When you’re considering a Red Sea liveaboard, you want more than just a boat, you want a vessel with serious diving credentials. The Emperor Elite liveaboard stands as the flagship of the Emperor fleet, a 38-metre vessel for scuba divers who appreciate space, stability, and thoughtful design. Winner of Dive The World’s 'Liveaboard of the Year’ award, this boat has earned its reputation across Egypt’s most iconic routes, from the wrecks of the northern Red Sea to the remote reefs of the south. It’s a vessel that balances the needs of experienced divers with the comforts that make a week at sea genuinely relaxing.
Step on board and the first thing you’ll notice is the sense of space. With 13 cabins accommodating a maximum of 26 guests, the Emperor Elite never feels crowded. Every cabin comes with en-suite facilities, air-conditioning, flat-screen media players, and a minibar-small touches that make a difference after a long day of diving. Choose a Junior Suite for panoramic views or the Executive Suite on the upper deck if you prefer extra room and natural light. Bathrobes, hairdryers, and daily cabin service are all part of the package, reflecting the fleet’s attention to detail.
What sets the Emperor Elite liveaboard apart for many divers is the ‘no hidden extras’ policy. Fuel surcharges, marine park fees, and airport transfers are all included in the cruise price. Complimentary dinner wine, free nitrox, and free 15-litre tanks for those who prefer a larger cylinder add genuine value. You’ll also find free wi-fi on board, connection permitting, so you can share highlights with family or simply stay in touch between dives. It’s a straightforward approach that removes the usual guesswork from budgeting for a safari.
For divers, the practical setup matters as much as the amenities. The dive deck is generous, with direct water access, camera rinse tanks, and plenty of room to kit up without feeling rushed. The Emperor Elite runs a minimum of 2 dedicated dive guides per trip, ensuring groups remain manageable and briefings stay thorough. The fleet’s years of experience in the Red Sea mean the crew knows these waters intimately, whether you’re chasing pelagics at Daedalus or exploring the holds of the Thistlegorm. Nitrox is free, and the Emperor Elite supports rebreather and technical diving on request.
Cruises cover the full spectrum of Red Sea diving. Northern routes take you to the wrecks of Abu Nuhas, the reefs of Tiran, and the legendary SS Thistlegorm. Southern trips push further to the Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone, and St. John’s, where steep walls, oceanic whitetips, and schooling hammerheads define the experience. The boat’s size and stability make it well suited to these longer passages, and with 3 sundecks, an air-conditioned saloon, and a dedicated dining area, downtime between dives is genuinely comfortable.
The Emperor Elite has built its reputation through years of consistent operation under one of the Red Sea’s most established names. Crew retention is strong, service is professional without being intrusive, and the food, freshly prepared and plentiful, draws consistent praise. Whether you’re booking your first liveaboard or you’re a seasoned Red Sea regular, this is a boat that delivers on the essentials while adding the extras that matter. For certified divers looking to explore Egypt’s best sites without compromise, the Emperor Elite liveaboard remains an attractive choice.
Brothers & Safaga (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Safaga: Panorama Reef, Middle Reef, Abu Kafan, Salem Express; Brother Islands, Abu Dabbab and Elphinstone
Day 1
You board the Emperor Elite in the late afternoon, and the crew greets you with a warm welcome before showing you to your cabin. A comprehensive safety briefing and boat orientation follow, helping you find your bearings on board. Dinner is served in the spacious saloon, a chance to relax and meet fellow divers as the evening settles in. The vessel stays in port overnight, leaving you free to set up your dive gear without rush before the adventure begins at first light.
Core Days
The dive safari leads first to the Brother Islands, 2 remote seamounts that rise steeply from deep water. The Emperor Elite positions you at these legendary sites when conditions are most favourable. The walls here are draped in enormous gorgonian fans, their branches reaching into the current, while schools of fusiliers and anthias crowd the shallower ledges. Below, the wrecks of the Aida and Numidia rest on the sandy bottom, their structures now encrusted with soft corals and home to schools of batfish, emperor angelfish, and the occasional crocodilefish. Above the reef, oceanic whitetip sharks move with a quiet confidence, often appearing without warning from the blue. Hammerheads patrol the deeper water beyond the drop-off, and thresher sharks are sighted by those who spend time watching the edge.
