Cruise Itineraries

All itineraries below give a sample of the routes normally offered by us Some flexibility is required on routes that can be affected by adverse weather conditions, unforeseen Egyptian Government restrictions and the level of each diver's experience. Your actual itinerary will be confirmed at the time of booking.

Check in usually commences after 18:00 on the arrival day until late and Check out is at 10:00 on the last day. If you have an early or late departure flight it is possible to purchase a day package at one of our host hotels enabling you to use the facilities for a small fee payable locally. For information on diving qualifications and number of dives required for a liveaboard trip please click here. Suites can not be booked online, please email redseafleet@oxygenediving.com to book.

Nearest airports
Hurghada Airport for Hurghada & Safaga
Marsa Alam Airport for Marsa Ghalib Port, Marsa Alam Port & Hamata
Sharm Airport for Sharm El Sheikh

Liveaboard Safaris departing from Hurghada and Safaga port: 

Liveaboard Safaris departing from Sharm el Sheik:

Liveaboard Safaris departing from Marsa Ghalib:

Liveaboard Safaris departing from Marsa Alam:

Detailed information about the itineraries:

Classic Cruise (from Hurghada)
Abu Nuhas - Giftun Island - Straits of Gubal - SS Thistlegorm - Ras Mohamed
Note: Minimum of 15 logged dives recommended

This cruise has something for everyone. Starting from Hurghada and sailing north offers a perfect combination of reef diving and wreck diving. The famous horseshoe shaped reef of Shaab El Erg is a perfect example of the reefs on offer on this cruise with its beautiful hard coral garden and the chance to see dolphins. Abu Nuhas has four well-known wrecks: Giannis D, Carnatic, the lentil wreck and the tile wreck, all offering spectacular dives and plenty of fish life.  Night dives can be superb in this area as Gubal Island offers protected anchoring for the night.

A small wreck at 8-10 metres makes for a spectacular night dive with lionfish, scorpion fish and its resident giant moray eel.

A short ride across the straits of Gubal and you visit the most famous wreck of the Red Sea, the Thistlegorm! An awe-inspiring World War II British vessel with a cargo full of armaments (Bedford trucks and BSA motorbikes), which were all destined for the British troops in North Africa. She was sunk by the German Luftwaffe and now lies in 30 metres of water. Depending on divers' experience, weather and current conditions, we also try to offer a night dive here. Close by is the Ras Mohamed National Park, offering a morning dive at the 'Shark Reef', a sheer wall falling into the blue. The Ras Mohamed Park is usually the 'border', from here the boat heads back towards Hurghada.

Famous Five Cruise (from Hurghada)
Rosalie Moeller - Thistlegorm - Ras Mohamed - Brother Islands - Salem Express
Note: 50 logged dives required by Egyptian Law

This cruise has something for everyone. Starting from Hurghada, sailing North for a check out dive before heading on to Gubal Island.

Abu Nuhas has four well-known wrecks: Giannis D, Carnatic, the lentil wreck and the tile wreck, all offering spectacular dives and plenty of fish life. Why not explore the Rosalie Moeller (the sister ship of the slightly more famous Thistlegorm) which lies from 30 to 50 metres deep and is in excellent condition. Although the visibility is not always good, the fish life is amazing. The wreck is covered in glassfish from bow to stern and hunting them are masses of lionfish. Around the wreck are the usual pelagics such as tuna, trevallies, emperor fish and many more.

A short ride across the straits of Gubal and you visit the most famous wreck of the Red Sea, the SS Thistlegorm! An awe-inspiring World War II British vessel with a cargo full of armaments, Bedford trucks and BSA motorbikes, which were all destined for the British troops in North Africa. She was sunk by the German Luftwaffe and now lies in 30 metres of water. Depending on divers' experience along with weather and current conditions, we do where possible try to offer a night dive here. Nearby is the Ras Mohamed National Park, offering a morning dive at the renowned 'Shark and Yolanda' reefs. Ras Mohamed National Park is the furthest Sinai destination before heading South towards the Brothers.

The Brother Islands are the pinnacles of two undersea mountains rising from the depths of the abyss and are located about 60 miles offshore from El Quesir. Part of the Marine Park Islands National Park, these islands offer stunning wall diving, with the walls being covered in soft corals and forests of gorgonians, creating a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours. They attract a diverse array of marine species and large pelagics. Large tuna, Barracudas, Jacks and Snappers cruise in the blue, accompanied by occasional Hammerheads, Silky and Oceanic White Tip Sharks and Mantas. Even the rare Thresher Shark can sometimes be found there. Sightings of the Grey Reef Shark are almost guaranteed on the North and South Plateau of Small Brother.

