For scuba divers who know what they want from a Red Sea safari, the MY Blue liveaboard hits the mark with genuine confidence. Part of the respected Blue Planet fleet, this sumptuous 43-metre vessel was completed in 2016 with a clear purpose: to combine the space and stability divers appreciate with the comfort that makes a week at sea feel effortless. The MY Blue accommodates 24 guests in 12 cabins, a size that keeps the atmosphere sociable without ever feeling crowded. It is one of those liveaboards where the design feels intentional, from the generous beam that provides steady cruising to the thoughtful layout that separates social areas from dive operations.
Step inside and the quality of the MY Blue becomes evident. Lower deck cabins use light shaft technology to bring natural illumination into spaces that on other boats can feel enclosed, and every twin cabin features side-by-side beds rather than bunks, a small detail that makes a noticeable difference to comfort. Upper deck sea-view cabins offer a different perspective, and there is a spacious main deck suite for those who prefer a little extra room. Each cabin has its own ensuite bathroom, individually controlled air conditioning, and in-cabin entertainment. M/Y Blue was built with European design sensibilities layered over Egyptian craftsmanship, resulting in interiors that feel both functional and welcoming.
Time between dives on the Blue liveaboard is well spent. The main saloon and dining area are fully air-conditioned, with a TV, music system, and a small library for quieter moments. A second lounge space offers comfortable chairs and beanbags for relaxed conversation, while the open-air lounge provides sofa-style seating where divers gather to debrief the day’s sightings. When the sun is high, the large sundeck with sun loungers draws those wanting to rest muscles and soak up the Red Sea warmth. There is no single prescribed way to spend surface intervals on this boat; space is plentiful and options vary according to mood.
The dive deck tells you everything about the priorities of the M/Y Blue. It is large, well planned, and set up for efficient operation. 2 showers and 2 toilets are positioned for convenience before and after dives, reducing congestion during turnarounds. A dedicated freshwater sink and extra-large camera table cater to photographers, while 2 comfortable RIBs with easy-access ladders shuttle divers to and from sites. Free Nitrox is available for EANx-certified users, and the vessel supports rebreather divers. The onboard filling station handles both 200 and 300 bar tanks with a booster pump to maintain consistency. Each diver is provided with an ENOS emergency location device, a safety measure that reflects the operator’s approach to risk management.
Where the MY Blue sails matters as much as how it sails. Safaris cover the full range of Egyptian Red Sea diving, from the northern wrecks and Ras Mohammed National Park to the southern marine parks of Brothers, Daedalus, Rocky, and Zabargad. These are routes that demand a vessel with reliable range and experienced crew who understand tides, currents, and seasonal marine life patterns. The Blue Planet fleet has been operating these waters long enough to read conditions accurately, adjusting schedules to maximise dive quality rather than simply following a fixed plan. For divers who have done their research, this operational depth inspires genuine confidence.
Choosing the M/Y Blue comes down to trusting the combination of vessel quality and operator experience. Blue Planet Liveaboards has built a reputation across their fleet for consistent standards, professional crew, and dive operations that prioritise safety without sacrificing the rhythm of a proper safari. The Blue liveaboard stands as one of their flagship vessels, delivering on the promise of comfortable, well-organised scuba diving across Egypt’s most sought-after sites. For certified divers ready to explore the Red Sea at its best, this is a choice that removes uncertainty and lets the diving speak for itself.
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: Big Brother, Little Brother, Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone
Day 1
Your adventure begins in Hurghada where you will find the Blue liveaboard. You are welcome to board at your convenience throughout the first day, as the vessel remains in port until the following morning. Spend your first evening enjoying a blend of local Egyptian and international flavours in the comfort of our air-conditioned saloon. The evening concludes with an introductory briefing to ensure you are well-prepared for the adventure ahead.
Core Days
This cruise is regarded as the pinnacle of Red Sea diving, reserved for experienced divers due to the exposure and strong currents characteristic of these offshore reefs. The route focuses on 3 celebrated locations: the Brother Islands, Daedalus Reef, and Elphinstone, collectively offering spectacular drop-offs, massive gorgonian sea fans, and flourishing soft corals. The primary goal of choosing this route on the M/Y Blue is the exceptional chance of encountering large pelagic life.
