Ghazala Explorer

Ghazala Explorer is a stunning and large 37m long steel hull motor yacht that operates diving safaris to the best sites in Egypt's Red Sea, including the Thistlegorm wreck, Brothers, Ras Mohammed, Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone and St. John’s. This modern and bright liveaboard was completed in 2021 and, with its double 1,150 HP MAN Marine engines, can cruise at 12 knots.

The boat can accommodate 24 guests in spacious cabins across 2 decks, including upper deck seaview cabins, attended by an experienced boat crew. Each cabin has its own private bathroom. The lower deck also includes a large double. The yacht operates an all-inclusive pricing policy with no hidden extras.

Tasty meals are well-planned and served using fresh and the finest ingredients in the dining section of the air-conditioned saloon. The lounge section of the saloon has a TV, where guests can relax and watch a movie from the onboard selection, or play board games. The upper deck has a shaded, open air social area and a bar where guests can enjoy a drink or two after each day of diving. The spacious sun deck is open to the Egyptian sunshine, and is equipped with plenty of sun loungers, bean bags and lounge seating.

Most of the diving is done on Ghazala Explorer cruises from the 2 motorised RIB dinghies that are used to transport divers to the sites. Nitrox is provided free of charge by the membrane system. The 3 experienced guides are passionate about diving, very well trained, and know the various routes very well. The scuba activities are well planned and executed to ensure of making the best out of the cruise itinerary and the sea conditions.

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Dive experience: For diving trips in the marine parks, you must hold an Advanced Open Water Diver license or equivalent and have at least 50 logged dives. For safaris elsewhere in Egypt, a minimum of 25 logged dives is required.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, water, soft drinks, hot drinks, return transfers from local airport (see below), dives (as detailed in the trips above), port and park fees, nitrox fills for certified enriched air divers, 3 experienced English-speaking divemasters, tanks, weightbelt and weights, all taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (incl. dive computer and torch: US$ 199 per week), diving insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash preferred - EUR/GBP/USD, or credit/debit card).

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks (wine and beer), 15 litre tank (US$ 42 per week), transfers from Hurghada to Port Ghalib. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: Ghazala Explorer Red Sea liveaboard trips use either Hurghada or Port Ghalib as the ports of departure. The local airport is either Hurghada (HRG) or Marsa Alam (RMF) airport. Minibus transfers are provided from the local airport and from hotels within a 20 km range of the port. For more details, including airlines, visit our Egypt travel information section.
The first and last nights of the trip are spent in port. Guests board on the first day after 6 pm. The last dive of the tour will be about 11 am on the penultimate day. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. Guests depart latest at 10 am on the final day.

Non-diver rate: None.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin, or pay a supplement of 60% of the published price for their own cabin.

Dive clubs and group discounts: None.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): None.

Add-on package: We recommend some of the wonderful antiquities tours in Egypt to add an extra dimension to your Red Sea diving holiday. Cairo museum's royal mummies, the pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, a glorious cruise down the Nile staying in a luxury cabin, the Valley of the Kings, all of these and more can be added to your travel itinerary to make it a once-in-a-lifetime Egyptian adventure. Other activities such as 4x4 desert safaris, birding tours, and camel rides are also available.

Red Sea North & Wrecks (8 Days / 7 Nights - 20 Dives)

Trip highlights: dolphins, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Abu Nuhas wrecks (Chrisoula K, Giannis D, Kimon M, Carnatic), SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohamed, Ulysses, Gubal Barge, Rosalie Moeller

Day 1
The Ghazala Explorer departs from Hurghada Marina. You will be picked up from the airport by a boat representative who will take you to the marina which is only 20 minutes away. You can board the liveaboard any time in the evening, assemble your equipment, and settle into your cabin. There will be a boat briefing when all guests are on board. Dinner is served in the evening and the boat will remain in the harbour on the first night, departing in the morning of the second day.

