Red Sea Aggressor IV Liveaboard overview

By
Sally Lockman
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Born and raised on a tiny island in the Middle East, Sally has always been passionate about the ocean. After finally leaving the corporate and banking...
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...

Divers flock from all over the world to dive in the Red Sea. And while many decide on shore diving, most advanced divers prefer the access a liveaboard provides. With popular dive sites stretching from Sharm El Sheikh to Hurghada, and including highlights like Brothers Islands, the Straits of Tiran, and many wrecks such as the Salem Express and Thistlegorm, the options are limitless.

One of the top-rated liveaboard operators, found in many countries around the world, is the Aggressor. With two of their boats operating in Egypt, the Red Sea Aggressor II and the Red Sea Aggressor IV, their reputation for providing luxury services and facilities makes them stand out from the rest. Itineraries vary throughout the year but include Daedalus, Brothers Islands, Elphinstone, and more.

As well as offering year-round trips, the boat is also available for private charters. 

Keep reading as we dive into our review of the Red Sea Aggressor IV.

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:

  • Phenomenal crew focused on safety
  • Variety of marine life encounters, including oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads, manta rays, and dolphins
  • Helpful and attentive dive guides
  • Exceptional onboard hospitality and food

Things we don't like:

  • Crowded dive sites
  • Hot tub sometimes unheated

Diving on the Red Sea Aggressor IV liveaboard

When it comes to diving, the Red Sea offers conditions suitable for all divers, but when it comes to liveaboards, a certain level of experience is required (at least Advanced Open Water) as some of the dive sites feature strong currents or large pelagics.

Weather and water conditions in the Red Sea make it the ideal destination for year-round travel, with a variety of wrecks, incredible visibility, abundant marine life, and healthy hard coral. High season runs from April to November, with land temperatures ranging from 64 to 104 F (18 to 40 C) and water temperatures ranging from 62 to 84 F (17 to 29 C), depending on the season.

The Aggressor IV’s general itinerary features popular southern Red Sea destinations, such as Brothers Islands, Elphinstone, Daedalus, St. John’s, and Sha’ab Maksour. This route is known more for large pelagics and reefs rather than the northern route, where you’ll encounter more wrecks such as the famous Thistlegorm.

Two zodiacs are available to take guests to sites and bring them back to the boat once their dive is over. Nitrox is available for an extra charge.

The dedicated local and international crew is on hand to provide guests with the best services, ensuring a professional level of attention and assistance. Depending on the number of guests, divers are divided into groups, each with a dive guide, adding value and safety to every dive, with up to five dives per day.

Highlights:

  • Incredible visibility up to 100 feet (30 m)
  • Marine life encounters may include hammerhead sharks, turtles, dolphins, oceanic whitetips, and more
  • Healthy hard coral
  • Variety of dive sites, including caves, wrecks, and walls

Onboard the Red Sea Aggressor IV

Measuring 143 feet (43.5 m), the Red Sea Aggressor IV accommodates up to 26 passengers in 13 staterooms. Custom-built for diving, it offers lots of space to relax, including two hot tubs, a  sun deck, a bar, air-conditioned indoor spaces, and an open-air lounge.

The 13 staterooms are divided into three master rooms with queen beds and nine deluxe rooms with twin beds, each with en-suite bathrooms, individual air conditioning, and 32-inch televisions with a selection of 400 movies, TV shows, and documentaries. 

Nighttime activities include night dives, marine-life identification presentations, movies, games, and more. TV screens also serve as a platform for editing and viewing underwater photos and videos.

The large dive deck at the back of the boat allows divers space to store their items and prepare their equipment safely, with the crew on hand to offer assistance pre- or post-dive.

Highlights:

  • Flat-screen TVs in each room
  • Two hot tubs
  • Onboard library with literature collection

Dining on the Red Sea Aggressor IV

Dining onboard the Red Sea Aggressor IV offers plenty of chances to refuel between dives. Each morning starts off with a freshly prepared breakfast of fresh fruits, hot entrees, and cereals alongside a range of beverages. Lunch is served buffet-style with a variety of cuisines, highlighting Western, Egyptian, and locally inspired dishes, including entrees, hot soups, salads, sandwiches, and homemade bread.

Dinner features everything from delicious vegetarian dishes to seafood, beef, and chicken, and each meal ends with a homemade dessert. Chefs can take into consideration any preferences or dietary needs guests may have as well, which guests must inform the reservation agent of upon booking the reservation.

Guests are also provided with complimentary soft drinks, tea, coffee, iced water, and local beer and wine after the day’s diving ends

Highlights:

  • Wide variety of food and homemade desserts
  • Homemade desserts
  • Local beer and wine are included

Things we like:

  • Phenomenal crew focused on safety
  • Variety of marine life encounters, including oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads, manta rays, and dolphins
  • Helpful and attentive dive guides
  • Exceptional onboard hospitality and food

Things we don't like:

  • Crowded dive sites
  • Hot tub sometimes unheated
Key Facts
Year Built 2014
Max Divers 26
Price Range Mid-range
Trip Length 5-7 Nights
Internet No
Nitrox Yes ($)
Equipment Rental Yes ($)
Camera Station Yes
Air Conditioning Yes
Min. Logged Dives No minimum
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