Northern vs Southern Red Sea Liveaboards

If you've decided on a Red Sea liveaboard holiday, the next question's often whether you should choose a Northern or a Southern Red Sea itinerary. Here we compare both options to help you decide!

The Red Sea is a scuba diver's playground, offering crystal-clear waters, rich coral reefs, and an underwater world teeming with marine life that promises world class dive sites for both beginners and advanced divers. After the magic beneath the surface, there's something truly special about evenings spent on the sun deck of a liveaboard, as the sun sets behind rugged mountains, painting the sky in breathtaking shades of gold and crimson, reflecting the name of this iconic location. Add to this the après-dive camaraderie with other divers, sharing stories and lively banter, and it's easy to see why the Red Sea is one of the world's most cherished diving destinations.

For British recreational and technical divers, Egyptian liveaboard safaris are the ultimate way to explore the best of Egypt's underwater world and its fantastic dive sites. Choosing between the Northern Red Sea and the Southern Red Sea can be challenging, as each region offers its distinct charm and allure. Whether you're drawn to the mysterious history of the north or the wild marine life of the south, the Red Sea delivers incredible vibes, an extraordinary underwater world, and unmatched diving experiences. Let's dive into the Red Sea and discover your next unforgettable adventure together.

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What are the key differences between northern and southern itineraries?

The Red Sea is celebrated as one of the world's finest scuba diving destinations, offering spectacular dive sites year-round. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, its warm waters have something for everyone. With over 1,200 vibrant fish species—20% found nowhere else—and more than 300 stunning coral species creating a kaleidoscope of colours, it's truly an underwater paradise.

As a technical and recreational diving instructor with years of experience in the Red Sea, I've had the privilege of guiding divers of all levels across this extraordinary region. From beginner-friendly northern liveaboard trips to advanced dives in the southern sites, the variety is unmatched. The Red Sea's ability to cater to every skill level makes it a must-visit destination for scuba enthusiasts worldwide.

• Marine Life: Northern itineraries offer a mix of reef fish, world class wrecks, and colourful coral gardens, while the south is more focused on pelagic life, with usual reef sharks and dolphin encounters. The best diving season to encounter sharks in the Red Sea largely depends on the specific species and location, which we investigate further below.
• Accessibility: Liveaboards in the Northern Red Sea offer shorter, more accessible routes, making them a popular choice for divers looking to explore iconic dive sites while staying close to tourist hubs like Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada. These routes are ideal for individuals seeking to combine convenience with adventure while minimising time spent travelling between dive sites. In contrast, Southern Red Sea trips require longer travel, as they typically depart from Marsa Alam or Hurghada and cover greater distances to reach the region's most remote reefs. These itineraries are perfect for more experienced or adventurous divers eager to venture farther and discover the pristine, less-crowded reefs that make the Southern Red Sea so unique.
• Experience Level: The north is a bit more beginner-friendly, with fewer currents and offering a mix of shallow sites and intermediate wreck dives. In contrast, much of the south is better suited for advanced divers seeking more thrilling conditions and big marine life. Diving in the Southern Red Sea often involves navigating currents, making the experience more challenging and requiring a higher level of skill. The exception may be the St John’s region, which is characterised by colourful coral grottoes that make for relatively easy dives.
• Scuba Diving Style: Northern trips departing from Hurghada offer fantastic reef and wreck diving, combining fascinating wreck exploration, such as the iconic Thistlegorm, Dunraven, or the wrecks of Abu Nahas, with coral reef dives teeming with marine life. Mini safaris of three to four days are also possible from Sharm el Sheikh, focusing on similar dive sites. On the other hand, southern liveaboards from Marsa Alam focus on drift and wall diving on remote and pristine dive sites, offering the chance to encounter pelagic species such as sharks and rays, along with thrilling drop-offs and dramatic underwater landscapes.

Scuba diving in the Northern Red Sea

The Northern Red Sea is an iconic destination for divers, renowned for its world-class wreck dives and deep reef systems teeming with marine life. This region features legendary dive sites like the SS Thistlegorm, often described as the "world's best wreck dive", and the Ras Mohammed National Park, a marine reserve famous for its dramatic wall dives, colourful corals, and abundant fish species. Divers can encounter schools of jacks, barracudas, and anthias at these sites, creating a magical underwater experience.

Another top dive site in the north is the Abu Nuhas Ship's Graveyard (a.k.a Sha'ab Abu Nuhas), where multiple wrecks lie close together, providing an incredible exploration opportunity for wreck enthusiasts. The most iconic shipwrecks include the SS Carnatic, Kimon M, Chrisoula K, and Ghiannis D. These sites, combined with shallow coral gardens, make the northern routes suitable for divers of all experience levels, from beginners to advanced divers.

