St John’s & Elba Reef
Diving Itinerary
Located on the southern Egyptian border Elba Reef remains a hidden gem on the map, making it a dream come true for adventurous souls. With special permission from the Egyptian Navy, this exceptional liveaboard experience takes you to the pristine and rarely explored Elba Reef system in Egypt's far south. Here, you'll be immersed in the wonders of the Red Sea, surrounded by vibrant red anemones, impressive brain corals, and stunning yellow Dendrophylliidae soft corals.
Encounter incredible marine life including bumphead parrotfish, tuna, reef sharks, and much more. Dive into history as you explore the 113-metre long Italian SS Isola di Levanzo wreck, which found its final resting place in 1923. This expedition takes you on a 600-nautical-mile journey, unveiling rarely visited locations and new species.
Designed exclusively for serious and experienced divers, this route offers tranquillity without the crowds of other dive organizations. It's a haven for underwater videographers and photographers seeking to capture the utopian underwater world in privacy. Please note that this adventure is open only to divers with a minimum of 50 logged dives.
Your 7-night journey will take you to untouched destinations where the thrill of discovery will quicken your heartbeat.
View Departures Send Enquiry Speak to an expert. Call 01353 659999
- Holiday type Liveaboard Itinerary
- Recommended Dive Experience Advanced Open Water with 50+ dives
- When to Go Sep-Dec
Itinerary Highlights
- Dive a remote & seldom visited region
- Thrilling marine life & shark encounters
- Stunning reef & wrecks to explore
- Ideal for experienced divers
Upcoming departures
Upcoming departures for St John’s & Elba Reef are listed below or view all departures on our Holiday Search where you can also sort/filter.
MV Royal Evolution
£1,326
- Departure Date: 07 May 26
- Country / Itinerary: Egypt – Red Sea, Daedalus & Sudan border ( Elba Reef )
- Nights: 7
- Embark Disembark: Port Ghalib Port Ghalib
- Spaces Available: 1
Additional information
- Dive areas visited: Egypt: Daedalus Reef, Egypt: Elba Reef
- Typical number of dives on trip: 18 dives
- Minimum dive experience: 50 dives
- Required certification: AOWD or equivalent
- Additional costs to be aware of:
– Fuel surcharge (in advance, per trip):
€260 EUR
– Port & Permission fees (on board, per trip): €180 EUR
Cabins
Twin Cabin
- Bed Type: Twin (2 singles)
- Location: Lower deck
- Avble. Spaces: 1
- Last Shared Space: Male
- Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
- Ensuite: Yes
MV Royal Evolution
Offer
£1,061
£1,326
- Departure Date: 14 May 26
- Country / Itinerary: Egypt – Red Sea, Daedalus & Sudan border ( Elba Reef )
- Nights: 7
- Embark Disembark: Port Ghalib Port Ghalib
- Spaces Available: 4
Additional information
- Dive areas visited: Egypt: Daedalus Reef, Egypt: Elba Reef
- Typical number of dives on trip: 18 dives
- Minimum dive experience: 50 dives
- Required certification: AOWD or equivalent
- Additional costs to be aware of:
– Fuel surcharge (in advance, per trip):
€260 EUR
– Port & Permission fees (on board, per trip): €180 EUR
Cabins
Twin Cabin
- Bed Type: Twin (2 singles)
- Location: Lower deck
- Avble. Spaces: 4
- Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
- Ensuite: Yes
M/Y Vita Xplorer
£984
- Departure Date: 23 May 26
- Country / Itinerary: Egypt – Red Sea, Elba Reef
- Nights: 6
- Embark Disembark: Port Ghalib Port Ghalib
- Spaces Available: 20
Additional information
- Dive areas visited: Egypt: Elba Reef, Egypt: Fury Shoal, Egypt: Abu Fandera, Egypt: St John's Reefs
- Typical number of dives on trip: 16 dives
- Minimum dive experience: 50 dives
- Required certification: PADI advanced or equivalent
- Additional costs to be aware of:
– Transfer supplement:
€20 EUR
– Assistance and Visa airport (HRG and RMF only): €35 EUR
– Environmental taxes 50€: €50 EUR
– Environmental taxes 100€: €100 EUR
Cabins
Twin/suite
- Bed Type: Twin (2 singles)
- Location: Lower deck
- Avble. Spaces: 14
- Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
- Ensuite: Yes
Suite
- Bed Type: Twin / Double (2 singles can convert to double)
- Location: Main deck
