Step aboard the Ghazala Explorer liveaboard, and you step into a different kind of Red Sea safari. This is a 37-metre steel-hulled motor yacht, completed in 2021, that brings a fresh, modern energy to Egypt’s most celebrated dive routes. From the moment you walk into the air-conditioned saloon, the space feels different: light-filled, uncluttered, and designed with divers in mind. Twin MAN Marine engines push the vessel at a comfortable 12 knots, allowing the captain to make the most of the sea conditions and get you to the prime sites at the right time. Whether you are here for the legendary wrecks of the north, the pelagic action at the Brothers, or the pristine reefs of Daedalus and St. John’s, the Ghazala Explorer serves as a spacious, stable base from which to explore it all.
Accommodation on the Ghazala Explorer is spread across 2 decks, with 12 cabins that sleep a maximum of 24 guests. You will find options to suit your preference: lower-deck twin cabins, a generous king suite that spans the width of the hull, and upper-deck cabins with seaview windows. Every cabin has its own private bathroom, individually controlled air-conditioning, and thoughtful touches like reading lights and USB ports. The suites add a little extra space and even a small fridge. Daily housekeeping keeps everything fresh, and with beach towels, bathrobes, and toiletries all provided, settling in feels effortless. The result is a liveaboard that feels personal rather than crowded, a place where you can genuinely relax after a day in the water.
Life onboard the Ghazala Explorer liveaboard revolves around a rhythm of diving, eating, and unhurried downtime. The dive deck is generous in size, with room to set up your kit without feeling rushed. There are separate rinsing tanks for cameras, multiple charging stations, and 2 RIB tenders to shuttle divers to the sites. Nitrox is available free of charge, delivered through an efficient membrane system, and with 2 high-pressure compressors running, tank fills are rarely a wait. 3 experienced dive guides accompany each full charter, and their knowledge of the local routes is central to the experience. They know where to find the hammerheads at Daedalus, the best time to drop in on the Thistlegorm, and how to read the currents at Elphinstone. Briefings are thorough, safety is taken seriously, and whether you prefer guided dives or the freedom to explore on your own, the operation runs with quiet competence.
The Red Sea diving cruises offered by the Ghazala Explorer are among the most popular in the region. The northern routes take in the iconic wrecks of Abu Nuhas: the Giannis D, the Carnatic, and the Chrisoula K, each with its own distinct character and marine life. Then there is the Thistlegorm, a WWII time capsule that rewards repeat visits with fresh discoveries every time. Further south, the Brothers Islands rise from deep water, their steep walls draped in soft coral and patrolled by grey reef sharks, oceanic whitetips, and schooling hammerheads. Daedalus Reef offers similar big-animal potential, while Ras Mohammed National Park delivers drift dives through coral gardens scattered with the surreal cargo of the Yolanda. The Ghazala Explorer liveaboard covers all of this ground, with dive tours designed to match the conditions and the interests of those on board.
When you are not diving, the boat offers several spaces to unwind. The saloon combines a lounge area with a TV and a dining section where meals are served buffet-style, using fresh ingredients and prepared with care. Upstairs, a shaded open-air lounge with a bar becomes the natural gathering spot as the day winds down. The sun deck is fitted with loungers and beanbags, ideal for catching the Egyptian sun or simply watching the coastline slip by. The crew contribute significantly to the atmosphere: they are known for being approachable, attentive, and genuinely invested in making each trip memorable. From the captain helping with logistics to the guides sharing their passion for the underwater world, the service feels personal rather than formal.
For certified divers looking to experience the Red Sea at its best, the Ghazala Explorer liveaboard represents a confident choice. It combines a modern, well-maintained vessel with a crew that understands what divers value: punctual schedules, smooth logistics, and the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions. The all-inclusive pricing covers your meals, soft drinks, and nitrox, removing the usual small surprises from the final bill. Add in the free WiFi and the straightforward airport transfers, and the experience is as seamless as it needs to be without ever feeling overproduced. This is a liveaboard that earns its reputation through reliability, comfort, and a genuine focus on delivering great diving.
There are 12 cabins onboard the Ghazala Explorer liveaboard, each with its own private en-suite bathroom: There are 5 twin bed cabins and 1 double bed suite on the lower deck, and on the upper deck - 4 cabins with twin beds and 2 suites twin/double convertible beds.
