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Daedalus · Rocky · Zabargad
8 days / 7 nights · Port Ghalib Marina → Port Ghalib Marina · Advanced
● DEEP SOUTH · PORT GHALIB · ADVANCED
Daedalus · Rocky · Zabargad
Three of the most remote and least-visited dive sites in the Egyptian Red Sea in one week. Hammerheads at Daedalus, sharks and walls at Rocky Island, green turtles and pristine coral at Zabargad — plus Elphinstone on both bookends.
7 NIGHTS
BOTH ENDS · MARINA
TOTAL DIVES
MIN. CERTIFICATION
ROUTE OVERVIEW
Egypt's Deep South — Three Reefs Almost Nobody Dives.
This is the route for divers who’ve done Ras Mohamed, ticked the Thistlegorm and want something genuinely off the beaten track. Daedalus, Rocky Island and Zabargad are three of the most remote dive sites on the Egyptian Red Sea coast — none of them accessible by day trip, all of them worth the overnight crossing to reach.
Daedalus needs no introduction if you’ve done the BDE or the Daedalus route — two days here instead of three, still the north tip hammerheads, still the pristine walls. Rocky Island is smaller and even more isolated than Daedalus — a single rocky outcrop with dramatic walls, shark activity and almost no other dive boats. Zabargad is the surprise of the route: a volcanic island with extraordinary geology above the water and exceptional hard coral gardens, green turtles and a lagoon for the night dive below it.
Elphinstone is used on both ends — check dives on Day 2 before the offshore crossings, and two final dives on Day 7 before returning to Port Ghalib. Starting and finishing at one of Egypt’s best reefs is a reasonable way to frame a week.
🦈 Daedalus Reef — 6 dives across 2 days. Hammerheads on the north tip, pristine walls, almost no other boats.
🏝 Rocky Island — 3 dives. One of the least-visited dive sites in Egypt. Sharks, walls, zero crowds.
🌋 Zabargad Island — 4 dives including night. Green turtles, pristine coral, extraordinary volcanic geology.
🦈 Elphinstone — bookend dives on Days 2 and 7. Oceanic whitetips year-round on the south plateau.
🌙 Night dives — anchor reef near Daedalus (×2), Zabargad lagoon.
Diver Requirements
Advanced Open Water Diver with 30+ logged dives. All three offshore sites involve strong, variable currents — drift diving experience essential. Rocky Island in particular can have unpredictable conditions. Certifications, logbook and dive insurance checked before departure on Day 2. No night dives at Rocky Island (marine park regulations).
What's Included
✓ Free Nitrox 32% — all fills
✓ 12-litre tanks, weights & belts
✓ Dive guide on every dive
✓ Full-board halal open buffet
✓ Soft drinks & fresh juices
✓ Airport transfers from Marsa Alam (RMF)
○ Marine park fees not included
○ Equipment rental on request
🚫 No night dives at Daedalus Reef or Rocky Island (HEPCA marine park). Night dives on this route: coral heads at anchor near Daedalus (×2), Zabargad lagoon.
DIVE SITES
Five Sites. All Offshore. None Crowded.
Every site on this route requires a liveaboard to reach. That’s the point — and it shows in the condition of the reefs.
Elphinstone Reef
30km south of Port Ghalib · Days 2 & 7
Used as check dives on Day 2 and final dives on Day 7 — which means you dive Elphinstone twice on this route, at the start and finish of the week. The south plateau is Longimanus territory year-round. North plateau gets hammerheads in season. Soft coral walls in purple and red on both sides, a natural arch at 55m for tech divers.
Daedalus Reef
52nm east of Marsa Alam · Days 3 & 4
Egypt’s most remote reef. Six dives across two days — north tip for hammerheads, east and west walls for the pristine coral and resident shark population. The lighthouse has been manned since 1863. Two days gives you enough time to understand the site and plan your dives around the current patterns. Night dives at anchor outside the marine park zone.
Rocky Island
Deep South · between Daedalus and Zabargad · Day 5
A small rocky outcrop in the middle of the southern Red Sea, less visited than almost any site in Egypt. Three walls and a north tip similar to Little Brother — sheer drops with strong currents bringing nutrients and fish life. Hammerheads on the north tip in the right season, grey reef sharks throughout, good hard coral coverage on the sheltered south side. No night dives — marine park.
Zabargad Island — Day Dives
Volcanic island, southern Red Sea · Day 6
Zabargad is a volcanic island that was mined for peridot (topaz olivine) from antiquity through the 20th century — you can still see the old mining infrastructure above the waterline. Below it: coral gardens in exceptional condition, schools of barracuda and trevally, grey reef sharks on the south wall, large groupers and Napoleon wrasse in the coral heads.