The Brother Islands are a designated marine park, consisting of Big Brother and Little Brother. Big Brother features 2 famous wreck dives: the Aida II and the Numidia. Both wrecks are now integrated into the reef ecosystem, providing excellent underwater photography subjects. Little Brother is celebrated for its dense concentration of marine life, showcasing colourful coral forests, overhangs, and a high likelihood of seeing various shark species. The islands are particularly known for regular sightings of oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads, and thresher sharks throughout the year.
Daedalus Reef, another remote location, is an isolated circular reef distinguished by its lighthouse. The sheer walls of Daedalus are covered in huge gorgonians and soft corals. Due to its isolated position, it acts as a magnet for open-ocean species, providing exceptional opportunities for sightings of large pelagics, including potential encounters with whale sharks and hammerheads. Diving at this exposed reef is thrilling, offering scuba divers the chance to observe oceanic whitetip sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and whitetip reef sharks.
The Blue liveaboard safari concludes at Elphinstone Reef, a legendary site known for its dramatic northern and southern plateaus. This underwater mountain offers challenging drift dives along steep walls. Elphinstone maintains the potential for large marine life sightings, ensuring a powerful final impression before the liveaboard begins its return journey.
The final full day of the cruise includes 2 dives, before Blue returns to the harbour to anchor for the last night of the safari.
Day 8
After a calm night in the harbour, guests will enjoy a final breakfast onboard. Disembarkation takes place after breakfast, and the crew will arrange transfers back to the airport or a local hotel if you plan to continue your Egyptian vacation.
Note: this route may use Hurghada or Port Ghalib as its operating ports.
Daedalus, Fury Shoals & Elphinstone (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, 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: Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone and the Fury Shoal
Day 1
This Red Sea diving adventure begins when you arrive at Port Ghalib to board the Blue liveaboard. You may board the vessel anytime during the day, where the crew will show you to your cabin and provide essential details about the boat's amenities. Dinner is served in the air-conditioned saloon, offering a selection of international and local Egyptian cuisine, providing a great chance to meet the other divers on your Blue safari before the boat departs early the next morning.
Core Days
This diving cruise combines the remote pelagic action of Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone with the vibrant, calmer reef systems of the Fury Shoals, offering a spectacular all-round experience suitable for divers with experience in drift conditions. The key feature of this route is its balance between big fish encounters and stunning coral gardens.
The Blue liveaboard will dedicate time to Daedalus Reef, an offshore pinnacle identified by its iconic lighthouse. The walls of Daedalus drop hundreds of metres and are draped in exceptionally healthy hard corals, attracting large numbers of pelagic species. Divers here have a high chance of spotting schools of hammerhead sharks, as well as oceanic whitetips and manta rays that frequent the deeper water.
The vessel will then navigate to the Fury Shoals, a vast reef system in the deep south famed for its incredible reef structures and marine life diversity. This region offers a stark contrast to the offshore pinnacles, with sites like Sha’ab Sataya, often called 'Dolphin House,' known for its resident pods of spinner dolphins, providing unique opportunities for snorkelling or surface encounters. Within the Fury Shoals, divers can explore spectacular sites like Sha'ab Claudio with its intricate swim-throughs, and El Malahi, an underwater maze frequently visited by curious turtles.
The final major highlight is Elphinstone Reef, globally renowned for its vertical walls that plunge over 100 metres and are blanketed in colourful soft corals. Elphinstone is considered a must for experienced divers, providing exhilarating drift dives and excellent opportunities to encounter oceanic whitetip sharks, especially around the north and south plateaus. Throughout these diverse locations, divers frequently encounter turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and whitetip reef sharks. This specific Blue liveaboard route ensures you experience the best of the southern Red Sea's pelagic and reef diving within one safari.
Day 8
After enjoying a calm night back in Port Ghalib, you will wake up for a final breakfast. Disembarkation takes place after breakfast, to end your Egyptian vacation.
Daedalus, Rocky & Zabargad (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Elphinstone, Daedalus Reef, Zabargad and Rocky Island
Day 1
Once on board the Blue liveaboard in Port Ghalib, you’ll have the afternoon to find your bearings, unpack, and assemble your dive gear. Following an initial boat briefing, dinner is served in the saloon, providing a relaxed setting to get to know the crew and the other scuba divers. The vessel will then depart in the early hours of the morning.