All the cabins have:
- Individual control air-conditioning
- Private bathroom with hot water shower and hand basin
- Portholes on lower deck, windows on upper deck
- Toiletries, hand/bath/beach towels and bathrobe
- Bedisde cabinet
- Reading lights
- Daily housekeeping
- Wardrobe, mirror and shelves
- Fridge (Suites only)
- Bedding
- 24-hour, 220v electricity supply
- European-style 2-pin plugs and USB ports
- Fire alarm, life jackets and fire extinguishers
- Storage space for luggage
No. of bathrooms / showers - 12 / 12 - hot water
[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 food on the Ghazala Explorer is consistently rated as a highlight of the liveaboard trip, with many guests describing it as "delicious" and "excellent". You can expect a varied menu that includes a mix of international dishes and local Egyptian cuisine. All meals are served buffet-style in the main air-conditioned saloon and dining area.
Start the day with fresh fruit and pastries, then the 1st dive follows soon after. Then it's time for the main buffet breakfast, followed by the 2nd dive. A buffet style lunch gives you a chance to chat about the morning marine encounters. The menu provides a mix of local and international cuisine with a slight Egyptian twist, all enjoyed in the air-conditioned restaurant on the main deck. After some downtime after lunch, it will soon be time for the 3rd dive and an afternoon snack. Normally dinner is served after the night (4th) dive, so as you sample local dishes like babaganoush, foul beans and hummus, you can wash it down with a glass of wine or beer.
- 3 full meals are provided each day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Snacks, such as biscuits and fresh fruit smoothies or juices, are typically offered between dives.
- Tea, coffee, bottled water, and soft drinks are complimentary and available throughout the day.
- Beer and wine are available for purchase from the bar.
- Dietary needs, including vegetarian and vegan options, can be catered for with advance notice.
"
The food was excellent, dive equipment were of good quality, dive instructors were caring and lots of fun. It was lovely to have everything arranged prior to our arrival." -
Weihui Wang, Singapore, 10 September 2024 ...
"
Provided free transfer from airport, Nice cosy room with adequate space, fully equipped dive equipment and facilities, highly professional dive guides which gave very detailed dive briefings. Superb friendly and helpful crews with big smiles, fantastic chef with delicious food every single meal. The most outstanding experience was from the dive guides and boat crews.
Aircon in the upper deck suite could be stronger, and the water was too hot to shower.
" -
Roy Huang, Singapore, 1 August 2024 ...
MORE TRIP DETAILS
Dive experience: For Ghazala Explorer liveaboard diving trips in the marine parks, you must hold an Advanced Open Water Diver license or equivalent and have at least 50 logged dives. For safaris elsewhere in Egypt, a minimum of 25 logged dives is required.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, water, soft drinks, hot drinks, return transfers from local airport (see below), dives (as detailed in the trips above), port and park fees, nitrox fills for certified enriched air divers, 3 experienced English-speaking divemasters, tanks, weightbelt and weights, sales tax.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (incl. dive computer and torch: USD 222 per week), diving insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash preferred - EUR/GBP/USD, or credit/debit card).
Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks (wine and beer), 15 litre tank (USD 47 per week), transfers from Hurghada to Port Ghalib. 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: Ghazala Explorer Red Sea liveaboard trips use either Hurghada or Port Ghalib as the ports of departure. The local airport is either Hurghada (HRG) or Marsa Alam (RMF) airport. Minibus transfers are provided from the local airport and from hotels within a 20 km range of the port. For more details, including airlines, visit our Egypt travel information section.
The first and last nights of the trip are spent in port. Guests board on the first day after 6 pm. The last dive of the tour will be about 11 am on the penultimate day. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving. Guests depart latest at 10 am on the final day.
Non-diver rate: None.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin and pay the normal rate, or pay a supplement of 60% of the published price for their own cabin.
Dive clubs and group discounts: None.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): None.
Add-on package: We recommend some of the wonderful antiquities tours in Egypt to add an extra dimension to your Red Sea diving holiday. Cairo museum's royal mummies, the pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, a glorious cruise down the Nile staying in a luxury cabin, the Valley of the Kings, all of these and more can be added to your travel itinerary to make it a once-in-a-lifetime Egyptian adventure. Other activities such as 4x4 desert safaris, birding tours, and camel rides are also available.
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