Red Sea Liveaboard Diving: Complete Guide to Routes, Wrecks & Dive Trips
Planning a Red Sea liveaboard from Sharm El Sheikh? A liveaboard safari gives you the opportunity to spend several days on the water, wake up close to famous dive sites, and explore areas that are difficult to experience on a normal day boat.
At Red Sea Marine, we offer a range of liveaboard routes from short 3-night safaris to 7-night diving trips, as well as tailor-made private itineraries. Our routes include Ras Mohammed, Tiran, the SS Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Abu Nuhas and Dahab. Red Sea Marine
Whether you're looking for wreck diving, coral reefs, famous Red Sea dive sites or a shorter liveaboard experience, this guide will help you understand the different routes and choose a trip that fits your time and diving interests.
Explore Red Sea Marine Liveaboard Routes
Red Sea Liveaboard Diving at a Glance
Liveaboard RouteDurationMain HighlightsNorthern Standard7 nightsRas Mohammed, Tiran, Thistlegorm, DunravenNorthern Wrecks & Reefs7 nightsAbu Nuhas, Thistlegorm, Gubal, Ras Mohammed, TiranDeep North Dahab7 nightsBlue Hole, Canyon, Ras Abu Galum, Gabr el BintThistlegorm to Tiran4 nightsThistlegorm, Dunraven, Shag Rock, Ras Mohammed, TiranTiran to Dunraven3 nightsTiran, Ras Mohammed, Jackson, Thomas, Woodhouse & Gordon ReefsTailor-MadeFlexiblePrivate itineraries based on your group's interests
These are proposed itineraries and may change according to weather, sea conditions and restrictions affecting the Red Sea. Red Sea Marine
Why Choose a Red Sea Liveaboard?
The Red Sea is famous for clear water, coral reefs, walls, wrecks and marine life. But one of the biggest advantages of a liveaboard is the amount of time you can spend diving.
Instead of returning to a hotel after a morning or afternoon of diving, you stay close to the dive sites and continue your journey throughout the safari.
A liveaboard can give you the opportunity to:
Dive several sites during the same trip
Visit famous offshore reefs
Explore historic wrecks
Experience early-morning and night dives
Spend several days focused on diving
Combine different areas of the Northern Red Sea
Choose a shorter safari if you don't have a full week
For divers travelling to Sharm El Sheikh, a liveaboard can also be combined with a land-based holiday before or after the safari. Freedom III is designed to accommodate groups, couples and solo travellers and can be combined with a stay on land. Red Sea Marine
Our Red Sea Liveaboard Routes
The best route depends on the sites you want to dive, how much time you have and whether your priority is wrecks, reefs or specific destinations.
1. Northern Standard Liveaboard
7 Nights | 6 Diving Days
The Northern Standard Liveaboard combines some of the best-known dive areas around Ras Mohammed and Tiran.
The trip begins with a check dive around Shark's Bay or another local reef before heading towards Ras Mohammed. From there, the itinerary can include some of the area's famous sites before continuing towards the Strait of Tiran.
The route includes opportunities to dive:
Ras Mohammed
SS Thistlegorm
Dunraven
Thomas Reef
Gordon Reef
Woodhouse Reef
Jackson Reef
This route is particularly suited to divers who want to experience a combination of famous Red Sea reefs, walls and historic wrecks during a week-long safari. Red Sea Marine
Want to see the full itinerary?
View our Northern Standard Liveaboard
2. Northern Wrecks & Reefs Liveaboard
7 Nights | 6 Diving Days
If wreck diving is high on your list, the Northern Wrecks & Reefs itinerary takes you towards Abu Nuhas and some of the famous wrecks of the Northern Red Sea.
Depending on the itinerary and conditions, the route can include:
Giannis D
Chrisoula K
Carnatic
The Barge at Bluff Point
SS Thistlegorm
Gubal
Ras Mohammed
Tiran
1. Northern Standard Liveaboard
7 Nights | 6 Diving Days
The route includes opportunities to dive:
This route combines wreck diving with reef diving, allowing you to experience several different types of Red Sea dive sites during one safari. Red Sea Marine
Why choose a wreck-focused liveaboard?
A liveaboard is an excellent way to build a trip around wreck diving because you can travel between sites while staying on the boat, rather than making separate day trips from shore.
If your main goal is exploring famous Red Sea wrecks, this is one of the routes to consider.
3. Deep North Dahab Liveaboard
7 Nights | 6 Diving Days
Looking for something different from a traditional wreck itinerary?
The Deep North Dahab Liveaboard combines Tiran with some of the best-known dive sites around Dahab.
