Dive Liveaboards Red Sea
A Red Sea liveaboard is a boat-based diving trip, sleeping on board and moving between reefs, wrecks and offshore walls. You can choose Egypt, Djibouti or Saudi Arabia, with routes ranging from accessible northern wrecks to remote shark reefs. There are 93 liveaboards, with trips from £534$714€638.
Red Sea liveaboard departures
This table compares, country by country, the liveaboards and departures on sale over the next twelve months, with the lowest price at the most common length. Figures are refreshed every night.
| Country | Boats | Most common length | From | Departures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | 90 | 7 nights | £534$714€638 | 4204 |
| Djibouti | 2 | 7 nights | £1,084$1,449€1,295 | 34 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1 | 7 nights | £1,748$2,337€2,088 | 36 |
Price per person, excluding flights and costs on board.
Dive liveaboard deals in the Red Sea
−£1,417−$1,895−€1,693Red Sea Aggressor V
Egypt
Red Sea★ 9.1/10 (37 reviews)
Departs 19 Dec · 7 nights
−68%per person
£671 £2,088$897 $2,792€801 €2,494
and 7 more departures on offer
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−£1,317−$1,761−€1,573Red Sea Aggressor II
Egypt
Red Sea★ 9.1/10 (211 reviews)
Departs 28 Nov · 7 nights
−64%per person
£747 £2,064$998 $2,759€892 €2,465
and 14 more departures on offer
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−£1,272−$1,700−€1,519Red Sea Aggressor IV
Egypt
Red Sea★ 9.2/10 (179 reviews)
Departs 12 Dec · 7 nights
−63%per person
£745 £2,017$996 $2,696€890 €2,409
and 7 more departures on offer
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−£474−$633−€566Blue Horizon
Egypt
Red Sea★ 9.1/10 (99 reviews)
Departs 3 Apr 2027 · 7 nights
−34%per person
£910 £1,384$1,217 $1,850€1,087 €1,653
and 4 more departures on offer
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−£473−$633−€565Avo
Egypt
Red SeaDeparts 19 Dec · 7 nights
−35%per person
£878 £1,351$1,174 $1,807€1,049 €1,614
and 10 more departures on offer
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−£463−$619−€553All Star Scuba Scene
Egypt
Red Sea★ 9.4/10 (85 reviews)
Departs 6 Dec 2027 · 7 nights
−27%per person
£1,253 £1,716$1,674 $2,293€1,496 €2,049
and 5 more departures on offer
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Top-rated dive liveaboards in the Red Sea
Ghazala Explorer
Departing from Hurghada Marina
★ 9.7/10 (180 reviews)
from £116$154€138/day
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Blue
Departing from Port Ghalib
★ 9.6/10 (131 reviews)
from £135$180€161/day
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Ocean Lovers
Departing from Hurghada Marina
★ 9.4/10 (285 reviews)
from £124$166€148/day
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Snefro Pearl
Departing from Sharm El Sheikh Marina
★ 9.3/10 (308 reviews)
from £111$148€132/day
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Amelie
Departing from Hurghada Marina
★ 9.3/10 (243 reviews)
from £85$113€101/day
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Ghazala Adventure
Departing from Hurghada Marina
★ 9.7/10 (51 reviews)
from £120$160€143/day
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Emperor Elite
Departing from Port Ghalib
★ 9.2/10 (144 reviews)
from £136$182€163/day
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Golden Dolphin
Departing from Hurghada Marina
★ 9.6/10 (37 reviews)
from £100$133€119/day
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Red Sea liveaboard countries
Egypt liveaboards
Egypt is the most accessible Red Sea destination and has by far the biggest fleet. Boats leave mainly from Hurghada, as well as Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam and Sharm el-Sheikh, usually for seven nights with three or four dives a day. Northern routes include the Thistlegorm, Abu Nuhas, Ras Mohammed and the Strait of Tiran, while offshore routes visit the Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone. Further south, St John's, the Fury Shoals and Sataya offer reefs and dolphins, with departures throughout the year. Liveaboards start from £534$714€638, and the country has 90 boats.
Djibouti liveaboards
Djibouti liveaboards leave Djibouti city for the Gulf of Tadjourah and Ghoubbet. Whale sharks gather there from about October or November to February, drawn by plankton. Trips last seven nights and departures run only in that season. There are 2 boats, with prices from £1,084$1,449€1,295.
Saudi Arabia liveaboards
Saudi Arabia offers routes along a seldom-dived Red Sea coast. From Al Lith, the Farasan Banks bring reefs where whitetip, silky and grey reef sharks are common; from Yanbu or King Abdullah Economic City, routes reach the plateaus of Seven Sisters, Five Corals and Umluj. Trips last seven nights, and the country has 1 boat with prices from £1,748$2,337€2,088. Alcohol is not available in Saudi Arabia.
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Red Sea liveaboard questions
Which country should you choose for a Red Sea liveaboard?
Egypt gives you the widest choice of routes, ports and dates, from northern wrecks to southern reefs. Choose Djibouti for seasonal whale sharks, or Saudi Arabia for remote reefs and shark encounters.
When is the best time to go on a Red Sea liveaboard?
Egypt has departures all year round. Water is around 21 °C in February and March and around 28 °C in September; Djibouti's whale shark season runs from about October or November to February.
How much does a Red Sea liveaboard cost?
Prices start from £534$714€638 per person, before flights and costs on board. Marine park fees, nitrox, equipment hire, crew tips and transfers are often extra.
What certification do you need for a Red Sea liveaboard?
Depending on the route, Open Water may be enough. The Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone generally require Advanced Open Water and a minimum of 30 or 50 logged dives because of the strong current.
Where do Red Sea liveaboards depart from?
In Egypt, departures are mainly from Hurghada, with others from Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam and Sharm el-Sheikh. Djibouti departures leave from Djibouti city, while Saudi routes leave from Al Lith, Yanbu or King Abdullah Economic City.
How long are Red Sea liveaboard trips?
Seven nights is the most common length. You usually make three or four dives a day, with no diving on the last day and at least 24 hours between your final dive and flying.
Red Sea liveaboard FAQ
What can you see on a Red Sea liveaboard?
Depending on the route, you can see wrecks, coral reefs, hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, thresher sharks, reef sharks, dolphins and whale sharks.
Are Red Sea liveaboards suitable for Open Water divers?
Many northern Egypt routes accept Open Water divers. Offshore routes with strong current commonly require Advanced Open Water and 30 or 50 logged dives.
Is Egypt good for a first liveaboard?
Egypt is the most accessible Red Sea destination, with the widest choice of routes, ports and departure dates.
Can you dive the Red Sea all year?
Egypt has departures all year round. Djibouti liveaboards operate only during the whale shark season.
How many dives a day do you make on a Red Sea liveaboard?
Most itineraries offer three or four dives a day. There is no diving on the last day.
How long should you wait before flying after a liveaboard?
Allow at least 24 hours between your final dive and flying.
What extra costs should you budget for?
Marine park fees, nitrox, rental equipment, crew tips and transfers are often extra. Flights are also excluded from the displayed price.
Do you need dive insurance for a Red Sea liveaboard?
Dive insurance is strongly recommended for every Red Sea liveaboard trip.
What is the water temperature in Egypt?
Water is around 21 °C in February and March and around 28 °C in September.
Is alcohol available on Saudi Arabian liveaboards?
No. Alcohol is not available in Saudi Arabia.