Many dive sites near Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada are also accessible by day boat trips. However, for the ultimate convenience, Red Sea liveaboards operating from these popular tourist hubs offer unparalleled scuba diving experiences. With shorter itineraries that combine stunning reefs and historic wrecks, this region is an ideal choice for scuba divers looking for variety without the need for long crossings.

Best dive sites of the Northern Red Sea

Northern routes from Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada guarantee access to the most fantastic dive sites. From shallow reefs and soft corals to wall dives teeming with marine life, drift dives, and iconic wrecks, this region offers the best scuba diving experiences in Egypt. Here are some of the most famous dive sites in the Northern Red Sea:

• Strait of Tiran: Home to renowned dive sites like Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef, Gordon Reef, and Thomas Reef. A must-visit for breathtaking wall diving, stunning coral reefs, and abundant marine life. With a bit of luck, you may encounter reef sharks or even hammerhead sharks.
• Jackfish Alley: Renowned for its vibrant underwater ecosystem, this site offers exhilarating swim-throughs, deep caves, and colourful reef fish species. Shark Reef is an added highlight for thrill-seekers.
• Ras Mohammed National Park: A pearl of the Red Sea, a world-famous diving location with stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life. It remains one of the top scuba diving destinations in Egypt.
• Ras Um Sid: Ideal for night dives and colourful reef exploration. Known for its beautiful sea fan corals, this site is accessible as a shore dive or through day trips.
• Panorama Reef: Offers incredible steep walls, vibrant soft corals, and an abundance of marine life. It's also accessible via day trips from Hurghada.
• Shark Observatory: A hotspot for spotting sharks and marine giants like whale sharks, offering a unique scuba diving experience.
• Shark and Yolanda Reef: Located in Ras Mohammed National Park, this site features stunning coral gardens and a wreck. It's popular with all divers, with shallow coral pinnacles for beginners and cascading reef walls of Yolanda Reef.
• Yolanda shipwreck - Also known as Jolanda, this Cypriot ship ran aground at Ras Mohammed. The wreck is split between a shallow reef and a deeper section 160 metres below the surface. Divers often joke that if you've reached the deeper part, you've gone too far!
• Wrecks of Abu Nuhas: Known as the "Ship Graveyard", this site is home to several historic shipwrecks waiting to be explored.
• SS Thistlegorm shipwreck: One of the world's most famous wreck dives. This British cargo ship, rediscovered by Jacques Cousteau in the 1960s, is rich in history and marine life. Loved by underwater photographers.
• Dunraven shipwreck: Dive into the history of the Dunraven, a fascinating shipwreck loved by many divers.
• Rosalie Moller shipwreck: A stunning World War II shipwreck offering an unforgettable experience for many divers. It's also a popular technical dive starting at 20 metres and going all the way to 55 metres.
• Salem Express shipwreck: One of the recent tragic shipwrecks, considered one of the best wreck dive sites in the Red Sea.
• Wreck of the Lara: A 120m supply ship that sank in the 1980s. The wreck is broken into two parts—one resting on a shallow reef, while the other has formed coral gardens at a depth of 60 metres. One of our fave technical dives where you can dive deep! 

Best Northern Red Sea liveaboard itineraries

If you're starting your scuba diving journey in Egypt, two of the most popular dive trips to consider are the "Wrecks and Reefs", ideal for divers of all levels, and Get Wrecked". Departing from Hurghada, these trips offer a stunning mix of colourful reefs, vertical walls, and world-class wreck dives. For advanced divers seeking adventure, there are itineraries that combine Northern Red Sea dive sites with the iconic Brothers Islands. Here are some of the most sought-after northern safaris:

• Reefs & Wrecks: Explore vibrant coral reefs and historic wrecks, including the Thistlegorm, Abu Nuhas, and Ras Mohammed.
• Get Wrecked: A dream for wreck enthusiasts, featuring dives at the Thistlegorm, Giannis D, Carnatic, and the Rosalie Moller.
• Famous Five: Discover iconic dive sites like the Brothers, Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone, and more, known for their stunning marine life and dramatic drop-offs.