The route can include:
Million Hope
Ras Mamlah
Blue Hole
The Canyon
Ras Abu Galum National Park
Gabr el Bint
This itinerary is focused on the diving around Dahab rather than being primarily a wreck-diving safari. Red Sea Marine
Blue Hole and Canyon Diving
Dahab is known for distinctive underwater topography, and the Blue Hole and Canyon are two of the area's most recognizable dive sites.
For divers who want to explore beyond the traditional Ras Mohammed and Tiran routes, the Deep North Dahab itinerary offers a different Red Sea liveaboard experience.
4. Thistlegorm to Tiran Liveaboard
4 Nights | 4 Diving Days
Don't have enough time for a full seven-night safari?
The Thistlegorm to Tiran route provides a shorter liveaboard option.
The itinerary includes the famous:
SS Thistlegorm
Dunraven
Shag Rock
Sha'ab Mahmoud
Ras Mohammed
Strait of Tiran
You can therefore experience several major Northern Red Sea areas without committing to a full week at sea. Red Sea Marine
This can be particularly useful for divers who are combining their liveaboard with a longer holiday in Sharm El Sheikh or Egypt.
5. Tiran to Dunraven Liveaboard
3 Nights | 3 Diving Days
If you're short on time, our Tiran to Dunraven mini safari offers a shorter way to experience liveaboard diving in the Northern Red Sea.
The route focuses on:
7 Nights | 6 Diving Days
Strait of Tiran
Jackson Reef
Thomas Reef
Woodhouse Reef
Gordon Reef
Ras Mohammed
Dunraven
The Strait of Tiran is characterized by its four main reefs — Jackson, Thomas, Woodhouse and Gordon — while Ras Mohammed is known for its walls and marine life. Red Sea Marine
A short liveaboard can be a good option if you want to experience life on board without spending an entire week at sea.
6. Tailor-Made Red Sea Liveaboard Trips
Not every group wants to follow the same itinerary.
That's why we also offer tailor-made liveaboard trips.
Private trips can be arranged for groups of at least six people, allowing you to discuss the sites and duration that suit your group.
A tailor-made safari can also be useful for groups who want to focus on a particular site, such as the SS Thistlegorm, or for travellers who have only a few days available. Red Sea Marine
Ask Red Sea Marine About a Tailor-Made Liveaboard
3, 4 or 7 Nights: Which Liveaboard Duration Is Right for You?
One advantage of the Freedom fleet is the flexibility of trip duration.
3-Night Liveaboard
Our Tiran to Dunraven route is designed for divers who want a shorter safari.
4-Night Liveaboard
The Thistlegorm to Tiran itinerary provides more time while still being shorter than a full week.
7-Night Liveaboard
Our Northern Standard, Northern Wrecks & Reefs and Deep North Dahab routes provide six full diving days.
Tailor-Made
For private groups, we can discuss a customized itinerary and duration.
Freedom III can accommodate trips ranging from shorter stays through to seven nights, with the sites covered depending on the length of the safari. Red Sea Marine
What Is a Typical Day on a Red Sea Liveaboard?
One of the questions we hear from first-time liveaboard divers is:
"What is life actually like on board?"
For a full-week Red Sea Marine safari, guests normally board in the evening before departure. The boat then heads towards the diving area the following day.
A typical diving day can include:
Early morning: Wake up, prepare your equipment, and get ready for the first dive.
Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast after the morning dive.
Daytime diving: Continue with additional dives during the day.
Evening: Depending on the itinerary and conditions, a night dive may be possible.
The exact number and timing of dives depends on the itinerary, weather, sea conditions, and embarkation/disembarkation arrangements. Red Sea Marine currently describes up to four dives per day on Freedom III, including an early-morning dive, two daytime dives and a night dive when conditions permit. Red Sea Marine
Life on Board Freedom III
Your liveaboard experience isn't only about what happens underwater.
Freedom III accommodates up to 22 guests and offers twin, double and quad cabin configurations. Cabins have air conditioning and en-suite facilities, while the boat also has communal areas, sundecks and a dedicated dive deck. Red Sea Marine
During your stay, full board is provided, including meals and snacks, with water, tea, coffee and soft drinks available. Red Sea Marine
The boat is suitable for single-cylinder recreational divers, and nitrox is available free of charge according to the current Freedom III information. Red Sea Marine
What Is Included in a Red Sea Marine Liveaboard?
The exact arrangements depend on your booking, but Red Sea Marine's published liveaboard information currently includes:
6. Tailor-Made Red Sea Liveaboard Trips
That's why we also offer tailor-made liveaboard trips.
Private trips can be arranged for groups of at least six people, allowing you to discuss the sites and duration that suit your group.
3, 4 or 7 Nights: Which Liveaboard Duration Is Right for You?
