The 39-metre steel mono-hulled motor yacht, the Royal Evolution liveaboard, is not simply a diving vessel; it is recognised as a leader in international sea safety. As the only liveaboard in the Red Sea region built to SOLAS regulations and operating under the full survey of the international body Bureau Veritas, it offers an unparalleled level of structural and operational assurance. This rigorous standard is the foundation for expeditions into the most remote and rewarding dive sites in both the southern Egyptian Red Sea.
The cruises of the Royal Evolution cater to divers craving depth and remoteness, venturing far beyond day boat limits to iconic offshore sites. These ambitious trips frequently access the challenging walls of the Brothers, Daedalus, and the St. John's area in Egypt, alongside extended safaris into the pristine, uncrowded dive locations of Abu Fendera and Elba Reef. The Red Sea is globally famous for its exceptional visibility and vibrant coral ecosystems, housing thousands of fish species and numerous wrecks that are best explored from a vessel of this calibre.
Designed for extended time at sea, the Royal Evolution liveaboard provides exceptional stability and space across its 4 decks. This generous layout ensures comfort for up to 24 scuba divers, with all guests accommodated in well-appointed en-suite cabins. Social life revolves around the large, air-conditioned lounge and dining area, which is equipped with a media system and a computer workstation for reviewing and editing photos and videos.
The dive deck on the Royal Evolution is fully equipped for serious divers, including those with technical interests. Individual storage spaces keep the area organised, and photographers appreciate the spacious camera table with 2 dedicated air hoses and charging stations. Crucially, the vessel provides air, nitrox, and advanced technical gas blends, with 10, 12, and 15 litre tanks filled in situ. An added layer of in-water safety is provided by the optional use of Nautilus Lifelines for all divers.
The experience aboard the Royal Evolution transcends mere transportation, focusing on 5-star service delivered by a substantial crew of 17 staff. Every crew member is professionally trained in various sea courses, including fire fighting and rescue, establishing a high benchmark for safety and competence. This elevated service includes personal touches: fresh daily pastries, bathrobes in cabins, hot afternoon refreshments, and a cup of hot chocolate waiting after every challenging night dive.
Multiple open-air areas allow divers to fully relax during off-gassing time. The upper deck offers a large, shaded seating area with music and a bar, while the sun deck features loungers and a hot tub where you can enjoy a cocktail. Booking a voyage on the Royal Evolution liveaboard means selecting a top-quality operation that pairs the highest international safety certification with exclusive access to the southern Red Sea most challenging and spectacular dive sites.
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: Ras Disha, Middle Reef, Brother Islands, Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone, Giftun and Abu Ramada
Day 1
Your highly anticipated southern Red Sea diving adventure on the Royal Evolution liveaboard begins upon boarding at Port Ghalib or Hurghada Marina. Following a welcome from the crew, you will receive a detailed safety and trip briefing, then enjoy your first dinner in the expansive saloon before the vessel sets sail in the early morning.
Core Days
This signature dive cruise is built around the 3 iconic marine parks, starting with the Brother Islands, Big Brother and Little Brother. These remote pinnacles rise dramatically from the deep, serving as massive aggregation points for pelagic species. Divers experience exhilarating drift dives along walls saturated with soft corals, anemones, and colossal gorgonian sea fans. This environment consistently attracts powerful encounters, including schools of tuna, jackfish, and various shark species, notably grey reef, silvertips, and seasonal hammerheads. At Big Brother, the historic wrecks of the Numidia and the Aida II provide a fascinating opportunity to explore iron artefacts richly covered in hard and soft corals.
The Royal Evolution then travels to the monumental Daedalus Reef. Instantly recognisable by its lighthouse, this site features deep drop-offs that plunge into the blue, creating ideal conditions for observing large oceanic species. Daedalus is widely renowned for attracting thresher sharks, seasonal manta rays, and oceanic whitetip sharks patrolling the outer walls, guaranteeing world-class pelagic action with the Royal Evolution liveaboard.
We complete the offshore excitement at Elphinstone, a legendary reef famed for its thrilling current dives and potential for further oceanic whitetip shark sightings. To conclude the week, the Royal Evolution explores the pristine coastal reefs often used for check-out dives or calmer interludes, including the rich coral areas of Ras Disha and Middle Reef. We also visit the Giftun and Abu Ramada Islands, providing classic Red Sea reef diving with plentiful resident fish life and vibrant coral gardens before returning to port.
Day 8
After a final breakfast on board, check-out and disembarkation from the Royal Evolution will commence at Port Ghalib or Hurghada Marina.
