For certified divers looking to venture beyond the familiar, Djibouti offers a compelling frontier. At the crossroads of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, its waters are shaped by volcanic geology and strong currents, creating a unique environment for pelagic encounters. The Deli liveaboard provides an unpretentious and practical base from which to explore this remarkable region. She is a 26-metre wooden gulet, traditional in style but fully equipped for the task, offering a small-group experience that prioritises access to the dive sites over unnecessary frills.
The Deli itself reflects a focus on function and character. Built with a mahogany and teak interior, and powered by a 280 HP MAN engine, it accommodates a maximum of 12 guests across 6 cabins, each with a private bathroom. Life onboard centres around the open-air stern, where meals are served and a large lounging area invites you to relax between dives or sleep under the stars. When the weather turns, the small indoor saloon provides shelter and, importantly, charging points for underwater camera equipment - a practical consideration for any dedicated diver.
Diving from the Deli is straightforward. You prepare your kit on the mothership’s deck before boarding one of the two 7-metre dinghies, each with a 40 HP engine, to reach the day’s sites. The yacht carries 12-litre aluminium tanks and a Bauer Mariner compressor to manage fills. A notable advantage of this Deli liveaboard is the inclusion of scuba equipment in the cruise price, simplifying logistics and representing genuine value.
And it is the diving, shaped by Djibouti’s unique geography, that is the true draw. The underwater topography includes dramatic drop-offs, seamounts, and channels where nutrient-rich waters attract larger marine life. While encounters are never guaranteed, the conditions are right for sightings of whale sharks, hammerheads, and other pelagic species, set against a backdrop of healthy reef formations. The Deli liveaboard itinerary is designed to navigate these dynamic waters, moving with the conditions to maximise your time in the water.
Above the surface, a safari on this vessel also offers a window into Djibouti’s otherworldly landscapes. Excursions can be arranged to the salt lake of Lake Assal, which lies more than 150 metres below sea level, or the otherworldly chimneys of Lake Abbe. These day or overnight trips provide a striking contrast to the underwater seascapes and add a distinct dimension to the diving safari.
Opting for the Deli liveaboard means travelling with a team experienced in the region’s specific conditions. Their familiarity with the local waters, currents, and marine patterns is key to navigating this frontier destination safely and productively. For the scuba diver seeking an authentic adventure away from crowded reefs, this vessel offers a credible and well-positioned option for unlocking the secrets of the Gulf of Tadjoura and beyond.
The Deli liveaboard has 6 guest cabins on the lower deck: There are 5 twin and double bed cabins and 1 quad bed cabin (often used for families). Each cabin has a private bathroom.
All the cabins have:
- Fan-cooled
- Private bathroom with shower and hand basin
- Portholes
- Toiletries, towels and bathrobe
- Bedisde cabinet
- Wardrobe, mirror and shelves
- Bedding
- 24-hour, 220v electricity supply
- European-style 2-pin plugs
- Life jackets and fire extinguishers
- Storage space for luggage
No. of bathrooms / showers - 6 / 6 - cold water
Gulf of Tadjoura (7 Days / 6 Nights - 20 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Maskali Island, Moucha Wreck, Gulf of Tadjoura: White Sands, Stoney Cove, The Dome, Ras Korali, Ras Eiro, Shark Island, Red Sands; Ghoubet Bay: Star Bay, Red Virgin, The Crack, The Wall. Optional excursions to Lake Assal, Lake Abbe, and the Day Forest.
Day 1
A staff member will meet at Djibouti International Airport or your local hotel and transfer you to the harbour for boarding the Deli liveaboard in time for its departure at 8 am. The crew will greet you on board with a welcome drink, show you to your cabin, and provide a detailed boat briefing that will help familiarize you with your new home for next week. Dinner will be served in the saloon and this will be a great opportunity to get to know the other guests on this cruise. The boat will leave port in the afternoon, headed towards Maskali and Moucha Island, to begin diving early the next day.
Core Days
This dive safari takes you to the Bay of Ghoubet and the Gulf of Tadjoura, a truly off-the-beaten-track destination that few people have visited. With over 300 km of coastline, there are many spots with an abundance of marine life to dive and explore. There are whale sharks, ship wrecks and pristine hard coral reefs. Dolphins, manta rays and even whales, are also sometimes seen in this stretch of sea. The tempting warm waters and lack of currents make for easy diving conditions that are suitable for both beginners and experienced divers.
