With over 70 liveaboards to choose from in Egypt, divers will be able to find a boat that fits whatever they’re looking for. The Red Sea and is one of the most spectacular diving destinations in the world, but with over a dozen different itineraries and so many boats, it’s best to do your research before choosing the best fit.
Here we’ve gathered a few of best boats and made it possible to compare prices across all the different booking platforms. This way, you’ll get the best boat for your needs at the best price.
Start by sorting the boats according to your budget, then dive into our reviews of the top 10 liveaboards in Egypt.
Egypt is a year-round diving destination, with consistently good conditions. Air temperatures can range from a mild 57 F (14 C) up to a sweltering 100+ F (37 C), though there’s often a breeze on the water to cool things down. Water temperatures in the Red Sea vary between 70 to 86 F (21 to 30 C).
When to go depends partially on what you hope to see. Whale sharks are more common from late spring to mid-summer, while manta rays are more prevalent in the fall, which is also a good time to spot oceanic whitetip sharks.
Silky Liveaboard
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With crystal-clear waters featuring 100-plus-foot (30 m) visibility and a balmy average temperature of 78 (25 C) degrees, the Red Sea is truly a divers’ paradise. Marine life includes whale sharks, turtles, hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, and manta rays–all swimming amidst stunning reef formations. Built in 2020, Silky liveaboard (formerly known as Alia) joins the Dune Red Sea fleet. With its…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Free nitrox for certified divers
- Modern and spacious accommodations
- Itineraries for both novice and experienced divers
Things we don’t like:
- Only 2-3 dives per day
- No daily night dives
- Alcoholic beverages are not included
Where to book Silky Liveaboard:
Blue Horizon
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Red Sea diving needs no introduction, especially for European divers. But if this destination isn’t yet on your must-dive list, there are plenty of reasons it should be—world-class coral, diverse dive sites including current-swept reefs teeming with marine life, historic shipwrecks, and submerged pinnacles visited by pelagic species are a few of the highlights. The Red Sea is a great…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Some people stated that the boat was spacious and very well kept.
- Many divers commended the diving master on choosing the right itinerary that encompassed the beauty of the Red Sea.
- Divers also said most diving is done in areas where the current is not so strong and the maximum depth not so deep which makes diving very easy.
- Many people stated that the crew were open to all of your opinions and made the trip really enjoyable.
- Many people were happy with the food set up with the chef.
Things we don’t like:
- Some divers noted that the water was extremely cold in December when they dived on the liveaboard.
- Many people noted that the jacuzzi had no hot water in it.
Where to book Blue Horizon:
MY Blue Storm
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World-famous shipwrecks, current-swept pinnacles, beautiful reefs teeming with life—all these attributes make the Red Sea a firm favorite with divers. This is a great place to dive with oceanic whitetip sharks, observe batfish circling historic shipwrecks, and still marvel at some of the strange macro life hiding in between the corals on the reef. What better way to take in…
Key facts
Things we like:
- New, spacious liveaboard for up to 24 divers
- Triple-share cabins ideal for families
- Flexible dive planning to avoid large crowds
- Nitrox included in the price for certified divers
Things we don’t like:
- Diet soft drinks are charged extra
Where to book MY Blue Storm:
Golden Dolphin I
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The Egyptian Red Sea is home to incredibly diverse marine life, breathtaking reefs, historic wrecks, and remarkable visibility. A great choice for both beginners and advanced divers, sites range from shallow reefs to deep wrecks. With exceptional weather year-round, it’s the ultimate dive destination. While dive centers offer fantastic shore and daily boat dives, there is no better way to…
Key facts
Things we like:
- The yacht is in pristine condition
- Helpful crew readily on hand
- Various itineraries
Things we don’t like:
- Not enough time to explore islands along the routes
Where to book Golden Dolphin I:
All Star Red Sea
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The Red Sea attracts divers from every corner of the globe with its vibrant coral reefs, world-class wreck sites, and an incredible variety of topography across sites, many only accessible by liveaboard. Divers often encounter dolphins, Spanish dancers, giant clams, and numerous species of sharks. Built in 2023, the All Star Red Sea offers guests access to it all, with…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Very knowledgeable crew and guides
- Visits to most popular Red Sea shark-diving locations
- Presentations on shark conservation and behavior
- Opportunity to assist in photographic identification research
- Specialized shark week trips
- Windsurfing offered
Things we don’t like:
- Larger group aboard
- Not enough night dives
- Wreck dives dependent on current
Where to book All Star Red Sea:
Anemone
