Red Sea

Advanced Open Water Certification

Year Round

Reefs & Wrecks

UD Rating - 5 Star

Golden Dolphin I

The first own boat the Fleet of Golden Dolphin Safari World.

Golden Dolphin I offers thrilling Red Sea liveaboards to iconic dive zones like Brother Islands, Daedalus, Elphinstone, and the Straits of Tiran. Designed by divers, for divers, the vessel delivers unforgettable coral reefs, pelagic encounters, and rare macro life amid vast underwater wilderness in a cozy safari atmosphere.

Golden Dolphin I is a purpose-built liveaboard for scuba divers, combining robust functionality with comfort and style. Originally built in 2003, this vessel has been refurbished and extended over time (in 2007, 2014, and 2025) to maintain high standards. It accommodates up to 20 guests in 10 air-conditioned double cabins, all featuring private bathrooms, minibars, and modern amenities. Two of these are suites with queen-size beds on the upper deck; the remainder are twin cabins on the lower deck.

Designed with divers in mind, the boat includes a large diving platform and spacious wet areas, as well as two big sun decks where guests can relax, unwind, and enjoy panoramic views. The dining salon is air-conditioned and generously sized, featuring a media corner with a plasma TV, DVD/CD player, a TV and sound system, and bar facilities, ideal for socializing after a day under the waves.

Guests who travel aboard Golden Dolphin I can look forward to exploring varied Red Sea routes. All the standard routes are available, and special trips can be arranged on request. Whether exploring remote reefs, vibrant marine ecosystems or enjoying the creature comforts onboard, this vessel offers a balanced liveaboard experience.

Single bow cabin lower deck

A compact solo cabin in the bow section on the lower deck, offering essential comforts: en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, and minibar. Perfect for solo travelers seeking privacy and value.

  • Air-conditioning
  • En-suite bathroom and shower
  • Minibar
  • Towels

Double Cabin (Upper Deck)

A spacious, comfortable suite located on the upper deck, with a queen-size bed, private bathroom, air conditioning, and minibar; ideal for couples wanting easy access to the deck and panoramic views.

  • Air-conditioning
  • En-suite bathroom and shower
  • Minibar
  • Towels

Twin Cabin (Lower Deck)

A well-appointed lower-deck cabin featuring two single beds, private bathroom, air conditioning, and minibar. Practical, cozy, and efficient for friends or diving buddies.

  • Air-conditioning
  • En-suite bathroom and shower
  • Minibar
  • Towels

Route Options

This Red Sea route is a wreck diver’s dream. Explore the legendary SS Thistlegorm, still holding its wartime cargo of trucks, tanks, and motorcycles. Discover the ‘Ship Graveyard’ of Abu Nuhas with the Giannis D and other coral-covered wrecks, and dive into history with the Dunraven. At Ras Mohamed, drift between Shark and Yolanda reefs, where dramatic drop-offs, colorful corals, and even a sunken cargo of bathtubs and toilets make every dive unforgettable.

SS Thistlegorm
The Red Sea’s most famous wreck, the Thistlegorm is a 125 m WWII British freighter sunk by German bombers in 1941. Split in two, it now reveals an extraordinary cargo of jeeps, trucks, motorcycles, and wartime supplies—an underwater museum for divers.

Ras Mohammed
Egypt’s iconic marine park with dramatic drop-offs, lush coral gardens, and abundant marine life. At Yolanda Reef, divers can explore the scattered cargo of a sunken freighter—bathtubs and toilets now covered in coral—making for a unique photo opportunity.

Gotta Abu Nugar South
A sandy-bottom site dotted with coral heads, ideal for spotting smaller reef fish and enjoying a calm, easy dive.

Abu Nuhas
Known as the “Ship Graveyard,” Abu Nuhas hosts four wrecks, including the Giannis D (1984) and the Carnatic (1869). With tilted passageways, easy swim-throughs, and coral-encrusted hulls, it’s a paradise for wreck divers.

The Strait of Tiran is home to four world-renowned reefs—Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse, and Jackson—each offering something unique. From vibrant coral gardens and a shark ‘amphitheater’ at Gordon, to Thomas Reef’s colorful canyon and dense soft coral fields, the sites burst with life. Woodhouse promises exhilarating drifts over thriving coral slopes, while Jackson Reef impresses with dramatic walls, strong currents, and frequent pelagic encounters. Together, these reefs deliver some of the most exciting dives in the Sinai.

SS Thistlegorm
The Red Sea’s most famous wreck, this 125 m WWII British freighter was sunk in 1941 by German bombers. Now split in two, it reveals an extraordinary cargo of jeeps, trucks, motorcycles, and military supplies—an unforgettable dive into underwater history.

Ras Mohammed
Egypt’s first marine park, famous for dramatic drop-offs, rich coral gardens, and abundant marine life. Shark and Yolanda Reef offer thrilling dives, with Yolanda’s cargo of toilets and bathtubs scattered across the seabed, now beautifully overgrown with coral.

Gotta Abu Nugar South
A sandy seabed dotted with coral heads, perfect for spotting reef fish and macro life. Calm and relaxed, this site is ideal for easy dives and photography.

Abu Nuhas
Known as the “Ship Graveyard,” Abu Nuhas is home to four wrecks, including the Giannis D (1984) and the Carnatic (1869). With tilted passageways, coral-encrusted hulls, and easy swim-throughs, it’s a paradise for wreck divers.

