada - look for northern itineraries such as 'Simply the Best' or a 'Wreck Special' from our liveaboard trip listings.

The best time to go diving in Safaga

Safaga is known to have proper conditions all year round. Still, it might be better to wear a wetsuit at the end of winter (February/March) due to the relatively low water temperature, even though the winters are comfortably warm. On the other hand, pre-autumn (August/September) has the warmest water temperature, around 28°C. As far as seeing underwater goes, expect a constant 22-meter visibility.

Getting There

While a port town in its own right, not many liveaboards depart directly from Safaga; instead, they choose the more established departure port of Hurghada to the North. Hurghada has an international airport and domestic flights to/from Cairo.


Safaga Diving Reviews

  • 9.4 Superb
  • 26 Verified Reviews
  • 8.4 Very good
  • James B
  • United States United States

Great sights and diving experiences

Diving Safaga in April on the Blue Melody

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Ankit M
  • United States United States

Calm and very beautiful coral, relaxing dives

Diving Safaga in June on the Sea Serpent Excellence

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Julie L
  • United States United States

Not as nice as Ras Mohammad as far as coral but still nice

Diving Safaga in October on the Nouran

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Marc B
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Nice easy dives with turtles

Diving Safaga in September on the Sea Serpent

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Tatiana K
  • Russia Russia

check dive near to Safaga, found ornate ghost pipefish.

Diving Safaga in May on the Emperor Superior

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Ursula W
  • Austria Austria

Nice and easy diving. Great night dive

Diving Safaga in July on the Sea Serpent

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Noelia C
  • Spain Spain

It was great. Visibility was not the best but we really enjoy it

Diving Safaga in May on the Sea Serpent Contessa

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Aura P
  • Finland Finland

Safaga has good dive sites close to the shore.

Diving Safaga in December on the Sea Serpent Grand

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Ralph G
  • Germany Germany

Great swimming with dolphins.

Diving Safaga in September on the Golden Dolphin

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Kevin C
  • Lebanon Lebanon

Nice reef. Perfect for night dive

Diving Safaga in July on the Sea Serpent Grand

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Riina K
  • Finland Finland

There were some beautiful spots, but the middle reef was not a good dive site. The reef was basically dead.

Diving Safaga in September on the Sunshine

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

Salem Express wreck is in good condition

Diving Safaga in November on the Blue Melody

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Nasr A
  • Jordan Jordan

Salem Express was breath taking, panorama city was great.

Diving Safaga in March on the Sea Serpent Contessa

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Nachshon M
  • Israel Israel

It is a very rich reef, many fish, nice colours, good dives. Although there should be a way to replace this dive with one more in Elphinstone.

Diving Safaga in May on the Sea Serpent Grand

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Stephen W
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Nice coral gardens & pinnacles. Not my highlight but still nice dives

Diving Safaga in February on the Blue Horizon

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Jordan N
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

A variety of wrecks to explore and enjoy.

Diving Safaga in April on the Discovery II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Geoff R
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Turtles. Lots of them and big. Wonderful.

Diving Safaga in June on the Sea Serpent Excellence