Red Sea Northern 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: Abu Nuhas wrecks (Giannis D, Carnatic, Sea Star, Chrisoula K), Gubal Island, Thistlegorm, Shaab Mahmoud, Ulysses wreck, Brother Islands, Numidia wreck, Aida wreck, and Salem Express
Day 1
This intensive Red Sea wreck and Brothers adventure on the Royal Evolution liveaboard commences upon boarding at Hurghada Marina. Following a welcome from the crew, you will receive a full safety and itinerary briefing. Enjoy your first dinner in the saloon before the vessel departs overnight for the northern dive sites.
Core Days
This demanding itinerary begins with deep historical exploration in the Gubal Strait and Abu Nuhas. The undisputed centrepiece is the SS Thistlegorm, the legendary WWII freighter resting upright at 32 metres, where its preserved cargo of motorcycles, trucks, and military vehicles provides an unparalleled wreck dive. We also explore the nearby Ulysses wreck and the deep coal carrier Rosalie Moeller, which offer atmospheric dives into maritime history. At Abu Nuhas, divers explore multiple historical wrecks, including the Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K, and Sea Star, all of which are now beautifully draped in hard and soft corals, attracting immense concentrations of reef fish.
The Royal Evolution then pivots to the offshore pelagic action of the Brother Islands. Big Brother and Little Brother are exposed twin pinnacles whose walls are saturated with magnificent soft corals and gorgonian fans. These conditions draw in large marine life, including schools of tuna and trevally, along with frequent sightings of grey reef sharks and silvertips. At Big Brother, the famous wrecks of the Numidia and the Aida provide compelling historical dives accessible near the reef plateaus.
To conclude the diving tour, the Royal Evolution incorporates other key wrecks and reefs. South of the Brothers lies the Salem Express, a passenger ferry that offers a vast, structural wreck dive. Key sites in the northern zone are integrated, such as the vibrant coral walls around Gubal Island and the extensive Shaab Mahmoud reef system, which ensures a rounded experience that merges historical wrecks with the spectacular biodiversity found on this Royal Evolution liveaboard.
Day 8
After a final breakfast on board, check-out and disembarkation will commence at Hurghada Marina or Port Ghalib.
Red Sea South & St. John's Reefs (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: dolphins, dugongs/manatees, great macro life/ marine diversity
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Shaab Shouna, Brother Islands, Daedalus Reef, Rocky Island, Zabargad, and Elphinstone
Day 1
Your exclusive deep-south diving experience on the Royal Evolution liveaboard begins upon boarding at Port Ghalib or Hurghada Marina. After a welcome from the crew, you will receive a full safety and cruise briefing. Enjoy your first dinner in the expansive saloon before preparing for the exciting dives that commence with the early morning departure.
Core Days
This intensive Royal Evolution dive safari is built around the Red Sea's most famous offshore marine parks. We first visit the Brother Islands, 2 exposed pinnacles renowned for world-class drift dives over vertical walls saturated with magnificent soft corals, anemones, and gorgonian fans. This environment acts as a magnet for large pelagic fish, ensuring regular sightings of grey reef sharks and silvertips. At Big Brother, you may explore the historical wrecks of the Numidia and Aida II, now densely covered in colourful coral growth.
The Royal Evolution then pushes to the frontier, visiting the remote trio of Daedalus, Rocky Island, and Zabargad. Daedalus Reef's immense walls are famous for attracting seasonal schooling scalloped hammerheads, thresher sharks, and oceanic whitetips. Rocky Island is subject to strong, nutrient-rich currents that support dramatic black coral trees, often sheltering grey reef sharks and large sea turtles. Zabargad offers unique topography, blending steep walls with beautiful shallow coral gardens where schools of soldierfish and big snappers gather.
Finally, the tour concludes with calmer coastal dives like Shaab Shouna and the thriving inshore reefs near Giftun and Abu Ramada before the Royal Evolution liveaboard begins its return transit.
Day 8
After a final breakfast on board, check-out and disembarkation will commence at Port Ghalib or Hurghada Marina.
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: from Abu Dabbab, Deadalus Reef, Rocky Island, Zabargad, St John's, Elphinstone, Elba Reef, Levanzo wreck, Shaab Shouna.
10+ night trips may also visit Brothers.
Day 1
Your extensive deep-south Red Sea expedition on the Royal Evolution liveaboard begins upon boarding at Port Ghalib. After a personal welcome and a detailed safety briefing, you will settle into your cabin and enjoy dinner in the saloon before the vessel prepares for its early morning departure to the remote sites.
