Dive experience: Required on the Snefro Spirit liveaboard: Red Sea North & Tiran - Open Water diver license and 15 logged dives. Also suitable for snorkellers.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, soft drinks, local airport/hotel transfers, dives (as detailed in the safaris above), nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers, experienced English speaking divemasters (2 guides per full boat), tanks, weights and weightbelts, harbour fees, sales tax.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Diving insurance, scuba equipment (incl. computer, torch and SMB - USD 123 per 3 night trip, USD 274 per 7 night trip), national park fees and permissions (USD 73 per 3 night trip, USD 146 per 7 night trip). Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash only).
Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, 15 litre tanks (USD 45 per week). 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: The M/Y Snefro Spirit liveaboard departs from the El Wataneya New Marina jetty in Sharm El Sheikh. For more details on how to get to Sharm, including airlines, see our Red Sea travel information section. Boat transfers to and from your local hotel reception or Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (code SSH, meeting point is in front of the arrivals hall) are provided at the time of embarkation/disembarkation. The guide will wait outside the arrival hall with a sign stating the client name and 'King Snefro Fleet'.
Guests arrive and board on the first day at 6 pm; the Snefro Spirit will leave the harbour on the morning of the second day. The last dive of the trip will be at around 2 pm on the second last day of the trip. Disembarkation is until noon. Although PADI suggest that you wait a minimum of 18 hours before flying after diving, Snefro requires that you wait 24 hours.
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 or pay a supplement of 35% of the normal price for their own cabin.
Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 9 guests and 1 extra person can join free of charge.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 16 guests and 2 extra persons can join free of charge.
Add-on package: For those who want to capture Egypt through a lens, we recommend a specialist photography tour. This 5-night package is led by a professional photographer guide and covers the pyramids at Giza (including sunrise and sunset shoots), the atmospheric alleys of Islamic Cairo, and the temples of Luxor and Karnak at golden hour. A felucca trip on the Nile provides opportunities for water-level shots, and a visit to a Nubian village offers portrait and street photography options. Camera-friendly transport and flexible itineraries are included. This is available as a private tour and can be combined with your Snefro Spirit liveaboard dates.
The 'Gold Class' Snefro Spirit liveaboard offers divers a distinguished and well-serviced passage to the Sinai Peninsula's premier dive sites. This wooden-hulled, twin-engine Sharm El Sheikh liveaboard is part of the established King Snefro Fleet, a Green Fins-certified operator that holds ISO accreditation and was honoured with the IATD Tourism Shield of Excellence. Catering to a maximum of 18 guests, the generous staff-to-guest ratio - often 8 to 10 crew members - ensures highly attentive personal service throughout the week-long trips, which commence on Saturdays.
Week-long expeditions on the Snefro Spirit are dedicated to showcasing the Red Sea's most acclaimed diving areas in the Sinai Peninsula. The dive safaris are planned to allow comprehensive access to the region’s world-famous wrecks and vibrant reef systems, giving divers a rich blend of history and breathtaking marine biodiversity. The Snefro Spirit’s twin engines ensure reliable and timely travel between key locations, allowing guests to focus fully on their underwater pursuits.
Diving functionality is a key strength of the Snefro Spirit liveaboard. The generously sized dive deck has ample space for kitting up, featuring 2 fresh-water showers and 2 bathrooms right on the platform for post-dive convenience. Compressor noise is mitigated as the units are housed below deck and are silent during operation. Critically, all guests on this Egypt diving safari benefit from free nitrox, a valuable inclusion for extending bottom times on the deeper wrecks and high-density coral reefs.
Accommodation is spread comfortably over the 4 decks of Snefro Spirit. All staterooms feature private ensuite bathrooms. Guests may choose from Standard twin share cabins on the lower deck or opt for the Deluxe double bed suite located on the upper deck. The Deluxe suite provides an elevated experience, boasting larger windows and commanding views over the Red Sea.
The Snefro Spirit is equipped with multiple communal spaces for relaxation and socialising. The main deck hosts an air-conditioned saloon with plush seating, a large flat screen TV, and a selection of entertainment, including board games and magazines. Adjoining this is the dedicated dining area. For connectivity, free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the boat.
Outdoor areas are designed to make the most of the clear Egyptian weather. Both the upper and sun decks offer partially shaded seating, comfortable sun beds, and a bar with fridges and music. This blend of accredited operational quality, highly attentive service, and technical dive advantages positions the Snefro Spirit liveaboard as a premier choice for a fun and rewarding Red Sea diving safari.