For the wreck diver, the wrecks of the Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel, and the Numidia, a cargo ship, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. Both are covered in a rich growth of soft and hard corals. Marine life includes a family of Napoleon Wrasse and Grey Reef Sharks.

The boat will then sail back to Hurghada via Safaga where you can dive at Panorama Reef or the famous wreck of Salem Express for a memorable finale!

Simply the Best (from Marsa Ghalib Port & Safaga)
Elphinstone - Brothers - Deadalus Reef
Note: 50 logged dives required by Egyptian Law

Dive the Best Top 3 sites in this area: Big and Little Brothers, Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone. 

The Brother Islands are the pinnacles of two undersea mountains rising from the depths of the abyss and are located about 60 miles offshore. Part of the Marine

Park Islands National Park, these islands offer stunning wall diving, with the walls being covered in soft corals and forests of gorgonians, creating a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours. They attract a diverse array of marine species and large pelagics. Large tuna, Jacks and Snappers cruise in the blue, accompanied by occasional Hammerheads, Silvertips, Silky and Oceanic White Tip Sharks and Mantas. Even the rare Thresher Shark can be found here. Sightings of the Grey Reef Shark are almost guaranteed on the North and South Plateau of Small Brother.

For the wreck diver, the wrecks of the Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel, and the Numidia, a cargo ship, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. Both are covered in a rich growth of soft and hard corals. Marine life includes a family of Napoleon Wrasse and Grey Reef Sharks. Daedalus Reef, also part of the Marine Park, is a large, oval reef with a lighthouse and is the furthest offshore reef in the Egyptian Red Sea. Its deep walls and drop-offs offer some of the most spectacular diving to be found.

Daedalus has mountainous, pristine, hard coral formations. There is also a strong chance of spotting schooling Hammerheads, and grey reef sharks. Elphinstone, with its sheer walls covered in soft corals, offers a likely encounter with Oceanic White Tip sharks.

Just Brothers (from Marsa Ghalib Port & Safaga)
Elphinstone and all the Brothers
Note: 50 logged dives required by Egyptian Law

The Brother Islands are the pinnacles of two undersea mountains rising from the depths of the abyss and are located about 60 miles offshore. Part of the Marine Park Islands National Park, these islands offer stunning wall diving, with the walls being covered in soft corals and forests of gorgonians, creating a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours. They attract a diverse array of marine species and large pelagics. Large tuna, Jacks and Snappers cruise in the blue, accompanied by occasional Hammerheads, Silvertips, Silky and Oceanic White Tip Sharks and Mantas. Even the rare Thresher Shark can be found here. Sightings of the Grey Reef Shark are almost guaranteed on the North and South Plateau of Small Brother.

For the wreck diver, the wrecks of the Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel, and the Numidia, a cargo ship, lie on the walls of the Big Brother. Both are covered in a rich growth of soft and hard corals. Marine life includes a family of Napoleon Wrasse and Grey Reef Sharks. Elphinstone, with its sheer walls covered in soft corals, offers a likely encounter with Grey Reef Sharks circling on the plateau and even Oceanic White Tip Sharks can be seen here for most of the year.

Get Wrecked! (from Hurghada)
Northern Red Sea wrecks - Abu Nuhas, Ulysses, Rosalie Moeller, Thistlegorm and others.
Note: Minimum of 50 logged dives recommended

The Get Wrecked cruise combines the 'best of the best' of the most famous wrecks in the northern Red Sea with some stunning reef diving.

Leaving from Hurghada, we aim to dive all the wrecks in the area including:

El Mina, an Egyptian mine sweeper lying just outside Hurghada's harbour; Suzanna, a small pleasure yacht, the Carnatic, the tile wreck, the lentil wreck and Giannis D at Abu Nuhas; at Gubal islands the Barge, the Ulysses (sunk in 1887) and the Rosalie Moeller; the Kingston (or Sarah H, sunk in1881) lying at Shag Rock; the Carina (sunk in 1926) lying close to Shab Ali and, of course, the Dunraven (sunk 1876) at beacon rock situated in the Ras Mohammed National Park and the most famous wreck in the Red Sea the Thistlegorm, which lies at Shab Ali.

