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Table of Contents
RED SEA DIVE GUIDE
In this guide to scuba diving in the Red Sea we’ll cover:
- Why dive in the Red Sea: what you can expect to see, and when to visit
- The 10 best Red Sea liveaboards: at a glance
- The 10 best Red Sea liveaboards: in depth
Why scuba dive in the Red Sea, Egypt?
Average water temperature: The surface of the Red Sea is around 26°C (79°F) in the northern part of the Red Sea and 30°C (86°F) near the southern end. There is only about 2°C (3.6°F) different in winter. The average Red Sea water temperature is 22°C (72°F). The salinity is also around 40% (compared to the worldwide ocean average of 35%) so you may be more buoyant than you are used to.
Best time to dive in the Red Sea: Good news! The Red Sea is great to dive in all year long. To avoid extreme heat (but still enjoy warm water), visit the Red Sea from March to May or September and October. The low season is from June to August, when temperatures are hottest.
Dive ability: The Red Sea welcomes divers of all abilities.
What you can expect to see on a Red Sea liveaboard trip: The Red Sea has such a diverse range of wildlife. You can expect to see colorful soft corals, blue spotted stingrays, scorpionfish and lionfish, moray eels, many types of anemone fish, groupers, Picasso trigger fish, Bluefin trevally, cuttlefish, sea turtles, dolphins, and even dugongs.
The Best Red Sea Liveaboards: At a Glance
| LIVEABOARD | ROOMS | NITROX | WIFI | LENGTH | COST | PADI TRAVEL | LIVEABOARD | DIVEBOOKER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS ROYAL EVOLUTION | 12 | Yes | Yes | 39m | $$$ | Check | Check | Check |
| RED SEA AGGRESSOR | 10 | Yes | No | 34m | $$ | Check | Check | Check |
| MY AMELIA | 10 | Yes | Yes | 32m | $ | Check | Check | Check |
| MY BLUE PLANET 1 | 8 | Yes | Yes | 27m | $ | Check | Check | Check |
| MY BLUE FIN | 12 | Yes | Yes | 39m | $$ | NA | Check | NA |
| SNEFRO LOVE | 10 | Yes | Yes | 37m | $$ | Check | Check | Check |
| MY SEAWOLF FELO | 13 | Yes | Yes | 39m | $$$ | Check | Check | Check |
| MY BLUE | 12 | Yes | Yes | 43m | $$ | Check | Check | Check |
| MY DREAMS | 10 | Yes | Yes | 28m | $$ | NA | Check | NA |
| MY JP MARINE | 14 | Yes | Yes | 37m | $ | Check | Check | NA |
The Best Red Sea Liveaboards: Reviewed
1. MS Royal Evolution
Royal Evolution was built in 2010 and runs year round in the Red Sea between Sudan and Egypt. She is 128 ft (39 m) long and features four spacious decks. The dive runs explore beautiful reefs and underwater wrecks that can only be seen on a liveaboard trip.
All cabins come complete with air conditioning, an en-suite bathroom, and a fridge. A TV and video player are in every room to unwind after a long day in the water. There are four Main Deck cabins, two twin bed cabins, and two double bed cabins. One of the Main Deck rooms and the rest of the ship is completely wheelchair accessible, just call them to make arrangements!
The boat features a bar and jacuzzi to socialize and get to know your fellow crew members after a long day of diving. If you want to kick back and relax, you can soak up the sun on one of the two sundecks or rest in the enormous air-conditioned salon.
Top quality food and drinks are provided on the MS Royal Evolution. Meals are served three times a day with snacks in between.
Check prices and trip dates for MS Royal Evolution: PADI Travel | Liveaboard | DiveBooker
2. Red Sea Aggressor
Red Sea Aggressor was built in 2014 and can house up to 20 guests. She is accommadable and spacious at 120 ft (36.5 m) long. Based in the Red Sea year round, the liveaboard takes you to visit exclusive dive sites like the Ras Mohamed National Park, Tiran Straits, and St. Johns Reef.
All ten cabins include a porthole, mirrored wardrobe, and a private bathroom. The attentive staff offers linen service and fresh towels daily. Each room comes with a 23-inch flat-screen TV and 400 movies, TV shows, and documentaries to choose from. Also, guests are welcome to plug their computers into the TV and edit their underwater pictures and videos.
There is plenty to do aboard the Aggressor besides dive! You can socialize in the bar and salon, sing karaoke, or read in the library. Outside you can enjoy the shaded sun deck and comfortable lounge chairs. If you can’t get enough of the sea life, feel free to snorkel!
