The Discovery II liveaboard offers a blend of space, value, and access to the best of Egypt’s underwater world and the Red Sea’s most celebrated marine parks. This 37-metre wooden-hulled motor yacht, extensively renovated in 2018, was designed for diving, ensuring that your week on the water is defined by comfort and efficiency. As the more luxurious sister vessel to the Discovery I, the Discovery II (ex-Samira) balances classic seafaring character with modern amenities, creating a welcoming base for exploring iconic sites from the Brothers Islands to the wrecks of Abu Nuhas.
Accommodation on the Discovery II is configured for restful nights between days of adventure. The boat hosts 22 guests across 11 air-conditioned cabins, each with a private bathroom. Choices range from twin cabins on the lower deck to more spacious suites on the upper deck, some featuring large sea-view windows, mini-bars, and entertainment systems. The layout ensures personal space is respected, while the main deck offers a bright, air-conditioned saloon and separate dining area where the chef serves a varied mix of international and local dishes. This sense of roominess extends to the exterior, with two large sundecks providing shaded social areas, sun loungers, and a bar for relaxing with fellow divers as the Red Sea scenery drifts by.
The diving operation itself is where the Discovery II liveaboard’s design truly shines. A dedicated dive platform with freshwater showers and rinse tanks keeps gear organised and equipment safe. For those certified in enriched air, nitrox is provided free of charge from the onboard membrane system, a significant advantage for extending bottom times on deeper profiles. 2 x 5.25-meter Zodiacs with powerful outboard engines serve as tenders, shuttling divers to sites that larger vessels cannot access directly. This setup allows for a smooth schedule: 3 to 4 dives a day, exploring everything from sheer walls to sprawling wreck sites.
The safaris available on the Discovery II take full advantage of Egypt’s legendary diving conditions and year-round visibility. Classic routes often include the marine park trifecta of the Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone, remote reefs known for attracting pelagic species like hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, and tuna. Northern routes provide access to the shipwreck cemetery at Abu Nuhas and the vivid coral gardens of Ras Mohammed and the Straits of Tiran. With the boat acting as a mobile base, you wake up at undisturbed sites, often diving before other boats arrive.
Life onboard is shaped by a professional crew who understand the rhythm of Red Sea safari diving. The Discovery II operates with experienced dive guides who conduct detailed briefings, ensuring each dive is both safe and rewarding, while the captain navigates with an eye on conditions to optimise site selection. Between dives, the spacious layout means there is always a quiet corner to read, a shaded spot to nap, or a place in the sun to let gear dry. The atmosphere is relaxed and focused on the diving, supported by a team that handles the logistics so you can concentrate on the experience.
Ultimately, the Discovery II liveaboard stands out for delivering consistent quality where it matters: reliable access to world-class dive sites, comfortable accommodations, and a genuine focus on guest experience. For certified divers looking to tick off the Red Sea’s most iconic walls and wrecks without unnecessary frills, the Discovery II represents a trustworthy and highly appealing choice. It offers a week of purpose-driven adventure, backed by the expertise of a crew that knows these waters intimately.
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: Hurghada, Big Brother, Little Brother, Aida II wreck, Numidia wreck, Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone, Safaga, Salem Express
Day 1
Your Red Sea diving expedition begins at the designated marina (Hurghada or Port Ghalib). You will be welcomed aboard the Discovery II liveaboard by the crew, receive a full vessel orientation, and settle into your cabin. Dinner in the saloon is a relaxed opportunity to meet your fellow certified divers before the vessel begins its overnight crossing to the offshore reefs.
Core Days
This itinerary is the pinnacle of Red Sea offshore diving, specifically targeting the renowned Brothers, Daedalus Reef, and Elphinstone, areas famed for their thrilling currents and concentration of pelagic species. The stability of the Discovery II ensures a comfortable base from which to explore these isolated pinnacles.
The Big Brother and Little Brother Islands are monumental seamounts where the walls drop vertically into the deep. These exposed faces are completely carpeted in magnificent, densely packed gorgonians and soft corals, providing a riot of colour . Crucially, the prevailing currents attract formidable pelagics, with common sightings of grey reef sharks and, seasonally, large schools of scalloped hammerheads. Furthermore, the Brothers host two remarkable wreck dives, the Numidia and the Aida II, historical sites now draped in flourishing hard and soft corals.
Further south, Daedalus Reef presents a massive, current-swept plateau often surrounded by thick clouds of reef fish, including surgeonfish and trevally. This site is internationally recognised as a hotspot for oceanic whitetip and thresher sharks. The exploration continues at Elphinstone Reef, a famous, blade-like pinnacle known for its potential for dramatic drift dives and frequent sightings of green sea turtles and Napoleon wrasse.
