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 - 6 / 6 - 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 crew will welcome you with a refreshing drink and guide you to your cabin. As it’s likely to be late in the day, a full boat orientation will take place the following morning to help you get acquainted with your new home at sea.
Days 2-7
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 true 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. On the final full day, diving continues through the morning until around 2:00 pm, after which the yacht begins its return journey to port, arriving by early evening.
Day 8
Disembarkation is after breakfast. The crew will then transfer you back to the airport.
[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 day aboard Elegante Djibouti unfolds 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.
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 meal crafted by the onboard chef, who specialises in international, Italian, and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Complimentary snacks, including biscuits, cakes, and fruit, are available along with tea and coffee.
7-8 pm - Dinner:
Dinner is served with menus reflecting the chef’s culinary flair across multiple cuisines.
Drinks: Drinking water is included at no extra cost. Soft drinks, beers, and wine are available for purchase on board.
Please note that no beach BBQ is offered during the cruise.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-sensitive dishes can be prepared upon request, just let the crew know in advance. Meal times and dive schedules are flexible and planned daily to suit the group’s preferences.
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 468.
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 187 per week), port fees and local taxes (USD 105), fuel surcharge (USD 59), 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 59 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 761 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