Days 2-7
The Northern Red Sea provides some of the most historic wrecks in the world, like the Thistlegorm, Rosalie Moller, and Abu Nuhas. The most famous wreck, the SS Thistlegorm, will leave you in awe: it was sunk in 1941 after being bombed by the German Luftwaffe! With its historical cargo of World War II machinery and equipment, all neatly stowed in its open holds, the wreck of the Thistlegorm would be a highlight of diving anywhere in the world. The Rosalie Moeller, carrying a cargo of coal, suffered the same fate just 2 days later. 4 wrecks will be the highlights of diving at Abu Nuhas, all offering spectacular dives and plenty of marine life, making fantastic material for the underwater photographer. The Ras Mohamed National Park has beautiful coral reefs with abundant marine life and incredible visibility that can reach 40 metres.
Start the day with fresh fruit and pastries, then the 1st dive follows soon after. Then it's time for the main buffet breakfast, followed by the 2nd dive. A buffet style lunch gives you a chance to chat about the morning marine encounters. The menu provides a mix of local and international cuisine with a slight Egyptian twist, all enjoyed in the air-conditioned restaurant on the main deck. After some downtime after lunch, it will soon be time for the 3rd dive and an afternoon snack. Normally dinner is served after the night (4th) dive, so as you sample local dishes like babaganoush, foul beans and hummus, you can wash it down with a glass of wine or beer. Guests with special dietary requirements are also catered for.
On the penultimate day, the yacht returns to port in the afternoon after 2 dives.

Day 8
You will wake up after a calm night in the harbour and disembark after breakfast. The crew will transfer you to Hurghada Airport in time for your flight.

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Red Sea North, Wrecks & Brothers (8 Days / 7 Nights - 20 Dives)

Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Abu Nuhas wrecks (Chrisoula K, Giannis D, Kimon M, Carnatic), SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohamed, Ulysses, Gubal Barge, Big Brother, Little Brother, Numidia and Aida wrecks

Day 1
The Ghazala Explorer departs from Hurghada Marina. You will be picked up from the airport by a boat representative who will take you to the marina which is only 20 minutes away. You can board the liveaboard any time in the evening, assemble your equipment, and settle into your cabin. There will be a boat briefing when all guests are on board. Dinner is served in the evening and the boat will remain in the harbour on the first night, departing in the morning of the second day.

Days 2-7
The famous Brother Islands are among the best loved sites of the Red Sea. They are 2 exposed promontories which act as a magnet for marine life. You can dive along walls festooned with soft corals, anemones and brightly coloured sponges. Sharks are frequently sighted here: scalloped hammerheads, silvertips, whitetips and grey reef sharks being the most numerous. At Big Brother there is a wreck called the Numidia which lies in the shallows and is bedecked in hard and soft corals and gorgonians fans.
The Northern Red Sea provides some of the most historic wrecks in the world, like the Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas. The most famous wreck, the SS Thistlegorm, will leave you in awe: it was sunk in 1941 after being bombed by the German Luftwaffe! With its historical cargo of World War II machinery and equipment, all neatly stowed in its open holds, the wreck of the Thistlegorm would be a highlight of diving anywhere in the world. 4 wrecks will be the highlights of diving at Abu Nuhas, all offering spectacular dives and plenty of marine life, making fantastic material for the underwater photographer. The Ras Mohamed National Park has beautiful coral reefs with abundant marine life and incredible visibility that can reach 40 metres.
Start the day with fresh fruit and pastries, then the 1st dive follows soon after. Then it's time for the main buffet breakfast, followed by the 2nd dive. A buffet style lunch gives you a chance to chat about the morning marine encounters. The menu provides a mix of local and international cuisine with a slight Egyptian twist, all enjoyed in the air-conditioned restaurant on the main deck. After some downtime after lunch, it will soon be time for the 3rd dive and an afternoon snack. Normally dinner is served after the night (4th) dive, so as you sample local dishes like babaganoush, foul beans and hummus, you can wash it down with a glass of wine or beer. Guests with special dietary requirements are also catered for.
On the penultimate day, the yacht returns to port in the afternoon after 2 dives.

Day 8
You will wake up after a calm night in the harbour and disembark after breakfast. The crew will transfer you to Hurghada Airport in time for your flight.