- Avble. Spaces: 2
- Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
- Ensuite: Yes
MV Royal Evolution
Offer
£1,704
£1,894
- Departure Date: 25 May 26
- Country / Itinerary: Egypt – Red Sea, Brothers, Daedalus , Rocky, Zabarged & Elba reef
- Nights: 10
- Embark Disembark: Port Ghalib Port Ghalib
- Spaces Available: 4
Additional information
- Dive areas visited: Egypt: Brothers Islands, Egypt: Daedalus Reef, Egypt: Elba Reef, Egypt: Elphinstone, Egypt: Rocky Island, Egypt: Zabargad Island
- Typical number of dives on trip: 28 dives
- Minimum dive experience: 50 dives
- Required certification: AOWD or equivalent
- Additional costs to be aware of:
– Port & Permission fees (on board, per trip):
€260 EUR
– Fuel surcharge (in advance, per trip): €325 EUR
Cabins
Twin Cabin
- Bed Type: Twin (2 singles)
- Location: Lower deck
- Avble. Spaces: 4
- Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
- Ensuite: Yes
Argo Xplorer
Offer
£1,139
£1,141
- Departure Date: 30 May 26
- Country / Itinerary: Egypt – Red Sea, Elba Reef
- Nights: 6
- Embark Disembark: Port Ghalib Port Ghalib
- Spaces Available: 11
Additional information
- Dive areas visited: Egypt: Elba Reef, Egypt: Fury Shoal, Egypt: Abu Fandera, Egypt: St John's Reefs
- Typical number of dives on trip: 16 dives
- Minimum dive experience: 50 dives
- Required certification: PADI advanced or equivalent
- Additional costs to be aware of:
– Transfer supplement:
€20 EUR
– Assistance and Visa airport (HRG and RMF only): €35 EUR
– Environmental taxes 50€: €50 EUR
– Environmental taxes 100€: €100 EUR
Cabins
Twin Beds
- Bed Type: Twin (2 singles)
- Location: Main deck
- Avble. Spaces: 5
- Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
- Ensuite: Yes
Suite
- Bed Type: Double
- Location: Deck not specified
- Avble. Spaces: 6
- Air Con: Yes, individually controlled
- Ensuite: Yes
Day-to-day itinerary
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Day 1
The expedition commences in Port Ghalib, Egypt.
-
Day 2
Departing from Port Ghalib, your first stop is Marsa Shouna, where you'll make your initial dive. The day continues with the second and third dives at the magnificent Elphinstone Reef, followed by a voyage to St. John's Reef.
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Day 3
Dive enthusiasts will be delighted by a day of incredible dives around St. John's Reef before sailing overnight to the breathtaking Elba Reef.
-
Day 4
Elba Reef, a vast realm of new discoveries, beckons you for three full days of exploration. Experience night dives on two evenings as well.
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Day 5
Your final day at Elba Reef presents unforgettable dive opportunities before the journey returns to St. John's Reef in the evening.
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Day 6
Two dives around St. John's Reef are on the agenda for this day, followed by a return to Port Ghalib for a delightful dinner in the harbour.
-
Day 7
After breakfast, it's time to bid farewell as you transfer to the airport, a beach front hotel, or perhaps opt for an excursion to the Nile at Luxor.
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Please note: The above itinerary is a sample only and your actual liveaboard itinerary may vary. Marine park fees and fuel surcharges may apply.
During this unforgettable expedition, you'll encounter schools of barracuda, hammerhead sharks, and swim among breathtaking soft corals and mesmerising fans. Discover majestic pinnacles, moray eels, and captivating coral formations illuminated by sunlight. Be surprised by the diverse marine life, from unique sea slugs like the Chromodoris Geminus to pelagic giants like Thresher Sharks, mackerel sharks, and more. Keep an eye out for dolphins, manta rays, and even dugongs along the way.
As a bonus, you'll explore the rarely-visited SS Isole di Levanzo wreck, a historic Italian ship that met its fate on the Elba Reef in the 1920s. This well-preserved wreck, with a fascinating history, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by divers.
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Enquire about St John’s & Elba Reef
Speak to an expert. Call 01353 659999 Send Enquiry