Straits of Tiran
One of the Red Sea’s most iconic dive areas, featuring Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse, and Jackson Reefs. Expect colorful corals, pelagic visitors, and sharks patrolling the currents. Highlights include Thomas Reef’s spectacular canyon, Gordon Reef’s shark “amphitheater,” and Jackson Reef’s steep coral-covered walls where barracuda and reef sharks often gather.

This Red Sea safari takes divers to legendary wrecks and world-class reefs. Explore the SS Thistlegorm and the ‘Ship Graveyard’ at Abu Nuhas, where history rests beneath the waves with the Giannis D, Carnatic, and Dunraven. Drift along Ras Mohamed’s Shark and Yolanda reefs, alive with corals and marine life. For the experienced, the Brothers await with steep walls, vibrant coral gardens, and thrilling encounters with hammerheads, threshers, and other pelagic giants, plus the haunting wrecks of the Numidia and Aida.

SS Thistlegorm
The Red Sea’s most famous wreck, the Thistlegorm is a 125 m WWII British freighter sunk in 1941 near Sharm El Sheikh. Split in two after a German air raid, it now reveals a stunning cargo of trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, and wartime supplies—an underwater time capsule.

Brother Islands
Rising 60 km off Egypt’s coast, the Brothers are world-class dives. Little Brother is alive with colorful corals, dense fish life, and sharks like hammerheads and threshers. Big Brother is home to two wrecks—the Numidia (1901) and Aida (1957)—now coral-covered and thriving with marine life. Strong currents mean this site is for experienced divers only.

Ras Mohammed
Egypt’s iconic marine park offers dramatic drop-offs, lush corals, and schooling fish. At Yolanda Reef, divers can see the scattered cargo of a freighter—bathtubs and toilets now overgrown with marine life—making it both unique and photogenic.

Gotta Abu Nugar South
A sandy-bottom site with scattered coral heads, perfect for spotting smaller reef fish and relaxing dives without coral damage risk.

Abu Nuhas
Known as the “Ship Graveyard,” Abu Nuhas holds four wrecks, including the Giannis D (1984) and the Carnatic (1869). With tilted passageways, easy swim-throughs, and coral-encrusted hulls, it’s a paradise for wreck divers.

Dive the Red Sea’s legends: Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone, where vibrant reefs, iconic wrecks, and thrilling shark encounters await

Brother Islands
One of the Red Sea’s top dive sites, the Brother Islands rise 60 km off the Egyptian coast. Little Brother bursts with marine life, colorful corals, and frequent shark encounters including hammerheads, threshers, and reef sharks. Big Brother is home to two historic wrecks—the Numidia (1901) and the Aida (1957)—now coral-covered and teeming with life. Strong currents make this site best for experienced divers.

Daedalus Reef
A remote reef with dramatic walls, a southern plateau, and a chance to spot turtles, scorpionfish, and stonefish. Schooling fish are abundant, and hammerheads, threshers, and reef sharks are regular visitors. Don’t miss Anemone City, a vibrant carpet of anemones attracting countless reef fish.

Elphinstone
A narrow, finger-shaped reef famed for its steep walls and north–south plateaus. Its rich fish life and frequent shark sightings, including oceanic whitetips, make it one of the Red Sea’s must-dive sites.

This Red Sea route combines it all – vibrant reefs in Safaga, thrilling shark encounters at the Brothers, turtle paradise in Abu Dabbab, and adrenaline-fueled drift dives at Elphinstone. A liveaboard adventure packed with unforgettable experiences.

Brother Islands
Among the Red Sea’s most famous sites, the Brothers rise 60 km off Egypt’s coast. Little Brother dazzles with vibrant corals, dense fish life, and frequent encounters with hammerheads, threshers, and reef sharks. Big Brother hosts the historic wrecks of the Numidia (1901) and Aida (1957), both richly covered in corals. Strong currents make this site suitable only for experienced divers.

Elphinstone
A spectacular finger-shaped reef with sheer walls and north–south plateaus. Known for its abundant reef fish and thrilling shark sightings, including oceanic whitetips.

Abu Dabbab
Famous for its friendly Green Sea Turtles and harmless Guitar Sharks. Divers can also find rare macro life such as ghost pipefish, thorny seahorses, and pygmy pipehorses.

Salem Express
A moving wreck dive at 11–32 m depth. This passenger ship tragically sank in 1991 near Safaga and is now considered an underwater grave. While cabins remain off-limits, the exterior and open areas can be explored, making for a solemn yet remarkable dive.

Safaga
Home to legendary sites like Abu Kufan, known for hammerheads and manta rays; Panorama Reef, with grottos, soft corals, and strong currents; and Tobia Arbaa, the “Seven Pillars,” a shallow but lively site covered in corals and teeming with reef life.

A Red Sea adventure combines legendary wrecks and world-class reefs. Divers explore the iconic SS Thistlegorm, drift through the vibrant coral gardens of the Strait of Tiran, and discover the dramatic canyons and famous Blue Hole of Dahab. From shark encounters to kaleidoscopic reefs, every dive delivers a thrill.

SS Thistlegorm
One of the world’s most famous wreck dives, the Thistlegorm lies near Sharm El Sheikh. This 125 m WWII British freighter was sunk in 1941 and now rests split in two, filled with wartime cargo such as trucks, jeeps, and motorcycles—an underwater museum for divers.

