Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone (8 Days / 7 Nights - 15 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Brothers Islands, Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone
Day 1
The starting point for this intense southern dive safari is Port Ghalib or one of the alternate ports, Hurghada or Safaga. Boarding the magnificent Dune Silky liveaboard takes place in the afternoon. Once welcomed by the crew, you will be shown to your cabin and given a detailed safety brief. Dinner will be served in the saloon, allowing you to settle in before the vessel departs early the following morning to begin the diving schedule.
Core Days
This dive cruise is dedicated to 3 of the Red Sea's most exposed and famous offshore marine parks: the Brother Islands, Daedalus Reef, and Elphinstone. The Dune Silky provides reliable access to these remote, current-swept pinnacles, which are legendary for their high concentration of pelagic life.
The Brothers Islands consist of 2 exposed promontories rising from great depths, acting as natural magnets for open-ocean species. The walls of both Big Brother and Little Brother are densely populated with vibrant marine growth, including sponges, anemones, hard corals, and extensive soft coral forests. This rich ecosystem attracts a high volume of predators. Divers frequently encounter grey reef sharks, silvertips, whitetip reef sharks, and, depending on the season, scalloped hammerheads and manta rays. Big Brother also features a notable wreck in the shallows: the Numidia, a cargo ship that sank in the early 20th century. Lying at an easily dived depth, this wreck is completely smothered in hard and soft corals and gorgonians, making it a spectacular historical site and a popular refuge for local marine life.
Daedalus Reef is another challenging but rewarding dive location, identified by its historic lighthouse. Known for its strong currents, Daedalus offers incredible drift dives along its sheer walls, attracting large schools of colourful reef fish, including surgeonfish and trevallies. It is considered one of the best spots in Egypt for encounters with larger pelagics such as hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, and thresher sharks, especially during the summer months.
Finally, Elphinstone offers comparable world-class diving, known for its healthy coral reefs and the possibility of viewing oceanic whitetip sharks, completing the experience aboard the Dune Silky.
Only 2 final dives are scheduled on the penultimate day to ensure sufficient surface interval, after which the Dune Silky sails back towards the port.
Day 8
Disembarkation starts after a final breakfast on the yacht on the morning of the last day.
Daedalus, Rocky, Zabargad & St. John's (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, 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: Daedalus Reef, Rocky, Zabargad, Fury Shoals: Shaab Maksour, Shaab Claudio, Malahi, Sataya (Dolphin House); St John’s: Um Aruk, Habali Ali, Gota Soraya, Gota Kebir, Sheliniyat, Shaab Sharm, Gota Marsa Alam
Day 1
This comprehensive deep south dive safari begins with boarding the Dune Silky liveaboard at Port Ghalib. Following a warm welcome from the crew, you will be assigned your cabin and receive a full boat safety and itinerary briefing. After dinner in the saloon, you will settle in for the night before the early morning departure to the first remote dive sites.
Core Days
This signature itinerary is an extended exploration of the Red Sea's wild southern frontier, combining the exposure of the marine parks like Daedalus Reef, Rocky, and Zabargad with the magnificent, colourful reefs of St. John's and the Fury Shoals. The Dune Silky is ideally equipped for this scuba adventure.
The high-voltage dives begin at Daedalus Reef, an exposed pinnacle known for attracting pelagic species. Its sheer walls, covered in sponges and gorgonian seafans, are frequented by schools of emperors, surgeonfish and trevallies. Daedalus is a prime location to spot hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetips, and thresher sharks, particularly during the summer months. Nearby, Rocky Island is a current-swept haven where rich water movement supports healthy gorgonian fans and black coral trees. Here, divers often encounter turtles, grey reef sharks, and silvertips, alongside occasional visits from dolphins and manta rays. Zabargad Island offers a complex dive environment with walls, drop-offs, and shallow coral gardens populated by snapper schools and wrasses.
The Dune Silky cruise progresses to the Fury Shoals, an immense reef system providing varied diving. Highlights include Shaab Claudio, celebrated for its spectacular, well-lit swim-throughs and enormous porites coral formations, and Malahi, known for its maze-like pinnacles and friendly turtle population. Shaab Maksour is another major feature, offering wall diving and the potential for pelagic encounters. Sataya, or 'Dolphin House,' offers the unique opportunity to snorkel with its resident spinner dolphins between dives, providing a distinctive Dune Silky experience.