The menu aboard the ship boasts an extensive selection of homemade breads, soups, salads, sandwiches, and local Egyptian cuisine. Vegetarian and Halal options are offered too. Meals are prepared by chefs daily, and served buffet style with tableside waiter service. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks are made fresh. All beverages are complimentary, but the guests are welcome to bring their favorites from home.
Check prices and trip dates for Red Sea Aggressor: PADI Travel | Liveaboard | DiveBooker
3. MY Amelia
MY Amelia was built in 2005 and recently renovated in 2017. The ship is 105 ft (32 m) long and accommodates up to twenty guests in ten cabins. On the MY Amelia you can see sea life like hammerheads, mantas, and whale sharks up close.
The liveaboard cabins are cozy and accommodating. They offer personal temperature controls, a private bathroom with hot water, and a safe for your valuables.
The yacht is stylish and comfortable, featuring a spacious air-conditioned salon with an audio visual entertainment system complete with movies. They provide free Wi-Fi to stay in touch with family and friends. A second salon and a bar are perfect for relaxing and talking with your fellow divers. If you like to read, there is a library full of novels, magazines, and fish ID books. For guests who can’t get enough of the outdoors, there are shaded open air sundecks and a large deck area to lie in the sun. Snorkeling is even available between dives.
The selection of food aboard the MY Amelia has something for everyone. Plenty of food is served throughout the day: pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinners, and snacks. International and local cuisine are served buffet style and prepared fresh. Non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary. Special diets can be accommodated with advanced notice.
Check prices and trip dates for MY Amelia: PADI Travel | Liveaboard DiveBooker
4. MY Blue Planet 1
MY Blue Planet was built in 1999 and was recently renovated in 2013. The ship is compact and fast, at 89 ft (27 m) long. They offer six-day trips exploring wrecks, reefs, and even muck diving.
The cabins on the liveaboard are elegant and cozy. Eight cabins can accommodate 16 guests. Each room has a private bathroom, hot showers, and a cabinet for storage.
There are plenty of non-diving activities to choose from! Snorkeling and fishing are available between dives, but if you want to relax there’s plenty of room for that too. There’s a shaded area at the bar where you can lounge around and have a drink with your friends, as well as a deck where you can sunbathe. In the air-conditioned main lounge you can watch a movie or put on music to kick back after exploring the sea.
The crew on the Blue Planet are dedicated to making sure there is plenty of food to choose from. They are happy to accommodate any dietary requests such as Halal and vegetarian. Snacks, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, and tea are complementary. A wide selection of local wines and mixers are also available for purchase.
Check prices and trip dates for Blue Planet 1: PADI Travel | Liveaboard | DiveBooker
5. MY Blue Fin
MY Blue Fin was built in 2005 and refurbished in 2015. She is part of an award-winning fleet in the Red Sea. The yacht is luxurious and spacious, at 128 ft (39 m) long. Up to 24 guests can stay in the 12 cabins.
The cabins on the ship provide a first-class hotel experience on the water. Three giant king suites on the liveaboard span the width of the on the middle and upper decks. All cabins have a minibar, personal bathroom, and a flatscreen TV with a hard drive containing movies and TV shows. As a courtesy, towels and dressing gowns are provided.
The ship has plenty of inviting spaces to relax in. You can enjoy the beautiful weather outside on the comfortable lounge chairs, or take advantage of the air condition in the salon. The common area offers a 42-inch TV with a full entertainment system, Apple TV, and plenty of movies to pick from.
The crew takes care to make sure nutritious and tasty food is available to the guests. For breakfast you can expect eggs cooked to order, pancakes, toast, fresh fruit, and cereal. Lunch and dinner usually consist of fresh vegetables, rice, chicken, beef, and fish. And of course there’s snacks!
Check prices and trip dates for MY Blue Fin: Liveaboard
6. Snefro Love
Snefro Love was built in 2010 and renovated recently in 2016. Their experienced and professional crew can take you all around the dead sea to exclusive destinations like Shark Reef and Tiran Straits. At 121 ft (37 m) long the liveaboard was designed to be comfortable for up to 20 guests.
There are ten air-conditioned cabins, all equipped with private bathrooms, safes, central music, and an internal telephone system. Twin beds and double beds are available.