These wrecks are spectacular and make fantastic material for the underwater photographer being smothered in corals, especially the Carnatic, which sank in 1869. The famous SS Thistlegorm and the Rosalie Moeller are World War II wrecks and one of the highlights of this cruise. The SS Thistlegorm was sunk in 1941, bombed by the German Luftwaffe, while on a mission to deliver a cargo of ammunition and other war materials to the British troops in North Africa. The Rosalie Moeller, carrying a cargo of coal, suffered the same fate just two days later. In between wreck dives you will also visit the reefs of the Straits of Gubal, Gulf of Suez and those to the north of Hurghada. A variety of deep walls and hard coral gardens with an abundance of reef fish make them well worth a visit. Please note: All wrecks are subject to divers' experience and weather conditions.

Safaga Cruise (from Hurghada)
Panorama Reef - Middle Reef - Salem Express and best-kept secrets like Hal Hal
Note: Minimum of 30 logged dives recommended

The area around Safaga has some great diving, the best being the offshore reefs of Panorama Reef, Middle Reef and Abu Kafan. Some divers say this area equals the great sites of Ras Mohamed.

The diving offers a combination of shallow reef dives and drop-offs, as well as the famous wreck of the Salem Express.

The Salem Express is a dramatic dive. Around 500 people perished in one of the worst marine tragedies of all times. The 100-meter ferryboat was on its way back from Mecca to Safaga after the annual Muslim pilgrimage in December 1991, when it hit the reef during a stormy night and sunk rapidly without giving the opportunity to the crew and passengers to board the lifeboats. It is now home to a thriving underwater life, including a famous resident frogfish, blue-spotted stingrays, angel and butterfly fish. The ship itself is covered in a large quantity of hard and soft corals. It is one of the largest wrecks in the Egyptian Red Sea - roughly the same size as the Thistlegorm.

There is superb wall diving at Panorama, which is in fact one of the largest reefs in Safaga, featuring numerous grottos and overhangs, where gorgonians and soft corals thrive with the frequent nurturing currents. Due to the size of the barrier, there are at least three different dives to be done here: the south plateau and the east and west drop offs. Barracudas and white tip reef sharks and occasionally hammerheads and manta rays can be found. The south plateau is somewhat more protected by the current.

Abu Kafan is a 300-meter long and narrow reef offering a plateau at both north and south tips. We normally jump in the water on the north plateau and glide with the frequent strong current southwards along the impressive walls covered with soft and black coral, giant fans and gorgonians.

Hal Hal is a rarely chosen dive site due to its distance from the coast, which makes it a virgin spot. The north side is a drop off going down to 80meters, and is a perfect location to spot tunas, barracudas, turtles and sharks. The southern side has colourful coral gardens along with some caves and canyons. This dive site is mostly available only from a liveaboard.

Sinai Classic Cruise (from Sharm El Sheikh)
Tiran Island - Ras Mohamed - Dunraven - SS Thistlegorm
Note: Minimum of 15 logged dives recommended

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, there is always the right dive for your level of experience. Although 15 dives are sufficient for many of the sites, we recommend a minimum of 20 - 30 dives or Advanced level to share the experience of the deeper dive sites such as the wreck of the Thistlegorm (max 32 metre depth) and drift-dives around Ras Mohamed National Park (for example Shark Reef/Yolanda Reef) or on the reefs in the Straits of Tiran (Jackson/Woodhouse - drop-offs/drift diving).

After diving the Ras Mohamed National Park, we pass into the Gulf of Suez and visit the reef system of Shab Mahmoud where one of the oldest wrecks, the Dunraven (sunk in 1889), and the WWII wreck, the Thistlegorm, are located. Enjoy the excitement of diving the Southern tip of the Sinai and savour the backdrop of a mountainous desert landscape whilst discovering the hidden magical beauty beneath the waves where nature, by contrast, has provided a spectacular display of colourful coral reefs and an array of tropical fish life.

Sinai Mini Cruises (from Sharm El Sheikh)
Tiran Island - Ras Mohamed - Dunraven - SS Thistlegorm
Note: Minimum of 15 logged dives recommended

Sinai Mini Cruises are usually for 3 - 4 days and are perfect for "safari beginners" who are not sure about staying a whole week on board. This offers a combination of 3 days safari with the possibility of 4 days hotel and some additional daily diving during the optional land-based part of your stay. Departures are from Sharm El Sheikh.

South & St. Johns (from Marsa Ghalib Port & Hamata)
St. Johns - Fury Shoals Reef System
Note: Minimum of 40 logged dives recommended

Sailing to the southern most reefs, these cruises depart from Marsa Ghalib to the vast reef system of Fury Shoals and St John's. 

