Egypt Trip Wrap-Up: Exploring the Southern Red Sea
When most people think of Egypt, they picture ancient pyramids, magnificent temples, and the mighty Nile River. What many don’t realise is that Egypt is also home to some of the world’s most spectacular diving, with vibrant coral reefs, incredible marine life, and crystal-clear waters stretching throughout the Red Sea.
This year, we brought 18 divers aboard the MV Emperor Elite to explore the Southern Red Sea, and it’s safe to say this was one of our best trips yet. Here’s how the week unfolded.
Divers From Around the World
The adventure began long before we stepped aboard the boat.
In the week leading up to departure, divers started arriving in Egypt from all corners of the globe. We welcomed guests from Australia, the USA, Bermuda, Kuwait, and the UK, all making their way towards our departure point in Port Ghalib.
Many took the opportunity to explore Egypt before the trip began. Some flew into Cairo to marvel at the pyramids, while others travelled through Luxor, immersing themselves in the country’s rich history among ancient temples and tombs.
Eventually, everyone made their way to Port Ghalib, where the MV Emperor Elite awaited us.
Boarding Day
Boarding wasn’t until 6pm, but with many divers arriving early, we decided to make the most of the day.
We gathered for lunch, introductions, and a much-needed swim, anything to escape Egypt’s summer temperatures, which regularly reached 40°C. Fortunately, life on a liveaboard is far more comfortable, with a constant sea breeze and easy access to the water whenever you need to cool down.
Lunch was filled with laughter, stories from previous dive adventures, and an impressive number of burgers. Before long, it was time to head to the marina and board our home for the week.
Once aboard, we completed a quick safety briefing, checked paperwork, and set up our equipment. One thing we always do before the trip is complete as much administration as possible, ensuring the first evening is spent relaxing rather than filling out forms.
With Nitrox tanks prepared and cabins assigned, it wasn’t long before the dinner bell rang.
The food throughout the week was exceptional. A huge credit goes to the chefs, who constantly produced incredible meals while waking up at 4am every day to keep everyone fed and happy.
Our first night was spent in port, which gave everyone the freedom to head out for drinks, explore the marina, and get to know their fellow divers before spending an entire week together at sea.
Dive, Eat, Sleep, Repeat
The real adventure began at 6am the following morning.
Anyone who has been on a liveaboard knows the familiar sound: a knock on the cabin door signalling it’s time to wake up.
Before leaving the harbour, the coast guard completed a headcount, the paperwork and we conducted a fire drill. Then it was time to head south.
Our first dive was a gentle check dive on a beautiful coral reef featuring large swim-throughs and a maximum depth of just 15 metres/ 50 feet. It was the perfect opportunity for everyone to get comfortable in the water and settle into the rhythm of life aboard.
And what a rhythm it became.
By the third day, everyone had fallen into the classic liveaboard routine:
Wake up. Dive. Eat. Relax. Dive. Eat. Relax. Dive. Snack. Sunset. Night dive. Dinner. Sleep. Repeat.
It’s a surprisingly wonderful way to spend a week.
The diving was everything people imagine when they think of the Red Sea, vibrant coral gardens, endless schools of colourful fish, and visibility that seemed to stretch forever.
We travelled as far south as St. John’s, where many divers experienced one of the highlights of the trip: the famous St. John’s Caves. The intricate swim-throughs and dramatic reef formations left a lasting impression on everyone who visited.
Life Between Dives
While the diving was obviously the main attraction, some of the best memories were made during the surface intervals.
As the boat moved between dive sites, there was plenty of time to relax. Some guests curled up with books, others enjoyed afternoon naps, while many spent hours chatting on the sun deck and sharing stories from dives around the world.
Card games became a regular occurrence, and thanks to Sheridan, we even enjoyed a competitive trivia session one afternoon.
But perhaps the most memorable surface interval came on Day Five.
Halfway through breakfast, word spread around the boat: dolphins had been spotted nearby.
Within minutes, we were climbing into the RIBs and heading out to investigate.
What followed was one of those magical wildlife encounters that stay with you forever. We spent over an hour swimming alongside dozens of dolphins as they played, cruised effortlessly through the water, and occasionally seemed just as curious about us as we were about them.
It was one of those moments that no amount of planning can guarantee—and one nobody aboard will forget anytime soon.
Elphinstone and Hammerheads
By Day Five, everyone had settled into life on the boat and confidence levels were high.
Seven divers completed their Nitrox certification during the trip, while three completed their Advanced Open Water course.
With experience growing and conditions looking favourable, it was time for one of the Southern Red Sea’s most famous dive sites: Elphinstone Reef.
Known for its dramatic walls, strong currents, and pelagic encounters, Elphinstone is a dive site that earns its reputation.
We performed negative entries and descended quickly alongside the reef’s enormous walls.
Then came the highlight.
Several hammerhead sharks cruised past the group, passing within just a few metres of the divers. It was an incredible encounter and a reminder of why Elphinstone remains one of Egypt’s most celebrated dive sites.
The guides knew the reef exceptionally well, ensuring everyone had the best possible chance of seeing something special.
A Perfect Final Day
As always seems to happen on diving trips, the week passed far too quickly. Before we knew it, we were preparing for our final day underwater. For our last dives, we visited a turtle hotspot near Marsa Alam.
The area was packed with turtles grazing peacefully on seagrass beds. Dozens of them seemed completely unfazed by our presence, happily continuing their meals while posing perfectly for photographs.
It was a fitting finale to an unforgettable week.
Back to Port
Returning to port is always bittersweet.
There’s excitement about heading ashore and spending one final evening with your new friends, but there’s also the realisation that the adventure is coming to an end.
Fortunately, our timing coincided with several World Cup matches, giving many of us an excuse to gather in Port Ghalib for food, drinks, and football.
Back aboard the boat, the crew prepared one final feast, the captain’s BBQ special, which proved to be the perfect farewell meal.
The following morning, after breakfast, everyone once again dispersed across Egypt and beyond. Some headed north to Cairo, others travelled to Hurghada, while a few stayed behind to enjoy a few extra days in Port Ghalib.
Until Next Time
One of the things we love most about liveaboards is the friendships they create.
A week spent diving, eating, laughing, and exploring together has a way of turning strangers into lifelong dive buddies. Add in remote dive sites, incredible marine life, and experiences that few people ever get to witness, and it’s easy to see why we keep coming back.
While we’ve said goodbye to Egypt for now, we’ll be returning in 2028 to explore the Northern Red Sea and dive one of the world’s most famous wrecks: the Thistlegorm.
To everyone who joined us on this adventure, thank you. We absolutely love hosting dive holidays, and this trip was a particularly special one. We can’t wait to see you all again soon.
Until then, happy bubbles.
Check out all the photos from the 2026 Red Sea trip on the trip photo gallery here.