Core Days
This is an advanced tour focusing on the southern Red Sea’s most isolated and spectacular offshore dive sites: Daedalus Reef, Rocky Island, and Zabargad, often starting or ending with the vertical walls of Elphinstone. These remote pinnacles are constantly washed by nutrient-rich currents, resulting in massive hard coral formations, huge gorgonians, and vibrant soft corals, making for truly exhilarating diving. This voyage aboard the Blue is a must for experienced divers seeking high-adrenaline pelagic action and pristine reef health.
Daedalus Reef is defined by its dramatic drop-offs and the presence of its historic lighthouse. This isolated position draws in large pelagic animals, providing some of the Red Sea’s best opportunities to observe schooling hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, and occasional whale sharks or manta rays. The walls are richly populated with marine life, including giant Napoleon wrasse and numerous turtles.
Further south, the Blue liveaboard safari reaches the legendary islands of Rocky and Zabargad. Rocky Island is a small, exposed circumference of reef that is incredibly lively. Divers here frequently observe grey reef sharks and silver-tip sharks cruising in the open water, alongside the potential for seeing dolphins. Zabargad Island, slightly larger, offers versatile diving, distinguished by the presence of a 70-metre-long wreck and a variety of smaller life like frogfish and nudibranchs.
2 dives will be conducted on the final full day before the Blue returns to Port Ghalib.
Day 8
Following a peaceful night moored in Port Ghalib harbour, divers will enjoy a final breakfast before disembarking the Blue. The crew will assist with transfers back to the airport or a local hotel.
Fury Shoals & St. John's (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: Abu Dabab, Elphinstone, Shaab Claudia, Dolphin Reef (Sataya), Shaab Sharm, St. John's Reefs (Habili Ali, Small, Gota), Fury Shoal, Marsa Shouna
Day 1
The diving holiday begins in Port Ghalib, where the Blue liveaboard is moored. Guests can board the vessel throughout the day. Upon arrival, the crew will help you settle into your cabin and provide a detailed briefing on the boat and the planned itinerary. Dinner in the air-conditioned saloon is a chance to meet the other divers. The boat will depart for the south the following morning, making a stop at a nearby site for a check dive.
Core Days
This tour is dedicated to exploring the magnificent deep-south reefs, focusing on the extensive coral systems of the Fury Shoals and the pristine, isolated St. John's Reefs. This route is excellent for scuba divers who enjoy varied topography, from shallow coral mazes to dramatic offshore pinnacles, all accessible aboard the Blue liveaboard.
The first section of the trip takes place in the nearshore Marsa Alam region. Divers will visit sites like Marsa Shouna and Abu Dabab, which are known for their sheltered bays, allowing for easy diving and offering the unique chance to spot sought-after creatures like the resident dugongs and numerous curious turtles. Further out, M/Y Blue may include the famous Elphinstone Reef, a majestic offshore pinnacle renowned for its sheer walls and the potential for encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks patrolling the plateaus.
The safari continues into the heart of the Fury Shoal system. Here, the diving is characterised by spectacular hard coral gardens and unique formations. Shaab Claudia features cathedral-like tunnels and swim-throughs, while the entire Fury Shoal area is famous for its vibrant marine life, including schools of bannerfish and goatfish. A highlight is Dolphin Reef (Sataya), a massive natural lagoon where large pods of spinner dolphins frequently gather, providing a fantastic opportunity for snorkelling during surface intervals. Sites like Shaab Sharm also feature in the tour, offering exciting wall dives.
The deepest part of the voyage takes the Blue to the remote St. John’s Reefs. These reefs are tightly grouped, allowing for easy navigation between dive sites and ensuring plenty of time underwater. Sites like Habili Ali, Small, and Gota are true underwater mountains, featuring incredible pinnacles and drop-offs that are covered in vibrant soft corals and huge gorgonians. These areas attract larger species, and divers can expect common sightings of Napoleon wrasse and whitetip reef sharks, with the occasional thresher shark passing through the deep blue.
After the final 2 dives on the last full day, the Blue liveaboard returns to Port Ghalib to moor overnight.
Day 8
Following a final breakfast on board, guests will disembark the vessel, with crew available to assist with transfers back to the airport or a local hotel.
