Slack Water
Liveaboards · Egypt

Northern Red Sea liveaboards

7 nights from Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. Easy reefs, dense fish life and some of the world's best-known wrecks.

Compare boats and dates ↗Northern Red Sea dive guide
Orange anthias and other reef fish swarming around hard corals in clear blue water near Hurghada
Photo: Oliver Schwaneberg / Unsplash (Unsplash License)

At a glance

Best months
March to May and September to November
Trip length
7 nights
Departs from
Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh
Price per night
US$88–US$178Per person, typical published rates
Certification
Open Water divers welcomeOpen Water recommended
Current
MildMostly mild; stronger on exposed southern and offshore reefs

When boats run

March to May and September to November.

Overview

Northern Red Sea liveaboards mostly run 7 night round trips from Hurghada. The classic route covers the Abu Nuhas wrecks, the SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammed and the Straits of Tiran. Some trips add the offshore Brothers Islands, which need 50 logged dives.

It is one of the cheaper liveaboard regions. Dive The World listings in 2026 typically start at about USD 88 to 178 per person per day, before park fees, nitrox and tips. Many northern routes accept Open Water divers, though some boats ask for 20 logged dives.

Routes

  • Northern Red Sea Wrecks and Reefs7 nights · Year-round. Hurghada round trip covering Abu Nuhas, the SS Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammed and the Straits of Tiran. The most common first liveaboard in Egypt; some deeper wreck dives suit Advanced divers.
  • Northern Red Sea and Brothers7 nights · Year-round. Combines northern wrecks with the offshore Brothers Islands. The Brothers marine park needs 50 logged dives, so it suits experienced divers.
  • Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone7 nights · Year-round. Offshore reefs known for sharks and current, sometimes from Hurghada. For Advanced divers with at least 50 logged dives; not a northern route in the strict sense.

Getting to the boat

  • Hurghada, EgyptFly into Hurghada International Airport; most northern Red Sea liveaboards start and finish here.
  • Sharm El Sheikh, EgyptFly into Sharm El Sheikh; some boats run northern routes from here (not confirmed by the listings found in this research).

Who can go

Open Water divers can join northern routes. Emperor Divers sets no minimum logged dives on its gentler northern itineraries but asks for 20 on its northern wreck trips, and Blue Adventurer asks for 20 logged dives in the north. Trips to the Brothers, Daedalus or other offshore marine parks require 50 logged dives under Egyptian rules, and operators usually want Advanced Open Water.

Open Water friendly. Offshore reefs and deeper wrecks suit Advanced divers.

What it costs

Published rates typically run US$88 to US$178 a night. Per person per day, shared cabin, Dive The World 'from' prices seen in 2026 (Firebird from USD 88, Sea Serpent Excellence USD 137 on a 7 night Northern Wrecks and Brothers trip, Thunderbird USD 178). LiveAboard.com quotes whole 7 night trips in euros, about EUR 745 to 1,600 per person. Excludes marine park and port fees, nitrox and tips.

  • Marine park and boarding fees: EUR 120 per person on one operator's cruise, marked as still to be confirmed for 2026 (SSI dive centre listing)
  • Another operator bundles diesel surcharge, marine park and harbour fees into an EUR 400 incidentals package not included in the base price (Sea Friend, Zublu listing)
  • No official 2026 Egyptian park fee schedule was found; some boats include park and port fees in the price

Know the risks

  • Stronger current on southern sites
  • Boat traffic at popular reefs

Questions

How much does a Red Sea liveaboard from Hurghada cost?

Dive The World listings seen in 2026 typically start at about USD 88 to 178 per person per day. LiveAboard.com lists whole 7 night northern trips at about EUR 745 to 1,600 per person. Park fees, nitrox and tips are usually extra.

Can Open Water divers do a Red Sea liveaboard?

Yes, on northern routes. Some boats ask for 20 logged dives, and some set no minimum. Trips to the Brothers or Daedalus require 50 logged dives.

How long is a northern Red Sea liveaboard?

Most trips are 7 nights, Hurghada to Hurghada. They usually include the Thistlegorm, Abu Nuhas and Ras Mohammed.

Do I need 50 logged dives for the Brothers?

Yes. The offshore marine parks, including the Brothers, Daedalus, Zabargad and Rocky Island, require at least 50 logged dives, and operators usually ask for Advanced Open Water.

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Also by boat in the same months

Sources

Last reviewed 15 October 2026. Prices and fees change every season; confirm with the operator before you book.