Red Sea Aggressor IV · Egypt · 10D9N
Embark on a 10-day expedition from Hurghada, charting a course deep into the southern Egyptian Red Sea. This itinerary is tailored for experienced divers, focusing on the legendary offshore reefs of Daedalus and St. John's, where thrilling encounters with pelagic species are common. Expect challenging drift dives in strong currents along pristine walls, with opportunities to see hammerhead, thresher, and oceanic whitetip sharks. The journey also includes explorations of the vibrant Fury Shoals and the iconic Elphinstone Reef before concluding in Marsa Alam.
Hurghada, Egypt
Board the vessel in Hurghada in the late afternoon. After settling into your cabin, you'll receive a comprehensive welcome briefing and safety orientation. The evening is dedicated to equipment setup and enjoying dinner as the yacht prepares for its overnight departure, sailing south towards the remote marine parks.
Good to know: Boarding between 3 pm and 6 pm | Welcome briefing and dinner | Overnight sailing south
Southern Red Sea
The day begins with check dives at a sheltered local reef to allow everyone to fine-tune weighting and get comfortable with their gear. These initial dives provide a gentle introduction to the Red Sea's vibrant coral ecosystems. Following the dives, the journey continues south with a long-distance crossing toward the offshore reefs.
Good to know: Check dives to ensure equipment and weighting are correct | Continued sailing south
Daedalus Reef, Southern Red Sea
Two full days are dedicated to exploring the legendary Daedalus Reef, an immense, isolated reef marked by a historic lighthouse. Its sheer walls are covered in pristine hard and soft corals, but the main attraction is in the blue. Strong currents attract schools of scalloped hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, and solitary thresher sharks. Divers can also spot Napoleon wrasse and turtles cruising the reef plateaus.
Dive sites: Daedalus Reef
Good to know: Famous for schools of hammerheads | Deep walls and strong currents | Potential for a lighthouse visit
Fury Shoals, Southern Red Sea
The itinerary moves to the extensive reef system of Fury Shoals. This area offers a more relaxed day of diving with diverse topography ranging from shallow coral gardens to small drop-offs. The sites here are celebrated for their stunning hard coral formations and are often visited by pods of spinner dolphins. The area also includes a couple of small, interesting wrecks accessible to recreational divers.
Dive sites: Fury Shoals, Abu Galawa Kebira (Tien Hsing wreck), Abu Galawa Soghayr (Yacht wreck)
Good to know: Explore stunning hard coral gardens | Chance to see spinner dolphins | Two small wrecks to dive
St. John's, Deep South Red Sea
Journeying to the deep south near the Sudanese border, the next two days are spent at the remote St. John's reefs. This vast area is a maze of pinnacles, tunnels, and caverns adorned with vibrant soft corals and huge gorgonian fans. The diverse underwater landscapes create habitats for an incredible array of marine life, from tiny macro critters hiding in crevices to large pelagic fish patrolling the outer walls.
Dive sites: St. John's
Good to know: Diving in the far south near the Sudanese border | Explore caves, tunnels, and pinnacles
Rocky Island & Zabargad Island, Southern Red Sea
The boat begins its journey north, stopping at the fabled islands of Rocky and Zabargad. Rocky Island is a steep pinnacle dropping to great depths, its exposed location and strong currents attracting sharks and other pelagics. Nearby, Zabargad Island offers more varied diving, including a large surrounding reef, a sheltered lagoon, and wrecks. Manta rays can sometimes be seen at cleaning stations here.
Dive sites: Rocky Island, Zabargad Island, Khanka Wreck
Good to know: Pinnacle and wall diving | Chance of manta rays at Zabargad | Explore a Russian spy ship wreck
Elphinstone Reef, Southern Red Sea
The final day of diving is spent at the world-famous Elphinstone Reef. This long, finger-like reef features north and south plateaus and dramatic vertical walls covered in colorful soft corals. The currents here can be exhilarating, bringing regular sightings of oceanic whitetip sharks, grey reef sharks, and large Napoleon wrasse. After the last dives, the boat sails to port in Marsa Alam.
Dive sites: Elphinstone Reef
Good to know: Final dives of the trip | Famous for shark encounters | Sail to Marsa Alam in the afternoon
Marsa Alam, Egypt
Following a final breakfast on board, it is time for goodbyes. Guests will disembark in the morning in the Marsa Alam area for their onward transfers to the local airport or hotels.
Good to know: Final breakfast on board | Disembarkation | Airport or hotel transfers