Ras Mohammed
Egypt’s first marine park, Ras Mohammed is home to stunning reefs like Shark and Yolanda. Expect sheer drop-offs, lush corals, huge schools of fish, and scattered remains of the Yolanda’s cargo—bathtubs and toilets now overgrown with marine life.

Gubal Islands
Known for its sand eel gardens and lively reef life. Octopus, clownfish, parrotfish, and butterflyfish are common here, making it a colorful and fun dive.

Gotta Abu Nugar South
A sandy-bottom site with scattered coral heads, great for spotting small reef fish and macro life while enjoying a relaxed dive.

Abu Nuhas
Nicknamed the “Ship Graveyard,” Abu Nuhas is home to four wrecks including the Giannis D (1984) and Carnatic (1869). Easy swim-throughs, tilted passageways, and coral-covered hulls make this a must for wreck lovers.

Straits of Tiran
Four reefs—Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon—offer some of the best diving in Sinai. Expect rich coral gardens, dramatic walls, pelagics like tuna and barracuda, and frequent shark encounters. Highlights include Thomas Reef’s deep canyon and Jackson Reef’s strong currents and vibrant soft corals.

Dahab
A relaxed diving hub famous for its Blue Hole and Canyon. Shallow coral gardens, hidden critters like seahorses and stonefish, plus world-class technical dive sites make Dahab a unique stop along the Red Sea.

From the dramatic drop-offs of Ras Mohamed to the quirky sunken cargo of Yolanda Reef, divers can expect vibrant corals, abundant fish, and the chance to spot sharks at dawn. Safaga adds variety with pristine coral reefs and rich macro life, making this route a perfect mix of thrill and beauty beneath the Red Sea.

SS Thistlegorm
The Red Sea’s most famous wreck, this 125 m British WWII freighter was sunk in 1941 after a German airstrike. Today it’s an underwater museum filled with jeeps, trucks, motorcycles, and wartime supplies, making it one of the world’s top wreck dives.

Ras Mohammed
Egypt’s premier marine park with dramatic drop-offs, coral gardens, and abundant marine life. At Yolanda Reef, divers can explore the scattered cargo of a sunken freighter—bathrooms and bathtubs now beautifully overgrown with coral.

Abu Nuhas
Known as the “Ship Graveyard,” Abu Nuhas holds four wrecks including the Giannis D (1984) and the Carnatic (1869). With tilted passageways, coral-covered hulls, and easy swim-throughs, it’s a must for wreck enthusiasts.

Safaga
Home to legendary reefs and diverse marine life. Abu Kufan attracts hammerheads and manta rays, Panorama Reef offers grottos and dramatic drop-offs, while Tobia Arbaa (“Seven Pillars”) is a shallow site alive with soft corals, reef fish, rays, and morays.

Discover the Red Sea’s most iconic dive sites in one unforgettable journey: explore the Strait of Tiran with its coral gardens, freighter wreck, and shark amphitheater; the legendary Brother Islands where vibrant walls meet hammerheads, threshers, and reef sharks; and Daedalus Reef, a vast offshore plateau alive with schools of fish and pelagic encounters. Drift along Zabargad’s colorful drop-offs, marvel at Rocky Island’s dramatic walls bursting with corals, sharks, and rays, and experience the haunting Salem Express wreck, a powerful dive into history. A perfect mix of adventure, marine life, and breathtaking underwater scenery.

Brother Islands
Two remote pinnacles rising from the open sea, famous for big shark encounters including hammerheads, threshers, and grey reef sharks. Little Brother boasts colorful coral walls, while Big Brother offers the wrecks of Numidia (1901) and Aida (1957), both richly encrusted with life. A challenging site reserved for experienced divers.

Daedalus Reef
A massive offshore reef with sheer walls, vibrant corals, and a southern plateau where turtles, scorpionfish, and thresher sharks are often seen. Its highlight is Anemone City and the chance to encounter schooling hammerheads at the northern tip.

Elphinstone
A legendary, elongated reef with steep drop-offs and plateaus at both ends. Strong currents attract reef sharks and occasional pelagics, making it one of the Red Sea’s must-dive sites.

Zabargad
An island steeped in history, once mined for precious green olivine. Divers explore scenic passages and walls teeming with marine life, set against dramatic backdrops.

Rocky Island
A remote site with staghorn corals, swim-throughs, and sandy patches where leopard and whitetip reef sharks often rest. Currents can be strong, rewarding advanced divers with turtles, trevally, and pelagics.

Straits of Tiran
Four iconic reefs—Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse, and Jackson—offering drift dives, colorful coral gardens, and pelagic action. Highlights include Thomas Reef’s canyon, Jackson Reef’s dramatic walls, and frequent encounters with barracuda, Napoleon wrasse, and reef sharks.

Salem Express
A haunting wreck near Safaga, lying at 11–32 m. This passenger ferry sank in 1991 and is officially a maritime grave, with respectful outside exploration only. Coral growth and poignant history make it a memorable dive.

Dive the southern Red Sea’s most spectacular sites: Daedalus with its sheer walls, shark encounters and fish-filled plateaus; Rocky Island, a mystical site of dramatic drop-offs, soft corals and pelagic life; Zabargad’s stunning walls and coral gardens; St. John’s reefs with vibrant gorgonians, bright soft corals, sharks, barracudas and dolphins; and the legendary Elphinstone, famed for its breathtaking walls, colorful corals and thrilling shark sightings. A paradise for divers seeking adventure and unforgettable underwater encounters.