There are plenty of ways to relax between dives on the liveaboard. You can choose between one of three sun decks to enjoy the unmatched view of the sea and work on your tan. If you have had enough of the outdoors, you can always unwind in the salon and watch a movie or chat with your fellow divers.
Food on the ship in served in the air-conditioned salon area three times a day. Western and Egyptian cuisine will be served. Halal and vegetarian options will be available upon request. Snacks and fruit will be available any time. Coffee, tea, water, and soft drinks are complimentary.
Check prices and trip dates for Snerfo Love: PADI Travel | Liveaboard | DiveBooker
7. MY Seawolf Felo
The MY Seawolf Felo was built in 2010 and has been touched up since then. The liveaboard is incredibly roomy and comfortable at 128 ft (39 m) long. The expert crew will take you around the Red Sea to caverns, wrecks, and reefs.
The liveaboard accommodates up to 22 guests in 13 cabins. The rooms are beautifully designed and provide all of the comforts of a classy hotel. Each room comes with individual temperature controls, private bathroom, mini-bar, and daily housekeeping. There are nine Lower Deck Twin Cabins, two Upper Deck Suites with king sized beds, and one Royal Suite with a king bed on the Upper Deck.
Between dives there is plenty to do. You can peruse the library complete with novels, magazines, fish identification books, and games. Wi-Fi is free, so you can keep in touch with your family and friends. If you want to spend more time on the sea, fishing and snorkeling are available.
Food aboard the Seawolf Felo is made to appeal to every appetite. International and local cuisine are available. There are four main meals served every day, and plenty of snacks in between. Wine and beer are available for purchase, but other beverages like coffee tea, juice, and soft drinks are complimentary. Any special diets can be accommodated with advanced notice.
Check prices and trip dates for MY Seawolf Felo: PADI Travel | Liveaboard | DiveBooker
8. MY Blue
MY Blue is a new vessel built in 2016. It is 141 ft (43 m) long, one of the largest on the Red Sea! On the trip you can explore the Fury Shoals, Elphinstone, and other incredible dive sites.
There are twelve cabins of varying sizes that can accommodate up to 24 guests: Sea View Cabins with a double bed or two singles, Master Cabin with double beds, and Lower Deck Twin Cabins. All rooms are modern and chic, complete with individual climate controls, private bathrooms, a TV/DVD system, and plenty of storage space.
The yacht is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of places to lounge after a long day in the sea. You can rest and have a drink on one of the shaded decks, or work on your tan. The salon is home to a state of the art entertainment system for watching movies or going over the day’s diving footage.
Three meals a day are served buffet-style and snacks are provided. For breakfast you can expect eggs, toast, pancakes, and yogurt. For main meals beef, chicken, and fish will be served with rice, noodles, and vegetables on the side. Non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary and beer and wine may be purchased at the bar.
Check prices and trip dates for MY Blue: PADI Travel | Liveaboard | DiveBooker
9. MY Dreams
MY Dreams was built in 2007 and refurbished in 2014. The liveaboard is quaint and charming at 92 ft (28 m) long. The ship offers dives in the Red Sea year-round. It is affordable, and the staff is experienced and attentive.
The cabins are cozy and comfortable, with amenities such as temperature control, private bathrooms, daily housekeeping, towels and bathrobes, music, reading light, and European-style 2-pin plugs. The boat accommodates twenty guests in ten cabins.
Between dives you can entertain yourself by reading in the library or enjoying the beautiful view on the deck. If you can’t get enough of the water, snorkeling and fishing are available too!
Local cuisine and international dishes will be available. Main meals are served three times a day buffet style. Vegetarian and Halal options can be accommodated with advance notice. Snacks, coffee, tea, and juice are complementary and provided throughout the day. Alcohol is available for purchase.
Check prices and trip dates for MY Dreams: Liveaboard
10. MY JP Marine
If you want a luxury liveaboard in the Red Sea, MY JP Marine is a top choice. Built in 2007 and spanning 37 meters long, this vessel can accommodate divers of all abilities in its 14 cabins.
Each of the cabins comes with air conditioning, a private bathroom with hot water, and two twin beds. During surface intervals, enjoy spending time in the main salon where you can watch TV and play music. There is a bar and two sundecks up top — one shaded and one perfect for those who want to soak up sunshine.
Meals are served three times per day in the air-conditioned dining area. There are a la carte and buffet options each day. MY JP Marine has a goal of ensuring that no diver goes hungry, and they are adamant about meeting this promise.
Check prices and trip dates for MY JP Marine: PADI Travel | Liveaboard
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