Cabins consist of 8 Standard twin bed cabins (7-8 sqm) on the lower deck, plus 1 Deluxe suite (10 sqm) with queen-size bed on the upper deck which has large windows and superior views over the Red Sea.
All the liveaboard cabins have:
- Air-conditioning
- En-suite bathroom with hot water shower and hand basin
- Windows on the upper deck, portholes on the lower deck
- Bedding & towels provided
- Cabinet, shelves & mirror
- Reading lights
- Personal belongings safe box
- Minibar
- Daily housekeeping
- Internal phone
- 24-hour, 220V electricity supply
- European-style 2-pin plug sockets
- Fire warning system
- Life jackets & fire extinguishers
- Space for luggage
No. of bathrooms / showers - 9 / 9 - hot water
Red Sea North, Wrecks & Tiran Straits (8 Days / 7 Nights - 20 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: from Temple or Ras Katy, Ras Mohamed National Park: Ras Ghazlani, Marsa Bareika, Ras Za'atar, Jackfish Alley, Eel Garden, Shark Observatory, Anemone City, Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef, The Quay; Dunraven, SS Thistlegorm Wreck, Shag Rock, Kingston Wreck, Sha'ab Ali, Sha'ab Mahmoud, Straits of Tiran: Jackson, Thomas, Woodhouse and Gordon Reef
Day 1
Embarkation commences in the evening at the new El Wataneya marina in Sharm El Sheikh. You will be welcomed aboard the Snefro Spirit, receive a full safety briefing, and settle into your cabin. After preparing your dive gear, you will enjoy dinner with your fellow divers before the vessel departs for the open sea early the following morning.
Core Days
This classic 'Sinai Classic' dive safari, expertly run by the Snefro Spirit liveaboard, is designed to maximise your time at the most iconic sites of the Sinai Peninsula. We first explore the exposed pinnacles of the Straits of Tiran. The 4 famous reefs - Jackson, Thomas, Woodhouse, and Gordon Reef - rise dramatically from the seabed. The powerful, nutrient-rich currents that sweep past them attract schools of snapper, barracuda, and large tuna, offering dynamic drift dives and high chances of encountering pelagic sharks. These reefs are carpeted in vast fields of healthy hard and soft corals.
A major focus of the dive itinerary is the Ras Mohamed National Park, renowned for its spectacular sheer walls and deep drop-offs. Sites like Anemone City, Jackfish Alley, Ras Ghazlani, and Marsa Bareika provide fantastic opportunities to spot crocodilefish, scorpionfish, and a variety of vibrant reef fish. Look for resident hawksbill and green turtles, while sites like Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef, and Shark Observatory feature breathtaking topography, richly adorned with huge gorgonian sea fans and brightly coloured soft corals.
The Snefro Spirit liveaboard expedition includes the globally renowned wreck of the SS Thistlegorm Wreck. This pristine World War II military transport offers an unparalleled historical experience, allowing you to fin past its preserved cargo of vehicles and ammunition. Nearby, you will also dive the coral-encrusted Dunraven wreck, further enriching the historical element of the dive cruise.
Day 8
You will wake up at the port of El Wataneya and enjoy a final breakfast before disembarking from the Snefro Spirit.
Red Sea Northern Wrecks
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: from Temple or Ras Katy, Ras Mohamed National Park: Ras Ghazlani, Marsa Bareika, Ras Za'atar, Jackfish Alley, Eel Garden, Shark Observatory, Anemone City, Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef, The Quay; Dunraven, SS Thistlegorm Wreck, Dunraven, Shag Rock, Kingston Wreck, Sha'ab Ali, Abu Nuhas wrecks: Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K and Kimon M; Gubal Barge, Rosalie Moller, Ulysses, Sha'ab Mahmoud
Day 1
Board the Snefro Spirit liveaboard at the new El Wataneya marina in Sharm El Sheikh during the early evening. The crew welcomes you onboard and shows you to your cabin, where you can unpack your scuba equipment and prepare for the diving week ahead. Once all guests are settled, a comprehensive boat briefing takes place in the air-conditioned lounge, alongside the necessary administrative work for the port authorities. Dinner is served that evening, giving you the chance to meet fellow divers. The Snefro Spirit slips its mooring early the following morning.
Core Days
This safari delivers some of the most iconic wrecks the Red Sea has to offer. The SS Thistlegorm stands above them all: a 126-metre freighter sunk in 1941 after being bombed by the German Luftwaffe. Its holds still contain Bedford trucks, BSA motorcycles, railway wagons, and a locomotive - a cargo frozen in time. 2 dives are usually scheduled here, allowing time to explore the exterior and penetrate the open holds. The Rosalie Moller, a coal-laden steamship, suffered the same fate just two days later and lies nearby, a deeper wreck at 40-50 metres, now encrusted with corals and home to batfish and trevallies.
