The jewel in the crown of the Emperor fleet, the Emperor Elite is the highest quality example of the custom-designed and purpose-built boats in their Red Sea line. It is also winner of our 2011 'Liveaboard of the Year' award.
At 38 metres long and 8 metres wide, the Elite is the largest in the fleet and can comfortably accommodate up to 26 guests. All the cabins have en-suite facilities and are air-conditioned. Being their flagship liveaboard, the Emperor Elite has flat screen media players and minibars in every guest cabin.
As you can expect from the entire Emperor fleet, the Emperor Elite provides creature comforts beyond the expectations of most guests, such as bathrobes, hairdryers, complimentary dinner wine and free internet usage. And what's more, the liveaboard has a 'no hidden extras' policy. This means that you will not find any extras added to your bill, such as fuel surcharges, marine park fees, airport/hotel transfers - these are all included in the cruise price!
The Emperor Elite is generous with space too, which is fully utilised with no less than 3 sundecks, huge dive deck with platform, air-conditioned saloon, with bar and a dining room. Additional scuba delights include free nitrox, free 15 litre tanks, and the Emperor Fleet's guarantee of a minimum of 2 Red Sea liveaboard dive guides per trip.
Red Sea North, Wrecks & Tiran Straits (8 Days / 7 Nights - 21 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Abu Nuhas (Carnatic, Chrisoula K, Kimon M and Giannis D), Gubal Island, SS Thistlegorm, Ulysses, Rosalie Moller, Shaab El Erg, Kingston, Dunraven, Carina, Straits of Tiran
Day 1
The crew will welcome you on board Emperor Elite in Hurghada, show you to your cabin, and walk you through a detailed boat briefing to help you get comfortable with your new home for the trip. In the evening, dinner will be served in the spacious saloon, which includes a separate dining area, a great chance to relax and get to know the other divers. The boat will set off early the next morning.
Days 2-7
This liveaboard route takes you to some of the northern Red Sea’s most iconic wrecks, paired with stunning reef dives. You’ll enjoy 4 dives a day, typically 2 in the morning, followed by an afternoon dive and either a sunset or night dive. At Shaab El Erg, expect vibrant hard coral gardens and the chance to encounter dolphins. Abu Nuhas offers 4 remarkable wrecks, each packed with marine life and dramatic underwater scenery.
The SS Thistlegorm, the Red Sea’s most legendary wreck, is truly awe-inspiring. Bombed by the German Luftwaffe in 1941, it now rests with its World War II cargo, motorcycles, trucks, and ammunition, still neatly arranged in open holds. It’s a dive that ranks among the world’s most unforgettable. Just 2 days later, the Rosalie Moeller, a coal freighter, met the same fate. Her story adds another layer of history to this extraordinary itinerary.
The reefs around Gubal Island feature deep walls and large schools of fish, including snapper and surgeonfish. Ras Mohamed, at the southern tip of the Sinai, is a protected national park with nutrient-rich waters that attract pelagics. You’ll also dive the 4 well-known reefs of the Strait of Tiran: Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas and Gordon. These formations rise sharply from the seabed and are often visited by large pelagics due to strong currents.
Expect 4 dives a day, on most days. On the penultimate day, 2 or 3 dives are scheduled before the return to port.
Day 8
Disembarkation in Hurghada starts after a final breakfast on the liveaboard. You can arrange with the crew to be transported back to the airport or to a local hotel.
Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Elphinstone, Brothers, Deadalus Reef
Day 1
Upon boarding Emperor Elite in Hurghada, the crew will show you to your cabin and conduct a boat briefing to cover safety and logistics. Dinner is served in the indoor saloon’s dining area, offering a chance to meet fellow divers. The boat remains docked overnight and departs the next morning to begin the itinerary.
Days 2-7
Big Brother and Little Brother are known for sheer drop-offs, vibrant coral walls. Divers on this liveaboard can also explore the Numidia and Aida wrecks, now dramatic reefscapes draped in soft corals and large gorgonians. Pelagic sightings often include oceanic whitetips, thresher sharks, hammerheads, and manta rays. Turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and whitetip reef sharks are also regulars. Expect rich marine life: octopus, lionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish, and dense schools of reef fish.
Daedalus and Elphinstone Reefs offer some of the Red Sea’s greatest pelagic diving. Early morning dives at Daedalus provide the best chance to spot scalloped hammerheads and grey reef sharks along steep walls covered in soft corals. Elphinstone features drop-offs, strong currents, and frequent sightings of oceanic whitetips and hammerheads. Its northern and southern plateaus are ideal for drift dives and open-water encounters.
Most days include 3 dives, except the final full day, which typically features 2 dives before returning to port.