Top fish species found in the Northern Red Sea

The Northern Red Sea is an underwater arcadia, teeming with an incredible array of marine life. This vibrant ecosystem is home to stunning soft and hard corals and iconic shark species such as hammerheads, grey reef sharks, and oceanic whitetip sharks. Its crystal-clear waters shimmer with myriad colourful reef fish, such as lionfish, stonefish, elegant butterflyfish, striking Picasso triggerfish, and blue-spotted stingrays. You'll also encounter coral groupers, parrotfish, moray eels, crocodile fish, silver sweepers, Napoleon wrasse, squirrelfish, and vibrant anthias, all weaving together a mesmerising tapestry of underwater life. On rare occasions, majestic visitors like mako sharks, manta rays and whale sharks pass through, adding to the wonder of this extraordinary seascape.

Best time to see sharks in the northern Red Sea

While the Northern Red Sea is a haven for wreck enthusiasts, it also offers thrilling opportunities for shark sightings, particularly around the Strait of Tiran. The north side of Jackson Reef at Tiran is renowned for schooling hammerhead sharks, making it a popular site for shark lovers. At Tiran, the best time to witness these incredible sharks is during the summer months, when their presence becomes more frequent.

What makes the Southern Red Sea special?

The Southern Red Sea offers some of Egypt's best scuba diving, with untouched reefs and incredible pelagic encounters. This remote destination is perfect for divers seeking adventure. Sites like Brothers Islands, Daedalus Reef, and Elphinstone Reef are famous for their dramatic walls and rich marine life. Southern Red Sea liveaboards, departing from Marsa Alam or Port Ghalib, offer longer trips to these remote areas. With fewer crowds and unparalleled marine encounters, diving in the south is a truly wild and exciting experience.

One of the south's biggest draws is its rich marine life. Divers can encounter pelagic species such as dolphins, hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetips, thresher sharks, and, occasionally, even a tiger shark. Stunning coral gardens and steep drop-offs only add to its appeal. The Southern Red Sea feels raw and untamed, making it a must-visit for adventurous divers looking for the ultimate Egyptian marine wildlife diving experience.

The Southern Egyptian Red Sea appeals to more experienced divers with its more challenging sites, but it also offers some options for beginners. Some dive spots around St. John's Reef and Fury Shoals feature easier conditions, stunning coral formations, and an abundance of marine life, making them perfect for less experienced divers. For those looking for the best diving in Egypt, the Southern Red Sea is an unforgettable destination!

Best dive sites in the Southern Egyptian Red Sea

The Southern Red Sea is home to some of the world's best dive sites and most pristine reefs. Here are a few must-visit dive spots for your next underwater adventure:

• Daedalus Reef – A top choice for experienced divers and drift diving enthusiasts, known for stunning coral-covered steep walls and pelagic marine life like grey reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, and thresher sharks. Keep an eye out in the blue for manta rays.
• Elphinstone Reef – Famous for its dramatic drop-offs and frequent encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks and grey reef sharks, this site offers excellent drift diving opportunities. For technical divers, the world-famous Elphinstone Arch at 55 metres is an unforgettable experience.
• Brothers Islands (Big Brother & Little Brother) – Known for shark encounters, vibrant coral reefs, wrecks, and diverse marine species. With luck, you might spot oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerhead sharks or even a thresher shark cruising above the wreck of the Aida—the Brothers Islands rank among the best scuba diving spots in Egypt.
• Wreck of Numidia – Located on Big Brother Island, this iconic shipwreck rests in an almost vertical position on a steep wall, making it one of Egypt's premier dive sites. It's a top destination for recreational and technical divers, offering a unique underwater experience.
• Fury Shoals – A collection of dive sites perfect for all levels of scuba diving. The area features colourful hard and soft coral gardens teeming with marine life. Fury Shoal Garden and Dolphin Reef are not the only two main attractions here waiting to be explored.
• St. John's Reef – Includes iconic dive spots like Dolphin House, Claudia Reef, Paradise Reef, and St. John's Caves. Known for its stunning underwater caves, intricate tunnels, and pristine coral formations, it's a top destination for beginners, with plenty of easy and shallow dives.
• Elba Reef – Located in Egypt's far south, this hidden gem boasts unique biodiversity and stunning coral landscapes. Plus, the wreck of SS Isola di Levanzo for keen wreck explorers.
• Rocky Island – Small in size but big on adventure, this site offers dramatic steep walls, thriving coral growth, pelagic marine life, and the hidden deep wreck of the SS Maidan, considered a holy grail for many technical divers.
• Zabargad Island – Also known as St. John's Island, this hidden gem features vibrant, healthy reefs and exceptional opportunities for recreational scuba diving. It's a top spot for shark enthusiasts and those who love the thrill of drift diving.
• Abu Dabbab - a renowned site featuring resident dugongs (a.k.a sea cows), a well known Red Sea shore dive and a frequent stop for some safari boats.