At Fury Shoals, dive Shaab Claude with its famous swim-throughs and huge porite corals. White Tip Reef sharks and an anemone and clownfish settlement can be

seen a little off the reef to the South. Abu Galawa Soraya has a fantastic coral garden and a wreck of a private sailing boat packed with glass fish. Dive Shab Sharm, with its wall dives and White Tip Reef sharks. Oceanic White Tips and Silky sharks can sometimes be found in the blue and turtles often visit the South side before heading further south to Wadi Gamal, with its flowing banks of hard yellow and green soft coral, resident angel and butterfly fish, and in the right season huge schools of placid jack and tuna visit the area.

St John's is a vast collection of small reefs offering some of the most remote and rewarding diving in the Red Sea. Habili Ali offers giant gorgonians and black corals whilst Grey Reef, Silvertip and schools of Hammerhead sharks might be found on the west side. Habili Gafaar is a mass of soft corals teaming with shoals of snappers, butterfly fish and barracudas. Mantas, Grey Reef and Silvertip sharks can be seen in the blue.

Gota Kebir is a massive reef, famous for its tunnels and south plateau, where jacks and barracudas can be seen and the occasional manta. The tunnels are ideal for novice cave divers.

Gota Soraya is rated as possibly one of the best wall dives in the Red Sea, with overhangs and cracks in the reef wall full of glass fish and sweepers and an abundance of corals, Grey Reef, Silvertips and Hammerhead sharks. 

The Big Four (from Marsa Ghalib Port)
Rocky Island - Zarbagad - St. Johns - Elphinstone
Note: 50 logged dives required by Egyptian Law 

On your first day start with Ras Shona, which offers encounters with turtles and scorpionfish whilst, as a second and night dive, Shaab Sharm offers wall dives. White Tips Reef Sharks can sometimes be seen on the plateau.

Travelling overnight to Rocky Island and Zabargad. Rocky is a small island with walls all around. Hammerheads can often be seen at the north tip. Manta rays, Grey Reef sharks and Whitetip Reef sharks can be encountered around the whole island. Dusk drift dives are ideal at the stunning coral slopes of Zabargad Island.

On the third day, dive the wreck of a Russian cargo boat, which is on the east side of the island. This 75m long, intact wreck, provides an alternative to reef diving. If the weather is inclement, then head to St. John's for a full day of adventure, which is only one hour away with the chance to dive Habili Ali and Habili Soraya.

A variety of sites range from the tiny pinnacle of Habili Gaffar to shallow coral gardens. Manta Rays are here most of the year and Grey Reef sharks patrol the wall dive sites. Caves and caverns make an alternative afternoon dive. Night dives give the chance to see Spanish dancers and hunting Morays.

On the fourth day, the first dive is at St John's, then onto a second dive at St. John's caves, a shallow reef riddled with caves and caverns at 7m providing a great exploration dive.

Shaab Maksour offers another wall dive or dive El Malahi with its myriad of channels, caverns and swim-throughs. Shiriniat at Wadi Gamal Island is a shallow reef with plenty of corals and reef life.

An early start to Elphinstone Reef, with its stunning walls of soft corals and the two underwater plateau at either tip, offers the chance to see numerous sharks.

Simply Magnificent (from Marsa Ghalib Port)
Deadalus - Rocky - Zarbagad - St. Johns
Note: Minimum of 50 logged dives requested and no night dives permitted in the Marine Park area by Egyptian Law. These are challenging dives, with strong currents, so not for inexperienced divers. Long overnight sailing is required in order to meet the itinerary. All the dive sites are subject to weather conditions. Only two dives and one night dive are achievable on some days due to the travelling distance.

Daedalus Reef, part of the Marine Park, is a large, oval reef with a lighthouse and is the furthest offshore reef in the Egyptian Red Sea. Its deep walls and drop-offs offer some of the most spectacular diving in the Red Sea. Daedalus has mountainous, pristine, hard coral formations. There is also a strong chance of spotting schooling Hammerheads, Grey Reef Sharks and Oceanic White Tip Sharks.

Further south are the spectacular overhangs and deep walls of Rocky Island and the abundance of soft coral and spectacular coral pinnacles at Zabargad. St John's is a beautiful reef system which lies approx. 40km north of the Sudanese border and 20km south of Zabargad.

Great Island Cruise (from Marsa Ghalib Port & Safaga)
The Brothers - Daedalus Reef - Rocky, Zarbagad - St John's - Fury Shoals - Elphinstone
Note: 50 logged dives required by Egyptian Law 

Take a tour of some of the most beautiful reefs in the Red Sea. First stop is the Brother Islands, the pinnacles of two undersea mountains rising from the depths of the abyss and are located about 60 miles offshore. Part of the Marine Park Islands National Park, these islands offer stunning wall diving, with the walls being covered in soft corals and forests of gorgonians, creating a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours. They attract a diverse array of marine species and large pelagics. Large tuna, Jacks and Snappers cruise in the blue, accompanied by occasional Hammerheads, Silvertips, Silky and Oceanic White Tip Sharks and Mantas. Even the rare Thresher Shark can be found here. Sightings of the Grey Reef Shark are almost guaranteed on the North and South Plateau of Small Brother. 