Day 8
Disembarkation in Port Ghalib starts after a final breakfast on the boat. The crew will assist you with transfers to the airport or to a local hotel. Please note that these trips sometimes run in reverse order. Check your trip details for more information.
St. John's Reefs (8 Days / 7 Nights - 21 Dives)
Trip highlights: dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: St. John's Reefs (Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya), Fury Shoals Reef System (Sha'ab Claude, Abu Galawa Soraya), Abu Dabab, Sha'ab Sharm, Elphinstone
Day 1
Upon boarding Emperor Elite in Port Ghalib, the crew will greet you, guide you to your cabin, and deliver a comprehensive boat briefing to help you get acquainted with your new home for the journey. Dinner in the expansive saloon, complete with a dedicated dining area, offers a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow divers who, like you, have chosen this remarkable Red Sea cruise for their holiday. The boat will set sail early the next morning.
Days 2-7
St. John’s Reefs offer effortless cruising between sites, thanks to their close proximity. You’ll dive dramatic drop-offs, towering pinnacles, winding tunnels and vibrant coral gardens teeming with life. Expect stunning hard coral formations, massive gorgonians and vivid soft corals, home to rays, sharks, octopus, lionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish and swirling schools of fish. It’s a paradise for underwater photographers. Encounters with curious turtles, Napoleon wrasse and whitetip reef sharks are common, while dugongs remain elusive. Keep an eye on the blue for mantas, grey reef and silvertip sharks, which often glide past in the open water.
The Fury Shoals form a vast reef system brimming with variety. Sha’ab Claude is a classic dive, known for its iconic swim-throughs and towering porites corals. Malahi offers maze-like passages and often features friendly turtles, while Abu Galawa Soraya boasts a vibrant coral garden and a sunken private yacht enveloped in glassfish. Between dives, Sataya is a must for snorkelling, its resident spinner dolphins and sheltered lagoon make it a highlight, with some rewarding underwater sites too.
Beyond the well-known spots, you’ll also explore hidden gems like Sha’ab Hamam (Stairway to Heaven), Abu Galawa Kebir with the Tien Hsing wreck, and Habili Sameh, which promises to leave a lasting impression. On the penultimate day, after 2 morning dives, the boat will begin its return journey to Port Ghalib.
Day 8
Disembarkation at Port Ghalib begins after a final breakfast on board. The crew can assist with arranging transfers to either the airport or a nearby hotel, depending on your onward travel plans.
Brothers & Safaga (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Safaga: Panorama Reef, Middle Reef, Abu Kafan, Salem Express; Brother Islands, Abu Dabbab and Elphinstone
Day 1
Upon arrival aboard in Hurghada, the crew will warmly welcome you, escort you to your cabin, and provide a comprehensive boat briefing to help you settle into your new home for the duration of the trip. Dinner will be served in the spacious saloon, which features a dedicated dining area, and offers a perfect opportunity to get to know your fellow divers. The boat will depart port early the following morning as everyone prepares for the 1st dive.
Days 2-7
Diving the Brother Islands and Elphinstone is a must for seasoned divers. These sites are know for big fish and shark action. On this liveaboard trip you can also expect drop-offs, the historic wrecks of Aida and Numidia, gorgonians and soft corals teeming with marine life - octopus, lionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish and swirling schools of big fish, make this an underwater photographer’s paradise. Bucket-list encounters include hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, thresher sharks and manta rays. You’ll also spot plenty of curious turtles, Napoleon wrasse and whitetip reef sharks on multiple dives.
Safaga offers superb diving, with a mix of shallow reef sites such as Panorama Reef, drop-offs, and wreck dives. The Salem Express - a 100-metre ferry - now rests encrusted in hard and soft corals, providing shelter for frogfish, blue-spotted stingrays, and schools of angelfish and butterflyfish.
On the penultimate day of the tour, the boat will return to port following 2 morning dives.
Day 8
Disembarkation takes place in Port Ghalib after a final breakfast on the boat. You can arrange with the crew for onward transport. Please note these itineraries sometimes run in reverse. Refer to your booking for details.
Red Sea South & St. John's Reefs (8 Days / 7 Nights - 22 Dives)
Trip highlights: dolphins, dugongs/manatees, great macro life/ marine diversity
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Daedalus Reef, Rocky Island, Zabargad, Fury Shoals Reef System (Sha'ab Claude, Abu Galawa Soraya, Malahi, Sha'ab Hamam, Abu Galawa Kebir, Tien Hsing Wreck, Gota Sataya, Habili Sameh), St. John's Reefs (Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya), Sha'ab Sharm, Elphinstone
Day 1
As you step aboard Emperor Elite in Port Ghalib, the crew will greet you with warm smiles and guide you to your cabin. A detailed boat briefing follows, designed to help you feel at ease and familiar with your floating home for the days ahead. That evening, dinner is served in the dedicated dining area of the spacious saloon. The boat remains docked overnight, giving everyone time to settle in. At first light, Emperor Elite sets off into the Red Sea, and the adventure begins.
