Sinai and the northern Red Sea · North & Dahab Liveaboard
North & Dahab Liveaboard Blue Hole and Canyon, Tiran, Ras Mohammed and the northern wrecks
A seven-night, six-day North & Dahab liveaboard that puts the Sinai coast and the classic northern wrecks inside a single week. Because the vessel runs up into the Gulf of Aqaba, the route reaches Dahab and the Straits of Tiran as well as Ras Mohammed, the SS Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas.
What a North & Dahab liveaboard covers
The North & Dahab liveaboard is the widest-ranging week in the northern Red Sea. Above all it is a route of contrasts: the Sinai coast gives vertical walls and rock topography, Tiran gives current and drop-offs, and the Strait of Gubal gives the wrecks that made Egyptian diving famous.
Because the vessel has to navigate up into the Gulf of Aqaba, this week covers more distance than the standard northern route. Consequently the sea state matters more here than on a trip that stays west of Tiran, and the order of the days can shift with the wind.
Every dive is planned around the conditions on the day. In fact current, wind, swell, navigation time and mooring availability are all weighed by the captain and the dive team before anyone enters the water, so the published week is a plan rather than a promise.
Trip at a glance
Dahab highlights
Namely the two sites that make this route different from every other northern week, both of them defined by rock rather than reef.
Tiran and Ras Mohammed
Broadly, current, deep walls and schooling fish define the middle of the week. Therefore this is the section that asks the most of a diver.
Legendary wreck diving
Finally the week finishes on the wrecks, which are covered in full on the classic northern route.
The North & Dahab liveaboard week
Thus the week runs Saturday to Saturday, starting in the Gulf of Aqaba and working south. However, the exact order can change according to weather, current, navigation time, mooring availability and safety, so read the days below as the shape of the week rather than a fixed sequence.
Sinai liveaboard days, Dahab to Ras Mohammed
Saturday
Arrival and boarding. Guests are welcome on board after 15:00. Afterwards check-in, cabin allocation, equipment preparation, documentation and the welcome briefing all take place during the evening.
Sunday
Dahab, Blue Hole and Canyon. First the opening day works the Sinai coast. For example the Blue Hole, the Canyon and another suitable local site, when conditions permit.
Monday
Strait of Tiran. On the other hand, Monday belongs to the reefs: possible dives include Jackson, Thomas, Woodhouse and Gordon. Namely the four main reefs, and the team picks between them according to current and wind rather than in a fixed order.
Tuesday
Ras Mohammed. Then the park itself, where possible sites include Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef, Jackfish Alley and other suitable reefs.
The wrecks and the run home
Wednesday
SS Thistlegorm. Namely a full day on the Second World War wreck, covering exterior dives and the cargo holds where certification and conditions allow.
Thursday
Abu Nuhas wrecks. Afterwards the reef itself, where dives may include Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K and Kimon M, depending on conditions.
Friday
Final dives and return. Hence two final morning dives at suitable northern reefs, followed by the return to Hurghada marina.
Saturday
Check-out, 09:00 to 10:00. Breakfast on board comes first, then departure. Transfers can be arranged according to the booking.
This is a planned itinerary, not a guaranteed sequence of dive sites. The captain and the dive team may change the order according to weather, wind, currents, mooring availability, marine park regulations and safety. Above all, this route crosses more open water than the standard northern week, so the wind has more say in it.
North & Dahab liveaboard dive sites
Overall fifteen named sites sit on the North & Dahab liveaboard, across four distinct areas. Since the northern wrecks already have their own pages, the Sinai and Tiran sites are described in full here and the wrecks are kept short.
Dahab liveaboard sites
Blue Hole
Moreover a submerged sinkhole in the reef plate, open to the sea through a saddle in its outer wall. Broadly it is the best known site on the Sinai coast, and its reputation comes from the sheer drop of blue water beside the wall rather than from the reef itself.
Visit the Blue HoleCanyon
Instead a narrow fissure in the reef, roofed in places, with light entering from above. In fact it is the light rather than the depth that people remember, and it reads completely differently from any reef dive elsewhere on this week.
Visit the Canyon
Tiran liveaboard reefs
Jackson Reef
Besides being the northernmost of the four Tiran reefs, it carries coral, current and blue-water life along the wall. Typically it is the one most affected by wind, so it is not always the first choice on the day.
Visit the Strait of TiranThomas Reef
Furthermore the smallest of the four and the steepest, with dramatic topography and real current potential. Consequently it suits divers who are already comfortable drifting a wall.
Woodhouse Reef
Nevertheless a long, narrow reef, normally dived as a drift rather than a circuit. Meanwhile the current can change part way along it, which is why the guides brief the exit carefully.
