ELEGANTE DJIBOUTI

25m / 83ft MAX 14

PRICE PER DAY FROM USD 200

LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE

At a glance:

Economy Djibouti liveaboard tours
Diving and snorkelling with whale sharks
Maximum of only 14 guests
All cabins have private bathrooms
Back up technical facilities

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Located in the Gulf of Aden at the entrance to the Red Sea, the East African nation of Djibouti is certainly an off-the-beaten-track destination. The Gulf of Tadjoura and Ghoubet Bay are among the best places in the world to encounter whale sharks that are abundant here from late October to early February. You can dive and snorkel with them too onboard the Elegante liveaboard, managed by an Italian operation with years of experience.

Elegante is a 25m long ketch sailing boat, powered by a 260 HP Iveco diesel engine, with a cruising speed of 10 knots. With a maximum capacity of just 14 guests, it is an ideal economy Djibouti liveaboard. There are 7 cabins onboard, each with its own private bathroom.

Meals are served in the open air towards the rear of the main deck. They are a mixture of rice or pasta dishes, with salad, fresh fish or sashimi, vegetable, and meat with sauce. Also at the stern of the yacht is a social area. Here you will find beds for lounging after a dive or sleeping under the stars. There is a small indoor saloon with a TV and DVD player that is used when it rains, and also a bar.

Divers prepare for dives on the deck of the Elegante mothership and 2 55 HP 5.75m motorised dinghies take them to all the best dive and snorkel spots. These tours are especially suitable for free-divers, snorkellers, as well as scuba divers of all experience levels. The saloon has charging points for underwater cameras and torches so that you won't run out of power just as the whale sharks arrive! During these liveaboard safaris, guests have the option to make day excursion to see the incredible landscapes of the salt lake of Assal.

Elegante has several important redundancy installations. It has 2 generators, 2 tenders, 2 compressors. These double systems ensure a smooth cruise experience, even if something should go wrong or there is an emergency. The only eventful liveaboard tours in Djibouti with Elegante and those that are memorable for the right reasons.

Elegante has 7 cabins on the lower deck, each with its own ensuite bathroom: There are 5 twin bed cabins and 2 double bed cabins.

All the cabins have:

Air-conditioning
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 - 7 / 7 - cold water

Gulf of Tadjoura (8 Days / 7 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: Ras Eiro, Shark Island, The Dome, Ras Korali, Red Sands; Ghoubet Bay: Star Bay, The Crack, The Wall. Optional excursion to Lake Assal.

Day 1
Upon boarding the Elegante liveaboard in Djibouti City, the crew will welcome you with a refreshing drink and show you to your cabin. The full boat orientation will take place the next morning. This gives you time to settle in, get your bearings, and rest up so you're fresh and ready for the briefing and the rest of your trip the following day. It's a thoughtful way to ensure everyone is well-acquainted with the boat and its procedures without feeling rushed after a long journey.