From the Brothers, the route turns toward Safaga, where the diving shifts to a mix of sloping reefs, pinnacles, and one of the Red Sea's most evocative wrecks. Abu Kafan is a site of steep walls and sheltered gullies, where schools of barracuda hold station in the current and trevally hunt the open water nearby. At Panorama Reef and Middle Reef, the terrain is more varied: hard coral gardens on the plateaus give way to sandy flats where blue-spotted stingrays rest, and whitetip reef sharks are often found lounging beneath overhangs. The Salem Express lies on its side in 30 metres, a sobering dive that commands respect. Years underwater have transformed the ferry into an artificial reef, its corridors now home to batfish, glassfish, and schools of butterflyfish that drift through the wreckage.
The final offshore stop is Elphinstone, a classic seamount that provides a fitting conclusion to the week. The reef runs north-south, its walls dropping sharply on either side. Grey reef sharks are regular visitors, often patrolling the current-swept tips of the reef, while oceanic whitetips make passes along the wall with a deliberate, unhurried grace. Between these encounters, the reef itself holds quiet rewards: overhangs shelter lionfish and squirrelfish, the plateau is dotted with table corals, and moray eels peer from crevices in the wall.
The crew of the Emperor Elite times each day's diving to work with the tides, ensuring the best possible conditions across all three locations.
Day 8
A final breakfast precedes disembarkation, with the crew assisting with transfers to the airport or local accommodation. It is the end of a week spent exploring some of the Red Sea's most compelling dive sites aboard the Emperor Elite liveaboard.
Please note these itineraries sometimes run in reverse. Refer to your booking for details.
Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Elphinstone, Brothers, Deadalus Reef
Day 1
You are welcomed aboard the Emperor Elite in Hurghada, where the crew shows you to your cabin and provides a thorough boat briefing to help you feel settled. Dinner is served in the spacious indoor saloon, giving you the chance to meet fellow divers who have also chosen this Red Sea dive cruise for their holiday. The vessel remains in port overnight, setting sail early the next morning as everyone prepares for the first dive. Please note that trips occasionally use Port Ghalib, so it is worth checking your specific departure details.
Core Days
The safari takes its name from the 3 iconic locations that define this liveaboard experience: Elphinstone, Brothers, and Daedalus. The Emperor Elite liveaboard begins with the Brother Islands, 2 remote seamounts where the diving is shaped by dramatic drop-offs and the constant potential for pelagic encounters. The walls here are covered in massive gorgonian fans and soft corals, while the wrecks of the Aida and Numidia rest in deeper water, their steel structures now softened by years of coral growth. Schools of batfish and snapper gather around the wrecks, and frogfish are often spotted tucked into crevices. Above the reef, oceanic whitetip sharks move with a measured confidence, and hammerheads are sometimes seen patrolling the blue beyond the wall. Thresher sharks appear to those who spend time watching the deeper edges, and reef sharks are frequent companions on the outer slopes.
From the Brothers, the Emperor Elite heads south to Daedalus Reef, a circular formation marked by its lighthouse and known for reliable shark sightings. Early morning dives along the steep outer walls offer the best opportunities to observe scalloped hammerheads as they move with the current. Grey reef sharks are also common here, often holding position in the blue while divers watch from the reef edge. Beyond the sharks, the reef plateau supports healthy hard coral gardens, and cleaner stations attract turtles and napoleon wrasse that pause to be attended by smaller fish. Moray eels peer from openings in the wall, and schools of trevally sweep through the shallower areas.
Elphinstone provides the final focus of the trip, with 2 days dedicated to this classic seamount. The reef runs north-south, its walls dropping sharply on either side, and a shallow plateau offers a resting point between deeper dives. Oceanic whitetip sharks are encountered regularly, often approaching from the depths with a deliberate, unhurried presence. Grey reef sharks patrol the northern and southern tips, while barracuda and trevally hunt in the blue water beyond the wall. The reef itself holds its own rewards: overhangs shelter lionfish and glassfish, the walls are studded with whips and soft corals, and whitetip reef sharks are often found resting on sandy patches below the plateau.
