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2. The Brothers Islands, Egypt:

Situated in the middle of the Red Sea, the Brothers Islands are a magnet for experienced divers. These two small islands offer thrilling drift dives, deep walls, and the opportunity to encounter large pelagic species such as hammerhead sharks, thresher sharks, and even the elusive oceanic whitetip shark. The stunning coral formations and dense schools of fish make the Brothers Islands a must-visit destination for advanced divers. Photo courtesy of AlertDiver / Marcello Di Francesco

3. SS Thistlegorm, Egypt:

The SS Thistlegorm is a famous World War II shipwreck located near Sharm El Sheikh. This well-preserved wreck, sitting at a depth of 30 meters, is a paradise for wreck diving enthusiasts. Exploring the cargo holds filled with military vehicles, motorcycles, and even train carriages is like stepping back in time. The marine life surrounding the wreck is equally captivating, with large groupers, barracudas, and an array of colorful fish making it their home.

4. Elphinstone Reef, Egypt:

Situated off the coast of Marsa Alam, Elphinstone Reef is a marine sanctuary that offers a thrilling drift dive experience. This narrow reef is known for its steep walls covered in soft corals and its encounters with sharks, including oceanic whitetips and the occasional hammerhead. The vibrant colors and abundant marine life at Elphinstone Reef make it a favorite among underwater photographers. Photo courtesy of Egypt Independent.

5. Dahab Blue Hole, Egypt:

Dahab's Blue Hole is a world-renowned dive site that attracts divers from all corners of the globe. This unique site features a captivating underwater sinkhole that drops to a depth of over 100 meters. The Blue Hole offers a stunning coral wall dive, and experienced divers can explore the "Arch," a passage that connects the Blue Hole to the open sea. The marine life here includes turtles, schools of fish, and even the occasional reef shark. Photo courtesy of Naama Blue Hotel.

6. Sha'ab Rumi, Sudan:

Located in the Sudanese Red Sea, Shaab Rumi is famous for its steep walls and strong currents, making it an exciting destination for experienced divers. The site is home to Jacques Cousteau's "Precontinent II" underwater habitat, which served as an experimental station in the 1960s. Divers can explore the remnants of this historical structure while encountering colorful coral formations and an abundance of marine life.

7. Giftun Island, Egypt:

Giftun Island, located near Hurghada, is a popular dive site known for its beautiful coral gardens and vibrant marine life. The island offers a variety of dive sites suitable for all levels of divers, from beginners to experts. The crystal-clear waters provide excellent visibility, allowing divers to observe an array of fish species, including clownfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. Giftun Island is also a great spot for snorkelers, with shallow coral reefs close to the shore. Photo courtesy of Red Sea Life Dive Center.

8. Fury Shoals, Egypt:

Fury Shoals is a group of reefs and small islands located in the southern Red Sea. This remote and pristine area offers an array of dive sites with breathtaking coral formations and an abundance of marine life. Divers can explore underwater canyons, swim-throughs, and encounter schools of colorful fish, turtles, and even dolphins. Fury Shoals is a true paradise for underwater photographers, with its vibrant coral gardens and crystal-clear waters. Photo courtesy of Blue O2.

9. Abu Nuhas Shipwrecks, Egypt:

The Abu Nuhas reef is known as the "Ship Graveyard" due to the numerous shipwrecks that rest on its seabed. This site near Sharm El Sheikh is a treasure trove for wreck diving enthusiasts. Among the famous wrecks are the Giannis D, the Carnatic, and the Chrisoula K, each offering a unique diving experience. The wrecks are covered in colorful corals and attract a wide variety of marine life, including schools of snappers and batfish. Map courtesy of Diving Star Center.

10. Tiran Island, Egypt:

Tiran Island is located at the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba and offers an unforgettable diving experience. The island is surrounded by pristine coral reefs, including the renowned dive sites of Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef, and Thomas Reef. Divers can explore impressive drop-offs, encounter schools of barracudas and snappers, and even spot larger pelagic species like sharks and rays. The clear waters and the abundance of marine life make Tiran Island a top destination for diving enthusiasts. Photo courtesy of Egypt Tours Plus.

The Red Sea is a true paradise for divers, with its incredible dive sites offering a wide range of underwater experiences. Whether you're an experienced diver looking for thrilling encounters or a beginner eager to explore the vibrant coral reefs, the Red Sea has something for everyone. So, grab your gear, dive into the crystal-clear waters, and prepare to be amazed by the beauty and diversity of this underwater wonderland.