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There are many theories as to how the Red Sea got its name, including the occasional blooms of microorganisms that cause the usually blue-green waters to look red. No matter the nomenclature, the diving in the Red Sea is spectacular. The northern Red Sea is one of the Seven Wonders of the Underwater World, and unsurprisingly features some of the…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Hot tub on sun deck
- Marine life diversity
- Amazing visibility
- Multiple spacious lounge areas
Things we don’t like:
- Some mandatory fees not included
- Alcohol incurs separate charge
- Greater number of guests
Where to book Anemone:
Titan Liveaboard
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Diving in the Red Sea means stunning drop-offs adorned with a mesmerizing array of hard and soft corals. Currents carry you past colorful coral gardens teeming with life, from swaying anemones hosting playful clownfish to majestic pelagic fishes gracefully cruising through the depths. With visibility often exceeding 164 feet (50 m), every detail of this underwater paradise comes to life…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Budget-friendly
- One of the fastest boats in Red Sea
- Free nitrox for certified divers
Things we don’t like:
- No dives on day of embarkation and disembarkation
- No laundry service
Where to book Titan Liveaboard:
Grand Sea Explorer
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The Red Sea has firmly gained its place as one of the world’s top diving destinations over the years—and rightly so. With incredible underwater sights including healthy corals, historical shipwrecks, tons of colorful fish, sharks, dolphins, whale sharks, and even dugongs at some sites, the Red Sea is a dream for divers of all levels. The Grand Sea Explorer, operated…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Spacious interior and exterior areas
- Great amenities
- Dedicated, hospitable, and friendly crew
- Good food variety
Things we don’t like:
- Scheduled dive sites may change without notice
Where to book Grand Sea Explorer:
Emperor Elite
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Divers yearning to explore the captivating underwater realm of the Red Sea should look no further than the Emperor Elite. The Red Sea is a diver’s paradise, renowned for healthy coral reefs, abundant wrecks, and charismatic megafauna like oceanic whitetip sharks. These reefs host over 1,000 fish species, with nearly a fifth found nowhere else on Earth. Divers can encounter…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Experienced guides familiar with dive sites
- A delicious, wide variety of food
- Helpful and friendly crew
- Free nitrox
- Spacious, comfortable cabins and onboard facilities
Things we don’t like:
- Hidden costs: drinks and mandatory tips
- Crowded dive sites
- Potential delays waiting for zodiacs at busy sites
Where to book Emperor Elite:
Discovery I
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When you think of Egypt, pyramids and deserts likely come to mind—but so should scuba diving in the Red Sea. Instead of pyramids, gape in awe at Brothers Islands, the epitome of Egyptian diving, or take a tour through more recent history on the SS Thistlegorm wreck. With rich marine biodiversity and consistently stellar visibility, the Red Sea is a…
Key facts
Things we like:
- Low price point for dives and amenities
- Diversity of marine life and dive sites
- Variety of itineraries available
Things we don’t like:
- Mandatory fees not included
- Alcohol not included
- No Wi-Fi
Where to book Discovery I:
Liveaboards in Egypt
Top launching locations for liveaboards include Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada. The Red Sea coastline is peppered with many dive sites, so joining a sea safari is one of the best ways to ensure that you get to see as much as possible.
Sharm El-Sheikh is a well-known vacation destination for topside tourists, but what lies beneath the waves is just as phenomenal. Sharm has warm waters and great dive conditions throughout the year, with abundant marine life and great wrecks to explore. Some of the top dive sites near Sharm include the SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammad National Park, and the Straits of Trian.
Hurghada itself is the starting and ending point of over 40 liveaboard trips. Most of the liveaboards that leave Hurghada travel to the south Red Sea and visit such famed sites as Brothers Islands, Daedalus Reef, and Elphinstone.
However, depending on the liveaboard you choose, you may get to dive the SS Thistlegorm as well, which is classed as one of the best wreck dives in the world.
What to know about liveaboard diving in Egypt
- Visiting the areas of Egypt listed here is generally safe for tourists, however, be sure to check your government’s websites for up-to-date information.
- The official language of Egypt is Arabic, however, English and French are widely spoken.
- Currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. Check xe.com for the most current rates.
- The weather in Egypt is amazing pretty much all year round. Temperature varies from 68 F (20 C) in the winter months to 113 F (45 C) in the summer months.
- The best time to dive is in the summer months as water is warm at around 82 F (28 C). Water temperatures in the winter can dip to 70 F (21 C).
- Visibility is between 100 to 164 feet (30 to 50 m) year-round.
- Getting there involves a flight to either Sharm El-Sheikh or Hurghada; most major and many budget airlines fly direct from Europe. If you arrange travel to Egypt with a travel agency, they will usually arrange a transfer directly to your hotel. However, there are many taxis outside the airport that will take you to the ship docks.
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