Embark on a thrilling voyage aboard the 40-metre Red Sea Aggressor V, setting sail from Port Berenice, Hamata. This liveaboard offers 2 alternating 7-night diving expeditions into the unspoiled Deep South: one tracing the Elba Reef, the other charting a course to the Rocky and Zabargad Islands. Dive into pristine, untouched reefs where crystal-clear waters burst with marine life. Experience pulse-raising encounters with sharks, manta rays, dolphins, silvertip sharks, bluefin tuna, and an extraordinary array of underwater marvels. The yacht operates with the backing and professional credibility of the globally respected Aggressor Adventures fleet.
These specialised itineraries target dive sites known for their exposed nature and potential for large pelagic encounters. Success in navigating the deep south depends on precise logistics, which is why the Red Sea Aggressor V liveaboard utilises 3 powerful motorised tenders for all deployments. This method allows the crew to execute accurate drop-offs at current-affected areas, optimising the diving schedule and maximising safety.
The on-board infrastructure supports technically minded divers. Nitrox is available, enabling those with enriched air certification to safely extend their bottom times during repeated dives on deep walls and pinnacles. For photographers, the Red Sea Aggressor V provides a highly functional workspace, including a spacious camera table, dedicated rinse tanks, and a complete photo and video centre for media management.
After a demanding day of scuba diving, comfort and privacy are essential. The Red Sea Aggressor V liveaboard accommodates up to 26 guests across 13 en-suite staterooms in double or twin layouts. A notable in-room feature is the 32-inch flatscreen TV, pre-loaded with a large media library and the capability for guests to connect their own devices for immediate viewing and post-dive analysis of their photos and videos.
Leisure and downtime are accommodated through multiple spacious areas. Guests can retreat to the climate-controlled upper deck lounge or the main saloon, both equipped with media and computer systems. Outdoors, the sundeck offers an inviting setting with comfortable sun loungers, 2 hot tubs for soaking, and a cocktail bar, all positioned to take in the impressive open-ocean vistas. Satellite phone service provides email-only connectivity, ensuring a focused sense of escape.
Choosing the Red Sea Aggressor V liveaboard is a confident selection for divers who demand elite access and superior support for deep-south diving. This exceptional vessel, the Red Sea Aggressor V, combines a thrilling expeditions with a foundation of quality service and amenities, ensuring a memorable and secure adventure into Egypt's less-explored reefs.
The Red Sea Aggressor V features 4 Master staterooms (nr 1-2 lower deck, nr 3-4 main deck), each equipped with a queen-size bed and a porthole. There are also 9 Deluxe staterooms: 4 of these (nr 5-8 main deck) offer 2 single beds that convert into a king-size bed; rooms 5 and 6 have a porthole, while rooms 7 and 8 feature a picture window. The remaining 5 Deluxe staterooms (nr 9-13 upper deck) include 2 single beds and a picture window for ocean views.
All the cabins have:
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Portholes on the lower deck, windows on the main and upper decks
- Flatscreen TV and DVD player in cabin
- Private bathroom with toilet and hot water shower
- Hand basin, towels, toiletries and hair dryer
- Daily housekeeping
- Safety deposit box
- Cabinet, mirror and reading lights
- Mini-fridge
- Mains outlet 220 volts (US standard 2 pin sockets) - 24 hours per day
- Bedding
- Life jackets
- Smoke detector & fire extinguisher
No. of bathrooms / showers - 13 / 13 - hot water
Red Sea South, St. John's & Elba Reef
Trip highlights: dolphins, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Sernaka, Elba Reef North, Elba Reef South, Wreck of Levanzo, Abu Fendera, St. John's. Exploration Day 4 returning north between Elba Reef and Abu Fendira Reef.
Day 1
This extreme deep-south Red Sea dive expedition on the Red Sea Aggressor V liveaboard begins upon boarding at Port Berenice. After receiving a warm welcome and a detailed safety orientation, you will settle into your cabin, enjoy dinner, and ready your gear for the following morning's intensive diving schedule.
Core Days
This highly specialised safari is dedicated to divers targeting the Red Sea's most remote and rarely dived marine environments. Following a check-out dive at Sernaka, the focus shifts immediately to the isolated Elba Reef system. Elba Reef North and Elba Reef South provide a true wilderness experience, featuring dramatic, current-swept drop-offs and vast, healthy coral gardens. These exposed pinnacles are prime areas for sightings of large pelagic species.