The dive safari is strategically balanced with a visit to the wreck of the Salem Express near Safaga. This 100-metre ferry offers a unique dive, its structure now colonised by life, providing refuge for blue-spotted stingrays and schools of butterflyfish. Time aboard the Discovery II liveaboard is dedicated to maximising your experiences in this extraordinary diving territory
Day 8
The Discovery II returns to the pre-agreed port (Hurghada or Port Ghalib). Following a farewell breakfast, you will check out and disembark.
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, Rocky, Zabargad Island, Elphinstone
Day 1
This remote Southern Red Sea diving adventure begins in Port Ghalib, the designated port of embarkation. Once aboard the Discovery II, you will be welcomed by the crew and receive a thorough safety and itinerary briefing. After settling into your cabin, enjoy dinner with your fellow guest divers before the vessel departs for the open sea overnight.
Core Days
This tour is crafted for the experienced certified diver seeking dramatic wall dives, vibrant coral reefs, and frequent pelagic encounters around the Red Sea's most southerly exposed sites: Daedalus, Rocky, and Zabargad Islands. The Discovery II liveaboard ensures comprehensive coverage of these remote, current-swept locations.
It focuses on Daedalus Reef, a colossal seamount rising from the depths and easily identified by its historical lighthouse. Its exposed nature makes it a crucial aggregation point for large marine life. Divers can descend along immense walls draped in gorgonian sea fans and black corals, where frequent sightings include schooling scalloped hammerheads, particularly in the summer months, alongside tuna and jacks.
Further south, Discovery visits the legendary Rocky Island and the larger Zabargad Island. Rocky Island is a current-washed pinnacle where the water movement fuels lush coral growth. Grey reef sharks and silvertip sharks are commonly observed patrolling the perimeter. Zabargad Island offers a contrast, with both steep drop-offs and shallower reefs surrounding its mountain peak, including the fascinating exploration of a nearby wreck that has been fully integrated into the reef environment. The sheer variety of coral and fish life here is exceptional, attracting schools of snappers and surgeonfish.
Finally, it explores the world-famous Elphinstone. Its exposed, knife-edge pinnacle provides excellent drift diving conditions, renowned for potential sightings of large oceanic manta rays and the imposing oceanic whitetip shark. Across the route, regular sightings include curious sea turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and various species of reef sharks, ensuring every dive on the Discovery II liveaboard is filled with anticipation.
The final two dives of the safari are completed on the last full day, after which the Discovery II sails back to Port Ghalib for the final night.
Day 8
Disembarkation occurs the following morning after a farewell breakfast.
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 Ali, Habili Gafaar, Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya; Shaab Sharm, Wadi Gamal, Fury Shoals: Shaab Claudio, South. Abu Galawa Soraya; Elphinstone
Day 1
Your Red Sea diving week begins at Port Ghalib, the designated port of embarkation. You will be warmly welcomed aboard the Discovery II by the crew and receive a comprehensive vessel orientation, safety briefing, and cruise schedule from the tour leader. The evening is spent enjoying dinner in the saloon and meeting your fellow certified divers before the vessel prepares for its early morning departure.
Core Days
This southern route is expertly designed for divers, offering deep penetration into the Red Sea's remote, pristine reefs, which are globally recognised for their health and unique topography. The Discovery II provides the ideal platform for exploring the expansive Fury Shoals and St. John's systems, which together present some of the most vibrant and least impacted coral formations in the region.
The primary focus is on the St. John's reefs, a complex area where dive sites sit closely together. The Discovery II liveaboard explores magnificent formations like Gota Kebir and Gota Soraya, which feature dramatic pinnacles and tunnels carved into the reef structure. The outer exposed walls, such as Habili Ali and Habili Gafaar, drop vertically into the blue, where pelagic species are frequently sighted. These areas are rich with marine life, including schools of barracuda, snapper, and various species of reef shark, while the walls themselves are densely festooned with massive gorgonian fans and brilliantly coloured soft corals.
The safari also includes significant time in the renowned Fury Shoals, an area famous for its shallow, sheltered coral gardens and unique formations. Divers explore celebrated sites like Shaab Claudio, known for its cathedral-like sunlit swim-throughs and colossal Porites corals. The area around South Abu Galawa Soraya also features an atmospheric small wreck resting within a stunning coral garden, often swarming with thick clouds of glassfish. Furthermore, in the calmer, fringing reefs near Shaab Sharm and the Wadi Gamal area, you are likely to encounter curious green sea turtles and the immense Napoleon wrasse.
