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Red Sea Liveaboards
Best Dive Tour Options and Travel Information
World class wreck dives, healthy reefs, and varied and plentiful marine life, these are what attract so many liveaboard scuba divers to the Red Sea year after year. And with competitive prices and so many liveaboard dive destinations in Egypt and Sudan to choose from, who can blame them?
You could spend a whole week liveaboard diving all the splendid wrecks in Egypt's northern region of the Red Sea, although this is not necessary since there is a world class marine park in th Sinai, and some current rich dives that attract plenty of bigger fish. Further south are some offshore marine parks, famed for encounters with sharks, mantas and other pelagics. And the south of Egypt hosts the healthiest reefs in the country, set amongst a highly varied topography, including tunnels and caves.
Egypt's splendour extends beyond the underwater marvels of the Red Sea. Egypt combines liveaboard diving options with tours of cultural interest, making it an ideal vacation destination. Its historical attractions are world famous and include the ancient pyramids of Giza and Sphinx in Cairo, as well as Nile cruises and the Valley of the Kings near Luxor.
Of course, the Red Sea is not limited to just the territorial waters of Egypt. A great way to sample liveaboard diving here without the crowds is in the Sudanese waters.
Liveaboard Diving Cruise Options in the Red Sea
We recommend a range of liveaboards, including those with trips focusing on the northern regions in Egypt where you can dive numerous fantastic wrecks and those visiting southern area including the marine parks and beyond. Check out your Sudan and Egypt liveaboard options here:
• North & Wrecks Trips
These Egyptian safaris mostly include a number of premier wreck diving sites such as the world-famous Thistlegorm, the Rosalie Moller and the Abu Nuhas wreck system, as well as reef and wall diving at the Ras Mohammed National Park. Some shorter tours focus entirely on the sites of the Sinai Peninsula, from the Thistlegorm to Sharm El Sheikh and the Straits of Tiran. The sites are varied and the conditions tend to make for relatively easy scuba diving. Wreck enthusiasts and those who are relatively inexperienced tend to prefer the North & Wrecks trips. [More details on these dive sites: Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh].
Most dive cruises in the Northern Red Sea are for a duration of 1 week, although shorter Sinai-only trips are also available.
• Red Sea South Trips
Many liveaboards conduct tours of Egypt's Southern Red Sea, and some boats visit only this area exclusively. These cruise options may include the Brothers, considered to deliver some of the best diving that Egypt has to offer, as well as spots such as Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone, made famous for encounters with oceanic sharks. Further south are the exquisite reefs of St John's and the adventurous tunnel systems of the Fury Shoals. [More details on these dive sites: Southern Red Sea].
Conditions are more variable in the south, with reefs being more exposed, rougher seas, and occasional strong currents. Therefore Southern Red Sea cruises appeal to more experienced divers. Indeed divers must show proof of 50 logged dives before they can dive in the southern marine parks.
• Sudan Trips
Many divers in the Red Sea visit further south with increased experience, which is why for some, Sudan represents the ultimate Red Sea liveaboard diving destination. Not many boats go there, which is part of the attraction, and the scuba diving can deliver bigger schools of fish and healthier shark populations than areas further north. There are also some interesting wrecks, some of which are more technically challenging than beginners should experience, some fascinating caves and the unique sights of Cousteau's Conshelf II underwater living experiment. [More details on these dive sites: Sudan].
Liveaboard safaris depart either from Egypt's Port Ghalib or Port Sudan, making it easier to get to than you might think. There are also occasional longer charters. Diving here includes deep dives and wrecks, so Sudan is not a liveaboard destination for recently qualified scuba divers.
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- Low budget dive cruises
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- Spacious bright cabins with priv...
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- Large steel hull boat
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Key Red Sea Travel Facts
The Climate and Best Time to Visit
Egypt has a desert climate where hot sunny days and cooler nights are the norm. Rain is an infrequent occurrence. It is wise to bring both some lightweight and warm clothing. There are 2 seasons in Egypt - summertime (24-42°C) is from June to November, and wintertime (20-29°C) is from December to May. Sudan follows a similar pattern but tends to remain a degree or two warmer.
The Red Sea is an all year liveaboard dive safari destination, with warmest water temperatures between June and August. However, the region is known for occasional strong winds which can blow at any time of year, but especially from October to April, so there is always a possibility that a cruise may need to be re-routed if it is unsafe to travel. Some of the bigger marine species are most frequently seen on a seasonal basis so it's best to consult our Egypt dive sites and Sudan dive sites pages for details on these.