Gordon Reef
In particular, coral gardens and sandy sections make Gordon the gentlest of the four. Therefore it often works as the closing dive of the Tiran day, after the steeper reefs.
Ras Mohammed
Shark Reef
Above all a dramatic wall, with schooling fish, blue water and pelagic potential.
Visit Shark and YolandaYolanda Reef
Especially known for coral, reef life and the scattered cargo of the Yolanda wreck area.
Jackfish Alley
Still, reef passages, blue-water sections and schooling fish inside the national park.
The northern wrecks on a North & Dahab liveaboard
These five are the shared ground between this route and the classic northern week. Rather than repeat their full descriptions here, each one is covered properly on the North page and on its own site page.
SS Thistlegorm
Indeed motorcycles, trucks, railway equipment and military cargo are still in her holds.
Visit the ThistlegormGiannis D
Typically dived first, lying on her side, with recognisable engine-room and superstructure sections.
Visit Abu NuhasCarnatic
Similarly historic, and covered in coral growth and marine life.
Chrisoula K
Meanwhile a cargo wreck, popular for her structure and her cargo remains.
Kimon M
Next the fourth wreck on Abu Nuhas, and the one that turns the day into a full wreck day. Notably she does not appear on the classic northern week, so she is particular to this route.
Shaab El Erg
Finally a large northern reef system, with coral gardens and the possibility of dolphins.
Visit Shaab El Erg
How many dives the North & Dahab liveaboard plans
The first diving day normally includes two to three dives. Monday through Thursday then typically allow three to four per day when conditions permit, and Friday includes two final dives before the return to Hurghada.
In short, the printed numbers describe a good week rather than a guarantee. Because this route covers more distance than the standard northern one, navigation time is the thing most likely to reduce a day’s diving.
Worth asking before you book
Equally, access to the Thistlegorm holds depends on conditions, certification and experience, so ask what applies to your certification level and your recent logbook.
At the same time, Tiran and Dahab both involve current, deeper walls and open-water entries. Ask about the experience the crew expects if either of those is new to you.
Safety on a North & Dahab liveaboard
Certainly a North & Dahab liveaboard asks more of a diver than a sheltered reef holiday. Above all, depth discipline matters at the Blue Hole and on the Thistlegorm, while Tiran can carry real current on the walls.
The captain has the final word. The route may change whenever safety, weather, sea conditions, marine park regulations or official requirements call for it. Likewise, every diver is expected to follow the guides’ briefings and to stay within the limits of their own certification and experience.
Why this route?
The Sinai week that also takes the wrecks
Overall this is the widest variety available in one northern safari. The Blue Hole and the Canyon give rock and light, Tiran and Ras Mohammed give wall and current, while the Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas give the wrecks. Few weeks in Egypt cover that range.
Especially for divers who already know the classic northern week, this is the natural second trip: the wrecks are familiar, but Dahab and Tiran are not. To sum up, it is the widest week the north offers.
More Red Sea diving
- North Red Sea Liveaboard — the classic northern week, without Tiran or Dahab.
- Elba Reef Liveaboard — the Deep South expedition, at the other end of the country.
- What is a liveaboard — how life on board actually works.
- Liveaboard dive techniques — negative entries, SMB deployment and exits in swell.
- What divers need on board — the packing checklist for a Red Sea safari.
- redsealiveaboard.net — Red Sea safari schedules and availability.
- Confirmed boats running this route so far: Sea Fox, Sea Treasure, My Simba, Bismarck and our other vessels.
North & Dahab liveaboard: frequently asked questions
Does this route include Tiran?
Yes. Indeed Tiran is one of the reasons to choose this week, and the itinerary includes the Strait of Tiran whenever weather, current and navigation conditions allow.
When can guests board?
Guests are welcome on board on Saturday after 15:00, and check-in, equipment preparation and the welcome briefing follow during the evening.
When does the liveaboard start?
The trip starts on Sunday morning, after breakfast, the safety briefing and dive preparation.
How many dives are planned?
The first day normally includes two to three dives. Most full diving days then include three to four dives when conditions permit, and Friday includes two final dives.
When does the boat return to Hurghada?
The vessel returns to Hurghada marina on Friday, after the final dives of the week.
What time is check-out?
Check-out is on Saturday morning, between 09:00 and 10:00, following breakfast on board.
Seven nights, six diving days
Book your adventure
Tell us your dates and then we will confirm availability on the North & Dahab liveaboard. If you are unsure whether Tiran, the Blue Hole and the Thistlegorm suit your certification and your recent logbook, our team will talk it through with you before you commit to anything.
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