Core Days
This demanding Royal Evolution cruise is tailored for divers seeking the full spectrum of the Red Sea's southern pelagic action and pristine, remote reef systems. We begin with the offshore pinnacles of Daedalus Reef, known for its high probability of encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks, scalloped hammerheads, and seasonal manta rays along its deep vertical walls. We then proceed to the highly exposed Rocky Island and Zabargad. Rocky Island's current-swept walls are rich with immense black coral trees and gorgonian fans, attracting cruising grey reef sharks and large marine turtles. Zabargad offers unique dives over its shallow coral gardens and deep walls, often featuring schools of snapper and wrasse.
The safari pushes to the extreme south, covering the magnificent St. John's reef system, widely regarded as one of the Red Sea's healthiest. This vast area features complex coral structures, intricate pinnacles, and numerous caves and tunnels, providing varied diving that includes sightings of barracuda, reef sharks, and Napoleon wrasse. The trip also includes Elba Reef, a remote and protected site near the Sudanese border, where the pristine conditions are ideal for encountering large pelagics. Here, divers can explore the historical wreck of the Levanzo, now a massive artificial reef.
Finally, we complete the return leg by visiting the legendary Elphinstone, famous for its thrilling drift dives and consistent sightings of oceanic whitetip sharks. We conclude with dives on the quieter, transitional coastal reefs like Shaab Shouna and Abu Dabbab, known for the possibility of spotting green sea turtles or dugongs, rounding out this ambitious Royal Evolution liveaboard adventure.
Final Day
After a final breakfast on board, check-out and disembarkation will commence at Port Ghalib or Hurghada Marina.
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: Shaab Shouna, Elphinstone, St John's, Elba Reef, Levanzo wreck
Day 1
This exclusive deep-south Red Sea diving expedition on the Royal Evolution liveaboard begins upon boarding at Port Ghalib. Following a welcome from the crew, you will receive a full safety and itinerary briefing. Enjoy your first dinner in the saloon before the vessel departs in the early morning for the initial dive sites.
Core Days
This advanced diving trip aboard the Royal Evolution focuses on the pristine, remote environments of the deep south. We begin at the immense St. John’s reef system, widely regarded as the healthiest and most vibrant area in the Red Sea. Divers explore an unparalleled landscape of drop-offs, pinnacles, canyons, and intricate tunnels, featuring stunning hard coral formations and abundant marine life, including schools of barracuda and various reef sharks.
The expedition continues to the highly remote Elba Reef system, a vast and often-untouched triangle-shaped reef accessible only with special permits. These dives offer a true wilderness experience, with high potential for pelagic sightings. Here, we explore the historical wreck of the Levanzo, a 113-metre Italian cargo ship that sank in 1923, now forming an extraordinary artificial reef that teems with moray eels and large groupers.
The tour concludes with key southern pinnacles. We visit the legendary Elphinstone Reef, famous for its thrilling drift dives along dramatic, soft-coral-laden walls, and a consistent location for sighting oceanic whitetip sharks. We integrate a final stop at calmer coastal reefs like Shaab Shouna, ensuring a comprehensive view of the Red Sea's southern biodiversity and completing your definitive experience with the Royal Evolution liveaboard.
Final Day
After a final breakfast on board, check-out and disembarkation from the Royal Evolution will commence at 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].
The schedule on the Royal Evolution liveaboard is set up to ensure divers achieve maximum time beneath the waves while still enjoying comfort above. Your day begins with a welcome amenity: a personal cabin service of coffee or tea immediately after waking. The general routine comprises up to 4 dives daily: two in the morning, one in the afternoon, and an optional sunset or night dive, depending on location and regulations.
Surface intervals are for unwinding on the sun deck or exchanging stories in the air-conditioned saloon. Divers looking to maximise water time also have the option to snorkel between dives, with the exciting possibility of joining dolphins in the water.
The Royal Evolution elevates onboard dining to a gourmet level, providing the consistent fuel a diver needs across three main buffet style meals each day. All meals are served in the air-conditioned dining area on the main deck. The international menu is a vibrant marriage of cuisine with subtle influences from Sri Lankan and Indian cooking. Upon check-in, a personal fruit basket awaits your arrival.
Hydration and snacks are always on hand, with complimentary soft drinks, tea, coffee, drinking water, biscuits, fresh baked pastries, and candy bars available all day. Mid-afternoon brings a hot snack accompanied by a refreshing fresh fruit cocktail.
Dinner is a main event, showcasing the chef's expertise with fine dishes such as Lamb with artichoke and roast potatoes, Veal stew with potato anna, or Veal stuffed with herbs and spinach gratin. The menu also features favourites like Beef stroganoff with sautéed vegetables and lighter choices such as Smoked salmon salad, all finishing with delightful desserts, for example, Strawberry pannacotta.
To celebrate the day's diving, a complimentary bottle of wine is provided for every table of 4 guests. The Royal Evolution team can accommodate specific dietary needs, provided advance notice is given.