Airport transfers
Accommodation in a shared twin cabin, according to booking
Full board
Snacks
Water and soft drinks
Tea and coffee
Dive guides
Tanks
Weights and weight belts
VAT
Additional costs can include equipment rental and certain site or personal equipment charges. Red Sea Marine
Before booking, we recommend checking the current availability and inclusions for your specific safari.
What Certification Do You Need for a Red Sea Liveaboard?
Red Sea Marine currently recommends that divers joining the liveaboard are at least PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent, with at least 30 logged dives.
Use a dive computer
Carry a Surface Marker Buoy
Carry a torch for night dives
Follow the dive briefing
Stay within the limits of recreational diving
Hold appropriate diving insurance
Respect the required post-dive no-fly period
The current liveaboard guidance also states that solo diving and decompression diving are not permitted on recreational diving safaris. Red Sea Marine
Weather and sea conditions can also affect the planned itinerary. Routes are proposed itineraries and may change because of weather, government restrictions, Coast Guard or Marine Police requirements. Red Sea Marine
What Should You Pack for a Red Sea Liveaboard?
Before boarding, make sure you have everything you need for several days of diving.
Diving equipment
Mask
Fins
Regulator
BCD
Wetsuit appropriate for the season
Dive computer
Surface Marker Buoy
Torch for night dives
Personal dive accessories
Documents
Passport
Diving certification
Logbook
Travel documents
Diving insurance information
Personal items
Comfortable clothes
Swimwear
Sun protection
Toiletries
Medication
Chargers
Reusable water bottle
Small dry bag
If you're renting equipment, provide the required sizing information when booking so the equipment can be prepared for you. Red Sea Marine
Red Sea Liveaboard vs Day Boat Diving
Both options have their advantages.
Liveaboard diving
A liveaboard allows you to stay on the boat and move between different dive areas during your trip. It is particularly useful when you want several consecutive days focused on diving.
Day boat diving
Day boats allow you to return to your hotel each day and leave more time for other activities around Sharm El Sheikh.
If you have several days available and your main purpose is diving, a liveaboard provides a different way to experience the Red Sea.
If you're travelling with non-divers or want to combine diving with sightseeing boat, schedule and current booking/requirements details above on Red Sea Marine's published pages, so I'd re-check those operational details before publishing if your offerings have changed. And for other activities, day diving may be more suitable.
Which Red Sea Liveaboard Should You Choose?
It depends on what you want to see.
Interested in the classic Northern Red Sea?
Consider the Northern Standard route.
Mainly interested in wrecks?
Look at Northern Wrecks & Reefs, with Abu Nuhas and the Thistlegorm among its highlights.
Want to explore Dahab?
The Deep North Dahab route includes sites such as the Blue Hole, Canyon and Ras Abu Galum.
Don't have a full week?
Consider the 3-night Tiran to Dunraven or 4-night Thistlegorm to Tiran safari.
Travelling as a private group?
Ask us about a tailor-made liveaboard itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are Red Sea liveaboard trips?
Red Sea Marine offers several options, including 3-night, 4-night and 7-night routes, as well as tailor-made trips. Red Sea Marine
Which Red Sea liveaboard visits the Thistlegorm?
The SS Thistlegorm is included on several Red Sea Marine itineraries, including Northern Standard, Northern Wrecks & Reefs and Thistlegorm to Tiran. Red Sea Marine
Can I do a Red Sea liveaboard if I only have a few days?
Yes. Red Sea Marine offers shorter 3- and 4-night routes, as well as tailor-made trips. Red Sea Marine
Does Red Sea Marine offer private liveaboards?
Yes. Tailor-made trips are available for private groups with a minimum of six people. Red Sea Marine
What dive sites can I visit on a Red Sea liveaboard?
Depending on your itinerary, sites can include Ras Mohammed, Tiran, Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Abu Nuhas, Dahab, Blue Hole, Canyon and Ras Abu Galum. Red Sea Marine
How many dives can I do per day?
The schedule varies according to the itinerary and conditions. Freedom III describes up to four dives per day — one early morning, two during the day, and one night dive when conditions permit. Red Sea Marine
Do I need diving insurance?
Yes. Red Sea Marine's current liveaboard requirements state that divers must have valid insurance covering their diving activities. Red Sea Marine
Can I rent diving equipment?
Yes. Equipment rental is available as an additional service; current published pricing should be checked when booking. Red Sea Marine
Ready to Explore the Red Sea?
Whether you're dreaming of exploring the SS Thistlegorm, diving the reefs of Tiran, discovering the wrecks of Abu Nuhas, exploring Ras Mohammed, or experiencing the famous dive sites of Dahab, Red Sea Marine has liveaboard options for different trip lengths and diving interests.
Choose from a 3-night, 4-night, or 7-night safari, or speak to us about creating a tailor-made itinerary for your group.
Your Red Sea liveaboard adventure starts in Sharm El Sheikh.
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