Red Sea Liveaboard Safari & Mini-Safari Guidelines

Red Sea liveaboard diving, if well planned and organized are usually fantastic however, it can also be a costly and disappointing experience if you are not qualified or misinformed. If you are considering the Red Sea as your diving holiday destination, for your personal safety it is important that you read and understand our diver’s experience guidelines so you make an inform decision about which liveaboard safari (s) you are qualified to join.

There many companies offering liveaboard safaris in Egypt - choosing a reputable company can be a daunting task. Egypt Online Adventures offers liveaboard safaris only with dive operators that place your personal safety as the number one priority and sustains the eco-system and marine life in the Red Sea. As a representative for selected Red Sea liveaboard operators our rates usually less than but not more than what is advertised by our competitors.

As with any sport, there are inherent safety concerns; liveaboard diving is no exception. You can easily minimize risks by familiarizing yourself again about scuba diving safety guidelines, emergency procedures, dive within your own personal limits and never exceed your training and experience.

Offshore Marine Park Islands

Brother’s Islands - Zabargad - Abu Fendera - Rocky Island & Daedalus are off-shore marine park islands. The Egyptian law requires all divers to have a minimum of 50 logged dives to participate in liveaboard safaris that include off-shore marine park islands.

All other Marine Parks and Red Sea Safari Areas

Dive sites are more protected in the north Red Sea so it is more suitable for beginner or novice divers however; most dive operator has slightly different guidelines for diver’s to join their liveaboard safaris and may vary from one operator to the other. Therefore, Egypt Online Adventures strongly recommends that all divers have a minimum number of dives for the following itineraries:

  1. North, Sinai Classic, Sinai Mini & Classic Cruises: 15 logged dives
  2. The Best of the Red Sea: 50 logged dives
  3. Great Islands Tour: 50 logged dives
  4. Get Wrecked, Reef & Wrecks, Marsa Alam & Hamata Mini-Safaris: 20 logged dives
  5. Deep North: 30 logged dives
  6. South, Deep South & St. Johns: 40 logged dives

Note: In some instances if you do not meet the minimum training requirements, it may be possible to complete the advanced open water course while on a liveaboard safari but you must reserve your course in advance to ensure an instructor is available.

As with any sport, there are inherent safety concerns; liveaboard diving is no exception. You can easily minimize risks by familiarizing yourself again about scuba diving safety guidelines, emergency procedures, dive within your own personal limits and never exceed your training and experience.

Private Group Bookings

Northern and Southern safari routes: Group leaders/instructors are welcome to bring student/novice divers aboard on Northern and Southern safari routes as long as the leaders/instructors are aware that this will limit the diving to the group's training and experience level and the dives will be on less challenging dive sites. It would, therefore, not be advisable to have a mixed group of experienced divers and newly certified divers as this could lead to restrictions and dissatisfaction. The group's own instructors may conduct any course they wish on board during the safari and our instructors and/or dive guides will support you in any way possible from recommending suitable dive sites to assisting with your students.

Scuba Skills Review

If it has been over 6 months since your last dive some liveaboard operators may require you to complete a scuba skills review before diving. To avoid problems on arrival, where possible scuba skills review should be pre-booked in advance and will then take place on the first day of the trip while others are completing their check dive.

Alternatively a scuba skills review can be completed prior to arrival in resort and signed by an instructor in your logbook. Liveaboard operators reserve the right to provide and charge for a scuba skills review with an instructor if they have any doubts about your ability to dive safety.

We are happy to advise and help you with any questions regarding experience levels, suitability of dive sites and courses available on our safari boats.

Liveaboard Safaris - Important Insurance Information

It is strongly recommended that when booking a liveaboard safari, you have travel insurance that includes coverage for diving activities. Please be advised that if you choose not to carry insurance, Egypt Online Adventures and/or our dive operator affiliates will not be responsible for any financial costs incurred associated with your diving holiday or travel expenses. Upon arrival you will be required to show that you have travel or diving insurance. Should you not have insurance you may be required to purchase it onboard or we offer travel insurance through a reputable company called WorldNomads. It’s easy to buy online through our website click here. WorldNomads specializes in worldwide travel that offers comprehensive coverage for travelers and has competitive rates.

Free Nitrox

Nitrox is free on most liveaboard safaris. In the unlikely event of the Nitrox compressor is inoperable there are no refunds.

Free Nitrox Courses

Nitrox courses are offered for free on some liveaboard safaris. Just pay 99 Euro / per person for PADI Enriched Air Diver manual, NITROX dive tables and PADI certification fees. Nitrox courses are available on request and subject to instructor availability. Please email info@egypt-o-adventures.com to pre-book your Nitrox course.

Nitrox Course Includes:

  • Theory lessons & exam

If you have any questions regarding these guidelines contact us. For more information on Red Sea liveaboard diving, check out our Liveaboard FAQ's page.