MV Sunshine is a 30m long Egyptian motor vessel that operates budget-friendly liveaboard diving cruises for 20 guests in the Northern Red Sea to its superb wrecks and reefs. This means it specialises in trips to dive at the Straits of Tiran, Ras Mohamed National Park, the world famous SS Thistlegorm World War 2 wreck, the Abu Nuhas wreck system, and the Rosalie Moeller.
The air-conditioned saloon has both a lounge with comfortable seating, TV and audio entertainment system, and a dining area for buffet meals. Sunshine understand well how important it is to have great food when you're diving 4 times a day. The menu was created by the executive chef. He not only treats you with tasty food, but makes sure it is perfectly balanced. The galley uses fresh meat and poultry from selected butchers and fresh fruit and vegetables from farms in Qena, Luxor and Nile Delta.
There is a large selection of movies that guests can watch, and an international book library. Wifi is available onboard the Sunshine liveaboard too. The upper deck has a partially covered sun area with seating and loungers, ideal for enjoying the sea breezes and the Red Sea sunshine. There is an open-air bar and music system where guests can share dive stories, socialise a little with the 11 boat crew, and enjoy a cocktail or beer as the sun sets on another memorable day in Egypt
All the simple cabins have private en-suite bathrooms, They each have twin beds with air-conditioning and daily housekeeping. There is a choice of lower deck or upper deck accommodation. Complimentary toiletries are provided, as well as cabin, dive and beach towels.
2 motorised dinghies are used to take scuba divers to the sites, or occassionally you can jump in straight from the dive platform, if conditions allow. The dive deck features enriched air nirox for certified divers, wetsuit and towel dry rails, individual gear storage crates, camera rinse tanks, table and battery charging station.
Sunlight Red Sea liveaboard safaris do not use freelancers. Most of the staff have been with the company for a long time and are very professional. They are a competent crew that understand the needs of guests and can deliver a high quality servce. They are also vey flexible to scuba diver special requests - if you want an early morning dive to dive with sharks, no problem! If you want to reserve an unusual route to dive a rare wreck, no problem once again!
Brothers & Safaga (8 Days / 7 Nights - 20 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: Abu Ramada, Small Giftun Island, Abu Hasheesh, Tobia Arbaa, Safaga: Panorama, Middle Reef, Shaab Shear, Abu Kafan, Salem Express, Big Brother, Little Brother
Day 1
Your expedition begins with boarding the Sunshine liveaboard at the tourist harbour in Hurghada. Upon arrival, the crew will welcome you on deck, show you to your cabin, and provide a full safety and vessel briefing. This first evening provides a perfect opportunity to meet your fellow divers over dinner in the saloon. The boat will depart under cover of darkness to ensure you wake up ready for the first dive site.
Core Days
This dive cruise offers a superb balance of challenging offshore diving in the Red Sea and varied coastal reefs. The focus shifts between the vast blue water encounters of the Brother Islands and the vibrant, protected sites nearer Safaga.
The isolated Brothers, Big Brother and Little Brother, are iconic Red Sea sites defined by sheer, current-swept walls. These pinnacles are densely carpeted in soft corals, vivid sponges, and colossal gorgonian sea fans, creating a spectacular backdrop for wide-angle photography. We recommend keeping an alert watch on the deep blue here for potential megafauna, including magnificent oceanic whitetip sharks, solitary thresher sharks, and graceful scalloped hammerheads. Furthermore, the Brothers are home to 2 captivating wrecks, the Numidia and the Aida II, which are now completely encrusted and teeming with fish life.
The second half of your Sunshine diving experience moves to the Safaga and northern reef systems, presenting a diverse range of topographies. You will explore world-class sites such as Panorama Reef and Abu Kafan, where deep plateaus and steep drop-offs are adorned with healthy hard coral formations. Further north, local reefs like Abu Ramada and the fringing systems near Small Giftun Island and Abu Hasheesh provide shallower, calmer dives. Here, you'll find plentiful reef life, including schools of yellow-tailed snappers, curious Napoleon wrasse, and turtles grazing amongst the gardens.
A profound dive awaits at the historic Salem Express, a 100-metre ferry that serves as a sombre and moving artificial reef. The structure is now heavily colonised by soft corals and serves as a shelter for marine life. Divers often spot blue-spotted stingrays resting on the decks, lionfish patrolling the structure, and macro subjects like frogfish nestled among the growth. Other sites, such as Tobia Arbaa and Middle Reef, offer rich, shallower pinnacles perfect for observing schools of trevallies and tuna.
The ultimate experience of the Sunshine liveaboard is the chance to spend time at these sought-after locations. You will complete 2 dives on the penultimate afternoon as the vessel begins its return transit to port.