Daedalus Reef
A remote reef with sheer walls and a southern plateau home to turtles, reef fish, and thresher sharks. The northwest tip often hosts schooling hammerheads, while Anemone City dazzles with carpets of anemones and swarming fusiliers, surgeonfish, and jacks.

Elphinstone
A famous finger-shaped reef with steep drop-offs and plateaus at each end. Strong currents bring reef sharks and pelagics, making it one of the Red Sea’s top shark-diving sites.

St. Johns
A vast southern reef system near the Sudanese border, known for dozens of pristine dive sites. Rising from a massive underwater plateau, it offers dramatic topography and thriving marine life.

Zabargad
An island rich in history and dramatic seascapes, once mined for olivine gemstones. Its south wall is filled with scenic passages and vibrant coral life.

Rocky Island
A rugged site with staghorn corals, sandy patches, and swim-throughs. Leopard and whitetip reef sharks, turtles, and trevally are common. Strong currents make this a rewarding dive for advanced divers.

Vessel Details

Year Built / Refurbished 2003 / refurbished in 2007, 2014, 2025
Length 36 metres
Beam 7.5 metres
Speed 10 knots
Engines 2 x 650 HP Cummins K19, new in 2014
Generators 2 x 65 KW (230V) Perkins
Water 2 seawater desalination plant each 4500 l / per day
Cabins In total 10 air-conditioned double cabins with bathroom (shower/ WC), mini bar, 8 twin cabins (lower-deck) and 2 cabins (suites) with queen- size bed on the upper deck
Connectivity VHF, DSC (Area I and II), Satellite EPIRB and AIS, WIFI
Safety Life jackets and 2 life rafts, oxygen and first aid, fire extinguishers in every cabin and in salons, fire fighting and alarm system, smoke detectors
Dive deck Dive deck with large platform
Nitrox up to 32% free of charge
Compressor 2 x Marine Bauer
Tanks 12l aluminum- tanks DIN/INT, 15l tanks on request
Zodiac 2 zodiacs with outboard engine
Equipment Rental There is no rental equipment stock on board available, only spare equipment for the worst-case scenario. If you need complete rental equipment or only some items of the equipment, please inform us at least one week before arrival, including the sizes if necessary. A short-term obtaining is possible, but this takes time and could delay the trip start. Please do not forget the most important spare parts for your equipment, such as: mask and fin straps, repair kit for regulator and batteries, film and spare bulbs for your torch.

Available Experiences

ITINERARIES AVAILABLE IN THIS DESTINATION

Marcelina

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

Sunrise Marina Resort & Emperor Divers in Marsa Alam

The overall holiday was excellent value for money. Emperor Divers provided an outstanding dive experience on day boat trips to provide some of the most relax dives I have ever encountered at reasonable depths.

Sunrise Marina Resort & Emperor Divers in Marsa Alam

What Our Customers Have To Say

Reviews from our Clients, Journalists, Photo Pro's and our own Experts

Our reviews and blogs are an additional guide to evaluate of the holiday is exactley what you are looking for or not. Some love an Eco-Resort, some love air-con and a flat screen TV, we aim to ensure you get what you are looking for, at great value for money.

Jackson Reef

Sharm El Sheikh , Red Sea

Most northerly of the reefs of Tiran and the northern limit of day boats from Sharm El Sheikh. The wreck of the Lara lies at the northern end. There is superb wall diving along its entire perimeter, with numerous buttresses and gullies. Sightings of sharks, turtles and other big fish are not uncommon and you will find a huge diversity of different corals and sponges as well as clouds of trigger fish, masked puffers and banner fish. At the point you may be lucky and spot a Hammerhead in summer.

  • Dive Type: Drift Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 25m

Thomas Reef

Sharm El Sheikh , Red Sea

Between Gordon and Woodhouse reefs, smaller round reef with walls plunging deep and fully covered with soft coral, gorgonians and colourful fish life. It is almost possible to circumnavigate this reef in one dive. The east wall plunges dramatically to great depths with a mass of brightly coloured soft corals. The west wall is darker with overhangs and caves but is a great drift dive with sightings of Trevally and Tuna in the blue and schooling reef fish close to the reef.

  • Dive Type: Drift Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 20m

Ras Mohamed

Sharm El Sheikh , Red Sea

Ras Mohammed peninsula separates the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. Currents flow out of both gulfs and bathe Ras Mohammed in rich nutrients, which assure plentiful and varied marine life. At Shark Reef and Yolanda wreck, many fish species can be found: groupers, barracuda, batfish, Napoleon wrasses, blue-spot stingrays and a special treat, crocodile fish. It's an amusing and memorable site to see groupers swimming around a huge mountain of toilets at the bottom of the sea.
Really several dive sites, Ras Mohammed has earned itself a reputation as one of the top diving areas in the world, here at the tip of the Sinai where the vast bodies of water, the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba meet has created an ecosystem like no other and wall diving is at its very best.