Days 2-7
Daedalus Reef is a remote marine park in the southern Red Sea, famed for its dramatic underwater landscapes and pelagic encounters. Its exposed location and nutrient-rich currents attract schools of fusiliers, surgeonfish, trevallies, and a vibrant mix of reef fish. Early morning dives on this liveaboard often reveal hammerhead sharks cruising in formation, while oceanic whitetips, thresher sharks, and manta rays add to the thrill.
Further south, Rocky Island rises steeply from the depths, surrounded by densely overgrown reef walls and swept by strong currents. These waters nourish gorgonian fans, black coral trees, and sponges, creating a haven for marine life. Grey reef sharks, silvertips, and turtles shelter in calmer pockets, while manta rays and dolphins are frequent visitors.
Nearby, Zabargad Island offers a contrasting experience with its shallow coral gardens, drop-offs, and pinnacle formations. The island’s reefs are home to soldierfish, wrasses, and schools of snappers, along with reef sharks, barracuda, and turtles. Its remote location ensures pristine conditions and minimal boat traffic, making it a hidden gem for divers seeking solitude and biodiversity.
St. John’s Reefs in Egypt’s southern Red Sea offer stunning drop-offs, pinnacles, tunnels and coral gardens teeming with life. Hard corals, giant gorgonians and colourful soft corals create a vibrant backdrop for rays, octopus, lionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish, and schooling reef fish—a dream for underwater photographers.
Expect regular sightings of turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and whitetip reef sharks, with chances to spot mantas, grey reef sharks, and silvertips in deeper waters. Dugongs are rare but occasionally seen. With excellent visibility and minimal boat traffic, these remote sites offer some of the Red Sea’s most rewarding dives.
The Fury Shoals is a sprawling reef system in Egypt’s southern Red Sea, offering a mix of vibrant coral gardens, playful topography and marine life encounters. Sha’ab Claude is a classic dive, known for its dramatic swim-throughs and massive porites corals. Malahi feels like an underwater playground, with maze-like passages and curious turtles weaving through the reef. At Abu Galawa Soraya, you’ll find a beautifully overgrown wreck of a private sailing boat, now smothered in glassfish and surrounded by thriving coral.
Between dives, Sataya, also known as Dolphin Reef, is a must for snorkelling. Its resident spinner dolphin population often puts on a show, and the reef itself offers solid underwater exploration. Unlike other itineraries, this route stays out of port on the penultimate day, giving you the chance to dive even more,making it the most dive-intensive trip we offer.
Day 8
Disembarkation in Port Ghalib starts after a final breakfast on the boat. You can arrange with the crew to be transported back to the airport or to a local hotel.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
All meals onboard Emperor Elite are served in the air-conditioned dining room, beginning with dinner on Day 1. Meal times are adjusted according to the day’s dive schedule, whether it includes 3 or 4 dives, and the distance travelled between dive sites.
If the 3rd dive is scheduled for mid-afternoon, then either:
- on 3-dive days, dinner is around 7 pm.
- on 4-dive days, dinner will be taken after the last dive, depending on the time of sunset, but is normally around 8 pm.
Guests are served 3 main meals with additional snacks provided between. Throughout the cruise, a varied menu is offered, featuring international cuisine alongside Italian and local dishes. Example menu items:
- Breakfast: A typical breakfast selection includes cold cuts, yoghurt, fresh fruit, muesli, and an assortment of breads served with butter. Eggs are cooked to your liking, poached, boiled or fried.
- Lunch: May include comforting options such as zucchini soup, mashed potatoes and rice, served alongside a variety of proteins like fish fillet, shish tawook, beef shwarma and grilled chicken, offering a balance of international and Middle Eastern flavours.
- Dinner: Roast beef, pasta, sweetcorn soup, grilled chicken, rice, vegetables and 4 fresh salads are typically available, along with sweet desserts to finish.
- Vegan options could include dishes such as moussaka, tofu curry and sautéed vegetables, accompanied by pasta and French fries.
Complimentary bar snacks include biscuits and fresh fruit, along with tea, coffee, soft drinks and drinking water available throughout the day.
Alcoholic beverages, including beer, bottled wine and a selection of spirits, are available for purchase. Chocolate bars and other treats can also be bought onboard.
Dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan and halal options, can be accommodated with advance notice.