Core Days
This dive safari takes you on an unforgettable journey through the Bay of Ghoubet and the Gulf of Tadjoura, in search of the majestic whale shark. These gentle giants gather in large numbers between November and the end of January, drawn by the plankton-rich waters of the region. The safari offers a mix of scuba diving, snorkelling, and free-diving opportunities, allowing you to encounter these awe-inspiring creatures up close. A truly off-the-beaten-path adventure, this region boasts over 300 km of largely untouched coastline, teeming with marine life. Dive sites include pristine hard coral reefs, historic shipwrecks, and vibrant ecosystems where dolphins, manta rays, and even whales are occasionally spotted. The warm, calm waters and minimal currents make for relaxed diving conditions, ideal for both beginners and seasoned divers alike.
Shark Island: Don't let the name intimidate you! While you might spot sharks, this site is more famous for its pinnacles and wall dives. The rock formations are impressive, and the currents can attract larger pelagic species. It's a great spot to see schools of barracuda, jacks, and occasionally, reef sharks patrolling the deeper waters.
The Dome: As the name suggests, this site is characterized by a large, dome-shaped underwater structure. The Dome is covered in healthy corals and is a magnet for marine life. Divers can explore the various crevices and overhangs, where moray eels, stonefish, and lionfish often hide. The reef slopes gently, making it suitable for divers of all levels.
Ras Korali: This site offers a mix of wall diving and sloping reefs. It's known for its excellent visibility and the possibility of encountering larger marine life. The reef is home to a wide variety of reef fish, and divers should keep an eye out for triggerfish, groupers, and even passing dolphins.
Star Bay: Located within the Bay of Ghoubet, Star Bay is one of the most reliable locations for encountering whale sharks, especially during the season from November to January. The bay's rich plankton attracts these gentle giants, and the calm, protected waters make it an ideal spot for snorkelling and freediving with them.
The Crack: A truly unique dive, "The Crack" is a tectonic fissure separating the African and Somalian plates. Divers can descend into this narrow chasm, which is about 50 metres deep and only a few metres wide. The experience of swimming between two continents is surreal and unforgettable. It's a dramatic and geologically significant dive that is a highlight of any trip to the area.
The Wall: This site features a dramatic wall that drops off into the deep waters of the Bay of Ghoubet. The wall is covered in corals and sponges and is home to a variety of marine life. It's a great location for spotting larger fish and pelagics that cruise along the deeper sections. The sheer size of the wall provides a sense of awe and scale, making for a thrilling dive.
On the final full day, diving continues through the morning until around 2 pm, after which the yacht begins its return journey to port, arriving by early evening.

Day 8
You will disembark from the Elegante liveaboard in Djibouti City after a final breakfast on board, leaving you with incredible memories of your time exploring this unique and beautiful marine environment.

[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].

The days onboard the Elegante liveaboard unfold with a relaxed rhythm tailored in coordination with the guests. Meals are served either outside at the back of the boat or in the dinette, depending on the weather. Meal times and dive schedules are flexible and planned daily to suit the group’s preferences.

7:30 am onwards - Breakfast:
Start the morning with a simple yet satisfying breakfast spread featuring bread, butter, jam, biscuits, eggs, fresh fruit, and fruit juices.

12:30 pm - Lunch:
Enjoy a midday menu that is always plentiful and delicious, from an onboard kitchen, that specialises in international, Italian, and Middle Eastern cuisine.

7-8 pm - Dinner:
Dinner is served with menus reflecting a culinary diversity across multiple cuisines.

• Complimentary snacks, including biscuits, cakes, and fruit, are available along with tea and coffee throughout the day.
• Drinks: Drinking water is included at no extra cost. Soft drinks, beers, and wine are available for purchase on board.
• Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-sensitive dishes can be prepared for divers upon request, just let the crew know in advance.

DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES

MORE TRIP DETAILS

Notes: Children of all ages are welcome to share a cabin with their parents on Elegante. Child 0-12 years - free of charge, child 12-16 years - USD 466.

Dive experience: Just an Open Water Diver certification or equivalent is required to join and dive in Djibouti with Elegante.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, return transfers from local airport or hotels, dives (as detailed in the trips above), 2 experienced English-speaking divemasters, tanks (12 or 15 litre), belt and weights, all taxes.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental (USD 186 per week), port fees and local taxes (USD 105), fuel surcharge (USD 58), diving and travel insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash only - EUR and USD).

Optional extras: Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, dive computer, torch (USD 23 per week). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.

How to get there: Elegante's Djibouti liveaboard tours depart from the harbour in Djibouti City. Once you arrive at Djibouti International Airport (code JIB), a boat representative will greet you outside the arrivals hall. Major airlines that fly to Djibouti include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air Djibouti, Air France, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Fly Dubai and Kenya Airways.
Transfers are provided from the airport and take 20 minutes. Recommended flight is Turkish TK686 arriving at 6:50 am. Boarding takes place early morning since the boat leaves the harbour at 8 am.
The last dive of the trip will be at 10 am on the penultimate day before the boat returns to port by 5-5:30 pm. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. Guests disembark at 8:30 am on the final day. Recommended flight is Turkish TK689 departing at 11:10 am.

Non-diver rate: USD 58 discount off the published price.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin, or pay a supplement of USD 757 for their own cabin.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 9 guests and 1 additional person can join the tour free of charge.

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 12 guests and 2 additional persons can join the tour free of charge (total 14 guests).

Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow