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: Big Brother (Aida II, Numidia), Little Brother, Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone
Day 1
The Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard adventure commences with boarding in Hurghada or Port Ghalib in the late afternoon. Following a warm crew greeting, a comprehensive safety briefing, and dinner, the vessel remains secured overnight, preparing for its early morning departure on Day 2.
Core Days
This world-class itinerary, targeting the experienced certified diver, represents the Red Sea's golden triangle of offshore diving: the Brothers, Daedalus Reef, and Elphinstone. Cruising aboard the Sea Serpent Excellence, guests are positioned to tackle the powerful, nutrient-rich currents that define these 3 dive regions and attract colossal marine life.
The Brother Islands, Big Brother and Little Brother, are a spectacle of vertical relief. The walls here are utterly draped in soft corals and enormous sea fans, creating a dazzling canvas of colour. Big Brother is further enhanced by two famous wrecks, the Numidia and the Aida II, which lie almost vertically on the reef slope and have become fully integrated into the ecosystem. Divers regularly search the open water here for oceanic white-tip sharks and dense schools of grey reef sharks cruising the outer limits.
Daedalus Reef is one of the furthest offshore platforms, its isolation guaranteeing outstanding pelagic potential. Marked by its distinctive lighthouse, the constant deep currents sweeping the reef bring in the giants: seasonal whale sharks, cruising manta rays, and dramatic schools of scalloped hammerheads. The visibility at this exposed site is often breathtaking, amplifying the sense of scale.
The circuit concludes at Elphinstone Reef, famous for its sharp walls and prominent north and south plateaus. Beyond the potential for hammerhead or oceanic white-tip sightings at the corners, the reef itself is a biodiversity hotspot. Look for majestic Napoleon wrasse, cruising hawkbill turtles, and numerous cryptic species such as moray eels and pipefish tucked into the prolific coral growth. On the final core day before the Sea Serpent Excellence makes its overnight return.
Day 8
Guests wake to a light breakfast before disembarking the Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard at the return port of Hurghada or Port Ghalib.
Daedalus, Fury Shoals & Elphinstone (8 Days / 7 Nights - 19 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, 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: Wadi Fury Shoal: Gimal, Abu Galawa, Sha'ab Sharm, Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone
Day 1
The Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard welcomes divers aboard at either Hurghada or Port Ghalib in the late afternoon on Day 1. Following a comprehensive welcome and orientation briefing, guests are shown to their cabins and enjoy dinner before the Excellence departs on the morning of Day 2.
Core Days
This southern route is ideal for divers who crave a mix of adrenaline-fuelled offshore encounters and spectacular coral garden exploration. The Sea Serpent Excellence provides direct access to Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone, balancing these intense dives with the immense, biodiverse structures of the Fury Shoals.
The itinerary's offshore pinnacles, Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone, are famed for their potential for high-impact pelagic sightings. At Daedalus, the immense vertical walls often attract schools of oceanic white-tip sharks, thresher sharks, and even the occasional whale shark, all drawn in by the deep, nutrient-rich currents. Elphinstone, with its sheer drop-offs, is another hotspot for large marine fauna, where careful observation in the blue water can reward divers with sightings of manta rays and various species of shark.
Contrasting the offshore giants, the Fury Shoals offer some of the Red Sea's most vibrant and pristine coral environments. This vast system includes sites like Sha'ab Sharm, known for its extensive hard coral fields and abundant schools of reef fish. We also explore Wadi Gimal, a protected national park area south of Marsa Alam, which offers shallower diving where divers can look for resident marine life like large groupers and cruising barracudas. A different highlight is Abu Galawa, a site blending colourful reef structure with the wreck of a small tug boat, which is now entirely covered in sponges and home to countless glassfish, offering unique photographic opportunities.
These sites also reward macro-minded photographers, with plenty of opportunities to find hidden gems such as camouflaged frogfish, various nudibranchs, and hawkbill turtles resting among the gorgonian sea fans and soft corals. 2 final scheduled dives are completed on the last core day before the Sea Serpent Excellence begins its return transit to port.
Day 8
Guests enjoy a light breakfast on the final morning before disembarking the Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard at the return port of Hurghada or Port Ghalib.
Daedalus, Rocky & Zabargad (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, 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: Daedalus Reef, Zabargad, Rocky Island and Elphinstone
Day 1
The Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard begins with boarding in the late afternoon at Port Ghalib. Following a thorough welcome and vessel briefing, guests settle into their cabins and dine before the yacht departs on the morning of Day 2.
Core Days
This demanding southern route is specifically designed for certified divers, focusing on the 3 most exposed and remote deep-sea locations: Daedalus Reef, Rocky Island, and Zabargad. Travelling aboard the Sea Serpent Excellence, you are positioned for high-voltage drift diving and incredible opportunities for pelagic shark encounters.
Our dive expedition begins at Daedalus Reef, a colossal offshore pinnacle marked by its solitary lighthouse. Its sheer vertical walls plunge deep into the oceanic currents, making it a reliable spot for watching the open blue. Keep an eye out for patrolling thresher sharks, the imposing oceanic white-tips, and the possibility of encountering scalloped hammerheads or large, seasonal whale sharks. The density of soft corals and enormous gorgonian fans on the walls also makes Daedalus a favourite for wide-angle photographers.
Further south, we navigate to the remote twin sites of Rocky Island and Zabargad Island. Rocky Island is small and highly exposed, often swept by powerful currents that create a lively environment teeming with life. Grey reef sharks and silvertip sharks are frequent visitors here, and if conditions allow, divers may also spot cruising manta rays or inquisitive dolphins near the edges of the reef. Zabargad Island offers a complex variety of dive sites, notably featuring a 70-metre wreck that rests in the shallows, providing an interesting exploration site away from the exposed drop-offs.
The itinerary often includes a final stop at the legendary Elphinstone, famous for its sharp walls and drop-offs. Beyond the thrill of potential large animal sightings, Elphinstone rewards close inspection for smaller subjects, including lionfish, nudibranchs, and camouflaged frogfish, nestled among the colourful reef structures. On the last day the Sea Serpent Excellence makes its return to port.
Day 8
Guests enjoy a light breakfast on the final morning before checking out and disembarking at the return marina of Port Ghalib.
Fury Shoals & Elphinstone (8 Days / 7 Nights - 21 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, 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: Wadi Fury Shoal: Gimal, Abu Galawa, Sha'ab Sharm, Elphinstone
Day 1
The Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard trip begins with boarding in the late afternoon at either Hurghada or Port Ghalib. Guests are welcomed, receive a mandatory boat and cruise briefing, and enjoy dinner before the Excellence departs on the morning of Day 2.
Core Days
This Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard itinerary focuses on the deep south, providing certified divers with a perfect balance between high-adrenaline offshore diving at Elphinstone and extensive exploration of the region's vast, untouched fringing reef systems known as the Fury Shoals.
The circuit includes the famous Elphinstone Reef, an exposed pinnacle that promises exhilarating drift dives along its steep drop-offs. The powerful currents sweeping its northern and southern points frequently attract pelagic species; divers should remain attentive for sightings of hammerhead sharks, oceanic white-tip sharks, and large schools of jacks. The walls themselves are thickly covered in vibrant soft corals and gorgonian sea fans, making it a beautiful site even when the large animals are shy.
The majority of the trip is dedicated to exploring the immense Fury Shoals, where the clarity of the water and the health of the corals are second to none. This reef system offers varied dive topography, from the renowned Sha'ab Claudio, where light streams through shallow swim-throughs formed by massive coral structures, to sites like Sha’ab Sharm. Here, the shallow plateaus are teeming with reef fish, and divers can often encounter whitetip reef sharks and curious green turtles. Furthermore, the protected waters near Wadi Gimal feature pristine hard coral gardens, providing ample opportunity to observe small, fascinating creatures such as nudibranchs, stonefish, and blue-spotted stingrays. Another unique site, Abu Galawa, features the atmospheric wreck of a small tug boat, which has become a densely encrusted reef attracting glassfish and large pufferfish.
The schedule limits the diving on the final core day to 3 scheduled descents before the Sea Serpent Excellence makes its overnight return to the departure port.
Day 8
Guests enjoy a light breakfast before disembarking the Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard at the return port of Hurghada or Port Ghalib.
Fury Shoals & St. John's (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: Habili St. John's, Habili Ali, Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya, Wadi Fury Shoal: Gimal, Abu Galawa, Sha'ab Sharm, Elphinstone
Day 1
This Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard adventure begins in Port Ghalib, with boarding available anytime on the first day, typically in the late afternoon. After a warm welcome, a full boat briefing, and being assigned your cabin, dinner will be served as you prepare for the yacht's morning departure on Day 2.
Core Days
This deep-south diving itinerary on the Sea Serpent Excellence focuses intensely on the pristine, remote reef systems of St. John’s and the Fury Shoals. This combination offers unparalleled variety, from intricate coral pinnacles and swim-throughs to deep drop-offs patrolled by open-water species.
The primary destination is the St. John’s reef cluster, renowned for its diverse underwater topography in a compact area, minimising travel time between phenomenal dives. Sites like Habili Ali, Habili St. John's, Gota Kebir, and Gota Soraya feature sheer drop-offs and beautiful hard coral reefs, interspersed with canyons and tunnels that are a delight to navigate. The currents sweeping these walls frequently attract large visitors; look out into the blue for possible encounters with silvertip, grey reef, and white-tip sharks, along with manta rays and majestic Napoleon wrasse. The reefs themselves are densely populated with colourful fish and rewarding smaller creatures such as pipefish, camouflaged frogfish, and numerous species of nudibranch.
Complementing the St. John's sites is the expansive Fury Shoals system. Here, the diving is characterised by some of the Red Sea's healthiest hard coral formations. We explore popular sites like Sha'ab Sharm and the unique structures around Wadi Gimal, where divers can enjoy calmer, shallower conditions. You might encounter wild dolphins, schooling bannerfish and snappers, while the occasional green turtle or dugong may be spotted grazing in the sea grass beds near Marsa Alam. The inclusion of Elphinstone Reef, famous for its sharp, current-swept walls, provides an exciting final opportunity for oceanic pelagic sightings before the return journey.
On the final core day the Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard begins its transit back to the departure port.
Day 8
Guests wake up to a light breakfast before checking out and disembarking at Port Ghalib.
Red Sea North & Wrecks (8 Days / 7 Nights - 21 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: Ras Mohamed, Thistlegorm, Dunraven. Abu Nuhas wrecks (Giannis D, Carnatic, Kimon M, Chrisoula K), Rosalie Moeller, Shag Rock, Hurghada reefs
Day 1
The Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard begins with boarding at Hurghada Marina in the late afternoon on Day 1. Following a welcome by the crew and a detailed briefing on the vessel's amenities and safety protocols, divers settle in and enjoy dinner. The Excellence will then depart in the early morning hours of Day 2.
Core Days
This classic northern circuit aboard the Sea Serpent Excellence is a premier experience for divers, focused on history, with intense exploration of the Red Sea's most legendary shipwrecks and key reef systems. The itinerary provides unparalleled access to sunken WWII history and vibrant coral pinnacles.
The trip features multiple dives on world-famous wartime wrecks. We explore the iconic SS Thistlegorm, a British freighter sunk in 1941, whose open cargo holds are still filled with historical war machinery and equipment, including motorcycles and trucks, offering a fascinating window into the past. We also visit the wreck of the Dunraven, a Victorian steamer whose iron hull is now completely encased in beautiful coral, attracting schools of reef fish. Further north lies the Rosalie Moeller, a deeper wreck that stands upright and provides excellent opportunities to encounter patrolling pelagics like schooling trevally and tuna near its decks.
A major section of the tour is dedicated to the 'Wreck Graveyard' of Abu Nuhas, a notorious shallow reef. Here, scuba divers can explore 4 separate wrecks: the Giannis D, the Carnatic, the Chrisoula K, and the Kimon M. These structures are magnificent artificial reefs, thriving with life and completely carpeted in soft and hard corals, perfect for photographers. The itinerary also includes a stop at the distinctive coral formation of Shag Rock.
The Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard balances wreck diving with pristine reef exploration within Ras Mohamed National Park. Sites like Shark and Yolanda Reefs, at the southernmost tip of the Sinai peninsula, are famed for their sheer walls and rich soft coral growth. The strong currents here attract schools of snapper, basslets, and various species of jackfish, ensuring dynamic marine encounters. Local Hurghada reefs are included on the final leg of the voyage, offering calmer dives over shallow coral gardens before the return to port.
The diving schedule concludes on the final core day before the Sea Serpent Excellence returns to Hurghada Marina for the final evening.
Day 8
Guests enjoy a light breakfast on the final morning before checking out and disembarking in Hurghada.
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: Ras Mohamed, Thistlegorm, Dunraven. Abu Nuhas wrecks (Giannis D, Carnatic, Kimon M, Chrisoula K), Rosalie Moeller, Strait of Tiran, Shag Rock, Hurghada reefs
Day 1
The Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard begins with boarding in Hurghada in the late afternoon on Day 1. Following a crew welcome, a full boat briefing, and dinner in the saloon, the vessel prepares for its early morning departure on Day 2.
Core Days
This ultimate northern route aboard the Sea Serpent Excellence is a dream dive safari that blends the historical exploration of World War II shipwrecks with the dynamic currents and mega-fauna of the Straits of Tiran and Ras Mohamed National Park.
The expedition focuses intensely on the Northern Red Sea’s most significant historical dive sites. We explore the legendary SS Thistlegorm, a British vessel sunk in 1941, whose immense cargo of military vehicles, weaponry, and equipment remains preserved in its holds. Nearby, we visit the Rosalie Moeller, a deeper coal carrier that was sunk just two days after the Thistlegorm. Further wreck immersion takes place at the notorious Abu Nuhas reef, known as the 'ship's graveyard,' where divers can easily access the Giannis D, Carnatic, Kimon M, and Chrisoula K. These wrecks, resting in shallow water, are richly adorned with coral, attracting vast schools of glassfish and various macro life.