Zabargad — Lagoon & Night Dive
Zabargad Island lagoon · Day 6 night
The sheltered lagoon on the western side of Zabargad is where the green turtles come to rest — a night dive here often produces multiple turtle sightings at very close range. The lagoon is calm enough to enter directly from the stern of the boat. Octopus, cuttlefish, sleeping parrotfish and lionfish complete the cast.
Daedalus — Anchor Reef (Night Dives)
Outside marine park zone · Days 3 & 4 nights
The boat moors outside the Daedalus marine park boundary overnight. The coral heads and sandy patches at anchor depth are calm and shallow — a complete contrast to the drift dives of the day. Octopus, nudibranchs, decorator crabs, sleeping parrotfish and hunting lionfish after dark. Good for underwater photographers who want stationary subjects.
ITINERARY
Day by Day
Subject to weather, coast guard permits and captain’s discretion. All three offshore reefs require marine park clearance and are subject to sea conditions. Days 3–5 highlighted in blue.
Embarkation
PORT GHALIB MARINA · FROM 17:00
Board from 17:00. First meal on board is dinner. Cabin allocation, safety briefing, dive equipment set-up. Certifications, logbooks and dive insurance checked — have them ready. Overnight in port.
Elphinstone — Check Dives · Overnight Crossing
ELPHINSTONE REEF · THEN OVERNIGHT SAIL TO DAEDALUS (~8H)
Two check dives at Elphinstone — south plateau for Longimanus on the first dive, north plateau or east wall for the second. These aren’t just logistics: Elphinstone is a serious dive site in its own right and the oceanic whitetips are there year-round. After lunch the boat heads east toward Daedalus. Eight hours of open water sailing, arriving overnight.
Daedalus Reef — Day 1
DAEDALUS REEF MARINE RESERVE · 52nm OFFSHORE
Arrive at Daedalus in the morning. Three dives covering the north tip (hammerhead current), east wall and west wall. The guide reads the current on arrival and picks the entry points. By the end of Day 3 you understand the reef. Night dive on the coral heads at anchor outside the park zone.
Daedalus Reef — Day 2 · Sail South to Rocky
DAEDALUS REEF · THEN SAIL SOUTH TO ROCKY ISLAND
Three more dives at Daedalus — revisiting the best conditions from yesterday, plus the south section and lighthouse area which are calmer and good for macro and coral photography. After the third dive, the boat sails south toward Rocky Island. Night sail, arrive Rocky in the morning.
Rocky Island
ROCKY ISLAND · MARINE PARK
Three dives at Rocky Island — one of the least-visited sites in the Egyptian Red Sea. The north tip and east wall for the first two dives, south side for the third. Strong currents are the norm, grey reef sharks are regular, and the hard coral coverage is in unusually good condition. No night dives — marine park regulations. After the third dive, sail further south to Zabargad.
Zabargad Island
ZABARGAD ISLAND · VOLCANIC REEF
Three day dives and a night dive at Zabargad — a volcanic island in the southern Red Sea, mined for peridot from antiquity through the 20th century. The coral gardens here are among the most undisturbed in Egypt. Grey reef sharks on the south wall, large groupers and Napoleon wrasse on the reef heads. Night dive in the sheltered lagoon: green turtles resting, octopus and cuttlefish on the sandy bottom.
Elphinstone — Final Two Dives · Return Port Ghalib
ELPHINSTONE REEF · 30KM SOUTH OF PORT GHALIB
Two final dives at Elphinstone on the sail back. South plateau for Longimanus — early morning, before the day boats arrive. North plateau for the second dive. Then the short sail back to Port Ghalib marina. Last night on board.
Disembarkation
PORT GHALIB MARINA · AFTER BREAKFAST
Last meal on board is breakfast. Check out of cabin by 10:00, leave the boat by 12:00. Transfers to Marsa Alam Airport (RMF) or Hurghada Airport (HRG) arranged on request.
MARINE LIFE
What Lives in the Deep South
Isolation produces biodiversity. Three remote reefs, almost no fishing pressure, almost no dive traffic — the marine life here reflects it.
Daedalus north tip · Rocky north tip
All three reefs · consistent
Elphinstone south · open water
Daedalus walls
Zabargad lagoon · night dive
Zabargad & Elphinstone
All offshore reefs
Night dives — anchor reef & Zabargad
BOOK YOUR RED SEA LIVEABOARD
Book Daedalus · Rocky · Zabargad
Three of Egypt’s most remote reefs in one week. Hammerheads, pristine walls, green turtles and Elphinstone on both ends — from Port Ghalib on M/Y Aphrodite.