Day 8
Following a final breakfast on board, disembarkation will take place in Hurghada,
Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 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: Brothers islands, Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone
Day 1
Your offshore diving expedition in the Red Sea begins with boarding the Sunshine liveaboard at the harbour in Hurghada or Port Ghalib. Once aboard, the dedicated crew will greet you, assist with cabin allocation, and conduct a comprehensive vessel and safety briefing. Dinner is served in the main saloon, providing a relaxed setting to connect with your diving colleagues before the vessel lifts anchor in the pre-dawn hours for the deep south.
Core Days
This classic southern Red Sea diving route is justly famous, combining exposed, challenging pinnacles with prolific marine biomass. It is designed specifically for certified divers eager to experience the Red Sea’s celebrated pelagic action and spectacular wall diving.
The tour includes the Brother Islands - Big Brother and Little Brother - 2 mounts isolated in the open sea. Strong currents nourish colossal gardens of soft corals, hydroids, and giant gorgonian fans that cling to the near-vertical reef walls. These structures are a magnet for large schools of snapper and barracuda. More importantly, this location is globally recognised for consistent shark sightings. Divers frequently encounter graceful thresher sharks, often spotted deep below the boat, powerful grey reef sharks, and the majestic oceanic whitetip sharks cruising the blue. Adding historical depth to the diving are the wrecks of the Numidia and the Aida II off Big Brother, now stunning artificial reefs completely taken over by marine life.
Next, the Sunshine dive trip takes you to Daedalus Reef. This vast, oval reef system, distinguished by its lighthouse, mandates exhilarating drift dives along its steep faces. Keep your attention focused on the deep blue here, as it is a prime area for encountering large marine life. Besides the sheer density of colourful reef fish, Daedalus offers the chance to witness schools of scalloped hammerheads ascending from the depths, particularly during the early morning hours, alongside occasional sightings of giant manta rays.
Concluding the offshore section is Elphinstone, a narrow, torpedo-shaped reef renowned for its north and south plateaus. The corners of Elphinstone are hot spots for feeding activity, attracting various shark species, including whitetip reef sharks and the thrilling oceanic whitetips. These exposed regions also feature impressive overhangs draped in purple and pink soft corals, creating dramatic underwater vistas. The last full day of diving concludes with 2 scheduled dives before the Sunshine liveaboard begins its return sail to port.
Day 8
After a final breakfast on board, disembarkation takes place at Hurghada or Port Ghalib.
Red Sea North & Wrecks (incl. Turkia) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 19 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: Dolphin House, Abu Nuhas, SS Turkia, SS Thistlegorm, Beacon Rock, SS Dunraven, Ras Mohamed, Gubal island, Shaab El Erg, Umm Gamar
Day 1
Arrive in Hurghada, where you'll be transferred to the tourist harbour to board the Sunshine liveaboard. After settling into your cabin and a comprehensive boat briefing, enjoy your first dinner with fellow divers as the vessel prepares for the week ahead.
Core Days
This itinerary aboard the Sunshine liveaboard charts a course through the most celebrated underwater landmarks of Egypt's northern Red Sea. Designed for certified divers, it weaves together legendary wrecks and vibrant coral reefs, placing you at the heart of diving history and marine biodiversity. Your days will be defined by a rhythm of exploration, beginning with a sunrise briefing and culminating in evening reflections under a starlit sky.
The dive cruise is anchored by iconic wrecks. The SS Thistlegorm is a profound historical encounter. Resting on a sandy bottom at 32 metres, this WWII transport vessel holds a perfectly preserved cargo of military supplies, from trucks and motorcycles to aircraft wings. Its open holds and resident marine life offer a multi-layered dive where history and biology intertwine. The quartet of wrecks at Abu Nuhas provides a contrasting study. Each vessel, such as the Giannis D or the Carnatic, sits at the base of a steep coral slope, its steel structure now a thriving artificial reef covered in colourful soft corals and home to vast schools of glassfish.
A unique highlight of this itinerary is a visit to the SS Turkia, a lesser-known British cargo ship located near the Zaafarana lighthouse in the Gulf of Suez. Its relative isolation often results in exceptional visibility and a sense of having the wreck to yourself. This dive complements other wreck sites like the SS Dunraven near Beacon Rock, which is broken into sections ideal for penetration, and the coral-encrusted hull at Gubal Island.
The region's famous marine encounters add a dynamic layer to every dive. The reefs at Shaab El Erg and the lagoons of Umm Gamar are known for resident pods of spinner dolphins, whose acrobatics often grace dives as well as surface intervals. The nutrient-rich upwellings of Ras Mohamed can attract larger life, and while sightings are never guaranteed, the summer months bring the possibility of spotting schooling scalloped hammerheads in the blue. Each site, from wreck to reef, contributes to a week of diving in the northern Red Sea.