Shifting to natural wonders, the itinerary includes the magnificent Straits of Tiran, home to the 4 famous reefs: Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon. These formations rise from the depths, acting as funnels for deep, nutrient-rich currents that attract an impressive array of pelagic life. Divers should look out for schooling barracuda, large jackfish, and cruising reef sharks. The voyage culminates at Ras Mohamed National Park, located in Sinai, which is celebrated for its breathtaking wall dives at Shark and Yolanda Reefs. The walls are covered in dense soft corals and huge gorgonian fans, providing shelter for hawkbill turtles, blue-spotted stingrays, and unique reef fish like the crocodilefish.
On the final core day the Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard returns to Hurghada.
Day 8
Guests enjoy a light breakfast before checking out and disembarking.
Rocky, Zabargad & St. John's (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
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: St. John's, Habili Ali, Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya, Fury Shoals, Zabargad, Rocky Island, Elphinstone
Day 1
The Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard adventure begins with guests boarding at Port Ghalib in the late afternoon on Day 1. Following a warm welcome from the crew, a safety and vessel briefing, and dinner, the Excellence secures for the night and departs on the morning of Day 2.
Core Days
This demanding deep-south itinerary on the Sea Serpent Excellence is perfect for certified divers, focusing on the breathtaking, remote offshore sites of Rocky Island and Zabargad, combined with the pristine reef systems of St. John’s and the vast Fury Shoals. This route guarantees spectacular coral life and exciting open-water encounters.
The dive expedition focuses intensely on the exposed, current-swept Marine Park islands of Rocky and Zabargad. Rocky Island, being small and isolated, is frequently subjected to nutrient-rich currents, making it a vibrant reef. Here, scuba divers look for patrolling grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, and schools of jackfish, with regular visits from inquisitive green turtles and oceanic mantas. Zabargad Island, slightly larger, offers diverse underwater terrain, including deep walls and a notable 70-metre wreck that rests on the seabed, providing excellent opportunities for exploration away from the exposed drop-offs.
Moving north, the trip immerses divers in the legendary St. John's reef system. Sites like Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya, and Habili Ali are famous for their unique topography, featuring canyons, pinnacles, and intricate tunnels that penetrate the shallow reefs. These areas are completely covered in immense gorgonian sea fans and a huge variety of soft and hard corals. The rich biodiversity ensures common sightings of Napoleon wrasse, various reef sharks, and many unusual smaller subjects like frogfish and nudibranchs.
The safari also incorporates dives at the vast Fury Shoals, where the clarity of the water and the health of the coral are exceptional. We visit sites like Sha'ab Sharm and Malahi, known for their elaborate maze-like structures and coral gardens. The final deep offshore stop is often Elphinstone Reef, famous for its sharp walls and the possibility of pelagic encounters, before the Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard begins its return.
Day 8
Guests enjoy a light breakfast before checking out and disembarking in Port Ghalib.
[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].
A full day on the Sea Serpent Excellence liveaboard is meticulously planned around 4 dives, offering divers extensive time in the Red Sea. The daily schedule is built around a two-part breakfast. The day begins with a light pre-dive breakfast of hot drinks and cookies before the 1st dive. A full, hot cooked breakfast is then served between the 2 morning dives, providing the necessary calories for a demanding schedule. Following lunch and a mandated surface rest, the 3rd dive is scheduled for the afternoon. This is followed by a hot snack, acting as a restorative before the final, optional night dive.
The Sea Serpent Excellence ensures divers are consistently fuelled through a varied culinary program that includes 3 main meals and frequent snacks. All dining is presented buffet style in the air-conditioned restaurant on the upper deck, with staff on hand to assist. The fixed menus offer a wide selection, with 4 different dishes available at each main sitting, combining familiar international cuisine with local Egyptian fare.
* The main breakfast is comprehensive, featuring savoury options like scrambled eggs, omelette, crepes, sliced cheese, spreads, and both chicken and beef sausages, alongside hot coffee and tea.
* Lunch and dinner are composed of a main course, a salad, and a dessert. Main dishes vary, featuring fresh preparations of meat, chicken, and fish (cooked or fried). Local flavours are prominent in side dishes, which include traditional salads and vegetable preparations like the sesame paste dip tahina and the roasted eggplant dip babaganoush.
* For a sweet finish, desserts include appealing local sweets such as Basbusa, Baklava, and various cakes.
* Divers returning from an evening dive will find warm soups served during dinner.
Afternoon snacks are provided after the 3rd dive, ensuring sustained energy, with offerings such as pizza, fried coconut, bread sticks, chocolate biscuits, and fresh fruit like mango, water melon, and guava.
Complimentary soft drinks, tea, coffee, and drinking water are available, while beer, wine, soda water, and tonic water can be purchased.
Vegetarian and halal diets can be accommodated by Sea Serpent Excellence with prior notification.
