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Liveaboard Diving in Egypt

Scuba diving in Egypt's Red Sea invigorates divers as they navigate spectacular reefs, millions of brilliantly-colored fish and corals, or historical wrecks.

Liveaboard diving in the Egyptian Red Sea is spectacular; the land is known for its ancient history - Pharaohs and Pyramids but is also a mecca for scuba divers and snorkelers. Wrecks, colorful corals, and big fish abound, but the off-shore sites such as Daedalus, The Brothers & St. Johns, only reachable by dive liveaboards, can provide the ultimate thrill and the best experience.

Our Red Sea dive liveaboards offer various itineraries to bring you to Egypt's best dive sites. Departing on a Sharm el Sheikh Liveaboard or Hurghada Liveaboard means you can dive into history at the wrecks of the SS Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas combined with the stunning reefs in the Ras Mohammed Marine Reserve and the Straits of Tiran.

From Hurghada or Port Ghalib, our Red Sea liveaboards bring you to the Brothers Islands to offer amazing dive tours, most famous for their multitude of shark action, brightly colored corals, and anthias. You could spend a week at the Brothers Islands alone, but a 'Simply the Best' route to the Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone provide the opportunity to see Manta rays, Oceanic white tip sharks, and the wonderful Anemone City. Some liveaboard dive safaris also stop at Marsa Alam, where dugongs can be sighted. Explore the Deep South from Port Ghalib (Marsa Ghalib) with a dive safari to Fury Shoals, St Johns reefs, or Rocky and Zabargad. Dive sites vary from steep walls to caverns and wrecks, with plenty of pelagic action to be expected. The best Egypt liveaboards make it possible to dive into these magnificent areas all year round though itineraries offered may vary with the seasons.

Liveaboard Dive Trips in Egypt

LiveAboard.com hosts a wonderful variety of over 60 different liveaboard boats. Most of our boats are MV's motor vehicle yachts ranging from 22 meters to 40 meters in length. Our boats can host anywhere from 10 to 26 divers depending on the liveaboard yacht, with a choice of budget-friendly up to luxury liveaboard. Electricity and internet connections are sometimes available but are subject to additional fees depending on the boat.

Guests usually arrive the day or night before the departure from the port. The boats tend to depart from the ports very early in the morning so that guests can immediately enjoy their first 'check dive' with their dive guides on a shallow, current-free, yet stunningly beautiful reef dive, and can then expect 3-4 dives per day usually. The Red Sea is renowned for its incredible underwater visibility and lush wildlife. It is very rare to be disappointed with any dive site in Egypt.

The check dive will allow the dive guide to gauge the experience and comfort level of the group and individual divers. This information will help the captain and crew to choose the best dive sites suited to the guests and the current weather conditions.

Guests can ask to visit specific dive sites, and most boat captains will do everything they can to oblige. Liveaboard itineraries are subject to various unpredictable changes, including weather conditions. All dives, and especially some wreck dives, are subject to divers experience and weather permitting. Liveaboard itineraries depend on the Egyptian government, coast guard, and/or marine police approval. Every effort is made, but liveaboards cannot guarantee diving at specific dive sites. The final decision lies with the captain and guide. Safety always comes first!

Dive Sites and Areas of Egypt

FURY SHOALS is located in Southern Egypt; this area is best reached by a liveaboard boat from Marsa Alam. This magnificent dive site has some of the most beautiful reefs in the Red Sea.

DAEDALUS is an amazing reef about 90 km southwest of Marsa Alam and is accessible by liveaboard boats. It surrounds a very small island with a lighthouse on it to warn passing boats that the water is very shallow. The reefs there are close to the surface and so offer a huge variety of wildlife in the extra-warm water. Perfect for diving and snorkeling.

ABU NUHAS, or Shaab Abu Nuhas reef, is in the Shadwan Channel, just off the northern coast of Shadwan Island. There are 5 shipwrecks excellent for wreck diving.

RAS MOHAMMED MARINE RESERVE is an underwater national park at the southern extreme of the Sinai Peninsula near Sharm el Sheikh. Completely protected from fishing and commercial activity, its reefs are glorious and untouched.

