Red Sea Liveaboard: What to Expect

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Red Sea Liveaboard: What to Expect

Thinking about, or already booked, a Red Sea Liveaboard holiday? Here’s a taste of what to expect on-board and underwater:

About the Red Sea: The Red Sea’s best-known diving area is concentrated around the ‘Egyptian Riviera’, but this Indian Ocean inlet stretches for almost 1,400 miles, from Somalia to Jordan, visiting countries such as Sudan, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia, along the way. The world’s most northerly tropical sea, the Red Sea has a maximum depth of 2,211 metres and an average depth of 490 metres.

Marine life
The most extensive marine life and coral gardens are found on the Red Sea’s widespread, shallow shelves, where more than 1100 fish species have been identified; endemic species include the Picasso triggerfish, masked butterflyfish, Red Sea pipefish and Red Sea anenomefish (clownfish). Sharks are also common in the Red Sea and it’s possible to dive with an abundance of species, from hammerheads to whale sharks. Other larger species include dugongs and sea turtles.

Duration
Whereas many other destinations offer liveaboard holidays of one-week minimum, many Red Sea Liveaboards offer ‘half weeks’ (3 days on the boat and 4 days resort-based diving) as well as week-long trips, allowing greater flexibility for beginners, those short of time or anyone who can’t commit to a full week of diving. Dedicated divers can take advantage of two-week Red Sea Liveaboards, which will allow access more remote locations.

Sailing and Diving Area
Red Sea liveaboard itineraries cover three distinct areas, selected according to the ability and preference of the dive group and the duration of the holiday. Each area offers a unique charm:

1 – Northern Wrecks and Reefs: The greatest variety, an abundance of wrecks and short distances between dive sites – perfect for all levels, including novices.

2 – Southern Marine Parks: Remote and un-crowded diving, expect greater sailing distances between dive-sites, and larger pelagic life and sharks – more suitable for advanced divers.

3 – The Deep South: Unique, maze-like reefs featuring tunnels, crags and sheltered bays. This remote area is suitable for less experienced as well as seasoned scuba-divers.

What diving equipment will I need?
Red Sea Liveaboards carry all the necessary dive equipment, so there is rarely any need to take along additional gear, unless you’d prefer your own mask and fins, or require anything specific. You can check usually what will be carried on your specific boat when you book.

What is there to do when you’re not diving?
Most Red Sea Live aboards keep good collections of books and DVDs on board, but it’s wise to take your own to share and swap with other passengers. Other on-board entertainment options may depend on the style of boat and the preference of the passengers: you can expect most boats to feature sun-decks, bars, TVs and dining/lounge areas, and some liveaboards will also have jacuzzis.

What will we do in the evenings?
Night dives will obviously be one of the most popular activities but, in terms of on-board entertainment, the world’s your oyster. Many groups enjoy long, sociable meals under the stars and, depending what the crew and other guests are up for, evening entertainment can often involve party games, film nights or stargazing. With a boat full of people who share the same passion, evenings on a Red Sea Liveaboard can usually be expected to be a highlight of your holiday.

Tags: Red Sea Liveaboards, Red Sea Live Aboards, Maldives Liveaboards, Maldives Live Aboards, Red Sea Diving, Maldives Diving, Egypt Diving, Egypt Dive