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Red Sea North, Wrecks & Tiran Straits (8 Days / 7 Nights - 20 Dives)

Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Abu Nuhas wrecks (Chrisoula K, Giannis D, Kimon M, Carnatic), SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohamed, Straits of Tiran, Gordon Reef, Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef, Thomas Reef, Dahab: Blue Hole, Dahab Canyon, Gabr el Bint

Day 1
The Ghazala Explorer departs from Hurghada Marina. You will be picked up from the airport by a boat representative who will take you to the marina which is only 20 minutes away. You can board the liveaboard any time in the evening, assemble your equipment, and settle into your cabin. There will be a boat briefing when all guests are on board. Dinner is served in the evening and the boat will remain in the harbour on the first night, departing in the morning of the second day.

Days 2-7
The Northern Red Sea provides some of the most historic wrecks in the world, like the Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas. The most famous wreck, the SS Thistlegorm, will leave you in awe: it was sunk in 1941 after being bombed by the German Luftwaffe! With its historical cargo of World War II machinery and equipment, all neatly stowed in its open holds, the wreck of the Thistlegorm would be a highlight of diving anywhere in the world. 4 wrecks will be the highlights of diving at Abu Nuhas, all offering spectacular dives and plenty of marine life, making fantastic material for the underwater photographer.
The Ras Mohamed National Park has beautiful coral reefs with abundant marine life and incredible visibility that can reach 40 metres. You will also dive the world renowned Blue Hole of Dahab, and the 4 famous reefs of the Strait of Tiran. These magnificent formations, rising from the depths, are often frequented by large pelagics due to the abundance of currents.
Start the day with fresh fruit and pastries, then the 1st dive follows soon after. Then it's time for the main buffet breakfast, followed by the 2nd dive. A buffet style lunch gives you a chance to chat about the morning marine encounters. The menu provides a mix of local and international cuisine with a slight Egyptian twist, all enjoyed in the air-conditioned restaurant on the main deck. After some downtime after lunch, it will soon be time for the 3rd dive and an afternoon snack. Normally dinner is served after the night (4th) dive, so as you sample local dishes like babaganoush, foul beans and hummus, you can wash it down with a glass of wine or beer. Guests with special dietary requirements are also catered for.
On the penultimate day, the yacht returns to port in the afternoon after 2 dives.

Day 8
You will wake up after a calm night in the harbour and disembark after breakfast. The crew will transfer you to Hurghada Airport in time for your flight.

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Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone (8 Days / 7 Nights - 20 Dives)

Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Big Brother, Little Brother, Numidia and Aida wrecks, Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone

Day 1
The Ghazala Explorer departs from Port Ghalib. You will be picked up from Hurghada Airport by a cruise representative who will take you to the marina in an air-conditioned van which is 3 hours away. Otherwise you can fly to Marsa Alam Airport which is only 10 minutes away from the marina. You can board the liveaboard any time in the evening, assemble your equipment, and settle into your cabin. There will be a boat briefing when all guests are on board. Dinner is served in the evening and the boat will remain in port on the first night, departing in the morning of the second day.

Days 2-7
The famous Brother Islands are among the best loved sites of the Red Sea. They are 2 exposed promontories which act as a magnet for marine life. You can dive along walls festooned with soft corals, anemones and brightly coloured sponges. Sharks are frequently sighted here: scalloped hammerheads, silvertips, whitetips and grey reef sharks being the most numerous. At Big Brother there is a wreck called the Numidia which lies in the shallows and is bedecked in hard and soft corals and gorgonians fans. At Daedalus and Elphinstone the reefs are full of myriad tropical fish plus schools of trevallies, fusiliers and surgeonfish. Sharks here are more likely to be hammerheads, oceanic whitetips and threshers. You can also see manta rays in the summer time.
Start the day with fresh fruit and pastries, then the 1st dive follows soon after. Then it's time for the main buffet breakfast, followed by the 2nd dive. A buffet style lunch gives you a chance to chat about the morning marine encounters. The menu provides a mix of local and international cuisine with a slight Egyptian twist, all enjoyed in the air-conditioned restaurant on the main deck. After some downtime after lunch, it will soon be time for the 3rd dive and an afternoon snack. Normally dinner is served after the night (4th) dive, so as you sample local dishes like babaganoush, foul beans and hummus, you can wash it down with a glass of wine or beer. Guests with special dietary requirements are also catered for.
On the penultimate day, the yacht returns to port in the afternoon after 2 dives.