Finally, you will explore the St. John’s reef system, widely regarded as the healthiest and most vibrant in the Red Sea. Sites like Habali Ali, Um Aruk, Gota Soraya, and Gota Kebir feature fantastic hard coral formations, complex pinnacles, and sheer drop-offs. These sites teem with marine life, including barracuda, different types of reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and possible sightings of dugongs and manta rays. The variety of scuba diving, from the deep walls of Shaab Sharm to the shallow gardens of Gota Marsa Alam, ensures a week of unparalleled underwater discovery.
After the final 2 morning dives, the Dune Silky liveaboard turns for port.
Day 8
Disembarkation begins after a final breakfast on the yacht.
Fury Shoals (Dolphin Adventure) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 6 Dives)
Trip highlights: dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Fury Shoals: Shaab Maksour, Shaab Claudio, Malahi, Sataya (Dolphin House); Sheliniyat, Shaab Sharm, Gota Marsa Alam
Day 1
Boarding for this unique adventure takes place in the afternoon at Port Ghalib. Once aboard the superb Dune Silky liveaboard, you will be welcomed by the crew, shown to your cabin, and receive a comprehensive briefing on safety and the upcoming week's focus. Dinner is served in the saloon, concluding your first day before the vessel departs early the following morning.
Core Days
This itinerary, known as the 'Dolphin Adventure', is a distinct option specifically designed for those wishing to combine a liveaboard experience with extensive time dedicated to the Red Sea’s famous resident spinner dolphins. The tour aboard the Dune Silky focuses primarily on the vast, healthy reef system of Fury Shoals.
The highlight of the route is the lagoon at Sataya, often referred to as 'Dolphin House,' which is home to a resident population of spinner dolphins. The core purpose of this safari is to provide special opportunities for swimming and snorkelling with the dolphins in their natural habitat. The schedule is adapted to maximise these encounters, meaning that divers are offered one dive per day, in addition to multiple snorkelling sessions. Non-divers also have the option of taking a free introductory dive during the week.
Despite the emphasis on dolphin encounters, the surrounding Fury Shoals offer exceptional coral diving. You will visit sites like Shaab Maksour and Sheliniyat, which boast dynamic reef walls and pinnacles. Shaab Claudio is celebrated for its huge porites corals and cathedral-like swim-throughs, while Malahi provides a fascinating maze of hard coral formations, often hosting friendly turtles. Further dives at Shaab Sharm and Gota Marsa Alam present opportunities to appreciate the deep south's healthy coral gardens.
This Dune Silky route provides an unforgettable experience that merges professional diving with the wonder of interacting with wild marine life, creating a distinct and memorable Red Sea holiday.
Day 8
The Dune Silky returns to Port Ghalib, where disembarkation is scheduled to begin after a final breakfast on the yacht.
Fury Shoals & St. John's (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Fury Shoals: Shaab Maksour, Shaab Claudio, Malahi, Sataya (Dolphin House); St John’s: Um Aruk, Habali Ali, Gota Soraya, Gota Kebir, Sheliniyat, Shaab Sharm, Gota Marsa Alam
Day 1
This exploration of the Red Sea deep south begins with boarding the Dune Silky liveaboard at Port Ghalib. Upon arrival, the crew will welcome you, show you to your cabin, and conduct a detailed safety and itinerary briefing. Dinner will be served in the saloon, allowing you to settle in before the vessel departs early the next morning to commence the diving programme.
Core Days
This exceptional southern cruise focuses on the 2 most famous and colourful reef systems in the deep south: the Fury Shoals and St. John's. The Dune Silky provides high-quality access to these remote areas, known for their pristine corals and abundant marine life.
The St. John’s reefs represent some of the Red Sea's healthiest dive sites, characterised by fantastic drop-offs, deep pinnacles (known as habili), canyons, and caves. You will explore formations like Um Aruk, Habali Ali, Gota Soraya, and Gota Kebir. These dive locations boast amazing hard corals and are densely populated with schools of fish, including barracuda, snapper, and Napoleon wrasse. Look out for the resident marine life, such as dolphins, green sea turtles, and occasional sightings of manta rays.
The Dune Silky also incorporates the vast Fury Shoals reef system, a sprawling area celebrated for its sheltered coral topography. At Shaab Claudio, you will navigate famous swim-throughs carved into the reef, surrounded by colossal Porites corals. Malahi offers a beautiful maze of pinnacles, frequently hosting green sea turtles. Shaab Maksour is noted for its spectacular wall diving, while sites like Sheliniyat and Shaab Sharm provide dramatic topography and vibrant reef life.