The crew of the Emperor Elite times each day's diving to work with the tides and currents, ensuring the best possible conditions across these three world-class locations. The pace allows for 3 dives on most days, with a relaxed rhythm that suits experienced divers looking to cover the region's highlights without feeling rushed.
Day 8
Disembarkation begins in Hurghada after a final breakfast on board. The crew assists with transfers depending on your onward plans, leaving you with the satisfaction of a week spent exploring the Red Sea's finest offshore reefs aboard the Emperor Elite.
Please note that these trips sometimes run in reverse order. Check your trip details for more information.
Daedalus, Fury Shoals & Elphinstone (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Daedalus Reef, Fury Shoals Reef System (Sha'ab Claude, Abu Galawa Soraya, Malahi, Sha'ab Hamam, Abu Galawa Kebir, Tien Hsing Wreck, Gota Sataya, Habili Sameh), Sha'ab Sharm, Elphinstone
Day 1
Welcome aboard! The crew will greet you at Port Ghalib and help you get settled into your cabin on the Emperor Elite liveaboard. They'll give you a full boat and safety briefing so you can feel right at home for the duration of your trip. Later, you can get to know your fellow divers over a delicious dinner in the designated dining area in the spacious saloon. The boat will then set sail first thing in the morning, ready for your first dive.
Core Days
If you're an experienced diver, you won't want to miss the chance to dive at Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone on this liveaboard trip. These iconic sites offer bucket-list encounters with special marine life, including hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, whale sharks, thresher sharks, and manta rays. You can also expect to see turtles, Napoleon wrasse and whitetip reef sharks throughout your dives.
The Fury Shoals are a vast and diverse reef system that offer a range of diving experiences. A firm favourite is Sha’ab Claude, a classic site famous for its swim-throughs and enormous Porites corals. You'll also love Malahi, with its maze-like passages and resident turtles, while Abu Galawa Soraya is home to a stunning coral garden and the wreck of a private yacht, now beautifully covered in shimmering glassfish. And if you're a fan of snorkelling, Sataya is a must-see! It's home to a large pod of spinner dolphins and boasts some excellent underwater sights of its own. You’ll also have the chance to explore lesser-known sites of the Fury Shoals. The Sha'ab Hamam reef is a real gem, and is often referred to as 'Stairway to Heaven'. The main highlight is the stunning eastern canal, where you'll find a magnificent arch covered in colourful soft corals. As you make your way through, it feels as though you're ascending towards the surface, hence the site's heavenly nickname! You can expect to encounter blue-spotted stingrays, anthias, scorpionfish, and whitetip reef sharks here.
On the penultimate day of the tour, the liveaboard returns to Port Ghalib following 2 morning dives.
Day 8
Disembarkation in Port Ghalib starts after a final breakfast. You can arrange with the crew to be transported back to the airport or to a local hotel.
Daedalus, Rocky, Zabargad & St. John's (8 Days / 7 Nights - 22 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, shark action, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Daedalus Reef, Rocky Island, Zabargad, Fury Shoals Reef System (Sha'ab Claude, Abu Galawa Soraya, Malahi, Sha'ab Hamam, Abu Galawa Kebir, Tien Hsing Wreck, Gota Sataya, Habili Sameh), St. John's Reefs (Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya), Sha'ab Sharm, Elphinstone
Day 1
As you step aboard Emperor Elite liveaboard in Port Ghalib, the crew will greet you with warm smiles and guide you to your cabin. A detailed boat briefing follows, designed to help you feel at ease and familiar with your floating home for the days ahead. That evening, dinner is served in the dedicated dining area of the spacious saloon. The boat remains docked overnight, giving everyone time to settle in. At first light, Emperor Elite sets off into the Red Sea, and the adventure begins.
Core Days
Daedalus Reef is a remote marine park in the southern Red Sea, famed for its dramatic underwater landscapes and pelagic encounters. Its exposed location and nutrient-rich currents attract schools of fusiliers, surgeonfish, trevallies, and a vibrant mix of reef fish. Early morning dives on this liveaboard often reveal hammerhead sharks cruising in formation, while oceanic whitetips, thresher sharks, and manta rays add to the thrill.
