Daedalus, Rocky, Zabargad, Elphinstone (Port Ghalib - Port Ghalib)

Discovery I · Egypt · 7 nights

Duration
7 nights
Embarkation
Port Ghalib, Egypt
Disembarkation
Port Ghalib, Egypt
Dives
Approximately 19 dives in total

About this route

This Egyptian Red Sea itinerary focuses on the southern regions, offering an exciting exploration of offshore reefs. Divers can expect encounters with diverse marine life, including various shark species and manta rays, alongside vibrant coral formations. The route typically includes renowned sites such as Daedalus Reef, Zabargad Island, Rocky Island, and Elphinstone Reef, providing a mix of deep walls, drift dives, and rich ecosystems. This journey is ideal for those seeking pelagic action and spectacular underwater topography.

Regions on this route

ElphinstoneDaedalusEgyptRockyZabargad

Highlights

Daedalus

Daedalus Reef is a large, oval-shaped offshore marine park distinguished by its historic lighthouse. The reef boasts extensive deep walls adorned with diverse soft and hard coral formations. It is a prime location for encountering schooling hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, and other large pelagics. Strong currents are often present, providing exciting drift dive opportunities.

  • Lighthouse reef
  • Deep walls
  • Schooling hammerheads
  • Pristine corals

Elphinstone

Elphinstone is one of the Red Sea's most iconic dive sites, featuring dramatic sheer walls covered in vibrant soft corals. Its deep drop-offs and strong currents attract a variety of pelagic marine life. The reef is particularly known for sightings of oceanic whitetip sharks and grey reef sharks, especially during specific seasons, making it a thrilling location for experienced divers.

  • Sheer coral walls
  • Oceanic whitetip sharks
  • Grey reef sharks
  • Drift diving

Red Sea

The Red Sea is globally renowned for its exceptional marine biodiversity, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs. It offers diverse diving experiences, from shallow fringing reefs to dramatic deep walls and thriving offshore pinnacles. The region is home to a vast array of fish species, colorful corals, and frequent pelagic encounters, making it a premier dive destination.

  • Exceptional biodiversity
  • Vibrant coral reefs
  • Clear waters
  • Pelagic encounters

Rocky

Rocky Island is a small fossil-coral island that offers excellent diving conditions with its elliptical reef structure. The underwater terrain features extensive soft corals and large gorgonian formations, often frequented by reef fish, dolphins, and manta rays. It's known for very good visibility, providing clear views of its rich marine ecosystems.

  • Fossil coral island
  • Soft coral walls
  • Dolphin sightings
  • Excellent visibility

Zabargad

Zabargad Island is a captivating dive site characterized by its stunning coral gardens and abundance of marine life. This area is a sanctuary for tropical groupers, colorful reef fish, octopuses, crustaceans, and nudibranchs. It is also known for potential sightings of hammerhead sharks and other pelagic species, making it a diverse and visually rich diving location.

  • Coral gardens
  • Tropical reef fish
  • Hammerhead sharks
  • Macro life

Requirements

  • CertificationOpen Water Diver
  • Minimum logged dives10
  • ExperienceInexperienced and beginner divers may find some dives challenging and may be asked by the Cruise Director to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience.

Good to know

  • Diver certification: Open Water with at least 10 logged dives is required for this itinerary.
  • For maximum enjoyment, an Advanced Open Water certification is recommended.
  • A 24-hour waiting period is recommended after the last dive before flying.
  • The itinerary is subject to change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and the captain's discretion.

Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1: Embarkation – Port Ghalib

    Guests are welcomed aboard the Discovery I in the afternoon at Port Ghalib. After settling into cabins, a comprehensive safety briefing and introductions will take place. The vessel remains in port overnight, allowing guests to relax and prepare for the week of diving ahead.

  2. Day 2: Daedalus Reef – Lighthouse & Deep Walls

    Today's dives focus on Daedalus Reef, a prominent offshore marine park featuring a lighthouse and impressive deep walls. This site is renowned for its diverse soft corals and often presents opportunities for encounters with schooling hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, and other pelagic species. Strong currents are common here, making for exhilarating drift dives along its pristine formations.

  3. Day 3: Daedalus Reef – Pelagic Encounters

    Continuing our exploration of Daedalus Reef, divers will experience more of its spectacular backdrop, which features mountainous, pristine, hard coral formations. The area is particularly known for pelagic encounters, with frequent sightings of grey reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, and oceanic whitetip sharks. The varied topography, including deep drop-offs, provides a rich environment for both large pelagics and vibrant reef life.

  4. Day 4: Zabargad Island – Lively Reefs

    Today centers around Zabargad Island, a vibrant dive site celebrated for its impressive coral gardens and abundant marine life. Divers can expect to find a wide array of tropical groupers, colorful reef fish, and interesting macro subjects like nudibranchs. The area's topography includes a gentle slope, making it accessible for various dive levels, and is often frequented by hammerhead sharks and other pelagics.

  5. Day 5: Rocky Island – Pinnacle & Soft Corals

    The itinerary moves to Rocky Island, a small fossil coral island that emerges from the surface, characterized by an elliptical reef. Its underwater terrain is filled with soft corals and impressive gorgonians, offering a picturesque diving experience. This location is known for its excellent visibility and diverse marine life, with opportunities to spot various species of reef fish, dolphins, and occasional manta rays.

  6. Day 6: Elphinstone Reef – Iconic Walls

    Today's diving highlights Elphinstone Reef, a legendary site in the Red Sea famous for its sheer walls covered in vibrant soft corals. The reef's dramatic drop-offs provide a dynamic environment for drift dives, attracting various pelagic species. It's often considered one of the best places for encounters with grey reef sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks, particularly during certain seasons.

  7. Day 7: Elphinstone & Return to Port Ghalib

    A final day of diving at Elphinstone Reef allows for more exploration of its stunning walls and potential pelagic sightings. After the dives, the vessel begins its journey back towards Port Ghalib. Guests will have time to relax, share experiences, and enjoy a farewell dinner onboard. The last dive is planned to ensure sufficient surface interval before flying.

  8. Day 8: Disembarkation – Port Ghalib

    After breakfast, guests will disembark the Discovery I at Port Ghalib by 10:00. Transfers will be arranged according to individual travel plans, concluding a memorable diving adventure in the Egyptian Red Sea.

Upcoming departures

  • 2026-11-07 – 2026-11-14from 1,021 USDBook
  • 2026-11-28 – 2026-12-05from 1,021 USDBook
  • 2026-12-12 – 2026-12-19from 930 USDBook
  • 2027-03-20 – 2027-03-27from 988 USDBook
  • 2027-05-01 – 2027-05-08from 1,037 USDBook
  • 2027-05-15 – 2027-05-22from 1,037 USDBook
  • 2028-03-18 – 2028-03-25from 988 USDBook
  • 2028-04-29 – 2028-05-06from 1,037 USDBook
  • 2028-05-13 – 2028-05-20from 1,037 USDBook
  • 2028-07-08 – 2028-07-15from 988 USDBook
  • 2028-07-22 – 2028-07-29from 988 USDBook
  • 2028-08-05 – 2028-08-12from 988 USDBook

All routes of this liveaboard

About the vessel

Discovery IDiscovery IEgypt
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