2. More dives each day

If you love scuba diving as much as we do, then you will want to make the most of being in the water. With 3-4 dives a day you’ll have plenty of time to explore the beauties of the underwater world. Your itinerary could look something like this: a refreshing, early morning dive to start your day, a mid-morning channel dive to build your appetite for lunch, an exciting wreck dive in the afternoon, and an adrenaline-fuelled night dive with nurse sharks to finish off the day. What diver doesn’t love having more dives, more locations, and more experiences all in one day?

3. Pristine dive sites

The more accessible a dive spot is, the more divers you’ll usually find on the reef. Too many divers on one site can result in poor visibility and damaged reef systems. These things can impact the enjoyment of your diving experience. Nobody wants to go on a dive vacation just to see few fish and poor visibility. Many of the dive destinations our dive buddies experience are only accessible by liveaboard boats. The result is that the dive sites are pristine with an abundance of undisturbed marine critters to share your dive. With multiple dives a day there is plenty for you to explore. We offer trips around the world including the Red Sea, the Maldives, the Galapagos, the Socorro Islands, Sea of Cortez, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Truk Lagoon, and Palau to name a few.

4. Hassle-Free Diving

From the joy that comes once you have made that giant stride and submerged yourself in the water, most divers will agree that diving’s downsides take place above the water. Thankfully, liveaboards save you from these challenges. On most boats, the crew will help you get out of the water and will also help remove your fins and BCD. The crews make sure you don’t have to lift finger before or after your dive. And You will wake up on top of your next dive site. Plus, being on a liveaboard boat takes away the hassle of getting between site locations. You can relax in plush surroundings, while the captain navigates to your next inspirational dive site.

5. Comfortable and flexible surroundings

On a liveaboard, the crew will ensure you enjoy your fourth dive as much as your first. Wouldn’t it be better to spend time between dives relaxing? Wouldn’t you rather spend time talking to your buddy about the experience that you just shared? Liveaboards are designed to make your time out of the water as memorable as your time within it. Whether you are swimming with a whale shark or sitting on a spacious deck, sipping a beverage, and admiring the sunset, the whole experience is designed to be easy and comfortable. Can you think of anything better than falling asleep listening to the sounds of the sea while drifting off in a remote corner of the world? Waking up on top of your next dive site?

The Kingston ship sunk after colliding with Shag Rock Reef — located just off the shore of North Stradbroke Island. No lives were lost in the wreck, and the ship sits around 10 to 20 meters deep. The wreck occurred in 1881 and has since grown into a stunning living reef teeming with marine life. Most notably are the sea turtles, pelagic fish, and schools of anthias. The wreck is sitting almost perfectly straight, making it a great opportunity for beginning divers to explore a wreck with ease.  Most visitors experience this wreck from liveaboards, but it can also be done on the second tank of a day trip.  Photo courtesy of oceanstopines.com.

SS Carnatic, Abu Nuhas Reef, Egypt

Abu Nuhas reef is home to the famous Ship Graveyard, consisting of seven different ship shipwrecks in 1869. Perhaps one of the most notable wrecks is the SS Carnatic. The ship is located on the northern side of the reef and broke in half as it sunk. The ship has become entirely encrusted with hard and soft corals and is most known for its stories of buried treasure. Legend has it that the ship was carrying gold and copper that would eventually sink with it, and anyone who disturbs this lost treasure leaves the wreck cursed. Photo: Shutterstock

Salem Express, Hyndman Reef, Egypt 

One of the most recent, and most emotional, wrecks of the Red Sea is the Salem Express. The ship sunk in 1991 after colliding with Hyndman Reef. This caused the ship to take on great amounts of water, and it quickly sunk after a few minutes. Although the exact number of lives lost is disputed, it is possible that 1,600 people could have died on board the Salem Express. Nearly 700 of these people are believed to have been pilgrims who had just visited Mecca. There is not much marine life or corals growing on the ship, but divers often see items such as passenger’s suitcases in the surrounding areas of the wreck. The inside of the ship is sealed out of respect for every life that was lost on board. Photo: Shutterstock

Aida, Big Brother Island, Egypt

SS Thistlegorm, Ras Muhammad, Egypt

Any list of the best wrecks in the Red Sea would be incomplete without mentioning the SS Thistlegorm. As one of the most famous ships to live in the Red Sea, the ship has sat for 80 years and is now teeming with marine life such as common reef fish, batfish, and barracudas. The ship once served the British Navy before it sank as the result of German bombs. Divers are able to find remnants of the past such as sunken ammo, motorcycles, rifles, Jeeps, and more. The wreck is easily accessed by boat and is typically a day-long dive due to the large size of the ship. The waters have a visibility of 25-30 meters and are ideal for advanced divers who are able to navigate the strong currents. Photo: Shutterstock

For many of our fellow dive buddies, there’s nothing like a dive with wild current. Coral heads flying by, schools of fish and critters all doing their best to fight the flow and find shelter from the current in a coral head. Drift diving is one of the most exhilarating types of diving in the underwater world and there are some great dive destinations where you can jump in and enjoy the ride. No matter where you decide to experience drift dives, remember, Dive Safe! Whether you are an expert or a novice drift diver, safety comes first. Here are some rules to follow for a safe and fun drift dive:
– make sure you carry and use an SMB;
– streamline your gear to avoid damaging the reef;
– be properly weighted and neutrally buoyant;
– concentrate on your surroundings and changing conditions;
– do not fight current, work with it not against it.