Red Sea North, Tiran & Brothers (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Big Brother, Little Brother, Numidia Wreck, Aida Wreck, and the Straits of Tiran
Day 1
You will be picked up from Hurghada airport or your local hotel and transferred to the liveaboard departure point. You can board the boat at any time during the first day since the boat departs on the morning of the second day. After boarding the boat you can enjoy dinner, depending on your boarding time. During the cruise you can expect a mix of international and local Egyptian and North African cuisine. Soups, salads, rice and pasta based dishes are common. So too are local specialties such as hummus, tabouleh and babaganoush, all served in the air-conditioned saloon on the main deck. After dinner, assemble your dive gear and settle into your cabin. There will be a full boat briefing on the night before trip departure.
Core Days
The Brother Islands are a must for all experienced divers. You will surely have fun while diving drop-offs, huge gorgonians and colorful soft corals that are home to octopus, lionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish, large schools of fish: an underwater photographer’s dream! Bucket list encounters include hammerheads, whale sharks, thresher sharks and manta rays. Lots of curious turtles, Napoleon wrasse and whitetip reef sharks will be common encounters on several occasions. Tiran is world famous for its exceptional variety of corals and its strong southwestern currents. It’s home of a lot of big fish in the Red Sea.
Each day begins with a light breakfast after you wake up followed by the 1st early morning dive of the day. After that you can return to feast on a full cooked breakfast, served buffet-style. Shortly after breakfast you will prepare for the 2nd dive of the day before lunchtime. Back on board you can dry off and settle down for lunch and chat about your morning's dives. After some relaxation time, you can start to get ready for the 3rd dive of the day. Some days have 3 dives a day, some days 4.
Snacks are available all day including biscuits, cake and fruit to keep the hunger at bay. In the evening you can enjoy your buffet style dinner and purchase soft drinks, beers and wine to accompany your meal, as you chat about all the day's fun you have had underwater.
On the final full day of the trip you will normally do 2 dives, with the 2nd taking place at around 10:00 hrs before lunch as the boat then returns to the harbour to overnight for the last night of the safari.
Day 8
You will wake up after a calm night in the harbour and after breakfast, say farewell to all your new friends and disembark. The crew will transfer you back to the airport or local hotels if you are continuing your Egypt vacation.
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: Ras Mohamed, Straits of Tiran (Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, Gordon, Laguna reefs), Thistlegorm, Shaab Mahmoud, Shag Rock, Abu Nuhas wrecks (Giannis D, Carnatic, Kimon M, Chrisoula K)
Day 1
Upon arrival at Hurghada marina, guests will board the Blue liveaboard. You are welcome to arrive at any point on the first day, as the vessel remains docked overnight. After settling into your cabin, a full boat briefing will cover safety protocols and the upcoming itinerary. Dinner is served in the air-conditioned saloon, offering a selection of international and regional dishes - an ideal setting to meet the dive team and your fellow adventurers before the Blue casts off in the morning.
Core Days
This classic northern route is tailored for divers keen to explore the Red Sea's most famous wrecks and spectacular pinnacle reefs. The initial days aboard the Blue liveaboard focus heavily on wartime history and sunken relics, starting with the SS Thistlegorm. This monumental British military transport sits at 32 metres, its massive holds preserved as a time capsule containing WWII cargo, including trucks, motorcycles, and spare parts. Diving the Thistlegorm offers a unique perspective on marine life integrating with history.
The cruise includes dives at the Abu Nuhas reef system, notoriously known as the ‘ship graveyard’ of the Red Sea. Here, divers can explore multiple accessible wrecks resting on the sandy seabed, including the Giannis D, the ancient wooden-hulled Carnatic, the Kimon M, and the Chrisoula K. Each vessel is now thoroughly colonised by vibrant coral formations and home to a dense population of fish. Other nearby wrecks, such as the Rosalie Moeller or the sites around Gubal Island and Bluff Point, may also be visited, depending on conditions.
Moving away from the wrecks, the Blue then steers toward the exposed, current-swept reefs that make the north famous. The Strait of Tiran contains 4 major reefs - Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon - which feature stunning coral gardens and dramatic drop-offs that attract large species. Ras Mohamed National Park is another priority, with the iconic Shark and Yolanda Reefs, Anemone City, and Jackfish Alley providing thrilling drift dives along vertical walls. These protected waters are nutrient-rich, increasing the potential for pelagic sightings.
