Golden Dolphin IV

Location: Egypt

Rating: 4.8/5 (8 reviews)

Golden Dolphin IV

About Golden Dolphin IV

The Red Sea, a narrow oceanic basin, supports a thriving marine ecosystem, explored from the contemporary Golden Dolphin IV liveaboard.

The intense Egyptian sun penetrates deep into the Red Sea’s highly saline waters, fueling the growth of resilient coral formations. This long, narrow basin flanked by arid land creates an environment of exceptional water clarity. Its underwater landscape is a dramatic mix of fringing reefs that plunge into the abyss, isolated offshore pinnacles, and deep canyons. This topography attracts a full spectrum of marine life, from vibrant reef fish to oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads, and mantas in the open blue. The Golden Dolphin IV was engineered for this region, providing a modern and stable platform to access the Red Sea’s celebrated dive sites. Diving is organized for efficiency and comfort from an expansive dive deck with individual gear stations and rinse tanks. All dives are conducted from two 6-meter inflatable tenders, each powered by an 85 HP outboard engine for precise drop-offs on remote walls or pinnacles. Sturdy boarding ladders simplify re-entry after each dive. Professional guides lead all groups, offering detailed briefings and expert knowledge of local sites and marine behavior. To extend bottom time, Nitrox is available for certified divers. A dedicated camera station with charging points provides a work area for photographers. Life aboard is structured around diver comfort. Fourteen cabins accommodate twenty-eight guests in twin or double bed layouts. Every stateroom is air-conditioned and includes a private en-suite bathroom, offering a quiet space to rest. For socializing, guests can gather in the large, climate-controlled salon and dining room. Outdoor relaxation areas include a shaded al fresco lounge and an open upper sundeck furnished with loungers, providing options for enjoying the sea breeze or the Egyptian sun between dives. The onboard chef prepares a varied menu of international and local Egyptian dishes. Meals are served buffet-style in the main salon, with three main courses supplemented by snacks and fruit available throughout the day. The kitchen is able to accommodate common dietary requirements with advance notice. A selection of soft drinks, juices, tea, and coffee is complimentary. The bar also offers beer and wine for purchase, perfect for relaxing at the end of the diving day. Constructed in 2021, the Golden Dolphin IV is a purpose-built steel motor yacht designed for open-water stability. At 46 meters long with a wide 11-meter beam, the vessel’s design minimizes roll during crossings and while moored at exposed sites. Power is supplied by twin 2200 PS Cummins K50 engines, delivering a consistent cruising speed of 10 knots. Onboard watermakers produce ample fresh water for all 14 private bathrooms and deck showers. The ship's modern construction and generous proportions ensure a comfortable ride for its 28 guests. Golden Dolphin IV operates year-round, offering itineraries that cover the Red Sea’s most famous regions. Depending on the season, routes focus on the Northern Wrecks and Reefs, including the SS Thistlegorm, or venture south to the challenging offshore marine parks of the Brothers Islands, Daedalus, and Elphinstone. These southern trips are known for encounters with large pelagic species. Departures are from Hurghada or Port Ghalib. The vessel is an excellent choice for divers seeking a modern, spacious liveaboard with a high standard of service. Northern trips suit all certification levels, while southern itineraries are best for advanced divers experienced with depth and currents.

Vessel Specifications

Cabins

Itineraries

Itinerary as of clients request (11D10N)

Duration: 11D10N

Embarkation: Hurghada

Embark on a personalized liveaboard diving journey through Egypt, tailoring your adventure to your specific interests. This region is renowned for its vibrant coral gardens, offering opportunities for encounters with a diverse array of marine life, including schooling reef fish and the occasional reef shark. Expect to be amazed by dramatic underwater topography and the chance to witness majestic pelagic visitors, especially during their peak seasons.