Liveaboard Ports of Departure in Egypt and How to Get There
Most visitors will arrive in Cairo and take a 1 hour domestic flight with Egypt Air
to their port of departure, although some of the more popular ports such as Marsa Alam, Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh have direct international flights too.
Ports are detailed for every trip in the 'Departures & Prices' section in each of our Red Sea liveaboard boat pages. They will also be sent to you during the inquiry and booking process. The departure and return ports can vary depending on the dates chosen. In some cases the boats are moored at port and depart the day after the trip begins, so you can arrive quite late on the first day of the tour and still board the boat before it departs the following morning.
We recommend you consider insurance to cover diving and travel activities, including trip cancellation. See our insurance programme for a competitive price:
Tourist Visas
Unless you come from Malta or an Arabic country, you must obtain a tourist visa to enter Egypt. You should have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months, sufficient funds for expenses during your stay, and an onward/return ticket.
You can get a 30-day single entry visa from your local Egyptian Consulate. Citizens of the UK, EU, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States can get airport visas on arrival although this process may delay you somewhat when you arrive. The cost will vary and must be paid in US dollars or British pounds sterling.
It is advisable whenever possible to obtain visas in advance. Your airline may prohibit you from boarding without a visa and visa requirements do change from time to time. It is your responsibility to check with your local Egyptian Consulate for current information on entry requirements.
If you are from one of the countries that Egypt requires tourists to apply for a visa beforehand, the visas can be difficult to obtain so you should allow plenty of time for the application.
You can visit the Minister of Foreign Affairs' website for more details.
For Sudan you will need to obtain a visa in advance of your travel. Normally the operator will include this service. You will not be issued a visa if you have an Israeli stamp in it.
Places to Stay
If you plan on staying in Egypt before or after your liveaboard diving safari, you can find a wide range of accommodation choices at hotelscombined.com, our affiliated hotel reservation specialists. Browse their website choices, use their on-line chat to ask your questions, or simply use your credit card to make your booking:
All bookings will be backed up by their 'Low Price Guarantee' to ensure you get the best value for money.
If you prefer, it's also possible to visit the dive sites in the North & Wrecks area on day trips from a hotel or resort based in Hurghada, rather than from a liveaboard.
Visitor Health
![Scuba diving in the Red Sea - photo copyright of Egypt Tourism [photographer: CHICUREL Arnaud/hemis.fr]](/image/pic-red-sea-scuba-diving-2.jpg "Scuba diving in the Red Sea - photo copyright of Egypt Tourism [photographer: CHICUREL Arnaud/hemis.fr]")
There are potential health hazards when travelling in Egypt and Sudan but the vast majority of tourists will suffer nothing worse than a bad stomach, and even that is often brought on by overindulging in the rich local food or a little dehydration.
Vaccinations are not required to enter Egypt. A Yellow Fever vaccination is however required to visit Sudan because you would be expected to show evidence when entering another country from Sudan. It is also still strongly recommended that you are vaccinated for Typhoid, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Hepatitis A. However, recommendations do change so we advise that you seek medical advice from a doctor about immunisations at least 6 weeks before you travel.
Drinking plenty of bottled water (at least 3 litres per day) will help you avoid most common health problems whilst you are on holiday, and staying hydrated is especially important when diving in the Red Sea. Bottled water is available everywhere but be sure that the seal on the bottle is unbroken. You should always avoid tap water and fountain drinks, as well as milk, fruit drinks and ice cubes outside of good hotels. Do not eat food from markets or street vendors. Make sure food that you eat has been thoroughly cooked food and only eat fruits that you have washed and peeled yourself.
Mosquitoes can be a nuisance but they are not usually malarial. You should use repellent creams as a precaution to keep them at bay. Mosquitoes are at their most active just after sunset.
There are hospitals available in the main tourist cities. Also most hotels have a doctor on call who can treat you on the spot or will know where to direct you in case you need hospital services. There are plenty of pharmacists in the major Red Sea towns and they are generally very knowledgeable and familiar with all the common local ailments. It is still worth carrying a travel first aid kit with you for standard problems such as sunburn, insect bites, seasickness and stomach disorders.
Tourist Security and Safety
There has been a lot of bad travel publicity for Egypt recently but we still consider the Red Sea to be a safe place for a liveaboard diving holiday. There are risks at any destination but Egypt is no more dangerous for tourists than most destinations around the world.