  • Dive Type: Drift Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 18m

Shark and Yolanda Reefs

Sharm El Sheikh , Red Sea

When divers think of Sinai, they think of Shark Reef and Yolanda. The two reefs are actually the twin peaks of a single coral seamount rising just off the Ras Muhammad coast, separated from the mainland by a shallow channel.
Shark Reef, the easternmost of the two, boasts a sheer wall dropping to well past 50m (164ft) along its northeast and eastern sides, giving way to a steep reef slope as the reef proceeds southwest toward Yolanda. A shallow saddle lies between the two reefs at 18 to 20m (60-65ft). A second shallow patch lies south of Yolanda. This second flat patch is the site of what remains of the Yolanda, a wrecked freighter. The ship itself slipped into the deep in 1986 after a severe storm, but much of its cargo remains, incongruously strewn across the reef.
Coral is excellent, with good if sparse growth on the wall sections and dense coral gardens on the shallower flat areas. Big pelagics and schooling fish swarm these reefs in the thousands. The Most impressive concentration is on the wall at Shark Reef. On the reef, hundreds of different reef fishes can be spotted as can moray eels of a meter (3ft) and bluespotted and blackspotted stingrays.

  • Dive Type: Drift Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 27m

Shab Abu Nugar

Hurghada , Red Sea

This “T” shaped reef has a shallow plateau to the west with numerous small ergs and two small sub reefs Gota Abu Nigar and Shab Iris. Some parts of this reef system are positively dull while others are stunning. If you can dive the stem of the “T” on the north side you will find three small ergs and the diving there is almost virginal. You will find broom tail wrasse here as well as parrot fish and unicorn fish.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth:

Abu Dabab

Marsa Alam, Red Sea

A collection of 7 reefs. Offers sheltered diving in rough weather conditions. Popular overnight location due to close proximity to the famous Elphinstone reef with a very good chance to see Spanish dancers on the night dive. Many swim caves. Often sightings of reef sharks on the southern outer reefs.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth:

Elphinstone Reef

Marsa Alam, Red Sea

The sheer walls of this great reef plunge steeply into the blue, richly decorated with soft corals, sponges, gorgonians and fans. Sharks often swim by the spot to feed on the abundant reef fish population. The northern plateau is home to schooling hammerheads with frequent sightings of oceanic white tip sharks.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth:

Daedalus Reef

Marsa Alam, Red Sea

A huge round reef with a lighthouse more than 40 miles away from the coast, features an excellent opportunity for spotting big pelagics including manta rays. All around its steep walls you will see an extreme variety of fish and coral. Good chance to see schooling hammerheads on the northern point. Strong currents possible.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth:

Zabargad House Reef

Hamata , Red Sea

Enormous mountain coming out of the water surrounded by a lagoon and circling reef. A couple of wrecks and some decent diving with a great variety of both corals and reef fish.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth:

Rocky Island

Marsa Alam, Red Sea

Tiny rock emerging a few feet out of the water, it offers one of the most incredible underwater scenarios of the whole Red Sea. Steep walls falling into the deep blue, currents, soft corals and a great abundance of pelagics and all kinds of fish.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth:

St Johns Reef

Marsa Alam, Red Sea

This incredibly beautiful reef lies Approx. 40km North of the Sudanese border and 20km south of Zabargad . The reef covers a huge area and many dives would be needed to explore the numerous coral heads and islands that make up this extensive area.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth:

Thistlegorm

Sharm El Sheikh , Red Sea

The Thistlegorm was discovered in 1956 by Jacques Cousteau and is probably the most famous wreck in the world. It sank in 1941 when it was hit by a German bomb that blew a hole in the port side, igniting tank ammunition that was in the hold. The explosion ripped the roof of the ship backwards, rather like opening a tin of sardines.
The stern section of the wreck lies almost horizontal to the sea bed; the remainder of the wreck is nearly upright. Inside the wreckage, tyres, tanks, motorbikes, Bedford trucks, waders and wellington boots can be seen. Penetration is possible around the bridge and blast area. The large propeller is still in position and the guns on the stern are in excellent condition.
Artillery litters the blast area. A bath tub can be seen towards the bow and a toilet near the stern. The sea life is impressive with possibility of seeing tuna overhead the resident turtle. Expect this to be very busy, especially once the day boats have reached it; it is likely to be chaos both on the surface and under the water.

  • Dive Type: Drift Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 31m

Abu Nuhas

Hurghada , Red Sea

Also known as “Ships Graveyard”, Abu Nuhas is located close to the busy shipping lanes of the Gulf of Suez. Four wrecks are lying in a chain on a sandy bottom of a steep sloping reef covered with table corals. The following wrecks are found there;

Ghiannis D was on the way from Rijeka to AI Hudayda at the southern end of the Red Sea, when the bow ran aground on the reef on April 19, 1984. The rear half of the wreck lies on the port side. At the front the funnel is the large letter “D” signifying the name of the shipping company, Danae. In front of the funnel is the bridge deck with different areas, an enormous winch and the bollard. Narrow portholes lead into the engine room. The mid-ship area resembles a scrap heap where steel girders are bent and torn up, and the side panels lie caved in on the bottom. Crocodile fish, scorpion fish, parrotfish, and groupers call the vessel home. This wreck is at 30 - 88 feet/10 - 27meters depth.

Carnatic was on the way from Liverpool to Bombay with 27 crew members, 203 passengers as well as a cargo of cotton, copper, and 40,000 pounds Sterling in gold. She ran aground in the night September 13,1869. Now the wreck lies at a depth of 65 - 88 feet/20 - 27 meters. The hull is covered with hard and leather corals.

