About St Johns

Scuba Travel have regular departures of the St Johns itinerary throughout the year

Embarkation
Ghazala Explorer departs from Port Galib
Emperor Fleet departures are typically from Hurghada or Port Ghalib

Trip Duration
All of our St Johns trips run for 7 nights with 7 nights spent on board your liveaboard.

There are normally 4 dives a day (3 day dives + 1 night dive) apart from on your first and last day. There are around 18-20 dives on an average week, but this can vary depending on travel times.

All liveaboard itineraries are subject to various unpredictable changes including weather conditions and changes in local Government approval. Whilst our boat operators make every effort, we cannot guarantee diving at specific sites. In adverse weather conditions, the guides and captain of the boat will have the final decision about which dive sites to visit to ensure that the safety of guests, staff and boats is not compromised in any way.

Arrival
Once you have been picked up from the airport you will be taken to the port to board your liveaboard. If you are making your own way to the harbour we ask that you not board before 18:00. There will be a full welcome briefing on arrival and you can set your kit up. If you have prepaid any rental equipment this will be given to you on arrival. There is then your first dinner and you can settle in for the evening. The boat will not leave harbour on this first night.

After the boat permissions are sorted, the boat will depart the next morning and the check dive will be made.

A normal St Johns itinerary will dive at the following areas but the exact dive sites and order will vary week by week depending on what people enjoy, where the best sightings have been and reflect diver experience levels.

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 km² 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.

Disembarkation
You will normally leave the boat after breakfast on your last day and be transferred to a hotel for the day. Your final transfer will take you to the airport for your return flight home. Please do speak to the travel consultant at the time of booking to confirm the exact last day arrangements as it can vary.