For a thrilling conclusion, the target is the legendary Elphinstone Reef, known for its sheer walls and potential for seasonal sightings of thresher sharks and oceanic whitetips, ensuring the Discovery II liveaboard delivers a complete Southern Red Sea experience. The expert crew ensures maximum time is spent in the water at these iconic locations.
The final 2 dives of the safari are completed on the last full day, after which the Discovery II sails back to Port Ghalib for the final night.
Day 8
Following a farewell breakfast, you will check out and disembark.
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: Shaab El Erg (Dolphin House), Abu Nuhas (Carnatic, Giannis D), Shaab Mahmoud: Dunraven, Straits of Tiran: Jackson Reef, Gordon Reef, Woodhouse Reef, Thomas Reef; SS Thistlegorm, Gubal Island, Ras Mohamed: Yolanda Reef, Shark Reef
Day 1
Your Northern Red Sea dive safari begins in Hurghada, the port of embarkation. After boarding the spacious Discovery II liveaboard and meeting the professional crew, you will receive a thorough safety and cruise briefing. Dinner is served in the saloon, allowing you to greet your fellow certified divers before the vessel departs under the cover of darkness.
Core Days
This scuba tour expertly combines historical wreck exploration with the stunning biodiversity of the Northern Red Sea reefs, promising an unforgettable week for certified divers. The Discovery II is equipped to navigate the diverse conditions of this region. It visits the renowned Strait of Tiran, where the 4 magnificent pinnacles, Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon Reefs, stand as barriers to the strong currents. These submerged mountains are covered in vibrant concentrations of hard coral and attract impressive schools of trevally and snapper, often with reef sharks patrolling the deep blue perimeter.
A significant portion of the week is dedicated to the famous wartime history. You will descend upon the SS Thistlegorm, the legendary World War II cargo ship. Explore its massive structure and preserved cargo, including motorbikes and trucks frozen in time. The exploration continues at the notorious Abu Nuhas Reef, where we dive the Carnatic and the Giannis D. These sites are now vibrant artificial reefs, providing habitat for huge moray eels and countless schools of orange anthias. Further historical diving awaits at Shaab Mahmoud with the Dunraven wreck, a sunken Victorian steamer cloaked in soft corals.
The route also encompasses the protected sites of the Ras Mohamed National Park. The walls of Yolanda and Shark Reefs offer world-class drift diving over pristine coral plateaus, where you are likely to spot patrolling white-tip reef sharks. We also ensure time for a visit to Shaab El Erg (Dolphin House), a sprawling reef where snorkelling or diving with wild dolphins is a distinct possibility, adding a unique highlight to your experience on the Discovery II. The Discovery II provides access to this concentrated wealth of sites.
The diving portion of the trip concludes with a final 2 dives. The Discovery II then sails back to Hurghada harbour for your final evening.
Day 8
Disembarkation occurs the following morning after a farewell breakfast.
Red Sea North, Wrecks & Brothers (8 Days / 7 Nights - 19 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, Abu Nuhas wrecks (Carnatic, Giannis D, Chrisoula, Kimon M), Strait of Gubal, Rosalie Moeller, SS Thistlegorm, Shaab Ali, Ras Mohamed, Big Brother, Little Brother, Aida II wreck, Numidia wreck, Safaga
Day 1
Your comprehensive northern and Brothers Islands diving expedition commences in Hurghada, the port of embarkation. Upon boarding the Discovery II liveaboard, you will be welcomed by the crew, receive a full vessel orientation, and settle into your private cabin. The first evening concludes with dinner, an opportunity to connect with fellow certified divers before the Discovery II sets sail early morning.
Core Days
This safari is a testament to the Red Sea’s diversity, perfectly balancing world-class wreck diving with thrilling offshore pelagic action, making it a powerful choice for experienced certified divers. The itinerary provides extended access to both historical sites and remote oceanic pinnacles.
It dedicates significant time to the area’s celebrated wrecks, including the Straits of Gubal and Abu Nuhas. The centrepiece is the legendary SS Thistlegorm, a WWII military transport resting upright. Divers descend to explore its open holds, which contain a preserved cargo of weaponry, trucks, and BSA motorbikes, all now patrolled by schools of jackfish. Alternative dives may include the Rosalie Moeller, offering a deeper, atmospheric penetration experience on a sunken coal carrier. At Abu Nuhas, Discovery II explores 4 distinct wrecks - the Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula, and Kimon M - whose shallow depths make them accessible, vibrant artificial reefs densely populated by thousands of glassfish and moray eels.