Chrisoula K started her last trip on August 30, 1981 loaded with cheap Italian tiles. Chrisoula K ran aground due to a navigation mistake of the captain and sank in the same night. The wreck lies at 16 - 80 feet/5 - 25 meters depth.

Shaab el Erg: Shaab el Erg, also known as “Dolphin House”, is famous for dolphin sightings; it is not uncommon for a school of dolphins to join the dive. The reef drops down to a coral garden at 40 feet/12 meters deep with marine life like nudibranchs, tunas, trevallies, jacks, scorpionfish and sea turtles.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 25m

SS Thistlegorm

Hurghada , Red Sea

The Thistlegorm was discovered in 1956 by Jacques Cousteau and is probably the most famous wreck in the world. It sank in 1941 when it was hit by a German bomb that blew a hole in the port side, igniting tank ammunition that was in the hold. The explosion ripped the roof of the ship backwards, rather like opening a tin of sardines.
The stern section of the wreck lies almost horizontal to the sea bed; the remainder of the wreck is nearly upright. Inside the wreckage, tyres, tanks, motorbikes, Bedford trucks, waders and Wellington boots can be seen. Penetration is possible around the bridge and blast area. The large prop is still in position and the guns on the stern are in excellent condition.
Artillery litters the blast area. A bath tub can be seen towards the bow and a toilet near the stern. The sea life is impressive with possibility of seeing tuna overhead the resident turtle. Expect this to be very busy, especially once the day boats have reached it; it is likely to be chaos both on the surface and under the water.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth:

Salem Express

Hurghada , Red Sea

A Ferry carrying pilgrims returning from Mecca, sank in 1991 after hitting the reef at night. 600 victims perished in one of the greatest marine tragedies of all time. Divers are asked to dive the wreck considerately with respect for the great loss of life and penetration of the wreck is forbidden.
The propellers make an impressive sight and the covering of hard corals now colonising the wreck show the power of the ocean to make new life out of this tragedy. Fish life is now abundant and the funnels of the wreck with large "S" and the name on the bow are clearly visible. The site is reasonably sheltered and is not exposed to strong current and can be dived at all levels from 12m to 30m.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 30m

Brother Islands

Hurghada , Red Sea

The offshore islands in this area have recently been reopened for diving after a long closure by the Egyptian Government and have been designated as a Marine Park. Now suitable moorings are installed for dive boats visiting this area. The Brothers are really the tops of two undersea mountains these islands rise from the depths, the coral clad walls do offer outstanding diving with plenty of big fish action due to there remote location some 80km offshore.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 65m

The Canyon - Fish Bowl

Dahab, Red Sea

This site takes its name from a long, narrow and very beautiful canyon created by an ancient volcanic activity. The huge fissure now overgrown with hard and soft corals runs north to south from the shallow reef just off shore to a depth of around 54 meters on the reef slope further out (ideal for technical divers).
Access to the site is through a shallow and sandy lagoon laying a few steps form the shore line. It is inhabited by a rich fauna comprising Butterflyfishes, Bluespine Unicornfishes, Cornetfishes and even juvenile Barracudas. On the most western point there is a saddle serving as an entry (and exit) point to the open sea and a coral garden. Among the large range of reef fish here, some notable residents include the Pufferfish, Snappers, Lyretail and Coral Grouper, Basslets and Red Sea Anthias.
The entry to the Canyon is done through it largest point at 22 meters. The progression through the Canyon is easy and the light effect caused by the sun rays is surreal.
The exit of the Canyon is done through a huge hard coral block with a man-sized opening in this coral hummock. The numerous small cracks of this coral block allow the air bubbles emitted by scuba divers to escape giving a fantastic touch to the scenery.

  • Dive Type: Shore Dive
  • Diver Level: Experienced Diver - 50 + Dives
  • Max Depth: 100m

Straits of Tiran

Sharm El Sheikh , Red Sea

The Straits of Tiran offers divers a choice of 7 dive sites, the Gordon reef, the Jackson reef, the Laguna reef, Million hope wrecks, the Tomas reef, the Woodhouse reef and Zingara. All these dive sites offer divers top quality diving with some sites offering maximum depths up to 100 metres.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 100m

Giannis D

Hurghada , Red Sea

This Greek freighter hit the reef in April 1983 and over the course of two weeks slowly broke into two parts and sank. She is the most dived wreck in the area, laying in 24 metres and leaning to port with a fully intact stern section and an impressive engine room packed with glass fish.

The bow is very interesting too but is a long swim out. She is a great wreck for penetration but beware of disorientation due to the angle at which she lays. Be wary of the many lion fish and scorpion fish that call this wreck home and watch out for the strong surges in and around the wreck in rough weather.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 24m

Carnatic

Hurghada , Red Sea

The Carnatic is a British P & O steamer which struck the reef in 1869 and sank the next day as the weather worsened. She was a passenger and mail ship and is sometimes known as the ‘wine’ wreck for the numerous bottles once found in the holds; sadly not many now remain to be seen. Rumour has it that she sank with forty thousand pounds sterling of gold bullion, much of which was never recovered. The wreck lays in 29m and now the whole hull is draped in multicoloured soft corals and the inner areas are full of glass fish complete with red mouthed grouper sentinel. One davit supports a beautiful table coral. The wreck is now home to large grouper, octopus and morays and jacks and tuna cruise overhead.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 29m

