Emperor Divers have been running scuba trips throughout the Red Sea for many years. Now they bring their rich knowledge and wealth of experience to the MV Emperor Asmaa, the smallest and most affordable of their Hurghada liveaboard diving fleet, refitted in 2015.
The 30m Emperor Asmaa can accommodate 18 divers in roomy and bright air-conditioned twin bed en-suite cabins. You can enjoy the family atmosphere onboard, either in the chilled air-conditioned saloon on the main deck, the shaded lounging area on the upper deck, or up on the sundeck where you'll find plenty of mattresses for lazing about.
Keeping in touch with family and friends is simple and free on the Emperor Asmaa. You can either use one of the boat's mobile internet USB sticks with your own laptop or make use of the onboard computer. The computer also proves popular with underwater photographers since you can edit your pictures and burn them to CD.
For Red Sea liveaboard divers eager to extend their bottom time and decrease rest-stops, nitrox is available and free of charge. Scuba diving courses can also be arranged and dive computers are available for purchase onboard at discounted prices. As with the other boats in the Emperor fleet, the Asmaa too guarantees a minimum of 2 dive guides per trip and 2 motorised dinghies to shuttle you to the sites with the minimum of delay.
One wonderful bonus of booking the Emperor Asmaa is that they have a transparent 'no hidden extras' policy. This means that, along with the free nitrox, you will not find any extras such as marine park fees, fuel surcharges, boat transfers added to the price - they are all included!
Red Sea North, Wrecks & Tiran Straits (8 Days / 7 Nights - 21 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: Abu Nuhas (Carnatic, Chrisoula K, Kimon M and Giannis D), Gubal Island, SS Thistlegorm, Ulysses, Rosalie Moller, Shaab El Erg, Kingston, Dunraven, Carina, Straits of Tiran
Day 1
Upon boarding the Emperor Asmaa liveaboard in Hurghada, the crew will bring you to your cabin, and provide a thorough briefing to help you get comfortable with your new home for the duration of the trip. Dinner will be served in the spacious saloon, which features a dedicated dining area, an ideal setting to meet and mingle with fellow divers who, like you, have chosen this unforgettable Red Sea cruise for their holiday. The boat will set sail early the next morning, as everyone prepares for the first dive.
Days 2-7
This itinerary offers the ideal blend of internationally acclaimed shipwrecks and vibrant reef diving in the northern Red Sea. At Shaab El Erg, you’ll explore stunning gardens of hard coral and may even encounter playful dolphins. Abu Nuhas is a wreck diver’s paradise, boasting four captivating shipwrecks, each brimming with marine life and offering unforgettable underwater experiences. The legendary SS Thistlegorm is undoubtedly a highlight. Sunk in 1941 by German Luftwaffe bombers, this iconic wreck still contains its World War II cargo-motorcycles, lorries, rifles, and more, neatly preserved in its open holds. It’s a dive that leaves a lasting impression on all who visit. Not far away, the Rosalie Moeller, a coal transport vessel, met a similar fate just 2 days later and offers another hauntingly beautiful wreck to explore.
The reefs surrounding Gubal Island boast dramatic drop-offs teeming with vibrant schools of snapper, surgeonfish, and other reef dwellers. At the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula lies Ras Mohamed - one of Egypt's most pristine national parks, where nutrient-rich waters draw in a host of pelagic species. You'll also explore the legendary quartet of reefs in the Strait of Tiran: Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon. These awe-inspiring coral towers, rising from the depths, are magnets for large pelagics thanks to the steady, nutrient-laden currents.
Most days will offer the thrill of 4 dives, with a slightly lighter schedule of 2 or 3 dives on the second-to-last day before returning to Hurghada.
Day 8
Disembarkation in Hurghada takes place following a final breakfast served aboard. Guests may liaise with the crew to arrange transport to the airport or a nearby hotel, according to their onward travel plans.
St. John's Reefs (8 Days / 7 Nights - 21 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: St. John's Reefs (Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya), Fury Shoals Reef System (Sha'ab Claude, Abu Galawa Soraya), Abu Dabab, Sha'ab Sharm, Elphinstone
Day 1
As you board Emperor Asmaa in Port Ghalib, the crew welcomes you and shows you to your cabin. A thorough orientation helps you settle in before dinner is served in the saloon, a relaxed space for meeting fellow divers. The boat stays docked overnight and quietly sails out at sunrise as everyone prepares for the first dive.
