Holiday Reference: TRP 50201 - 12 Jul 2027 - Ghazala Explorer - £1795 *

Ghazala Explorer – St Johns

12 Jul 2027 · 7 nights · Red Sea, Egypt

£1795 *

4 twin cabins and 1 female share available

Why divers love Ghazala Explorer

  • Launched in 2021 and beautifully refitted in early 2026, this spacious 37m liveaboard is a firm favourite with UK divers
  • Freshly prepared meals, snacks between dives, and plenty of drinks included
  • 3 extremely experienced dive guides with clear briefings and great in-water support
  • Professional, attentive crew that keeps everything running smoothly throughout the trip
  • ENOS diver locator system onboard for added peace of mind on every dive
  • Air-conditioned cabins plus spacious indoor lounge and shaded deck areas

What's included in your holiday

  • Airport transfers, 7 or 10 nights (depending on itinerary) accommodation on full board basis in a twin share cabin
  • 12ltr tank, air fills, weights and all diving - the number of dives offered will depend on your chosen itinerary. Recreational nitrox is included in your package
  • Depending on your package, flights are included from UK regional airports with Easyjet or TUI
  • Niitrox, Marine Park fees, Port fees
  • NITROX is included

What's not included

  • Rental kit hire can be requested onboard however it is preferable to pre book.15lt tanks may not be available if not prebooked
  • Egyptian entry visa - £35 pre paid service with our airport rep or USD cash at the visa windows on arrival at your entry point to Egypt
  • Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the guides and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
  • Alcohol is available on board - the boat will run an honesty tab to pay at the end of the trip
  • Cabin supplements
    Suite upgrade £150pp
    Upper deck twin cabins £100pp
    Single cabins available on request for £1000 supplement

Liveaboard Details

Ghazala Explorer is one of the Red Sea's standout liveaboards, built in 2021 and extensively refitted in early 2026 to further elevate both safety standards and diver comfort. Thoughtful upgrades include the relocation of cabins away from the engine ...

Ghazala Explorer is one of the Red Sea's standout liveaboards, built in 2021 and extensively refitted in early 2026 to further elevate both safety standards and diver comfort. Thoughtful upgrades include the relocation of cabins away from the engine room for a quieter stay, a full-length emergency exit door on the lower deck corridor, and comprehensive inspections with steelwork and electrics upgraded where needed. Air conditioning has been enhanced throughout, a dedicated camera room has been added, and the double cabin has been reconfigured to offer flexible twin or double arrangements.

Part of the Ocean Tribe Liveaboard Fleet, Ghazala Explorer has quickly become one of the most popular yachts in the Red Sea. With a highly experienced and attentive crew, she delivers a premium diving experience from start to finish. Departing mainly from Hurghada, itineraries cover both the Northern and Southern Red Sea. Combined with Scuba Travel's ATOL bonding and regional UK flight options, this is an exceptional choice for your next Egypt holiday.

Accommodation: Ghazala Explorer features 12 well-appointed cabins. On the lower deck, there are five twin cabins. The upper deck offers four twin cabins and two versatile suites that can be configured as either twins or doubles. Plus a top deck Double cabin which can be Twin or Double. All cabins are air-conditioned with en-suite bathrooms, and come equipped with towels, dressing gowns, and a refillable water bottle for use throughout your stay. Specific cabin requests should be made at the time of booking.

Spacious Design: One of the first things you'll notice on board is the liveaboards impressive width. This generous space is particularly appreciated on the dive deck and platform, allowing plenty of room for gearing up and moving comfortably between dives.

Interior and Amenities: The interior is bright, modern, and welcoming, with a spacious saloon and dining area providing a relaxing social hub. The upper deck features a bar area with music, while the sun deck offers ample seating for outdoor dining and relaxation. Tea and coffee facilities are available on both the upper and sun decks, along with sun loungers and beanbags for unwinding between dives.

Dining: Guests enjoy three freshly prepared buffet-style meals each day, with a variety of international and local dishes. Dietary requirements and most allergies can be catered for with advance notice. With multiple outdoor seating areas, there are plenty of options to dine, relax, and take in the stunning Red Sea views.