The Dune Silky schedule often includes a visit to Sataya, known for its resident spinner dolphin pod. This location provides a unique opportunity for memorable snorkelling encounters with the dolphins between dives. The comprehensive approach to the deep south ensures you experience the best of both the pelagic action and the sheltered, colourful reef environments of this region.
To conclude the safari, only 2 final dives are scheduled before the Dune Silky sails back to Port Ghalib.
Day 8
Disembarkation is scheduled after a final breakfast on the yacht.
Red Sea North, Tiran & Brothers (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Shaab El Erg, Gubal Island, El Gouna, Rosalie Moller, Ulysses, Kingston, SS Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Ras Mohamed: Yolanda, Shark Reef; Abu Nuhas: Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K, Kimon M; Brother Islands, Safaga: Middle Reef, Panorama Reef, Abu Kefan, Salem Express
Day 1
This grand tour of the Red Sea begins with boarding at the Hurghada marina. Once on the splendid Dune Silky liveaboard, the crew will welcome you, show you to your quarters, and deliver a detailed safety briefing covering the vessel and the week's itinerary. You will enjoy dinner in the saloon, preparing for the diving to commence the following morning.
Core Days
This safari offers an extensive tour through Egypt's finest diving locations, combining the remote pelagic action of the Brother Islands with the celebrated historical wrecks and vibrant reef walls of the Northern Red Sea, including Tiran and Safaga. The Dune Silky is perfectly equipped to navigate this comprehensive northern route.
The Brother Islands, exposed mounts in the middle of the sea, are famed for their concentration of marine life. Drift dives along the brightly coloured walls reveal dense coverings of sponges, anemones, and soft corals. This challenging environment attracts large pelagics, with common sightings of grey reef sharks, silvertips, and the potential for scalloped hammerheads or oceanic whitetips.
The itinerary includes significant wreck diving opportunities in the Gubal Strait and Abu Nuhas. You will explore the iconic SS Thistlegorm, a British World War II ship lying upright at 32 metres, where its cargo of military supplies is visible within the holds. Other historical wrecks in the area include the Rosalie Moller, the Ulysses, the Kingston, and the Dunraven. At Abu Nuhas, you will dive the Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K, and Kimon M, which are now stunning artificial reefs layered with corals.
Further south, the Safaga region offers a mix of diving, including the dramatic drop-offs of Panorama Reef and the vast fringing Middle Reef, alongside the massive wreck of the Salem Express. The safari also covers the rich, protected waters of Ras Mohamed, where the famous Yolanda and Shark Reefs boast spectacular walls rich in nutrients, attracting tuna and trevallies, complementing the adventure offered by the Dune Silky.
The diving schedule concludes with a maximum of 2 dives before the Dune Silky returns to port.
Day 8
Disembarkation starts after a final breakfast on the yacht. You can arrange with the crew to be transported back to the airport or to a local hotel.
Red Sea North, Tiran Straits & Dahab (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Hurghada: Police Station, Giftun Island, El Gouna; Straits of Tiran: Thomas, Gordon, Jackson reefs; Ras Abu Galum, Dahab: Blue Hole, The Canyon; The Island; Nabq: Gabr El Bent, Abu Syela, Gabr El Bent Al Shogayrat, Shaab El Erg, Gubal Island, maybe Safaga
Day 1
This northern Red Sea dive adventure begins with boarding at the Hurghada marina. Once aboard the magnificent Dune Silky liveaboard, you will be greeted by the crew, shown to your cabin, and provided with a detailed safety and orientation brief. You will enjoy a relaxing dinner in the saloon, settling in before the early morning departure to the first dive sites.
Core Days
This expansive dive tour merges the classic wrecks and reefs of the north with the unique topographical highlights of the Tiran Straits and the stunning shore dives of the Dahab area. Your journey with Dune Silky covers some of the most dynamic and famous diving in the Red Sea.
The expedition includes high-current drift dives along the famous reefs in the Straits of Tiran. These sites, known for their strong flow, attract large schools of pelagic fish, including barracuda and jacks, offering exhilarating encounters with the deep blue's larger inhabitants. You will also explore the vast coral gardens of sites like Shaab El Erg and Gubal Island, which are teeming with reef life and provide excellent opportunities for photography.
A key focus of this trip is the exploration of the Sinai coast, featuring the protected areas of Ras Abu Galum and Nabq. This includes the unique diving environments near Dahab, where you will experience the world-renowned Blue Hole and The Canyon. The Blue Hole is a spectacular coral abyss that provides a memorable viewpoint of the surrounding wall. Other local sites, such as Gabr El Bent and Abu Syela in Nabq, offer healthy fringe reefs and pinnacles populated by a variety of reef fish.