Cozumel, Mexico

When planning a dive trip to Cozumel, you should prepare yourself for some great drift dives. Cozumel is a renowned destination for divers with a whole lot to offer. Cozumel is known for drift diving as well as other amazing reef dive sites. With its combination of great visibility, generally calm surface conditions, and strong currents, divers can experience drift diving at its best. Whether you’re an experienced diver, a beginner, looking to add drift diving to your skill set. Some amazing drift dives to try when diving Cozumel include Santa Rosa Wall, Pun ta Tunich, Palancar Reef, and Columbia Wall.

Santa Rosa Wall - Divers come back from Cozumel unable to stop talking about the Santa Rosa Wall, and for good reason. It is one of the deeper dive sites you will do when diving Cozumel, it is worth getting down there to see the fantastic coral formations, barrel sponges, and the incredible marine life. You can see sea turtles, huge groupers, and majestic eagle rays gliding through the waters here.

Punta Tunich is another great site. With coral ridges rising up from the sandy base at 70 feet, you’ll see schools of grunt and snapper, as well as large sea fans, bright, beautiful sponges and intricate corals. 

Planacar Reef offers three miles of reef and is suitable even for the beginning scuba diver. If you are diving Cozumel as a newly qualified diver and want an experience that lets you use the skills you learned, Palancar reef is easy and rewarding, with its hugely diverse sea life population and coral formations. The gentle currents and temperate water allow you to drift comfortably as you enjoy the surrounding world of colourful fish, sponges, coral and sea fans. This is also a really good dive site if you are an underwater photographer.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands are considered one of the best dive experiences in the world, thanks to the large marine critters and unique wildlife found at these special islands. There is no shortage of currents at the Galapagos Islands, which attract pelagic species to top sites such as Wolf and Darwin Islands. Jump in, go with the flow and enjoy the schools of hammerheads and rays that pass you by.

The Cabo Douglas dive site is located on the North West side of Fernandina Island. One of the central Galapagos islands, Fernandina has an active shield volcano 'La Cumbre', which has been subject to eruptions within the last ten years. Fernandina is one of the most unspoiled environments in the world and one of the few places in the Galapagos which has never suffered any kind of invasive species. Many of the animals on Fernandina exist only on the Galapagos Islands. Marine iguanas have also evolved to survive on these islands making them completely distinctive to the region. The island is also home to a great number of sea lions, turtles, pelicans and Galapagos penguins. The dive sites at Cabo Douglas don’t cover a very large area but offer the opportunity to see so many rare species that it is thrilling diving.

Red Sea, Egypt

Elphinstone Reef in Southern Egypt is a long sausage-shaped reef that sits in the open ocean and is perfect for drift diving. The walls of the reef drop thousands of meters to the inky depths and are covered in hard and soft corals and filled with marine critters. The currents will take you along the walls at ripping speeds of up to 2 knots, with no diving effort needed at all on the right day. Diving Elphinstone is definitely one to add to the bucket list for experienced divers looking for adventurous dives. The ‘Simply the Best’ itinerary offered by Emperor Divers includes the Elphinstone Reef. This cruise offers some of the best Red Sea drift diving sites, including Elphinstone Reef, Daedalus and the Brothers. Divers enjoy the colourful corals and critters and the occasional passing oceanic whitetip shark.

Palau, Micronesia

Drift diving in Palau is often compared to hang gliding. Instead of riding winds, you are riding the marine currents maintaining neutral buoyancy and perfect trim. Many of the techniques of drift diving were developed in Palau, including the reef hook. Using a reef hook is the bit different than a typical drift dive. The waters of Micronesia are known for the abundant marine life and amazing currents. The dive spots of Palau, like German Channel, Ulong Channel and Blue Corner will wow you and have you flying through the sites full of colorful soft corals, turtles, sharks, manta rays, and tons of other fish.

Maldives, Indian Ocean

The Maldives offers plenty of drift dives to those lucky enough to visit. Teeming with life, many species of sharks are commonly seen as well as sea turtles, schools of fish, manta rays, and whale sharks. Add Lhaviyani Atoll, Noonoo Atoll, and South Ari Atoll to the top of your dive list here. Most of the liveaboards in the Maldives offers itineraries that include some fantastic drift diving.