Woodhouse Reef

Sharm El Sheikh , Red Sea

The Woodhouse Reef is located between Thomas and Jackson reef, Woodhouse reef is the narrowest and longest reef in Tiran. With no moorings this dive is always done as a drift. The Reef offers a sheer wall dropping down to a sandy ledge at 30 meters and dropping away into the abyss. The most interesting point of this dive site is the famous canyon that opens out at a depth of 30 meters and runs parallel to the main axis of the reef. Here divers will have the opportunity to spot black coral at a depth of around 22 meters and lots of pelagic fish cruising past in the blue.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 22m

Gordon Reef

Sharm El Sheikh , Red Sea

This is the most southerly reef of the four and has a different topography from the others offering both a shallow plateau area and drop offs. A huge variety of reef fish and big schools of grouper can be seen here and on the sandy bottom at 4 to 5 meter there is an eel garden area along with coral encrusted drums. The top of the reef, with its lighthouse, is also home to the wreck Lovilla which sits almost parallel to the wreck on Jackson Reef.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 18

Big Brother

Hurghada , Red Sea

A 400 meter long island offering fabulous wreck diving and wall diving. The wreck of the Numidia lies on the northern tip between 10 and 80 meter. The north-west side of the island houses the wreck of the Aida. On every section of this reef the wall is covered with corals and life.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 18

Little Brother

Hurghada , Red Sea

Boasts a very high concentration of life within a very small area. Fan coral forests, overhangs, hard and soft corals in a variety of astonishing colors… and of course there are plenty of fish! With regular sightings of hammerheads, thresher sharks, grey sharks and white tip reef sharks, at the right time of year.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 18

Gubal Island

Hurghada , Red Sea

At the gate of the Straits of Gobal is ‘Bluff Point’, which gets its name from the turbulence created by strong currents that beat the eastern wall of the island.
The wreck of the ‘Ulysses’ lies on the reef 300m north of the lighthouse, starting at 5m and sloping to 25m. ‘The Barge’ wreck, south of the lighthouse, provides divers with a fun and unusual night dive. The wrecks skeleton creates protection for all types of night creatures.

  • Dive Type: Wreck Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 25m

Zabargad Island

Marsa Alam, Red Sea

Zabargad is the largest of Egypt's 4 Southern Red Sea marine parks and lies just 5 km northwest of Rocky Island in the deep south, 70 km off the mainland. The island has exquisite turquoise bays, sandy beaches and a 235m high hill at its centre. Zabargad means topaz in Egyptian, and you can still find evidence of an island community that mined the semi-precious stones here.

Red Sea diving is at its best on Zabargad Island's south east coast in the sheltered Turtle Bay. Here you'll find a wall to 15m then a coral reef slope down to 30m or so and then a drop off into the blue. The reef slope is a maze of coral patches and dome turrets, forming refuges to reef fish such as pufferfish and sweetlips, and invertebrates such as cuttlefish and octopus. The floor is home to bluespotted stingrays, scorpionfish and crocodilefish, and of course turtles are found here too. Green and hawksbill turtles hatch on the beach here in the month of August.

It's best to dive along the reef wall here as the coral growth is dense and there are many caverns and gullies to explore. There are also a couple of passageways that lead directly into the inner lagoon behind the reef wall.

Outside of the sheltered bays, Zabargad has steep walls that offer some great Red Sea drift diving. The usual sharks can be sighted here, such as oceanic whitetips and grey reef. It's also a good place for manta encounters, where these rays come into the reef to attend cleaning stations dotted along the ledges at 15-30m.

On the northeast coast of Zabargad lies the Khanka Wreck, a 70m long USSR transport/surveillance ship that sank upright in 24m of water in the 1970s. The bow has impact damage and lies on its port side but the rest of the wreck is in good condition. The main superstructure lies just 10m below the water's surface. Although there is little coral growth here yet, there are several interesting sections of the ship to explore on a dive, such as the holds, bridge and engine room, which are filled with glassfish and are easy to explore from the 2 large openings to be found in the bow and stern.

Large winches and heavy chains are in evidence towards the bow. You can access the engine room through the hatches in midships. The bridge is found down a narrow stairwell where you can still find the helm, chart room and control panels. The main mast is intact and is a great place for a safety stop since it rises to just 2m below the surface.

Down the west coast of the island, lies the remains of the Neptuna. This was a German Red Sea diving safari boat that sank here in 1981. It has now broken apart but much of what remains is visible on the sea floor. The area is fairly shallow with coral bommies rising from 15m. Sometimes night dives are taken here

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 30m

Salem Express

Hurghada , Red Sea

The Salem Express is a former 100m long car and ferry passenger. She was finishing the trip from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to Safaga full of pilgrims returning from the Mecca when she sunk December 17, 1991 in the middle of the night.

The Salem Express is quite shallow. The wreck starts at 12m and the seabed is at 30m deep. This is a huge wreck and you will need at least 2 dives to explore it all. Even after two decades in the water, there is still little fauna around the wreck. There is also now a bit of coral growing on the shipwreck.