For the wreck diver, the wrecks of the Aida II, an Egyptian supply vessel, and the Numidia, a cargo ship, lie on the walls of the Big Brother.

Both are covered in a rich growth of soft and hard corals. Marine life includes a family of Napoleon Wrasse and Grey Reef Sharks. Daedalus Reef, also part of the Marine Park, is a large, oval reef with a lighthouse and is the furthest offshore reef in the Egyptian Red Sea. Its deep walls and drop-offs offer some of the most spectacular diving to be found. Daedalus has mountainous, pristine, hard coral formations.

There is also a strong chance of spotting schooling Hammerheads, and grey reef sharks.

Travelling overnight to Rocky Island and Zabargad. Rocky is a small island with deep wall dives all around. Hammerheads can often be seen at the northern tip. Manta rays, Grey Reef sharks and White tip Reef sharks can be encountered around the whole island. Dusk drift dives are ideal at the stunning coral slopes of Zabargad Island.

Great Island Cruise
The last stop south is St Johns which consists of a vast collection of small reefs offering some of the most remote and rewarding diving in the Red Sea. Habili Ali offers giant gorgonians and black corals along with Grey Reef and Silvertip Sharks. Lucky divers may also see Hammerhead sharks on the western side. Habili Gafar is a mass of soft corals teaming with shoals of Snappers, Butterfly Fish and Barracudas. Mantas, Oceanic White Tip, Grey Reef and Silvertip Sharks can be seen in the blue depending on the season. Gota Kebir is a massive reef, famous for its tunnels and south plateau where Jacks and Barracudas can be seen and the occasional Manta. The tunnels are ideal for novice cave divers.

Gota Soraya is rated as possibly one of the best wall dives in the Red Sea, with overhangs and cracks in the reef wall full of Glass Fish and Sweepers and an abundance of corals, Grey Reef, Silvertip, Oceanic White Tip and sometimes even Hammerheads.

Elphinstone is the last reef to visit, with its sheer walls covered in soft corals, offers a likely encounter with Oceanic White Tip sharks depending on the season.

Additional dive sites maybe included to break up the travelling. These are challenging dives with strong currents, so not for inexperienced divers. Long overnight travel is required. 

Fury & Friends (from Marsa Ghalib Port)
Fury Shoals Reef System - Samadai (Dolphin House) - Elphinstone
Note: Minimum of 30 logged dives recommended

This cruise starts with a short sail to Ras Shona and Marsa Mubarak which are situated close to the Port of Marsa Ghalib and perfect for that first check dive. Marsa Mubarak offers an underwater experience of marine life such as crocodile fish, stonefish moral eels and maybe a passing turtle. You can often find some of the smaller coral reef fish hiding in the hard coral formations.

Another part of these seven reefs is Shaab Naba, a popular overnight location due to the close proximity to Elphinstone Reef. It offers a fabulous night dive and you are sure to see some lion fish.

At Fury Shoals, dive Shaab Claude with its famous cave system which make an excellent swim-through dive, perfect for spotting moray eels and red sea bannerfish. There are huge porite corals and moving off the reef you may see a White Tip Reef shark or turtle pass by. Abu Galawa Soraya has a fantastic coral garden and on one dive you may encounter a wreck of a private sailing boat, packed with glass fish.

Wadi Gamal, with its flowing banks of hard yellow and green soft coral has resident angel and butterfly fish, and in the right season huge schools of placid jack and tuna visit the area. Further north, you will pass by Shaab Sharm, with its wall dives and White Tip Reef sharks. Oceanic White Tips and Silky Sharks can sometimes be found in the blue and turtles often visit the South side.  Samadai (Dolphin House) is a shallow turquoise water lagoon where a large pod of spinner dolphins live.

In 2004, the Egyptian government made this reef a Marine Park to protect the dolphins. The western tip provides a large group of pinnacles rising to the surface from a carpet of seagrass, populated by schools of reef fish.

Elphinstone Reef has sheer walls plunging steeply into the blue, decorated with soft corals, sponges gorgonians and fans. Sharks feed here on the abundant fish population and the southern plateau is home to white tip reef sharks.