ELPHINSTONE reef is a 400-meter cigar-shaped reef located in the southern Red Sea, close to Marsa Alam. It was named after Admiral George Elphinstone, a 19th-century British naval commander. Elphinstone Reef is about 7 miles from the shore so it's best reached by liveaboard cruise.

ST JOHNS reefs are far removed from the coast of Egypt, not far from the Sudanese border. The St. Johns reefs cover an area of more than 290 square kilometers. This dive area can only be reached by liveaboard but is more than worth the trip.

THE BROTHERS Islands are two small islands in the Red Sea near Egypt. The islands are Big Brother and Small Brother Island. Big Brother has a lighthouse on it, and Small brother is located just under 1 mile to the south. The best way to reach the Brother Islands is by liveaboard cruise.

STRAITS OF TIRAN are located in Northern Egypt at the beginning of the Gulf of Aqaba and is one of the best dive areas in Egypt. Four amazing dive sites, Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef, Thomas Reef, and Gordon Reef, make diving here on a liveaboard trip very special.

SALEM EXPRESS was a passenger ferry that was caught in a storm on the 17th of December, 1991. She was in transit from Mecca when the bow was breached, and the vessel sank so quickly that many passengers were unable to escape in time. Those who dive it report feeling moved by the experience of visiting this underwater monument to those who lost their lives that day.

When to go

The best time to dive in Egypt is all year-round. With depths ranging from 5 meters (15 feet) to depths limited to recreational divers to even deeper dives for technical divers and visibility ranging from 15 meters (50 feet) to 70 meters (230 feet), Egypt diving season knows few limits. But be sure to take note of the currents, which could make for nice drift dives when planned properly. The water temperature in Egypt's Red Sea is 21 degrees Celsius (70 Fahrenheit) at its coldest and 30 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) at its warmest, which is like a soak in a bathtub of luxury with great visibility and underwater life.

Tips For Travellers

Minimum logged dives are required by some Red Sea liveaboards or on certain itineraries. Ensure you bring along your dive certification card and proof of dive experience (log books). Check dives are common on liveaboards and are often held on the first day.

The Red Sea is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, so adjusting your weights to compensate for greater buoyancy will be necessary.

The official language of Egypt is Egyptian Arabic, but English is widely spoken by crew and guides on most liveaboards. The main currency is the Egyptian Pound, but Euros, UK Pound Sterling and US dollars are widely accepted or easily exchanged also.

Electricity voltage runs at 220-240 volts; the standard socket is an EU-style two-pin. Remember to bring plug adaptors for your electrical gadgets. A step-down transformer will be required for appliances that normally operate on 110-120volts (USA/Canada), to avoid serious damage. This will convert 220/240-volt electricity to 110/120 volts.

How to get there & Ports of Departure

Cairo is the main airport city of Egypt. But there are other airports closer to the liveaboard departure points. Marsa Alam airport, Sharm El Sheikh airport, and Hurghada airport are the principal airports for liveaboard departures in Egypt.

There are many direct flights to these locations from all over the world. But many more flights will connect to the Cairo airport before flying to the final destinations.

Upon arrival to Egypt, all guests must pay an entry visa of $25.00 to the Egypt immigration service. Some liveaboards offer free transfers from the airport or hotel as a part of the liveaboard package deal.

However, when transfers are not included in the price, visitors can expect airport transfers to range from $10.00 to $70.00, depending on the airport and departure port.

SAFAGA PORT is a port town in Egypt and often the departure point for liveaboard cruises. Many dive sites are accessible from Safaga like Panorama reef, Salem Express, Gassous Bay and many more. The nearest arrival/departure airport to Safaga is Hurghada International.

HURGHADA is located on the Egyptian mainland at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez. It is the main gateway for liveaboard trips to both the northern and southern sections of Egypt's Red Sea. Hurghada has its own International airport for liveaboard departures from this area.

SHARM EL SHEIKH is located on the Sinai Peninsula and overlooks the Straits of Tiran at the southernmost tip. Renowned for its beautiful reefs and vibrant nightlife, it is a major tourist destination, liveaboard launch point and has its own International airport.

MARSA ALAM (Port Ghalib/Marsa Ghalib) is a town in south-eastern Egypt renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches. Sea turtles are extremely common near Marsa Alam so if you love diving with turtles, this is the place to visit. Flights are available directly to Marsa Alam International airport for liveaboard departures from this area.

