Blue Pearl Liveaboard overview

By
Yvonne Press
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Yvonne is a TDI instructor trainer and rebreather instructor with more than two decades of diving experience. After learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef,...
Rebecca Strauss
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...

Wrecks and reefs are the two major attractions of Red Sea diving, and many itineraries allow divers to combine both. In the northern part of the Red Sea, the WWII wreck of the Thistlegorm remains one of the major attractions, and one dive is rarely enough.

The reefs are just as spectacular, combining healthy corals with a huge variety of marine life. This is a great place to look for sharks and rays, while also enjoying quirky eel gardens. If you’re lucky, you may spot pods of dolphins, too.

Traveling on a liveaboard like the MY Blue Pearl allows divers to cover more territory than day boats can. You’ll also benefit from visiting some of the most popular dive sites before or after the day boats, giving you a great chance to get a site to yourself.

With a maximum capacity of 20 divers, the MY Blue Pearl is a great boat for individual divers, couples, and larger groups.

To find out more, let’s dive into our in-depth review.

About this review

To help you find a that will fit your needs, we’ve tested, researched, and reviewed the best ones available today.
We test both in the water, diving in various conditions - and in our lab - so we can give you accurate answers on quality, performance, and the overall value.

Read about our test of s

Things we like:

  • Opportunity to complete up to four dives per day
  • Nitrox included in the price for certified divers
  • Free Wi-Fi

Things we don't like:

  • Dive days can get rather long to fit four dives with dinner being served after 9 pm
  • Diet soft drinks are charged extra

Diving on the MY Blue Pearl liveaboard

The MY Blue Pearl crew works hard to fit in as many dives as possible for their guests, aiming for up to four dives a day. Why dive so much on your Red Sea trip? Because there is just that much to see.

Trips leave from Hurghada and aim to combine historic wrecks with stunning reefs and outstanding muck diving. Others focus on reefs or almost exclusively on wrecks.

World-renowned areas like the Brothers Islands, Elphinstone, and Daedalus Reef offer excellent chances to experience pelagic species like hammerhead sharks. Keep an eye out in the blue for them, but don’t forget to enjoy the stunning walls covered in corals, too. There are plenty of overhangs and crevasses offering excellent hiding places for marine life.

Divers typically check in during the afternoon and spend the first night in the boat’s home port of Hurghada. The six-day trip gets underway the following morning. Some itineraries may require a certain number of dives, so it’s a good idea to check before booking and make sure you’re ready to make the most of your trip.

Diving famous locations like the WWII wreck of the Thistlegorm from a liveaboard makes it easy to time the dive to avoid other groups. That means MY Blue Pearl guests have more time to explore the wreck in detail and soak up some of its history.

All diving starts from a spacious dive deck located on the main deck. There is plenty of space for 20 divers to get ready for their dive and care for their gear afterward. Divers also get individual storage boxes. Underwater photographers will not only love their dives but also the dedicated gear-charging station, making it easy to be ready for the next dive.

 Highlights:

  • Spacious dive deck for 20 divers
  • 7-night itineraries that combine wrecks and reefs or focus on one of the two
  • Up to four dives per day whenever possible

Onboard the MY Blue Pearl

As one of the larger vessels in the Blue Planet fleet, the MY Blue Pearl offers ample space for up to 20 divers. Ten cabins are located across the lower deck and the upper deck. Each cabin is beautifully finished with wood trim and equipped with both air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms, including toiletries. There is also plenty of storage space available for your personal items.

If you’re looking to treat yourself on your liveaboard, consider booking one of the two master cabins on the upper deck. These cabins are larger than their standard counterparts. Each is furnished with a double bed, and they benefit from lots of natural sunlight.

On the lower deck, there are eight standard twin cabins. Smaller than the master cabins, they are still large enough to allow divers space to relax in between or after their dives. These cabins are comfortable and quiet, and they have portholes to maximize any natural light.

If you prefer to relax outside of your cabin, the MY Blue Pearl offers a great choice of relaxation areas for sun worshippers and divers looking for a bit of shade. Choose between the cushioned seating on the shaded sundeck or relax on a bean bag near the outdoor bar.

The indoor salon will quickly become a favorite with divers looking for a cooler spot to hang out between dives. Adjacent to the dining room, this space has panoramic windows, an entertainment system, and comfortable seating. It’s an excellent place to chat about the day’s dives or simply enjoy a movie.

Highlights:

  • Two master cabins on the upper deck with stunning sea views
  • Excellent choice of relaxation spaces

Dining on the MY Blue Pearl

No Red Sea liveaboard could ever be complete without delicious local dishes. That’s why the crew makes sure to include a flavor of Egypt alongside international favorites. Meals are tasty, and there is plenty of choice for everyone, including vegetarian and halal options.

The team serves all three main meals buffet-style in the air-conditioned dining room, allowing divers to help themselves. Diving up to four times a day does make anyone hungry, so help yourself to unlimited snacks available throughout the day.

The liveaboard price includes unlimited hot and cold soft drinks, too. Plus, the boat has a bar that serves wine, spirits, and local beers for an additional fee. Diet soft drinks are also available for purchase.

The Blue Pearl team is happy to accommodate additional dietary requirements, too. To ensure your needs can be met, let the operator know at the time of booking.

Highlights:

  • Three plentiful buffet-style meals featuring a combination of Western and local dishes
  • Unlimited snacks throughout the day

Things we like:

  • Opportunity to complete up to four dives per day
  • Nitrox included in the price for certified divers
  • Free Wi-Fi

Things we don't like:

  • Dive days can get rather long to fit four dives with dinner being served after 9 pm
  • Diet soft drinks are charged extra
Key Facts
Year Built 2003
Max Divers 20
Price Range Budget
Trip Length 5-7 Nights
Internet No
Nitrox Yes (free)
Equipment Rental Yes ($)
Camera Station Yes
Air Conditioning Yes
Min. Logged Dives No minimum
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