Day 8
You will wake up after a calm night in the marina and disembark after breakfast. The crew will transfer you to airport in time for your flight.
Please note that these trips sometimes use Hurghada Marina as the departure or arrival port - check above for details.

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Red Sea Northern Wrecks (Special) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 20 Dives)

Trip highlights: dolphins, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities

Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, cage diving, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving

Dive sites and activities: Abu Nuhas wrecks (Chrisoula K, Giannis D, Kimon M, Carnatic), SS Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Ulysses, Gubal Barge, Rosalie Moeller, Salem Express, Posiedonia, Hebat Allah, El Mina mine sweeper, the fishing trawler

Day 1
The Ghazala Explorer departs from Hurghada Marina. You will be picked up from the airport by a boat representative who will take you to the marina which is only 20 minutes away. You can board the liveaboard any time in the evening, assemble your equipment, and settle into your cabin. There will be a boat briefing when all guests are on board. Dinner is served in the evening and the boat will remain in the harbour on the first night, departing in the morning of the second day.

Days 2-7
The Northern Red Sea provides some of the most historic wrecks in the world, like the Thistlegorm, Rosalie Moller, Abu Nuhas and the Salem Express, and a guest historian joins this special trip to give lectures and briefings about this fascinating region. Both trips are fully booked. The most famous wreck, the SS Thistlegorm, will leave you in awe: it was sunk in 1941 after being bombed by the German Luftwaffe! With its historical cargo of World War II machinery and equipment, all neatly stowed in its open holds, the wreck of the Thistlegorm would be a highlight of diving anywhere in the world. The Rosalie Moeller, carrying a cargo of coal, suffered the same fate just 2 days later. 4 wrecks will be the highlights of diving at Abu Nuhas, all offering spectacular dives and plenty of marine life, making fantastic material for the underwater photographer.
Start the day with fresh fruit and pastries, then the 1st dive follows soon after. Then it's time for the main buffet breakfast, followed by the 2nd dive. A buffet style lunch gives you a chance to chat about the morning marine encounters. The menu provides a mix of local and international cuisine with a slight Egyptian twist, all enjoyed in the air-conditioned restaurant on the main deck. After some downtime after lunch, it will soon be time for the 3rd dive and an afternoon snack. Normally dinner is served after the night (4th) dive, so as you sample local dishes like babaganoush, foul beans and hummus, you can wash it down with a glass of wine or beer. Guests with special dietary requirements are also catered for.
On the penultimate day, the yacht returns to port in the afternoon after 2 dives.

Day 8
You will wake up after a calm night in the harbour and disembark after breakfast. The crew will transfer you to Hurghada Airport in time for your flight.

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[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].

There are 12 cabins onboard the Ghazala Explorer, each with its own private en-suite bathroom: There are 5 twin bed cabins and 1 double bed suite on the lower deck, and on the upper deck - 4 cabins with twin beds and 2 suites twin/double convertible beds.

All the cabins have: No. of bathrooms / showers - 14 / 14 - hot water

Customer reviews:

"The food was excellent, dive equipment were of good quality, dive instructors were caring and lots of fun. It was lovely to have everything arranged prior to our arrival." - Weihui Wang, Singapore, 10 September 2024 ...

"Provided free transfer from airport, Nice cosy room with adequate space, fully equipped dive equipment and facilities, highly professional dive guides which gave very detailed dive briefings. Superb friendly and helpful crews with big smiles, fantastic chef with delicious food every single meal. The most outstanding experience was from the dive guides and boat crews.
Aircon in the upper deck suite could be stronger, and the water was too hot to shower. " - Roy Huang, Singapore, 1 August 2024 ...