Days 2-7
St John’s Reefs in the southern Red Sea are a dream for divers and underwater photographers alike. The sites are close together, making it easy to explore multiple locations in a single day. You’ll glide past dramatic drop offs, towering pinnacles, winding tunnels, and coral gardens bursting with colour. Massive gorgonians and soft corals create a backdrop for encounters with rays, sharks, moray eels, barracuda, nudibranchs, and swirling schools of fish. Turtles are frequent visitors, and you might spot a Napoleon wrasse cruising by or a whitetip reef shark weaving through the reef. In the open blue, manta rays, grey and black reef sharks, and even silvertips sometimes make an appearance. Dugongs are rare but not impossible to see. For photographers, the shallow caves and swim throughs at sites like St John’s Caves, offer stunning natural light and wide angle opportunities on this liveaboard trip on Emperor Asmaa.
Fury Shoals is a vast reef system offering unforgettable dives. Shaab Claude features dramatic swim throughs and massive porites coral. Malahi is a maze of coral towers with friendly turtles. Abu Galawa Soraya has a coral garden wrapped around a sunken sailboat filled with glassfish. Sataya is perfect for snorkelling with spinner dolphins. Hidden gems include Shaab Hamam known as Stairway to Heaven, Abu Galawa Kebir with the Tien Hsing wreck, and Habili Sameh with its stunning anemone city. On the second to last day, enjoy two morning dives before heading back to port.
Day 8
After your final breakfast onboard Emperor Asmaa in Port Ghalib, it’s time to say goodbye to the crew and fellow guests. Disembarkation begins shortly after, with the team on hand to help organise transfers.
Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 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: Elphinstone, Daedalus Reef, Brother Islands
Day 1
The crew welcomes you aboard in Hurghada, shows you to your cabin, and gives a detailed boat briefing to help you settle in and feel at home. Dinner is served in the spacious indoor saloon, where the dedicated dining area offers a chance to meet other divers who, like you, chose this Red Sea cruise for their holiday. The boat sets sail early the next morning as everyone prepares for the first dive.
Days 2-7
This Red Sea diving adventure includes several dives at the iconic Brother Islands, a top spot for experienced divers. Discover dramatic drop offs, historic wrecks, and vibrant reefs with giant gorgonians and soft corals. The area teems with marine life, octopus, lionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish, and large schools of fish, making it a haven for underwater photographers. Look forward to close encounters with whale sharks, oceanic whitetips, thresher sharks, and manta rays, plus frequent sightings of turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and whitetip reef sharks.
Early morning dives at Daedalus Reef offer prime chances to spot scalloped hammerhead and grey reef sharks patrolling its steep coral-covered walls. Most days on this liveaboard include 3 dives, except the final full day, which features 2 dives before returning to Port Ghalib.
Day 8
Disembarkation begins in Port Ghalib after a final breakfast on board. The crew will assist with transfers, depending on your onward plans.
Red Sea North, Wrecks & Brothers (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 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: Big Brother, Little Brother, Abu Nuhas (Carnatic, Chrisoula K, Kimon M and Giannis D), Straits of Gubal, SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohamed, Rosalie Moller, Panorama Reef, Salem Express
Day 1
When you hop on board, the crew will give you a warm welcome, show you to your cabin, and walk you through everything you need to know to feel at home on the boat. That evening, you’ll sit down to dinner in the roomy saloon, with a dedicated space for dining-a great chance to meet the rest of the crew of divers who picked this awesome Red Sea trip too. As everyone gears up for the first dives, the boat will quietly head out early in the morning.
Days 2-7
Diving the Brother Islands is an unforgettable experience reserved for seasoned divers, offering a thrilling blend of dramatic drop-offs, haunting wrecks, and thriving reef life. Descend into a vibrant world where towering gorgonians and technicolor soft corals host a rich variety of marine life-from octopus and lionfish to nudibranchs, frogfish, and swirling schools of reef fish-making it a dream destination for underwater photographers. For those chasing the ultimate encounter, the Brothers deliver: hammerheads, thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips, manta rays, and even the elusive whale shark are all possible sightings in these deep, blue waters. Add in frequent run-ins with inquisitive turtles, the imposing Napoleon wrasse, and sleek whitetip reef sharks, and you'll see why this site ranks high on every diver’s bucket list.