Best of the Red Sea

Duration: 7 nights

Embarkation: Port Ghalib

The Red Sea’s vibrant reefs and nutrient-rich waters support an astonishing diversity of marine life, from colorful hard and soft corals to plentiful reef fish. This "Best of the Red Sea" itinerary explores the region's classic southern cruising grounds, including the renowned marine parks of Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone. Divers can anticipate exhilarating encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads, and manta rays in season, alongside pristine coral gardens and dramatic wall div

Clean up Safari: North - Safaga - Brother Islands - Elphinstone

Duration: 7 nights

Embarkation: Hurghada

Brother Islands - Daedalus - Elphinstone (Port Ghalib - Hurghada)

Duration: 7 nights

Embarkation: Port Ghalib, Egypt

This southern Red Sea route is celebrated for its thrilling drift dives, dramatic deep walls, and frequent encounters with large pelagic species. Divers can anticipate spotting oceanic whitetip and thresher sharks, alongside tuna at the Brothers Islands. Daedalus Reef provides opportunities to witness schooling hammerheads and occasional manta rays, while Elphinstone is renowned for its spectacular coral walls and sightings of oceanic whitetips and grey reef sharks. This itinerary offers vibrant

South till dolphin reef

Duration: 7 nights

Embarkation: Hurghada

Explore the vibrant southern Red Sea on a journey specifically designed to encounter its prolific dolphin populations. This itinerary focuses on drift dives along richly colored reef systems, with particular emphasis on areas known for encounters with spinner dolphins, such as Samadai Reef. Expect to see diverse reef fish, occasional pelagics in the deeper currents, and a high likelihood of dolphin interactions in their natural habitat. Conditions typically offer clear visibility and comfortable

Daedalus - Rocky Island - Zabargad - St. Johns - Elphinstone (Hurghada - Hurghada)

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Embarkation: Hurghada

This eleven-day adventure offers an exceptional deep dive into the celebrated offshore reefs of the southern Egyptian Red Sea, perfect for seasoned divers. The trip visits several spots, including Daedalus, Rocky Island, Zabargad, St. Johns, and Elphinstone. Divers will encounter diverse underwater environments, from impressive walls to vast drop-offs, and vibrant coral gardens and plateaus. This route is particularly famous for its frequent sightings of large pelagic life, such as thresher, ham

North - Safaga - Brother Islands (Hurghada - Hurghada)

Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Embarkation: Hurghada

This diving cruise focuses on the celebrated shipwrecks located in the northern Red Sea. The trip is designed for wreck enthusiasts, with an itinerary that includes the wrecks at Abu Nuhas, such as the Carnatic and Ghiannis D., as well as the world-famous SS Thistlegorm. The route also features diving at Shaab El Erg and may include visits to Safaga and the Brother Islands, offering a diverse underwater adventure. Max guests on this trip: 28.

North - Strait of Tiran - Brother Islands (Hurghada - Hurghada)

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Embarkation: Hurghada

This advanced diving safari explores some of the most sought-after sites in the Egyptian Red Sea. The itinerary combines world-famous wreck diving with vibrant reef exploration. Divers will have the opportunity to visit iconic wrecks such as the SS Thistlegorm and the ships at Abu Nuhas, as well as the rich marine park of Ras Mohamed. The journey also includes the challenging drifts of the Straits of Tiran and the remote Brother Islands, which are renowned for encounters with large pelagic speci

Itinerary North - Straits of Tiran (Hurghada - Hurghada)

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Embarkation: Hurghada

This itinerary explores the legendary dive sites of the Northern Red Sea, starting and ending in Hurghada. The trip focuses on world-famous wrecks, including the SS Thistlegorm with its military cargo, and the ship graveyard of Abu Nuhas. Divers will also experience the stunning reefs of Ras Mohamed National Park and the challenging currents of the Straits of Tiran, home to four distinct reef systems like Jackson and Gordon Reef, which offer rich coral gardens and the chance to see pelagic speci

Brother Islands - Daedalus - Elphinstone (Hurghada - Port Ghalib)

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Embarkation: Hurghada

This itinerary is designed for experienced divers, exploring the legendary southern Red Sea marine parks of the Brother Islands, Daedalus, and Elphinstone. The route is celebrated for its thrilling drift dives along deep walls and frequent encounters with large pelagic species. Divers can expect potential sightings of hammerheads, thresher sharks, and oceanic whitetips. The trip also offers the chance to explore two famous wrecks, the Numidia and the Aida, at the Brother Islands. Max guests on