Considerations

There are also various marine park fees per person per day to consider. Some liveaboard boats will include these fees in the package while others will require guests to pay onboard. These fees are paid onboard the boat and may be paid by Visa, Mastercard, cash or travelers checks if they are not already included in the package deal (Please check what option is best for your chosen liveaboard).

Extra Marine Park Fees may be payable onboard for some liveaboard trips.

When travelling abroad most countries will require you to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after entering the country and also a return ticket to leave. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date you intend to enter. It's recommended that you check well in advance to arrange any necessary visa requirements for the country you intend to visit. See www.mfa.gov.eg for further information.

Please contact your doctor around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventative measures. Make sure you arrange comprehensive travel/medical insurance before you travel.

Good to know

Some quick facts for divers interested in going to Egypt
Available liveaboards	71
Average № of dives / day	3 to 4
Price range (per day)	US$ 72 - US$ 195 ¹
Best time to visit	All year round
Average water temperature	21°C (min.) - 30°C (max.)
Main airports near diving destinations	Marsa Alam airport, Sharm El Sheikh airport and Hurghada airport
¹ Based on starting price for regular trips of 8 days, may vary due to different factors (availability, exchange rate, etc.). For indicative purposes only, no rights can or may be derived from this information.

Egypt Diving Reviews

9.1 Superb
1013 Verified Reviews

10.0 Exceptional
Eve S
United States

Incredible! It was a trip of a lifetime. I would highly reccomend diving during the "low season" as the temperatures were comfortable without all of the crowds.

Diving Egypt in December on the Blue

10.0 Exceptional
Lou Ann B
United States

Loved it all. I have never seen such beautiful developed coral and such clear water.

Diving Egypt in January on the Tillis

10.0 Exceptional
James H
United States

It was my first time and all the connections from Cairo to Port Ghalib went perfectly and I loved the Egyptian hospitality !

Diving Egypt in February on the Turquoise

9.2 Superb
David H
United States

As wonderful as always! The coral and marine life quality unmatched for such reasonable cruise safari prices. But the Egyptian people go 110% to get to know each diver's routines and preference to offer max satisfaction for their guests. This cruise my 5th in Red Sea, and as we missed sharks in March low season for them already looking at Nov 2024 for return.... possibly far south route departing Port Ghalib to see St John's sites

Diving Egypt in February on the Discovery II

10.0 Exceptional
Arcadio D
United States

Actually this was a two part trip. The first day we arrived to Cairo we did the Pyramid tour with a private guide. Was worth it since the other groups I saw was large. The best time to dive is the off season since these are popular dive sites and lots of divers will show up. These penetration dives have tight spaces and will get crowded. I feel we picked and good time to go (March).

Diving Egypt in March on the Ghazala Explorer

8.8 Fabulous
Andrew P
United States

I would say average at best. I would not dive the Red Sea again due to the cost and travel time for the United States.

Diving Egypt in May on the Emperor Elite

6.4 Review score
Richard H
United States

I was under impressed. Each dive site was crowed with 6 to 8 other boats.

Diving Egypt in May on the Sea Dragon

8.4 Very good
eugene R
United States

Too many boats, too many divers. No more sharks. I dived here in 1994,2000, and 2008. Red Sea was really too damaged now

Diving Egypt in May on the Discovery II

8.8 Fabulous
Ankit M
United States

Too much beauty to describe in words, needs to be seen with your own eyes

Diving Egypt in June on the Sea Serpent Excellence

8.8 Fabulous
Ripple M
United States

Reefs are wonderful, marine interactions limited due to paucity of marine life

Diving Egypt in June on the Emperor Elite

8.4 Very good
Victoria P
United States

It was okay. I would definitely go see Thistlegorn again. The reefs were okay, but not spectacular enough for a revisit.

Diving Egypt in July on the Snefro Pearl

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Liveaboard Diving in Egypt

Liveaboard Dive Trips in Egypt

Dive Sites and Areas of Egypt

When to go

Tips For Travellers

How to get there & Ports of Departure

Considerations

Good to know

Egypt Diving Reviews

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