Best southern Red Sea liveaboard itineraries

The Southern Red Sea offers endless opportunities for adventure, making it a dream destination for divers of all levels. With stunning shipwrecks, dramatic drop-offs, vertical walls, and beautiful reefs, the southern routes are something special. Here are some of the top southern route dive sites you don't want to miss:

Liveaboard trips departing from Marsa Alam or Hurghada:

• Simply the Best: Explore Egypt's top dive sites, including the Brothers, Daedalus Reef, and Elphinstone, known for stunning coral reefs and encounters with pelagic species like sharks and manta rays.
• Daedalus & St. John's: Discover the breathtaking walls of Daedalus and the vibrant coral gardens of St. John's, with opportunities to spot hammerheads, dolphins, and reef sharks.
• Daedalus & Fury Shoals: Dive into the remote Daedalus Reef and Fury Shoals, home to pristine coral formations, colourful marine life, and occasional shark sightings. 
• Deep South: Venture to the Southern Red Sea, exploring sites like St. John's and Zabargad, featuring dramatic drop-offs, caves, and incredible biodiversity.
• Brothers & Elphinstone: Visit two iconic dive destinations, the Brothers Islands and Elphinstone Reef, renowned for their vibrant reefs, Numidia and Aida wrecks, and frequent thresher shark encounters.
• Red Sea Sharks: Perfect for shark enthusiasts, this itinerary focuses on spots like Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone, offering excellent chances to see hammerheads, thresher sharks, and oceanic whitetips.

Top fish species found in the southern Red Sea

The Southern Red Sea offers an incredible diversity of marine life, making it a haven for divers and snorkellers alike. Among the top small and medium-sized fish species, you can find ever present anthias, butterflyfish, and angelfish, which add bursts of colour to the coral reefs. Parrotfish, moray eels, wrasses, and triggerfish are also commonly encountered, contributing to the health of the reef ecosystems. Beyond these smaller reef dwellers, the region is famed for encounters with various shark species, such as oceanic whitetip reef sharks, thresher, hammerheads, and silky sharks. Several renowned locations, such as Abu Dabbab, are known for spotting dolphins and dugongs. Manta rays also grace the waters with their elegant movements, providing unforgettable moments for those lucky enough to spot them.

Best time to see sharks in the Southern Red Sea

The Red Sea offers incredible diving throughout the year, but timing plays a role in witnessing specific shark species. From May to June, lucky visitors can observe groups of schooling hammerhead sharks at Daedalus, creating unforgettable memories for scuba divers. Meanwhile, October to April is the prime time for spotting oceanic whitetip sharks (Longimanus), particularly around the most remote reefs. While oceanic whitetips are present year-round, sightings are most frequent and thrilling during the cooler months, making this period ideal for shark enthusiasts.

Which Red Sea liveaboard should you choose?

Your choice between Northern and Southern Red Sea dive trips depends on your diving interests, experience level, and the type of underwater adventure you're seeking. Widely considered the best scuba diving in Egypt, the Red Sea offers something for everyone.

The Northern Red Sea is perfect for wreck lovers, coral reef enthusiasts, and beginners alike. It features a fantastic variety of easily accessible sites, from vibrant coral gardens to iconic shipwrecks. One of the highlights is the legendary SS Thistlegorm, a WWII-era wreck brimming with history and marine life. The north also boasts stunning locations like the Straits of Tiran, Ras Mohammed National Park, and Abu Nuhas, offering wrecks, coral formations, and colourful reef fish species in calm, clear waters, making it ideal for divers of all levels.

If you're an experienced diver looking for a thrill, drift dives on vertical walls, and pelagic life, the Southern Red Sea is your ultimate destination. Known for its remote and unspoiled reefs, the south delivers adrenaline-pumping dives and close encounters with apex predators like hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetips, and even tiger sharks. Sites like Elphinstone, Daedalus, and the Brothers Islands feature dramatic drop-offs, incredible coral walls, and abundant pelagic life, providing unforgettable experiences for the bold and adventurous.

Our best Red Sea liveaboard fleets:

With over 30 years of experience, Regaldive ensures the best diving in Egypt with world-class safety and quality standards. By exclusively partnering with only the best liveaboard operators in the region, we guarantee best in class safety procedures, superb service, and highly professional operations. Our partners include Master Fleet, Blue Planet, Sea Serpent and Emperor Liveaboards among others.

Browse our portfolio of Red Sea liveaboards, or contact the friendly Regaldive team today to plan your Egypt diving holiday.