Dive Deck: The large, well-organised dive deck is designed with divers in mind, offering individual set-up areas, charging stations, rinse tanks, and ample space for equipment. Typically, three experienced dive guides are on board, maintaining a relaxed 1:8 ratio. Air and recreational nitrox are available free of charge for certified divers. Easy access via zodiacs with ladder entry ensures smooth dive operations. Specialist equipment and courses should be booked in advance.

Safety and Comfort: Safety is at the core of the Ghazala Explorer experience. Following her 2026 refit, the vessel meets enhanced safety standards, supported by a highly trained crew and comprehensive onboard systems. A full safety briefing is provided on arrival, covering emergency procedures, equipment locations, and evacuation routes to ensure complete peace of mind throughout your trip.

Diving Experience: Ghazala Explorer's itineraries showcase the very best of the Red Sea. Northern routes highlight iconic sites such as Ras Mohammed, the Thistlegorm and the Straits of Tiran, known for vibrant reefs and dramatic drop-offs. Southern itineraries offer pristine, remote reefs and exceptional marine encounters, delivering a diverse and rewarding diving experience.

Wreck Diving: The Red Sea is world-famous for its wrecks, and Ghazala Explorer visits many of the most celebrated. The legendary SS Thistlegorm is a highlight, alongside other historic wrecks such as the Dunraven, Giannis D, Carnatic, and Ulysses each offering fascinating glimpses into the past.

Marine Life: Expect an incredible variety of marine life, from colourful reef fish to larger pelagics. Sharks, rays, barracuda, and groupers are frequently encountered, while the region thriving coral reefs ensure every dive is rich with life and colour.

Seasonal Considerations: Summers can be very warm, so hats, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen are recommended. Winter evenings can be cooler, so bringing warm layers is advisable.

Want to know more about Ghazala Explorer?

Click here for more details about Ghazala Explorer This link contains lots of the information you need, pictures, reviews, and other FAQ information. Or call one of our diving holiday experts on +44(0)1483 411590.

Itinerary Details

Explore St Johns, Fury Shoal & Wadi Gamal on a Southern Red Sea liveaboard: pristine corals, caverns, dolphins & sharks. Suitable for all levels.

St Johns Description

St Johns is a vast reef system at the far southern tip of Egypt's Red Sea and an all time favourite for divers of every level. This itinerary now combines St Johns with iconic dive sites such as Elphinstone, Sataya (Dolphin Reef), Fury Shoal and Marsa Shouna. Expect breathtaking coral gardens, walls, caverns and encounters with dolphins, turtles, reef sharks and pelagics. With reefs this remote and healthy, a liveaboard is the best way to experience the Southern Red Sea in all its glory, far from the crowds.

Featured dive sites


Elphinstone: Just 12 km offshore, Elphinstone is world famous for its steep walls adorned with soft corals and fans. Drifting along these colourful reefs, you may encounter oceanic whitetips, hammerheads and reef sharks patrolling the blue.

Sataya (Dolphin Reef): A six mile horseshoe reef enclosing a calm lagoon where resident dolphin families are often encountered. It's also a superb night anchorage and a great place to see lionfish hunting after dark.

St Johns (region): Covering around 300 km near the Sudanese border, St Johns is a labyrinth of reefs with outstanding visibility, tunnels and caves. Expect hammerheads, manta rays, barracuda, jacks, turtles, threshers and grey sharks, along with fabulous wide-angle photography opportunities.

Fury Shoal: A glorious cluster of reefs with something for everyone, wall dives, pinnacles, swim-throughs and even resident spinner dolphins. Both shallow and deeper sites deliver pristine, colourful coral far from the crowds.

Marsa Shouna (Turtle Bay): A shallow, seagrass fringed bay famous for giant turtles, coral gardens and relaxed topography. Keep one eye in the blue for a lucky dugong sighting.

Who is this trip for?


The St Johns itinerary is perfect for all certified divers. The diving is straightforward so you can focus on the incredible marine life.