  • Dive Type: Wreck Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 30m

Anemone City

Sharm El Sheikh , Red Sea

Anemone City is a broad shoulder of reef that juts out at a depth of 20m from the wall of Ras Mohammed; outside of the shoulder is deep blue water. In conditions of strong current giant trevallies, bluefin trevallies and big eye trevallies can be seen here in great numbers and in the shallow water you find the anemones after which it is named; this is the only place that they form in such dense colonies. It is usually dived in conjunction with Shark and Yolanda or with Shark Observatory to the north.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 20m

Umm Hararim - Caves of St. Johns

Marsa Alam, Red Sea

This is a very shallow reef, full of spectacular corridors and caves with an open topside, it is even more impressive than the caves of Claudio. Few animals, except for several large napoleons are to be seen here. We will also enjoy the impressive garden of porites of the north wall.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 26m

Thomas Reef

Hurghada , Red Sea

Thomas Reef is the smallest reef in the strait. The reef’s ends are vertical walls with a large plateau at 25 meters depth on the south eastern side. This plateau is covered in colorful coral and has a fence of gorgonian fans longnose hawkfish can be found.

  • Dive Type: Boat Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 25m

Abu Nuhas (4 wrecks)

Hurghada , Red Sea

In 1869, the Suez Canal established the Red Sea as the most important stretch of water near Egypt. Known as the Red Sea ‘graveyard’, Abu Nuhas is located north of Shadwan Island (the Egyptian Red Sea’s largest island). The submerged reef has claimed more vessels than any other in the Red Sea with at least four complete wrecks and other wreckage scattered throughout the area. The wrecks are laying in a chain on a sandy bottom of a steep sloping reef covered with table corals. Some of the items the wrecks carried were copper, port wine, and gold. The four wrecks the Red Sea Aggressor II dives are the Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K and Kimon M:

Ghiannis D is a 100 meter long cargo ship originally built in Japan then bought by a Greek shipping company and renamed the Giannis D in 1980. She was enroute from now known as Croatia bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia carrying a cargo of wood. After passing through the Suez Canal and into the Strait of Gubal, the ship ran aground into the reef of Sha'ab Abu Nuhas in 1983. The stern is partly intact at around 25 meters and the bow at about 18 meters.

The rear half of the wreck lies on the port side. At the front the funnel is the large letter “D” signifying the name of the shipping company, Danae. Crocodile fish, scorpion fish, parrotfish, and grouper call the vessel home. This wreck is located at a depth of 10 - 27 meters.

Carnatic is thought to be the oldest wreck found at Sha'ab Abu Nuhas. A steam and sail powered clipper, the Carnatic was sailing from Bombay (Mumbai), India to Suez when she struck the reef in 1869. The ship broke in half when the crew and passengers were abandoning it resulting in the loss of 31 lives. The ships cargo included cotton, copper, and a huge load of gold. Salvage operations claim to have recovered the gold, however rumors still exist that there still might be gold hidden on the wreck. The wreck lies at a depth of 10 - 27 meters with the hull covered in hard and leather corals.

Chrisoula K was originally built in Germany and christened the Dora Olendorff. The 100 meter long cargo ship was bound for Jeddah, Saudia Arabia carrying a cargo of Italian floor tiles. After leaving the Gulf of Suez, a navigational error saw the ship run full speed into the Abu Nuhas reef. The crew were safely rescued but the ship sank and now lies between 5 - 25 meters.

The Kimon M cargo ship sunk in 1978 after hitting the Sha’ab Abu Nuhas Reef. It was carrying lentils and is also known as the ‘Lentil Wreck’ and lies in 32 meters of water at the stern. It initially was stuck on the reef until the storm and waves pushed the ship breaking the bow then the main body which sank in 10 – 29 meters depth.The stern with the huge propeller is still intact and easy to dive. Due to its size, it is impressive to swim around from the outside and is home to schools of batfish and a huge napoleon.

  • Dive Type: Wreck Dive
  • Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Max Depth: 25m
Dates Duration Route Room Type Price
16 Oct 2025
23 Oct 2025
7 Nights Brother Islands-Daedalus-Elphinstone Twin Bed Cabin Lower Deck £1052
23 Oct 2025
30 Oct 2025
7 Nights Safaga-Brother Islands-Abu Dabbab-Elphinstone Double Cabin (Upper Deck) £0
30 Oct 2025
6 Nov 2025
7 Nights North-Strait of Tiran-Dahab Double Cabin (Upper Deck) £0
30 Oct 2025
6 Nov 2025
7 Nights North–Strait of Tiran Double Cabin (Upper Deck) £860
6 Nov 2025
13 Nov 2025
7 Nights North-Brother Islands Double Cabin (Upper Deck) £1052
22 Nov 2025
29 Nov 2025
7 Nights North Wrecks Double Cabin (Upper Deck) £860
22 Jan 2026
29 Jan 2026
7 Nights North–Strait of Tiran Double Cabin (Upper Deck) £710
5 Feb 2026
12 Feb 2026
7 Nights North-Safaga Double Cabin (Upper Deck) £0
12 Feb 2026
19 Feb 2026
7 Nights North-Brother Islands Double Cabin (Upper Deck) £710
19 Mar 2026
26 Mar 2026
7 Nights North–Strait of Tiran Double Cabin (Upper Deck) £710
20 Aug 2026
3 Sep 2026
14 Nights 2 weeks:North-Tiran-Brothers-Daedalus-Rocky Island-Zabargad-Salem Express Double Cabin (Upper Deck) £0
17 Sep 2026
1 Oct 2026
14 Nights 2 weeks of Best of the Red Sea: Daedalus–Rocky Island–Zabargad-St. Johns-Elphinstone Double Cabin (Upper Deck) £0