Providing an atmospheric historical counterpoint, the Wreck of Levanzo, a 113-metre Italian cargo ship from 1923, rests on the reef slope. This massive wreck has become a spectacular artificial habitat, sheltering moray eels, large groupers, and diverse reef fish life. The Red Sea Aggressor V prioritises comprehensive exploration, reserving Day 4 for seeking new pinnacles and lesser-known dive sites whilst navigating back north between Elba Reef and Abu Fendera.
The safari then moves to Abu Fendera, a remote 7 km chain of pristine reefs known for exceptional clarity and vibrant coral growth. We conclude with the structural complexity of the St. John’s reef system. These incredible submerged pinnacles and reef walls house colossal schools of snappers and barracuda, confirming the unparalleled quality of diving in this deep-south region aboard the Red Sea Aggressor V.
Final Day
Disembarkation from the Red Sea Aggressor V will commence at Port Berenice after a final breakfast on board.
Rocky, Zabargad & St. John's
Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Abu Galawa East & West, Zabargad, Rocky Island, St John's: Habili Ali, Habili Gaffar, Dangerous Reef
Day 1
You may board the Red Sea Aggressor V liveaboard in the afternoon, settle into your cabin, and prepare your equipment. A full boat briefing will be held on the first day once all guests are aboard. Dinner will be served in the evening, and the vessel will remain moored in the harbour overnight, departing the following morning.
Core Days
This intensive liveaboard trip aboard the Red Sea Aggressor V is specifically tailored for experienced certified divers wishing to explore the most dramatic pelagic zones of the Red Sea. We begin with the exposed offshore sentinels of Rocky Island and Zabargad. Rocky Island is a current-swept spectacle, its vertical walls hosting immense black coral trees and gorgonian fans, an ecosystem that actively attracts cruising grey reef and silvertip sharks.
Zabargad Island, located nearby, offers varied underwater topography, from sheltered coral gardens to steep drop-offs, a site populated by soldierfish and schools of snapper. Carved from the Earth's deepest fury, Zabargad isn’t your average sun-drenched paradise, it’s a Leviathan of stone and mystery, forged under crushing tectonic might. Long before scuba divers ever strapped on fins, ancient miners trekked here, lured by whispers of green fire hidden in its black rock: peridot, glittering deep within peridotite veins. Legends say Cleopatra herself wore stones torn from this very earth. Thanks to strict protections from the marine national park, nature runs the show. No crowds. No chatter. Just the raw hum of a world still ruled by salt, stone, and story.
The heart of the scuba safari lies in the extensive St. John's reef system, widely considered one of the region's healthiest habitats, characterised by immense hard coral formations and unique submerged structures. Divers will explore the famed submerged pinnacles of Habili Ali and Habili Gaffar, which rise dramatically from the deep, often revealing impressive pelagic species like schools of barracuda and jackfish. Exploration extends to Dangerous Reef, providing high-energy drift dives over massive reef blocks that are magnets for open-ocean activity.
On the transition north, the Red Sea Aggressor V visits the pristine Abu Galawa East and Abu Galawa West. These sites offer a perfect contrast to the offshore action, featuring shallower, sheltered dives with thriving coral heads and excellent visibility, often revealing fascinating macro life and resident green sea turtles. This blend of remote marine parks and sheltered reef diving ensures a comprehensive experience aboard the Red Sea Aggressor V.
Final Day
After a final breakfast on board the Red Sea Aggressor V, check-out and disembarkation will commence in Hamata.
[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].
Meals on the Red Sea Aggressor V liveaboard are something to look forward to. The menu’s packed with tasty local dishes and Egyptian favourites, so you’ll always find something satisfying. Mornings kick off with fresh fruit, hot brekkie options, cereals and juice. Lunchtime means homemade bread, soups, crisp salads, sandwiches, or a delicious main dish. And in the evenings? Expect proper chef-cooked meals like seafood, beef or chicken, served up with fresh veggies and topped off with lovely homemade puds.
No worries if you’ve got special dietary requirements, just pop your preferences into your Aggressor GIS reservation and have a quick word with the yacht’s chef when you arrive to make sure your meals suit you. Do bear in mind, as the yacht’s a bit off the beaten path, some speciality items might not be available. So if there’s something you can’t do without, best to bring it along. Oh, and just so you know: pork and turkey aren’t on the menu.
When it comes to drinks, you’re sorted with complimentary juices, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and a small selection of local beer and wine. Got a favourite tipple? Best to bring it along yourself, as import duties can be a bit steep. And just a heads-up - once you’ve had a drink, you’re officially in sunbathing mode ‘til morning!
Celebrating a special occasion like a birthday, honeymoon, wedding, or milestone dive? Let the crew make it unforgettable. Just inform our office in advance so the onboard Red Sea Aggressor V team can prepare a little something special.