Experience

Suitable for Open Water Divers and above. Some dives exceed 18 m; to make the most of the week, we recommend PADI Advanced Open Water (or take the course on board) and Nitrox if available.

Conditions

Generally mild currents and excellent visibility. Dives are conducted from the main vessel and RIB.

Styles of diving

Walls, pinnacles, plateaus, caverns/caves and night dives feature across the week.

Highlights at a glance


World-class shark encounters at Elphinstone

Swim alongside wild dolphins at Sataya Lagoon

Vast reef network and caverns of St Johns

Remote, colourful coral gardens at Fury Shoal

Turtles (and sometimes dugongs!) at Marsa Shouna

Practical notes


Itinerary flexibility: Final route varies with weather, government approvals and recent marine life activity.

Best season: Year-round; pelagic action peaks spring and autumn. Winter offers crystal visibility and fewer boats.

Typical depths: 5-35 m. Photographers will love the shallow, light-filled caverns and dolphin encounters.

Entries/exits: From the platform or via RIB depending on the site and conditions.

Ready to dive?


See for yourself why the Southern Red Sea keeps divers coming back year after year. Talk to our team to secure your cabin and add on Advanced or Nitrox training if you'd like to maximise your time underwater.

Want to know more about St Johns?

Click here for more details about St Johns contains all the detailed information you need, a full day by day itinerary, pictures, videos, reviews, and other practical information. Or call one of our diving holiday experts on +44(0)1483 411590.

 


Your holiday details

This spectacular St Johns itinerary takes you to the southernmost reaches of Egypt’s Red Sea, combining the famous reefs of St Johns with highlights such as Elphinstone, Sataya (Dolphin Reef), Fury Shoal, and Marsa Shouna. Expect pristine corals, colourful walls, caverns, dolphins, turtles, reef sharks, and the chance of encounters with hammerheads, threshers, and manta rays—making every dive one to remember.
Unlike northern routes, this adventure heads deep south, far from the crowds, ensuring a week of relaxed and unspoilt diving.

Departing from Marsa Alam, you’ll spend 7 nights on board on a full board basis in a lower deck twin-share cabin. The trip includes up to 21 dives, including night dives, all fully guided by up to three expert dive guides.

Your package includes:
• 12L tank, air fills, weights & FREE Nitrox
• Return flights with EasyJet or TUI from London Gatwick (regional airports available on request)

Optional extras available to prebook and prepay:
• Cabin upgrades (upper deck cabins and suites)
• Additional kit hire or Egyptian entry visa
• A day-use hotel with lunch on your final day for £50 twin share or £75 single room

Alcohol and onboard souvenirs are payable locally. Please let us know in advance if you’d like to prebook any PADI courses (such as Advanced Open Water or Nitrox) or if you have any dietary requirements.

Entry requirements

Country entry requirements for Egypt

This information is for people travelling on a full 'British citizen' passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government's understanding of Egypt current rules for the most common types of travel.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/entry-requirements

To enter Egypt, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page.

British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa - This is normally pre booked by Scuba Travel for GBP35 unless you request otherwise.

* prices are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking

 

Ready to take the next step, call one of friendly holiday experts on 01483 411590 to book


Please DO NOT book any connecting flights, insurance, or additional parts to this holiday as your trip is subject to availability and will NOT be confirmed until you have spoken with our operators. If you have any requests beyond our normal itineraries please note them in the comments and we will discuss these with you when we call to arrange your holiday.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website for customers based in the UK or EU are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

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The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Tony Backhurst Scuba ltd t/a Scuba Travel - member number 5194, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:

• Non-flight packages for UK and EU customers only

ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Tony Backhurst Scuba ltd t/a Scuba Travel.
In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.
You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made
You can find out more about ABTOT here: https://www.abtot.com/

All holidays sold for customers with a postal address outside the EU or UK are not financially protected. It is your responsibility to ensure you have insurance in place to protect your holiday in the event of our insolvency. The holidays are covered under their own specific terms and conditions, which are issued on the booking/payment confirmation.

 

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