The Blue safari also incorporates calmer reef dives at sites like Shaab Mahmoud, Shag Rock, The Alternatives, and the reefs around Siyul or Giftun Island. These less exposed locations ensure variation in the dive schedule, allowing for detailed observation of reef fish and smaller marine life before the vessel begins its final return towards port.
Day 8
After a final night spent back in Hurghada harbour, guests will enjoy a leisurely breakfast then disembark.
Red Sea North, Wrecks, Tiran & Dahab (8 Days / 7 Nights - 21 Dives)
Trip highlights: turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Ras Mohamed, Straits of Tiran (Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, Gordon, Laguna reefs), Thistlegorm, Shaab Mahmoud, Shag Rock, Abu Nuhas wrecks (Giannis D, Carnatic, Kimon M, Chrisoula K), Dahab Blue Hole
Day 1
Upon arrival at Hurghada marina, you may board the Blue liveaboard at any time during the day, as the vessel remains moored until the following morning. After settling into your cabin and assembling your dive gear, enjoy dinner in the saloon where you can meet the other divers. A full boat briefing will be given later that evening before the Blue departs to the first dive site for a check dive.
Core Days
This Blue liveaboard safari is the ultimate northern Red Sea diving experience, combining famous wartime wrecks, stunning coral pinnacles in the Straits of Tiran, and a memorable visit to the world-renowned Dahab Blue Hole. This route is challenging and offers an outstanding mix of environments for divers.
The safari dedicates significant time to wreck diving. The monumental SS Thistlegorm is a major highlight, resting upright at 32 metres. Diving this British freighter is a journey into history, where you can explore its holds filled with WWII military cargo, now surrounded by large schools of fish. In the nearby Strait of Gubal, the infamous Abu Nuhas reef provides multiple wreck dives. Here, 4 vessels lie close together, including the Giannis D, the ancient Carnatic, and the Chrisoula K, all of which are covered in rich coral growth.
Moving north-east, the Blue explores the Straits of Tiran, a region famous for its exceptional variety of corals and strong currents. The 4 major reefs offer spectacular wall dives, with Thomas Reef being particularly noted for its intricate architecture. The currents here draw in large schools of big fish and offer an exhilarating diving experience. Further south, protected areas like Ras Mohamed, including Shark and Yolanda Reefs, are rich in nutrients, offering high potential for pelagic sightings and impressive wall dives along Anemone City and Jackfish Alley.
Finally, the cruise includes an excursion to the mainland and the Dahab area to visit the legendary Blue Hole. Divers will also visit local sites such as Shaab Mahmoud and Shag Rock. The Blue liveaboard will conduct 2 dives on the final full day before heading back to port.
Day 8
After a calm final night moored in Hurghada harbour, guests will enjoy a light breakfast before checking out. You will then be transferred back to the airport or a local hotel, marking the end of your diving safari.
Red Sea Northern Wrecks & Brothers (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Abu Nuhas wrecks (Giannis D., Carnatic, Chrisoula K. and Kimon M.), Thistlegorm or Rosalie Moller, Big Brother and Little Brother
Day 1
Following your arrival at Hurghada marina, you may board the Blue liveaboard at any time on day one. The vessel will stay in port until the next morning, allowing plenty of time to settle in. A full boat briefing will be held before the vessel sets sail in the early hours, ready for your first dive of the trip.
Core Days
This Blue liveaboard tour is an exciting combination of the most compelling wreck sites in the north with the challenging, pelagic-rich reefs of the Brother Islands. This demanding route is specifically suited for experienced divers seeking both historical exploration and adrenaline-pumping marine encounters.
The dive safari starts by exploring the world-class wrecks of the northern Red Sea. The SS Thistlegorm is a mandatory stop, offering an unparalleled historical dive at 32 metres, where its massive holds contain trucks, motorcycles, and other military supplies. Depending on the schedule, the itinerary will also feature the deep-sunk Rosalie Moller, a well-preserved wreck that sits upright and attracts patrolling trevally and tuna. In addition to these behemoths, the ship graveyard of Abu Nuhas provides a cluster of 4 wrecks, including the Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K., and Kimon M., each offering diverse penetration opportunities and vibrant coral coverage.
