The Best of the South (Port Ghalib - Port Ghalib)

AVO · Egypt · 7 nights

Duration
7 nights
Embarkation
Port Ghalib, Egypt
Disembarkation
Port Ghalib, Egypt
Dives
Approximately 18 dives in total

About this route

Embark on an enriching 7-day diving adventure through the magnificent Southern Red Sea. This itinerary focuses on exploring renowned sites, offering diverse marine life encounters from larger pelagics like sharks and dolphins to vibrant macro life. Divers can expect stunning coral reefs, dramatic drop-offs, and an array of unique reef inhabitants, promising a memorable underwater experience.

Regions on this route

St. JohnsElphinstoneAbu DababDaedalusRockyZabargad

Highlights

Abu Dabab

Abu Dabab is a region celebrated for its diverse dive sites, offering a mix of vibrant coral gardens, sandy areas, and sea grass beds. It's especially famous for its population of green turtles and the occasional dugong sightings. The sites here cater to various experience levels, providing opportunities for both macro photography and observing larger reef inhabitants.

  • Diverse reef structures
  • Green turtle sightings
  • Potential dugong encounters
  • Vibrant coral gardens

Daedalus

Daedalus Reef is an isolated, large circular reef rising from the deep, marked by a lighthouse. Its exposed location means strong currents, which in turn attract an abundance of pelagic life, most notably schooling hammerhead sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks. The sheer walls are adorned with an explosion of hard and soft corals, making every drift dive exhilarating.

  • Offshore pinnacle
  • Hammerhead sharks
  • Oceanic whitetip sharks
  • Vibrant coral walls

Elphinstone

Elphinstone Reef is a world-renowned dive site, a long, narrow reef known for its dramatic wall dives and strong currents. It is a major attraction for pelagic encounters, particularly various shark species including oceanic whitetips and hammerheads. The walls are covered in spectacular soft corals, making it a visually breathtaking experience.

  • Iconic wall dives
  • Pelagic shark encounters
  • Strong currents
  • Spectacular soft corals

Red Sea

The Red Sea is globally recognized for its exceptional diving conditions, characterized by crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and an incredible diversity of marine life. Its unique ecosystem supports endemic species alongside a rich array of pelagic fish, sharks, and macro creatures. Divers can expect a wealth of underwater landscapes and captivating encounters.

  • Exceptional visibility
  • Vibrant coral reefs
  • Diverse marine life
  • Endemic species

Rocky

Rocky Island, a small, isolated outpost, offers pristine diving conditions with dramatic drop-offs and walls adorned with healthy corals. Its remote location in the deep south contributes to its untouched beauty and high chances of pelagic sightings. The currents here can be significant, bringing nutrient-rich waters that support a flourishing ecosystem.

  • Dramatic drop-offs
  • Pristine conditions
  • Pelagic sightings
  • Strong currents

St. Johns

St. John's is a vast reef system in the deep south of the Red Sea, characterized by its intricate network of caverns, tunnels, and swim-throughs. The area boasts healthy coral gardens and a high diversity of reef fish, often attracting pelagic species due to its offshore location. It's known for its stunning underwater topography and vibrant marine ecosystems.

  • Complex reef system
  • Caverns and tunnels
  • Rich biodiversity
  • Offshore location

Zabargad

Zabargad Island is a unique dive destination, featuring a large fringing reef, sheltered lagoons, and a variety of dive sites around its perimeter. The island's topography includes impressive coral gardens, pinnacles, and even a wreck. It's known for its tranquility and the chance to encounter diverse reef fish, turtles, and occasional larger marine animals.

  • Fringing reef system
  • Sheltered lagoons
  • Coral gardens
  • Diverse reef inhabitants

Requirements

  • CertificationAdvanced Open Water
  • Minimum logged dives50
  • ExperienceMinimum 50 logged dives required.

Good to know

  • Divers are recommended to wait for 24 hours before flying after their last dive.
  • The exact route and dive sites may change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and logistics.

Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1: Embarkation – Port Ghalib

    Guests will embark at Port Ghalib in the afternoon. Upon arrival, check-in to your cabin, settle in, and attend a mandatory welcome briefing. Enjoy dinner onboard as the vessel prepares for departure.

  2. Day 2: Abu Dabab – Southern Reefs

    Today's diving focuses on the Abu Dabab region, known for its diverse reef structures and potential for various marine encounters. The area often features vibrant coral gardens and sandy patches, providing habitat for a range of reef fish and invertebrates. Divers can anticipate exploring multiple sites within this rich marine environment.

    Dive sites: Abu Dabab 2, Abu Dabab 3

  3. Day 3: Daedalus Reef – Pelagic Encounters

    A full day is dedicated to diving the iconic Daedalus Reef, an offshore pinnacle renowned for its strong currents and abundance of pelagic species. The reef's steep walls are adorned with beautiful hard and soft corals. This site is particularly known for frequent sightings of various shark species and large schooling fish, offering thrilling drift dives.

    Dive sites: Daedalus Reef

  4. Day 4: Rocky Island & Zabargad – Secluded Reefs

    Today's dives explore the remote Rocky Island and Zabargad, offering pristine conditions away from heavier traffic. Rocky Island features dramatic drop-offs and excellent visibility, while Zabargad is characterized by its fringing reefs and sheltered lagoons. Both areas provide opportunities to observe unique reef ecosystems and potential pelagic visitors in a tranquil setting.

    Dive sites: Rocky Island, Zabargad Island

  5. Day 5: St. John's Reef – Complex Formations

    The day is spent exploring the extensive St. John's Reef system, a complex of interconnected reefs, caverns, and swim-throughs. The topography here is highly diverse, ranging from shallow coral gardens to deeper walls, supporting a rich variety of marine life. Divers can expect to navigate through stunning formations and encounter vibrant reef inhabitants.

    Dive sites: Saint John's Reef area, Saint John's Reef Caves

  6. Day 6: Sataya & Shaab Marsa Alam – Dolphin Lagoon

    Today's itinerary includes dives at Sataya, famously known as the 'Dolphin House' for its resident spinner dolphin pod, and Shaab Marsa Alam. Sataya offers shallow, protected lagoons ideal for snorkeling with dolphins and drift dives along its reef. Shaab Marsa Alam presents healthy reefs with diverse fish populations and vibrant coral formations, suitable for various dive experiences.

    Dive sites: Sataya (Dolphins), Shaab Claudia, Shaab Marsa Alam

  7. Day 7: Elphinstone Reef – Iconic Walls

    The final full day of diving is spent at the legendary Elphinstone Reef, a narrow, cigar-shaped reef famous for its dramatic walls, strong currents, and consistent pelagic activity. The north and south plateaus are popular spots for shark sightings, including oceanic whitetips and hammerheads. The reef's sheer drops are covered in beautiful soft corals, making it a visually stunning dive.

    Dive sites: Elphinstone

  8. Day 8: Disembarkation – Port Ghalib

    After a final breakfast on board, guests will check out and disembark at Port Ghalib. Transfers will be arranged according to individual travel plans.

Upcoming departures

  • 2027-05-01 – 2027-05-08from 1,833 USDBook
  • 2027-07-10 – 2027-07-17from 1,725 USDBook

All routes of this liveaboard

About the vessel

AVOAVOEgypt
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