There has been political disorder and a significant threat from terrorism in Egypt, but like similar places where tourism is a major money earner, armed security troops are highly visible at airports and major tourist locations. Counter-terrorism is a high priority in Sham El Sheikh and on the Sinai Peninsula to prevent fundamentalists from disrupting one of the country's key revenue sources.
You are unlikely to meet any anti-Western sentiments amongst locals, but of course it is sensible to stay vigilant, avoid political and public gatherings.
Sudan is not a politically stable country but you will not be visiting its mainland for tourism purposes, unless you choose to do so yourself. Visiting the Sudanese dive sites by liveaboard is very different to touring around the country on your own.
Useful Tips for Tourists
Sightseeing, Activities and Adventure
The Red Sea is a fabulous diving destination but combine a liveaboard safari with the historical and cultural sights of Egypt, and you have a vacation of a lifetime. The great pyramids, the comfort of a Nile cruise through the Valley of the Kings, or the city of Cairo, are just too good to pass up on.
We have therefore teamed up with local experts the National Travel Service. They specialise in Egypt overland tours and activities. They offer a number of different packages and options to choose from. For more details on these historical tours:
Egyptian and Sudanese Time Zone
Egypt and Sudan are 2 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Egypt does have a daylight savings time adjustment from the last Friday in April to the last Thursday in September, during which it is GMT +3.
Electricity
The urban and developed areas of Egypt use 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. However, much of the less developed rural areas of the country are still using 110 volts AC.
Wall sockets are the round 2-pin European type. Adapter plugs are easily found in city stores but if you need a transformer then bring one as these are difficult to find in Egypt.
Most Red Sea liveaboard boats use 220V and European 2-pin style wall sockets.
Communications
Egypt has tried to keep pace with international standards. The mailing services are comparable with those of leading world companies. This progress has extended to all domestic and international postal services including letter delivery, express mail service (EMS) and others.
It has a modern telephone system and you can direct dial all cities. The international direct dialling code is 00 + country code + area code + phone number. International calls are expensive from hotels though. There are cheaper long-distance services at the 24-hour Post, Telephone and Telegraph (PTT) offices that are available in the major cities. Dial 120 for international directory phone inquiries.
The local mobile phone operators have roaming agreements with all major network operators and operate efficiently in most cities and beach resorts. They use GSM 900 networks. You can buy a prepaid SIM card and this is a practical option while you're in the country. Local SIM cards however, will require a SIM-unlocked GSM cellphone that supports the 900 frequency. For calls within Egypt, use 02 + phone number.
It is easy to find internet cafes in the main tourist areas. The highest speed available is through 8 MB ADSL lines. Free wireless internet is now becoming more common at coffee shops, restaurants, hotel lobbies and other locations. Even many of the Egyptian liveaboards provide wi-fi connections when in range.
Codes of Behaviour
Many first time visitors to Egypt are concerned about impressions they have formed of the country from unkind and often untrue media stories. Holiday makers are often surprised by the friendly, hospitable reception they receive from local people and take home with them completely revised good feelings about the country and its population.
Egyptians are generally cheerful, friendly people who will welcome you to their country and go out of their way to help you and answer any questions you have.
Tipping and bargaining in Egypt
Tips (called baksheesh locally) are normal practice and expected by anyone who renders you a service. It is a good idea to carry plenty of small notes for baksheesh as hotel bellmen, doormen and tour guides all expect tips.
Baksheesh will be a percentage of the bill for other services. There is a 7% tax and 12% service charge on most restaurant and hotel bills, but you can still give a 5-10% tip directly to the waiter. It is normal to tip taxi drivers around 10% of the metered fare, but not if you have negotiated a fare in advance.
Haggling is standard practice and is something that you should embrace. Once you hone your haggling skills, you will soone be negotiating prices of half or 2 thirds the first asking price. Keep it friendly, don't look too too interested, and walk away if you don't like the price. You will often find you are called back to buy with a lower offer. Of course it is bad form to make an offer and then not purchase if the offer is accepted.
Useful References
- Dive sites: Egypt - Sudan
- Diving video gallery
- The Egyptian Red Sea's MPAs
- Endemism in the Red Sea
- Egypt tourist activities
- Map of Egypt
- Frequently asked questions
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS OF DIVE THE WORLD
... Helpful in providing alternatives when our initial choices were not possible either due to price or availability and we were consequently able to get the holiday we were looking for ... -- Julie Yim, United Kingdom. [More customer reviews]