Further south, Rocky Island rises steeply from the depths, surrounded by densely overgrown reef walls and swept by strong currents. These waters nourish gorgonian fans, black coral trees, and sponges, creating a haven for marine life. Grey reef sharks, silvertips, and turtles shelter in calmer pockets, while manta rays and dolphins are frequent visitors. Nearby, Zabargad Island offers a contrasting experience with its shallow coral gardens, drop-offs, and pinnacle formations. The island’s reefs are home to soldierfish, wrasses, and schools of snappers, along with reef sharks, barracuda, and turtles. Its remote location ensures pristine conditions and minimal boat traffic, making it a hidden gem for divers seeking solitude and biodiversity.
St. John’s Reefs in Egypt’s southern Red Sea offer stunning drop-offs, pinnacles, tunnels and coral gardens teeming with life. Hard corals, giant gorgonians and colourful soft corals create a vibrant backdrop for rays, octopus, lionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish, and schooling reef fish - a dream for underwater photographers.
Expect regular sightings of turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and whitetip reef sharks, with chances to spot mantas, grey reef sharks, and silvertips in deeper waters. Dugongs are rare but occasionally seen. With excellent visibility and minimal boat traffic, these remote sites offer some of the Red Sea’s most rewarding dives.
The Fury Shoals is a sprawling reef system in Egypt’s southern Red Sea, offering a mix of vibrant coral gardens, playful topography and marine life encounters. Sha’ab Claude is a classic dive, known for its dramatic swim-throughs and massive porites corals. Malahi feels like an underwater playground, with maze-like passages and curious turtles weaving through the reef. At Abu Galawa Soraya, you’ll find a beautifully overgrown wreck of a private sailing boat, now smothered in glassfish and surrounded by thriving coral. Between dives, Sataya, also known as Dolphin Reef, is a must for snorkelling. Its resident spinner dolphin population often puts on a show, and the reef itself offers solid underwater exploration.
Unlike on other itineraries, the Emperor Elite stays out of port on the penultimate day, giving you the chance to dive even more, making it one of the most dive-intensive trips we offer.
Day 8
Disembarkation in Port Ghalib starts after a final breakfast on the liveaboard. You can arrange with the crew to be transported back to the airport or to a local hotel.
Fury Shoals & St. John's (8 Days / 7 Nights - 21 Dives)
Trip highlights: dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, caverns, drift diving, healthy reefs, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: St. John's Reefs (Gota Kebir, Gota Soraya), Fury Shoals Reef System (Sha'ab Claude, Abu Galawa Soraya), Abu Dabab, Sha'ab Sharm, Elphinstone
Day 1
Upon boarding Emperor Elite in Port Ghalib, the crew will greet you, guide you to your cabin, and deliver a comprehensive boat briefing to help you get acquainted with your new home for this liveaboard adventure. Dinner in the expansive saloon, complete with a dedicated dining area, offers a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow divers who, like you, have chosen this remarkable Red Sea cruise for their holiday. The boat will set sail early the next morning.
Core Days
St. John’s Reefs offers the best coral reefs in Egypt's Red Sea with effortless cruising between sites, thanks to their close proximity. You’ll dive dramatic drop-offs, towering pinnacles, winding tunnels and vibrant coral gardens teeming with life. Expect stunning hard coral formations, massive gorgonians and vivid soft corals, home to rays, sharks, octopus, lionfish, nudibranchs, frogfish and swirling schools of fish. It’s a paradise for underwater photographers. Encounters with curious turtles, Napoleon wrasse and whitetip reef sharks are common, while dugongs remain elusive. Keep an eye on the blue for mantas, grey reef and silvertip sharks, which often glide past in the open water.
The Fury Shoals form a vast reef system brimming with variety. Sha’ab Claude is a classic dive, known for its iconic swim-throughs and towering porites corals. Malahi offers maze-like passages and often features friendly turtles, while Abu Galawa Soraya boasts a vibrant coral garden and a sunken private yacht enveloped in glassfish. Between dives, Sataya is a must for snorkelling, its resident spinner dolphins and sheltered lagoon make it a highlight, with some rewarding underwater sites too. Beyond the well-known spots, you’ll also explore hidden gems like Sha’ab Hamam (Stairway to Heaven), Abu Galawa Kebir with the Tien Hsing wreck, and Habili Sameh, which promises to leave a lasting impression.