Day 8
After a final breakfast on board the Sunshine liveaboard, disembarkation begins in Hurghada harbour, with the crew available to assist with your transfer back to the airport or a local hotel.
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: Shaab El Erg, Abu Nuhas wrecks: Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K. and Kimon M;, Shaab Mahmoud, Ras Mohamed, Straits of Tiran: Jackson, Thomas, Gordon and Woodhouse reefs; Ras Um Sid, Thistlegorm, Gubal Island, Umm Gamar
Day 1
Your north Red Sea diving adventure begins with evening boarding in Hurghada. Once settled into the Sunshine liveaboard, the professional crew will provide a full safety and vessel briefing. Enjoy dinner in the saloon-restaurant, connecting with your fellow divers, before the boat quietly slips anchor in the early morning, heading towards the first dive location.
Core Days
This itinerary is specifically designed for divers seeking the northern Red Sea's best: historical shipwrecks and dramatic offshore reefs. We commence with a dive into history at the SS Thistlegorm, one of the world's most famous wrecks. This British supply ship, resting at 32 metres, provides unparalleled access to a World War II time capsule, with its remarkable cargo of BSA motorbikes, trucks, and ammunition perfectly preserved within the holds. Near this area, we will also explore the infamous Abu Nuhas reef, which holds the remains of 4 compelling wrecks: the Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K, and Kimon M. These coral-encrusted structures are rich in glassfish and lionfish, offering superb photographic opportunities. Additional local reefs around Gubal Island and Shaab El Erg, known for resident dolphin pods, ensure a complete experience.
The mid-section of the Sunshine liveaboard cruise concentrates on the Sinai region, including the dynamic Straits of Tiran. The 4 reefs here - Jackson, Thomas, Gordon, and Woodhouse - are vast pinnacles exposed to powerful currents, which guarantees nutrient upwellings. The payoff is spectacular: vibrant, health-dense soft corals and the frequent presence of large pelagic visitors, including patrolling grey reef sharks, schools of colourful trevally, and large oceanic tuna.
We conclude with exploration of the Ras Mohamed National Park, Egypt's premier marine protectorate. Dives at sites like Ras Um Sid and Shark Reef are celebrated for their sheer vertical walls adorned with spectacular gorgonian sea fans, offering encounters with inquisitive turtles and giant Napoleon wrasse. Further local sites such as Umm Gamar and Shaab Mahmoud provide excellent walls and pinnacles rich in reef fish. This superb diving platform, the Sunshine liveaboard, offers 2 final dives on the penultimate day before we set sail back to port.
Day 8
Following a final breakfast, disembarkation will take place in Hurghada.
[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].
Indulge in freshly prepared buffet-style meals crafted by Sunshine's professional chef and sous-chef throughout your cruise. Breakfast offers a hearty spread featuring eggs cooked to order, toast with preserves, farm-fresh local vegetables, an assortment of cheeses and cold cuts, fluffy pancakes, savoury sausages, and classic porridge - all complemented by rich, fresh-ground coffee. Between dives, the dining area remains stocked with tea, coffee, hot chocolate, soft drinks, and snacks for whenever cravings strike.
Lunch presents an array of satisfying options including grilled meats, poultry, and fish alongside pasta, rice dishes, and vibrant vegetable creations served with crisp salads and comforting soups. Dinner elevates the experience with selections like roast duck with cashew rice and orange glaze, tender roast beef in mushroom gravy, lasagna al forno, or freshly baked jackfish accompanied by basmati rice and sautéed seasonal vegetables.
Most meals are served in the liveaboard's air-conditioned indoor restaurant, though favourable weather may invite special al fresco dining on the upper deck. The open-air social area features a cocktail bar perfect for sunset sundowners after an exhilarating day of diving.
A typical day with the Sunshine liveaboard follows this rhythm: dawn breaks with the first dive at 6 am, followed by breakfast at 8:30 am. The second dive commences at 10:30 am before lunch at 1 pm, with the third dive at 3 pm. Snack time at 5 pm fuels guests for potential night dives at 7 pm, culminating in dinner at 8:30 pm. Weather-permitting special events like beach or deck BBQs occasionally enhance the itinerary, though these cannot be guaranteed.
Throughout the day, guests enjoy unlimited access to complimentary snacks including fresh-baked pastries, cookies, chips, and chocolates. The beverage station offers free-flow soft drinks (juices, sodas, tonic and mineral waters), with local beer available for purchase (advance orders recommended).
Note that dive schedules and meal times may be adjusted by the Sunshine liveaboard to optimise each unique itinerary's flow and conditions.