The dive safari then heads to the famed Brother Islands. Big Brother and Little Brother are isolated seamounts known for their immense walls covered in black coral and sprawling gorgonian fans. This exposure to open ocean currents attracts large pelagics; divers routinely encounter oceanic whitetip sharks, grey reef sharks, and the distinctive thresher shark. Big Brother also hosts the historic shipwrecks Numidia and Aida II, which are beautifully adorned with decades of coral growth.
Rounding out the itinerary, the Discovery II visits the protected Ras Mohamed. The walls of Shark and Yolanda Reefs provide pristine coral structures and strong currents, often revealing barracuda and tunas in the blue. We ensure time at the reefs around Gubal Island and potentially the shallow area of Shaab Ali near Safaga, allowing for diverse encounters with green sea turtles and Napoleon wrasse. The dedication of the Discovery II liveaboard crew ensures optimal diving throughout the week.
The final 2 dives are completed in the morning of the last full day, after which the Discovery II returns to the harbour in Hurghada for the final evening.
Day 8
Disembarkation from Discovery II occurs after a farewell breakfast.
Rocky, Zabargad & St. John's (8 Days / 7 Nights - 19 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: Zabargad, Rocky Island, St. John's: Habili Ali, Habili Gafaar, Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya; Elphinstone
Day 1
This remote Deep South Red Sea expedition begins at Port Ghalib, the designated port of embarkation. Once welcomed aboard the Discovery II liveaboard by the crew, you will receive a full orientation and settle into your cabin. Enjoy dinner with your fellow certified divers before the vessel departs in the early hours.
Core Days
This specialised trip is designed for divers seeking the Red Sea's most pristine, remote, and exhilarating diving environments. The Discovery II transports you deep into the south, combining the exploration of colossal offshore marine park sanctuaries with the intricate ecosystems of the vast St. John's reefs.
The first focus on the isolated islands of Rocky and Zabargad. Rocky Island is a current-washed oceanic seamount where the nutrient flow fuels monumental black coral trees and giant gorgonian fans. Its exposure attracts large pelagic species; be prepared for the possibility of spotting grey reef sharks, silvertip features an abundance of health and unique topography. Sites including Habili Ali, Gota Kebir, and Gota Soraya boast dramatic drop-offs and naturally formed coral archways and tunnels. The walls are richly adorned with soft corals, creating a brilliant backdrop for sightings of inquisitive Napoleon wrasse and numerous green and hawkbill sea turtles.
The safari also explores the magnificent Fury Shoals. Here, sites such as the celebrated Shaab Claudio feature expansive, sunlit caverns that can be explored, while Abu Galawa Soraya provides excellent photography opportunities with its small wreck resting in a vibrant coral garden.
The expedition culminates with a dive at the world-renowned Elphinstone, famous for its dramatic vertical walls and the exciting potential for encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks and seasonal manta rays. The operation of the Discovery II ensures optimal time at all these prime dive sites.
After the final 2 dives, the Discovery II sails back to Port Ghalib for the final night.
Day 8
Following a farewell breakfast, you will check out and disembark.
[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 day on board the Discovery II liveaboard starts with a first dive at 7 am, when the light is still soft and the reef is just stirring. By the time you surface, breakfast is waiting in the air-conditioned saloon: a buffet spread that typically includes eggs cooked to order, pancakes, toast, fresh bread, a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, cereals with milk or yoghurt, plus cheese and sausages.
There is always hot coffee and tea on hand. By 10 am, the crew has your next tank ready, and you are back in the water for the second dive. Lunch follows at noon, served buffet-style with dishes that lean on local ingredients: fresh vegetables, rice or noodles, and a choice of chicken, beef, or fish.
The third dive of the day starts around 2 pm, and by mid-afternoon the chef puts out snacks: fresh fruit, cookies, and juice for a quiet moment on the shaded upper deck. If conditions allow, a night dive happens at 7 pm, an optional but often unforgettable way to see the reef after dark. Dinner is served around 8 pm, and the meals here are generous without being fussy. On a recent trip, one evening brought a spiced chicken tagine, another a simple grilled catch of the day with roasted vegetables and a crisp salad. Between all of this, the Discovery II offers self-service tea, coffee, soft drinks, and drinking water around the clock, with a selection of fine wines and beer available for those who want something more.
Vegetarian and vegan diets are well accommodated, and the crew handles most other dietary needs with advance notice. The experience on the Discovery II is one of immersion: you wake, dive, eat, rest, and repeat, with the daily routine designed to let you focus on the diving while the boat and crew take care of everything else.