All meals are served buffet-style outside at the stern of the boat where the dining area situated. There is also a smaller dining area inside the saloon in case of rain. The meals consist of breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus there are some snacks and fruit. Drinking water, tea and coffee, soft drinks, and beers are available onboard. The food is typically a combination of rice, pasta, salad, fresh fish or sashimi, vegetable and meat sauce. Options change every day.
Day 7
On the last day of the cruise, the morning will be spent diving until around 2 pm, then the yacht will make its way back to port by early evening. Disembarkation is at 5-5:30 pm, then the crew will transfer you back to the airport or hotel.
Gulf of Tadjoura (7 Days / 6 Nights - 12 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Gulf of Tadjoura: White Sands, Stoney Cove, The Dome, Ras Korali, Ras Eiro, Shark Island, Red Sands; Ghoubet Bay: Star Bay, Red Virgin, The Crack, The Wall; Moucha Wreck. Optional excursion to Lake Assal.
Day 1
A staff member will meet at Djibouti International Airport or your local hotel and transfer you to the harbour for boarding the Deli liveaboard in time for its departure at 8 am. The crew will greet you on board with a welcome drink, show you to your cabin, and provide a detailed boat briefing that will help familiarize you with your new home for next week. Dinner will be served in the saloon and this will be a great opportunity to get to know the other guests on this cruise. The boat will leave port in the afternoon, headed towards Maskali and Moucha Island, to begin diving early the next day.
Core Days
This dive safari takes you to the Bay of Ghoubet and the Gulf of Tadjoura, in search of whale sharks. The whale shark season runs from November until the end of January, when these gentle giants arrive in large numbers to feed in the plankton-rich waters. The safari includes both scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities to interact with the awesome sharks. It is a truly off-the-beaten-track destination that few people have visited, with over 300 km of coastline and many spots with an abundance of marine life to dive and explore. There are ship wrecks and pristine hard coral reefs, and dolphins, manta rays and even whales, are also sometimes seen in this stretch of sea. The tempting warm waters and lack of currents make for easy diving conditions that are suitable for both beginners and experienced divers.
All meals are served buffet-style outside at the stern of the boat where the dining area situated. There is also a smaller dining area inside the saloon in case of rain. The meals consist of breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus there are some snacks and fruit. Drinking water, tea and coffee, soft drinks, and beers are available onboard. The food is typically a combination of rice, pasta, salad, fresh fish or sashimi, vegetable and meat sauce. Options change every day.
Day 7
On the last day of the cruise, the morning will be spent diving until around 2 pm, then the yacht will make its way back to port by early evening. Disembarkation is at 5-5:30 pm, then the crew will transfer you back to the airport or hotel.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
A day on the Deli liveaboard is paced by the diving and the easy sociability of life at sea. Mornings begin early, with the aroma of fresh coffee drifting from the stern as you suit up for the first dive. By the time you climb back aboard, the crew has transformed the open-air dining area into a welcoming buffet.
All main meals are served buffet-style here on the aft deck, allowing you to eat looking out over the anchorage or chat through the morning’s highlights with your fellow divers. The setting is practical and unpretentious - just a long table, the Djibouti sun, and the simple pleasure of a meal among friends after time in the water. On the rare occasion of a shower, there is additional seating inside the saloon, but most guests gravitate to the open air.
The food itself is straightforward and satisfying, built around fresh, wholesome ingredients that change daily. You might find a plate of spaghetti with a rich meat ragù alongside a crisp salad, or rice paired with vegetables in a light curry sauce. Given the location, it is no surprise that fresh fish features regularly, sometimes prepared simply grilled, other times served as sashimi a testament to its quality. There is always a choice, ensuring that after a day of diving, you eat well without fanfare.
Between dives, the Deli's galley keeps a steady supply of drinking water, tea, and coffee available, while soft drinks and beers are on hand for when the tanks are rinsed and the sun is over the yardarm. Snacks and fresh fruit are put out to bridge the gap between lunch and the evening meal, providing a quick energy boost before a late afternoon dive or as you review your camera images. Whether you are helping yourself to a second portion of pasta after a long dive or sitting with a cold beer as the light fades over the Gulf of Tadjoura, these moments become an integral part of the liveaboard trip.