The wrecks of Abu Nuhas form another highlight of the route. Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K and Kimon M rest on the reef, each with its own story. The Giannis D lies upright and intact, her holds open and accessible. The Carnatic, built in 1862, offers a glimpse into maritime history, her hull now colonised by soft corals and glassfish. The Chrisoula K is photogenic and shallow, perfect for exploring her engine room. The Kimon M rests at 30 metres, her cargo visible and her structure largely intact. These wrecks attract prolific marine life: schools of snapper, batfish, and barracuda cruise the decks, while moray eels and lionfish hide in the shadows.
Ras Mohamed provides a contrasting landscape. Ras Ghazlani, Marsa Bareika and Ras Za'atar offer wall dives draped in gorgonian fans and soft corals, frequented by large schools of snapper, trevallies and tuna. Jackfish Alley delivers on its name, with predatory fish patrolling the current-swept channel. Shark Observatory and Anemone City showcase the park's diversity, from pelagic encounters to dense anemone colonies hosting clownfish. Eel Garden is exactly what it sounds like: a sandy slope where garden eels sway in the current. The Quay, Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef complete the park's highlights, with the scattered remains of the Yolanda - toilets, bathtubs and a BMW - now fully integrated into the reef.
The Snefro Spirit liveaboard also visits Dunraven, a wreck resting at 12-30 metres, famous for its intact bow and stern. The site is accessible and photogenic, with excellent light penetration. Shag Rock offers a lively reef with abundant fish life, while Sha'ab Ali and Sha'ab Mahmoud provide pristine coral gardens and drop-offs.
Across the full route, you can expect up to four dives per day on each full diving day, with three dives on the penultimate day before the boat cruises back to port.
Final Day
Awaken at El Wataneya port and enjoy breakfast onboard. The Snefro Spirit liveaboard is moored and ready for disembarkation. You may check out any time during the morning, with transfers arranged to Sharm El Sheikh Airport or your local hotel depending on your onward plans.
[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 moment you board the Snefro Spirit liveaboard, you will discover a daily schedule purposefully designed for the certified Red Sea diver. It is a structure that ensures maximum time underwater is perfectly balanced with comfortable living and proper nutrition. This focus is supported by a generous full board plan of 3 substantial meals and regular snacks, defining a satisfying routine from dawn until dusk.
You begin with a light pre-breakfast of hot drinks, biscuits, and bread or toast before kitting up for the initial descent. A full, hot breakfast is waiting after the first dive and before the second. Lunch is served buffet style in the main air-conditioned saloon, providing a welcome break before the afternoon session. A well-timed snack is offered before the subsequent plunge. With the exception of arrival and departure days, you can expect up to 4 dives daily, including the night dive, which is immediately followed by dinner.
The dining on the Snefro Spirit is a genuine pleasure, offering high-quality selection that matches the rest of the boat's facilities. The cook excels in international and Italian favourites, alongside delightful North African and Arabic dishes. Meals are served buffet style in the dedicated dining section of the air-conditioned lounge on the main deck. Menus are not fixed, ensuring variety throughout your safari. Expect generous helpings of lamb, beef, veal, fish, calamari, shrimps, and turkey, plus several vegetarian dishes.
To keep you going between meals, snacks are continuously accessible throughout the day. You can help yourself to complimentary biscuits, cakes, ice cream, and fresh fruit. Hydration is also complimentary, with tea, coffee, soft drinks, and drinking water readily available. Beer and wine are available for purchase on board, and guests are welcome to bring their own spirits only. If you have special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, please provide prior notice so the cook can accommodate you. Catering for your Snefro Spirit liveaboard safari starts with dinner on your check-in day.
"
We completed a 4-day mini-safari on the Snefro Spirit and are absolutely thrilled! This short tour was the perfect introduction to the liveaboard world of the Red Sea. The Snefro Spirit is a cosy, manageable ship with only 18 guests, which created a very personal and family atmosphere. The cabins were clean, functional, and equipped with everything you need for a short safari, including a private bathroom." -
Claudia T., Germany, 6 September 2025 ...
"
The boat is a lovely, traditional wooden vessel with a warm and friendly atmosphere, and with just 18 guests, it felt intimate and personal. The diving was superb. We explored the Strait of Tiran. The walls were covered in beautiful soft corals, and the fish life was spectacular. The food was delicious, with a great variety of fresh, tasty dishes." -
Emma James, United Kingdom, 17 August 2024 ...