This itinerary also opens the door to some of the Northern Red Sea’s most legendary wrecks. At Shaab El Erg, divers are treated to vibrant hard coral gardens often visited by playful dolphins, setting a magical tone for the adventure ahead. Abu Nuhas, known as the “Ship Graveyard,” boasts 4 iconic wrecks, each offering unique dives brimming with marine life and atmosphere. Ras Mohamed, perched at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, is one of Egypt’s most pristine national parks. Its nutrient-rich waters are a magnet for pelagic species, creating exceptional dive conditions year-round. No Red Sea wreck safari would be complete without the SS Thistlegorm, perhaps the most revered wreck in these waters. Bombed by the German Luftwaffe in 1941, this sunken British transport ship still carries its remarkable cargo of World War II vehicles, ammunition, and supplies-now an underwater time capsule that continues to captivate divers from around the globe. Just two days later, the Rosalie Moeller, a British cargo ship laden with coal, met the same fate and now rests serenely on the seafloor, cloaked in history and mystery.
Safaga offers a rich tapestry of diving experiences, from the colorful shallows of Panorama Reef to thrilling drop-offs that plunge into the deep blue. One of the standout dives is the hauntingly memorable Salem Express, a 100-meter-long ferry now cloaked in hard and soft corals. This sunken giant shelters frogfish, blue-spotted stingrays, and swirling schools of angelfish and butterflyfish-making it as captivating as it is contemplative.
On the penultimate day of your journey, after two final morning dives, the boat will chart a leisurely course back toward port, offering time to reflect on an unforgettable week beneath the waves.
Day 8
After a final breakfast onboard, disembarkation begins. Whether you’re heading to the airport or moving on to a local hotel, the crew will be happy to assist with your onward travel arrangements.
Red Sea North, Wrecks & Tiran Straits (8 Days / 7 Nights - 21 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: Sha’ab El Erg, Alternatives, Stingray Station, Thistlegorm, Gubal Barge, Dunraven, Ras Mohammed: Shark Reef, Yolanda, Marsa Bereika, Straits of Tiran: Jackson Reef, Thomas Reef, Gordon Reef
Day 1
This is a Red Sea North route with slightly easier sites, for the less experienced divers among us. Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed by the Emperor Asmaa crew, guided to their cabins, and given a detailed orientation of the liveaboard’s amenities and protocols. In the evening, a dinner will be served in the saloon. Early the next morning, the vessel will depart from the marina, marking the start of an unforgettable Red Sea diving adventure.
Days 2-7
This cruise offers a leisurely exploration of the Northern Red Sea’s legendary wrecks and vibrant reefs, catering to both divers and snorkellers. It’s also the perfect season for spotting dolphins and witnessing the spectacular fish schooling phenomenon at Ras Mohamed. Expect up to 4 dives each day, 2 in the morning, 1 in the afternoon, and a sunset or night dive. Highlights include the coral gardens and playful dolphins of Shaab El Erg, as well as the awe-inspiring SS Thistlegorm wreck. At the southern tip of Sinai lies Ras Mohamed, Egypt’s most pristine national park. Its nutrient-rich waters draw an impressive array of pelagic life. You’ll also explore the world-renowned reefs of the Strait of Tiran where towering coral formations rise from the seabed and thrive in the current-fed waters, often attracting larger marine visitors.
The cruise winds down with 2 final dives on the last full day, before making the journey back to Hurghada.
Day 8
After a final breakfast onboard, disembarkation begins.
[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].
All meals on Emperor Asmaa are taken in the air-conditioned dining room, with catering service beginning at dinner on Day 1. Meal times will vary depending on if it's a 3 or 4 dive day and also depending on the travelling distance between dive sites. But a rough guide is as follows:
Wake up is at 6 am followed by the briefing and first dive, so breakfast is around 8 am. Dive 2 is late morning, so lunch around 1 pm. Dive 3 is the middle of the afternoon then either:
- on 3-dive days, dinner is around 7 pm.
- on 4-dive days, dinner will be taken after the last dive, depending on the time of sunset, but is normally around 8 pm.
Guests are served 3 main meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinner - with additional snacks offered between meals. A diverse menu featuring international, Italian, and local dishes is available throughout the cruise. Dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan and halal, are accommodated with advance notice.
Sample menu items:
- Breakfast: Cold cuts, yoghurt, fruits, muesli, breads, butter, eggs to your liking (poached, boiled, fried).
- Lunch: Zucchini soup, mashed potatoes, rice, fish fillet, shish tawook, beef shawarma, grilled chicken.
- Dinner: Vegan moussaka, french fries, pasta, tofu curry, 4 types of salads, vegetable sautee, sweet desserts.
Complimentary bar snacks include biscuits and fresh fruit, along with tea, coffee, soft drinks, and drinking water.
Alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine by the bottle, and spirits, as well as chocolate bars, are available for purchase.