The second major highlight is the Brother Islands, 2 isolated pinnacles designated as a marine park. These reefs are renowned for their exceptional hard and soft coral growth, teeming with countless fairy basslets and anthias. The walls of Little Brother, in particular, are frequently visited by oceanic whitetip sharks and thresher sharks, providing spectacular open-ocean sightings. Big Brother features 2 wrecks, the Aida II and the Numidia, which have become seamlessly integrated into the reef structure. The challenging environment of the Brothers, with strong currents and exposed conditions, is where the Blue operates best, offering scuba divers a chance to witness large animal life including hammerheads, whale sharks, and manta rays. You will also see many turtles and Napoleon wrasse on these drop-offs.
The final full day includes 2 dives, before the Blue liveaboard heads back to Hurghada harbour for the final night.
Day 8
Guests will wake up for breakfast before disembarking, and the crew will arrange transfers back to the airport or 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].
On the MY Blue liveaboard in the Red Sea, the days start early, unfold across 3 or 4 dives, and settle into evenings of good food and quiet conversation under open skies. The boat is built for this balance, providing space to rest between dives and meals that keep energy levels steady.
The first morning sets the pace. After a safety briefing and equipment setup, the crew serves breakfast around 7 am. There is coffee, tea, fresh bread, eggs, and the kind of spread that suits divers heading into the water. By 8 am, the first zodiac is in the water.
A typical day with M/Y Blue sees up to 4 dives. The schedule shifts slightly depending on the cruise route, but the structure remains consistent. After the first dive, guests return to the main deck for a proper breakfast or a mid-morning snack. The second dive usually happens before lunch. Lunch is served around 1 pm, buffet-style in the air-conditioned saloon or on the shaded upper deck where the sea breeze keeps things comfortable.
The third dive falls in the afternoon. Between dives, there is always tea, coffee, soft drinks, and water available at no extra charge. Snacks appear throughout the day, biscuits, fresh fruit, toast, and on warmer afternoons, ice cream. The crew keeps a steady supply without making a fuss about it.
The fourth dive of the day, when scheduled, is often a night dive or a late afternoon drift. Dinner is the main event, served around 7:30 pm. After eating, divers gather on the upper deck of the Blue liveaboard or in the lounge, reviewing the day's sightings and checking the next morning's plan.
The kitchen on the M/Y Blue turns out food that suits the setting: substantial without being heavy, varied without being fussy. Breakfast includes eggs prepared to order, fresh bread, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, and fruit. There is always coffee, tea, and juice on the table. Lunch and dinner operate on a buffet system, with crew members assisting. The cuisine draws from international, Italian, Egyptian, and Gulf traditions.
A typical day might start with a lunch of grilled fish, rice pilaf, and a tomato and cucumber salad dressed with lemon and olive oil. Dinner could be a pasta dish followed by chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives, served alongside flatbread and roasted vegetables.
Barbecue nights happen during the week, weather permitting. The crew sets up on the upper deck, grilling fresh fish, chicken, and kofta while guests watch the sunset.
Egyptian specialties appear throughout the week, including dishes like koshari, molokhia, or slow-cooked lamb with spiced rice. Gulf influences show up in dishes like machboos, fragrant with cardamom and saffron.
Vegetarian and halal diets are catered for with advance notice. The Blue liveaboard crew asks about dietary requirements at check-in and makes adjustments accordingly.
Between meals, there are always snacks available, biscuits, toast, and fruit that can be grabbed between dives without interrupting the flow of the day. Ice cream appears in the afternoon, a small thing that makes a difference after a long dive.
The main dining area is on the main deck, air-conditioned and set up for buffet service. It is the practical choice for lunch when the sun is high. For breakfast and dinner, many guests prefer the shaded outdoor area on the upper deck. The tables are positioned to catch sea breezes, and the setting is relaxed. Eating up there as the M/Y Blue moves between dive sites, with nothing but water in every direction, is one of the small pleasures of the trip.
The upper deck also has a small bar where beer and wine are available for purchase. Soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee are included in the trip price. Diet soft drinks are available but carry a small extra charge.