On the penultimate day, after 2 morning dives, Emperor Elite will begin its return journey to Port Ghalib.
Day 8
Disembarkation at Port Ghalib begins after a final breakfast on board. The crew can assist with arranging transfers to either the airport or a nearby hotel, depending on your onward travel plans.
Red Sea North, Wrecks & Tiran Straits (8 Days / 7 Nights - 21 Dives)
Trip highlights: hammerhead sharks, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Abu Nuhas (Carnatic, Chrisoula K, Kimon M and Giannis D), Gubal Island, SS Thistlegorm, Ulysses, Rosalie Moller, Shaab El Erg, Kingston, Dunraven, Carina, Straits of Tiran
Day 1
The crew will welcome you on board Emperor Elite in Hurghada, show you to your cabin, and walk you through a detailed boat briefing to help you get comfortable with your new home for the trip. In the evening, dinner will be served in the spacious saloon, which includes a separate dining area, a great chance to relax and get to know the other divers. The boat will set off early the next morning.
Core Days
This liveaboard route takes you to some of the northern Red Sea’s most iconic wrecks, paired with stunning reef dives. You’ll enjoy 4 dives a day, typically 2 in the morning, followed by an afternoon dive and either a sunset or night dive. At Shaab El Erg, expect vibrant hard coral gardens and the chance to encounter dolphins. Abu Nuhas offers 4 remarkable wrecks, each packed with marine life and dramatic underwater scenery.
The SS Thistlegorm, the Red Sea’s most legendary wreck, is truly awe-inspiring. Bombed by the German Luftwaffe in 1941, it now rests with its World War II cargo, motorcycles, trucks, and ammunition, still neatly arranged in open holds. It’s a dive that ranks among the world’s most unforgettable. Just 2 days later, the Rosalie Moeller, a coal freighter, met the same fate. Her story adds another layer of history to this extraordinary itinerary.
The reefs around Gubal Island feature deep walls and large schools of fish, including snapper and surgeonfish. You’ll also dive the 4 well-known reefs of the Strait of Tiran: Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas and Gordon. These formations rise sharply from the seabed and are often visited by large pelagics due to strong currents.
On the penultimate day, 2 or 3 dives are scheduled before the return to port.
Day 8
Disembarkation in Hurghada starts after a final breakfast on the liveaboard. The crew will arrange for transport back to the airport or to a local hotel.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
All meals onboard the Emperor Elite liveaboard are served in the air-conditioned dining room, beginning with dinner on Day 1. Meal times are adjusted according to the day’s dive schedule, whether it includes 3 or 4 dives, and the distance travelled between dive sites. On 3-dive days, dinner is around 7 pm. On 4-dive days, dinner will be taken after the last dive, normally around 8 pm.
Guests are served 3 main meals with additional snacks provided between. Throughout the cruise, a varied menu is offered, featuring Western cuisine alongside Italian and Egyptian / Arabic dishes. Example menu items:
- Breakfast: A typical breakfast selection includes cold cuts, yoghurt, fresh fruit, muesli, and an assortment of breads (Danish, croissants, cinnamon rolls). Eggs are cooked to your liking - poached, boiled or fried.
- Lunch: May include comforting options such as onion soup, pasta or rice and cauliflower gratin, served alongside a variety of proteins like zinger chicken, kofta and vegetable goulash.
- Dinner: Beef stroganoff, fish cakes, lentil soup, roast potatoes, vegetables and 4 fresh salads are typically available, along with a sweet dessert to finish.
- Vegan options each day could include dishes such as moussaka, vegan lasagne and sautéed vegetables, accompanied by pasta, rice or French fries.
Complimentary bar snacks include biscuits and fresh fruit, along with tea, coffee, soft drinks and drinking water available throughout the day.
Alcoholic beverages, including beer, bottled wine and a selection of spirits, are available for purchase. Chocolate bars and other treats can also be bought onboard.
Dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan and halal options, can be accommodated with advance notice.