Dive locations around Hurghada, such as Police Station, Giftun Island, and El Gouna, will be visited to provide sheltered check dives or final day activity, and, if conditions permit, a stop near Safaga may be included. This carefully balanced schedule ensures that the Dune Silky delivers a wide-ranging, experience-led safari, moving efficiently between high-adrenaline offshore reefs, sheltered inner sites, and the unique geology of the Dahab region. Only 2 final dives are scheduled to ensure a sufficient surface interval before the Dune Silky returns to the Hurghada marina.
Day 8
Disembarkation occurs after a final breakfast on board. The crew can arrange transport back to the airport or to a local hotel.
Red Sea North, Wrecks & Safaga (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: dolphins, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Hurghada: Police Station, Giftun Island; Shaab El Erg, Gubal Island, Rosalie Moller, Ulysses, Kingston, SS Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Ras Mohamed: Yolanda, Shark Reef; Abu Nuhas: Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K, Kimon M; Safaga: Middle Reef, Panorama Reef, Abu Kefan, Salem Express
Day 1
Boarding for this extensive North and Wrecks itinerary takes place at the Hurghada marina. Once welcomed aboard the high class Dune Silky, you will be shown to your quarters and receive an essential safety briefing from the crew. Dinner is served in the saloon, allowing you to meet your fellow divers before the vessel prepares for its early departure.
Core Days
This exceptional diving tour blends the historical exploration of world-class wrecks with the vibrant reef structures of the northern Red Sea, including the Safaga region. The Dune Silky liveaboard provides professional access to this wide array of dive sites.
The wreck exploration begins in the Gubal Strait and at Abu Nuhas. Multiple dives are scheduled at the iconic SS Thistlegorm, the British freighter whose cargo of military vehicles and equipment remains preserved at 32 metres. Nearby, you will descend upon the deeper wreck of the coal carrier Rosalie Moeller and the classic Dunraven, alongside other historical losses such as the Ulysses and the Kingston. At Abu Nuhas, the ‘Wreck Graveyard,’ you will explore 4 famous ships: the Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K, and Kimon M. These ships are now heavily encrusted, attracting dense schools of reef fish and offering superb opportunities for penetration and exploration.
Balance is achieved with visits to the protected Ras Mohamed National Park, where the nutrient-rich waters promote dramatic coral growth. You will experience the legendary drop-offs of Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, known for strong currents that attract larger pelagic species. Further north, the shallow, calmer reefs of Shaab El Erg and Gubal Island offer great contrasts, famous for their coral gardens and potential for marine mammal encounters. Sites closer to the Hurghada area, such as Police Station and Giftun Island, are included for easy check-out dives, showcasing local reef health.
The Safaga section of the route provides another major highlight. You will experience exhilarating drift dives at Abu Kefan and the famous wall of Panorama Reef, which features immense soft coral coverage and a high possibility of pelagic encounters. The trip also includes a dive at the wreck of the Salem Express. This large ferry is now a poignant dive site, resting upright and covered in coral, acting as a refuge for schools of angel and butterfly fish and housing blue-spotted stingrays. This varied schedule ensures every facet of northern Red Sea diving is covered, a true testament to the capability offered by the Dune Silky.
Day 8
Disembarkation occurs after a final breakfast on the Dune Silky in Hurghada marina.
Red Sea North, Wrecks & Tiran Straits (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Hurghada: Police Station, Giftun Island; Shaab El Erg, Gubal Island, Rosalie Moller, Ulysses, Kingston, SS Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Ras Mohamed: Yolanda, Shark Reef; Abu Nuhas: Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K, Kimon M; Turtle Reef, Straits of Tiran: Gordon, Jackson reefs
Day 1
This combined wreck and reef adventure begins with boarding the Dune Silky liveaboard at Hurghada marina. After a warm welcome from the crew, you will receive a detailed safety and vessel orientation brief before being shown to your quarters. Dinner will be served in the saloon, allowing you to settle in for the night before the early morning departure to the first dive sites.
Core Days
This popular route is designed offers the definitive Northern Red Sea diving experience, blending historical exploration of world-famous wrecks with the exhilarating drift dives of the Tiran Straits and the vibrant reefs of Ras Mohamed. The Dune Silky provides an ideal platform to access these renowned locations.
