Rocky, Zabargad, St. Johns (Port Ghalib - Port Ghalib)

Blue Seas · Egypt · 7 nights

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

About this route

This southern Egyptian voyage departs from Port Ghalib to explore a collection of remote reefs near the Tropic of Cancer. The itinerary spans approximately 750 kilometers, visiting the pristine coral systems of St. Johns, the mountainous underwater landscape of Zabargad, and the steep walls of Rocky Island. Divers can expect a rich variety of environments, from light-filled caverns and swim-throughs to exposed plateaus frequented by large pelagic species. The trip concludes with a return to Port Ghalib after exploring the legendary Elphinstone Reef.

Regions on this route

St. JohnsElphinstoneFury ShoalAbu DababRockyZabargad

Highlights

Elphinstone Reef

A legendary Red Sea site, Elphinstone is famous for its cigar-like shape and dramatic vertical walls. The north and south plateaus are adorned with a rich tapestry of hard and soft corals, attracting a variety of pelagic visitors. It is widely regarded as one of the region's most breathtaking reef systems.

  • Northern and southern plateaus
  • Abundant soft corals
  • Pelagic sightings

Rocky Island

Characterized by a fringing reef that encompasses the entire island, Rocky Island features steep drops into the deep blue. While the most vibrant life is often found in the top 12 meters, the site is famous for its strong currents and the chance to see large marine life passing by.

  • Steep fringing reefs
  • High-depth drop-offs
  • Current-swept walls

St. Johns Reef

Situated near the Tropic of Cancer, this southern reef system consists of many closely situated sites, allowing for diverse diving experiences. The area is celebrated for its stunning hard coral formations and dramatic underwater architecture. One highlight includes St. John's Caves, where sunlight creates beautiful effects through a network of tunnels.

  • Hard-coral formations
  • Unique tunnel networks
  • Photographer's paradise

Zabargad

This island is distinguished by a massive mountain rising from the seafloor, surrounded by a lagoon and a protective reef. The site offers a diverse mix of environments, including coral gardens and several wrecks. It is a fantastic spot for observing a wide range of reef fish and healthy coral structures.

  • Mountainous topography
  • Lagoon diving
  • Wreck sites

Requirements

  • CertificationAdvanced Open Water
  • Minimum logged dives50
  • ExperienceA minimum of 50 logged dives is required for this deep-water Red Sea route.

Good to know

  • Itinerary path depends on weather and the experience level of the guests.
  • A minimum of 50 logged dives is required for this specific route.
  • Check-in at Port Ghalib begins at 15:00 on the first day.
  • Final check-out is scheduled for 09:00 on the last morning.

Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1: Embarkation – Port Ghalib

    Guests arrive at Port Ghalib for boarding starting in the mid-afternoon. After settling into cabins and receiving a safety briefing, the vessel prepares for its southern journey.

  2. Day 2: Abu Dabab – Initial Check Dives

    The first day of diving typically begins at Abu Dabab to ensure all equipment is functioning perfectly. This area is known for its shallow, sheltered conditions and sandy bottoms, often featuring large sea turtles and diverse reef fish. The visibility is usually excellent, providing a relaxed introduction to the Red Sea's southern waters.

    Dive sites: Abu Dabab

  3. Day 3: St. Johns Reef – Southern Coral Labyrinths

    Located near the Tropic of Cancer, this vast chain of reefs offers incredible variety between its closely clustered sites. The area is famous for unique coral formations, including the light-dappled tunnels of St. John’s Caves and the massive pinnacles of Habili Ali. Divers commonly encounter schooling reef sharks and vibrant soft coral growth along the steep drop-offs.

    Dive sites: Habili Ali, Big Gota, Small Gota, Habili Gafar, Cave Reef

  4. Day 4: Rocky Island & Zabargad – Remote Outposts

    Rocky Island features a sheer fringing reef that drops to extreme depths, where strong currents often bring in large pelagics. Nearby, Zabargad Island presents a contrast with its massive underwater mountain, sheltered lagoons, and circling reefs. These remote sites are known for their pristine health, featuring a mix of historical wrecks and exceptional coral diversity.

    Dive sites: Rocky Island, Zabargad

  5. Day 5: Fury Shoals – Reefs and Hard Corals

    The Fury Shoal system is celebrated for its intricate hard coral gardens and shallow, sunlit passages. Sites like Abu Galawa often feature small wrecks encrusted in life, while Shab Maksur offers more challenging drift dives along its northern and southern plateaus. The topography here is highly varied, ranging from sheltered lagoons to exposed walls.

    Dive sites: Abu Galawa, Shab Claude, Shab Maksur

  6. Day 6: Shab Sharm & Habili Radir – Deep Plateaus

    As the journey heads north, the boat visits the kidney-shaped reef of Shab Sharm, known for its steep walls and potential for shark encounters. The site often features large schools of barracuda and jacks patrolling the blue water. Habili Radir offers further opportunities to explore deep plateaus and vibrant coral slopes in clear southern waters.

    Dive sites: Shab Sharm, Habili Radir

  7. Day 7: Elphinstone Reef – Legendary Walls

    The final full day of diving is dedicated to Elphinstone Reef, one of the Red Sea's most iconic locations. This cigar-shaped reef features spectacular north and south plateaus covered in a dense mix of hard and soft corals. It is a prime location for spotting oceanic whitetip sharks and other visiting pelagics along the sheer vertical drops.

    Dive sites: Elphinstone

  8. Day 8: Disembarkation – Port Ghalib

    After breakfast on board, the vessel completes its return to Port Ghalib. Guests check out by 09:00 for their onward transfers or flights.

Upcoming departures

  • 2027-08-19 – 2027-08-26from 1,419 USDBook

All routes of this liveaboard

About the vessel

Blue SeasBlue SeasEgypt
← Back to vessel: Blue Seas