A significant portion of the trip is dedicated to exploring the legendary shipwrecks. You will descend upon the SS Thistlegorm, the most famous wreck in the Red Sea, resting at 32 metres with its preserved cargo of World War II military equipment. Further wreck dives will take you to the ‘Wreck Graveyard’ of Abu Nuhas, where you can explore the easily accessible remains of the Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K, and Kimon M. These wrecks are heavily encrusted with hard and soft corals, attracting numerous reef fish, and are a highlight for divers globally. Nearby, other historic wrecks like the Rosalie Moeller, Ulysses, Kingston, and Dunraven may also be included, depending on the schedule.
The Dune Silky features exhilarating reef diving in the Strait of Tiran, where strong currents draw large schools of pelagic fish, jacks, and barracuda to sites like Gordon and Jackson Reefs. You will also explore the spectacular drop-offs of Ras Mohamed, including Yolanda Reef and Shark Reef, which are famed for their nutrient-rich waters and beautiful walls featuring bright gorgonians and soft corals. Marine life here includes turtles, snapper, trevallies, and tuna. Closer to Hurghada, sites like Shaab El Erg, Gubal Island, Police Station, Giftun Island, and Turtle Reef may be included for check-out dives and sheltered night dives, showcasing the variety of diving available on the Dune Silky route.
Only 2 final dives are scheduled to ensure a safe surface interval before the Dune Silky returns to the Hurghada marina.
Day 8
Disembarkation occurs after a final breakfast on board.
Red Sea of Egypt (15 Days / 14 Nights - 37 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Hurghada area, Strsita of Tiran, Ras Abu Gallum, Dahab, Blue Hole, Thistlegorm, Ras Mohamed: Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, Gubal, Abu Nuhas wrecks (Giannis D, Carnatic, Kimon M, Chrisoula K), Big Brother, Little Brother, Daedalus Reef, Zabargad, Rocky Island, St. John's, Fury Shoals, Sataya, Sheliniyat, Wadi Gemal, Elphinstone
Day 1
This extended liveaboard commitment begins with boarding the Dune Silky at the Hurghada or Port Ghalib marina. After a warm welcome, you will be escorted to your cabin and receive a full safety and orientation brief. Dinner is served in the saloon, concluding your first night before the early morning sail towards the Red Sea's major dive regions.
Core Days
This signature diving safari is the ultimate deep-dive into Egypt's treasures, encompassing the historical wrecks and vibrant northern reefs, the pelagic-rich central marine parks, and the pristine, remote sites of the deep south. Your time aboard the Dune Silky liveaboard is dedicated to exploring this vast range of underwater environments.
The northern segment focuses on historical diving, starting with the legendary SS Thistlegorm, the World War II wreck lying at 32 metres, where its preserved cargo of motorbikes and military hardware is open for exploration. Nearby, you will descend upon the famous ‘Wreck Graveyard’ of Abu Nuhas, where vessels now form spectacular artificial reefs, attracting thousands of glassfish. Further exploration of the north includes the shallow, protected hard coral gardens around Gubal Island and the Hurghada area.
Moving to the Sinai Peninsula, you will explore the dynamic, current-swept walls of the Straits of Tiran, where Jackson and Gordon Reefs attract schooling barracuda and jacks. Ras Mohamed offers world-class wall diving at Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, known for phenomenal coral coverage and regular early-morning shark encounters. This segment also includes a visit to the unique coastal area of Dahab, providing access to sites like Ras Abu Gallum and the legendary Blue Hole, alongside The Canyon, for an unparalleled diversity of experiences.
The southern leg of the dive expedition targets the oceanic strongholds and remote ecosystems. The Brother Islands (Big Brother, Little Brother) feature steep walls covered in soft corals and sponges, attracting grey reef sharks, silvertips, and hammerheads. The offshore pinnacles of Daedalus Reef, Rocky Island, and Zabargad offer prime opportunities to spot thresher sharks, manta rays, and oceanic whitetips in their exposed environments.
Finally, you will explore the pristine, kaleidoscopic St. John’s reefs, including the coral tunnels of Sheliniyat and the vast expanse of Fury Shoals and Wadi Gemal, with a visit to Dolphin House and the exposed walls of Elphinstone, showcasing the expertise and range offered by the Dune Silky liveaboard.
Day 15
Disembarkation in Port Ghalib (or Hurghada/Safaga, depending on the specific sailing) occurs after a final breakfast on the Dune Silky.
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: Elba Reef: Gota Kabrit, Di Levanzo wreck, Gota Kabrit, Habili Shalal, Ohrob Daedalus Reef, Rocky, Zabargad, Abu Fendira, Fury Shoals: Sataya (Dolphin House); St John’s, Elphinstone, Shaab Shouna
Day 1
This long-range scuba safari begins with boarding the modern Dune Silky liveaboard at Port Ghalib. After meeting the crew, you will receive a thorough safety briefing and be escorted to your cabin. Dinner will be served in the saloon, allowing you to settle in before the vessel sails early the following morning to commence the extended diving schedule.
Core Days
This comprehensive expedition is specifically tailored for dedicated divers and photographers, granting access to the Red Sea's most remote southern parks, including the spectacular, seldom-visited Elba Reef. The Dune Silky provides a comfortable base from which to explore these pristine, current-swept environments.
The offshore marine parks of Daedalus Reef, Rocky Island, and Zabargad are a focus for pelagic encounters. Daedalus is known for its intense deep walls, where divers often spot hammerhead sharks and oceanic whitetips. Rocky Island's exposed position encourages the growth of immense gorgonian fans and sponges, frequently sheltering grey reef sharks and green turtles. Zabargad, known for sites like Abu Fendera, features varied topography, including dramatic drop-offs and beautiful shallow coral gardens, providing an ideal contrast to the big blue dives.
The exploration extends to the very border of the Sudanese frontier at Elba Reef, a largely untouched zone. Here, you will dive unique sites like Gota Kabrit and Habili Shalal. A key highlight is the historical Di Levanzo wreck, an Italian vessel that sank in 1923, now resting on the reef and completely encrusted with marine growth. This deep south loop ensures minimal boat traffic, allowing the Dune Silky to visit sites in optimal conditions.
In the deep south, you will also explore the St. John’s reef system, famous for being among the Red Sea’s healthiest and most colourful. St. John's is characterised by its fantastic pinnacles and drop-offs. The dive schedule also covers the famous Fury Shoals, including the chance for surface encounters with the resident spinner dolphins at Sataya. Your time aboard the Dune Silky concludes with a visit to the sheer walls of Elphinstone, searching for passing oceanic whitetips, before returning north from these distant frontiers.
The dive programme concludes with a couple of final dives before the Dune Silky begins its return sail.
Final Day
Disembarkation occurs at Port Ghalib following a final breakfast on the yacht.
[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 Dune Silky liveaboard daily schedule is built around the water, the light, and the simple fact that you are here to dive. There is no rush, no unnecessary complexity. Instead, there is a steady, comfortable flow from sleep to dive deck to table and back again. Morning begins early but gently. Coffee and tea are always available, and from about 7 am, the lower deck dining room fills with the sounds of plates and the low hum of divers preparing for the first briefing. Breakfast is continental, with plenty to choose from. You will find toast, fresh fruit, cheeses, and eggs prepared to your liking. On some mornings, there might be crêpes or Egyptian bread alongside the usual staples. It is a solid start, intended to carry you through the first dive without feeling heavy.
crew has the next tanks ready. There is time for a surface interval with fruit, biscuits, and hot or cold drinks before the second dive of the morning. This 2-dive block is the core of the day, especially in the marine parks where the Dune Silky spends much of its time.
Lunch is served after the second dive, usually around 1 pm. The meal is buffet style, set up in the dining room on the lower deck. The food mixes Western dishes with Egyptian favourites. A typical lunch might include a fresh salad, a hot dish of kofta or grilled fish, Egyptian-style rice, and roasted vegetables seasoned with cumin. Dessert is often fresh fruit, though sometimes you will find a traditional pastry. The atmosphere is relaxed. Divers compare notes on the morning’s sightings while the boat moves toward the next site.
The third dive of the day happens in the afternoon. On most days in the marine parks, 3 dives are the norm. After you surface and rinse your gear, there is a snack waiting. It might be something light like biscuits, bread sticks, or small sandwiches. The idea is to tide you over until dinner without spoiling your appetite.
If a night dive is planned, dinner comes afterwards. If not, dinner is served in the early evening. Like lunch, dinner is buffet style with another rotation of Western and Egyptian dishes. You might see a tagine, grilled meats, or a fish dish prepared simply but well. Again, there will be salads, a main course, and a dessert. Dune Silky's dining room is a comfortable space, and the crew circulates to make sure water glasses are full and anyone wanting a beer or a glass of wine is taken care of. Cold soft drinks are always available in the fridges, and hot drinks can be found in the saloon or at the upper deck bar. If you prefer your own drinks, you are welcome to bring them aboard. The bar carries beers, wine, and rum, but there is no pressure either way.
