Red Sea Explorer: Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone

Sharks. Wrecks. Drop-offs that disappear into blue. The Red Sea's legendary BDE route puts you face to face with some of the most electric shark diving on the planet, aboard a comfortable, purpose-built liveaboard with YAY Scuba's group of fellow divers.

Beneath the surface lies one of the richest ecosystems on Earth — over 1,100 species of fish, 200 species of hard and soft coral, and 44 species of sharks, all sustained by an unbroken expanse of reef stretching along the coastline between Africa and Asia. From brightly colored nudibranchs to oceanic whitetips and hammerheads cruising the blue, this is a marine paradise with something for every kind of diver.

If you've been wanting to dive with hammerheads, threshers, and oceanic whitetips, this is your trip.

Where We're Diving

The Brothers — Two remote islands rising straight out of the deep blue, ringed by walls that drop into forever. Little Brother is home to a well-known thresher shark cleaning station, while grey reef sharks, hammerheads, and oceanic whitetips (longimanus) patrol the drop-offs. Big Brother adds two historic wrecks, the Numidia and the Aida, both draped in soft coral.

Daedalus Reef — A solitary reef south of the Brothers, famous for its intact hard coral gardens and the beloved anemone city. Daedalus has built its reputation on schooling hammerheads, and the open-water approach here makes for some of the most exciting pelagic encounters of the trip. Expect steep walls and a real shot at big pelagics.

Elphinstone — Two dramatic plateaus, north and south, with a strong track record for hammerhead sightings and regular visits from curious oceanic whitetips, plus vibrant soft coral throughout. Elphinstone closes out the trip with fantastic hard corals, Napoleon wrasses, and turtles — a fitting grand finale.

What the Diving Is Like

Diving is primarily done from tenders, though certain sites or conditions allow diving straight off the liveaboard. Each week, 3–4 dive guides aboard give an in-depth briefing before every dive — topography, conditions, current, depth, and a visual aid - and you're welcome to follow along on a guided dive, which we recommend. Expect 3 to 4 dives a day, night dives included on most days.

The Vessel

We're sailing aboard the MY Red Sea Explorer, a modern 43-metre (130ft) steel yacht operated by Extra Divers Worldwide. Twelve well-appointed cabins, an air-conditioned salon, buffet-style restaurant, spacious dive deck, and generous sun decks make this a serious step up from the traditional wooden liveaboard. Every diver gets a complimentary ENOS transmitter for added safety, and two experienced dive guides keep the diver-to-guide ratio at a personal 8:1. Full board runs from dinner on arrival through breakfast on departure.

Who Should Join

This is a bucket-list trip for experienced divers. Advanced Open Water certification and a minimum of 50 logged dives are required (100+ preferred). The Deep Diver specialty is strongly recommended, since some sites reach 130 feet (40m) — and it can be completed right on the trip.

If you're a bit short on experience but still want to come, we can arrange a private dive guide for the duration of the trip for an additional €450 (roughly $500) — no problem at all.

Getting There

The trip departs from and returns to Port Ghalib, so Marsa Alam is your closest airport, with arrival and departure both falling on a Thursday. Can't find a convenient flight to Marsa Alam? Hurghada offers far more flight options, and we can arrange a transfer for €25 per person, each way.

Sign Up Now!

If the Red Sea has always been on your dive bucket list, this is your chance to experience it the best way possible — by liveaboard, with an incredible group of fellow divers, and unforgettable dives every single day.

Ready to swim with hammerheads? Reserve your spot today.

After an exhilarating day of diving, unwind in comfort aboard the recently renovated Red Sea Explorer—a modern, spacious liveaboard designed with divers in mind. Whether you're traveling solo or with a buddy, you'll find your cabin a restful, cozy retreat after a day in the water.

Cabin Options:

• Twin Cabins (Lower Deck or Main Deck)
  Share a comfortable space with a fellow diver in a twin-share cabin featuring two single beds, an ensuite bathroom, and individual storage. Depending on your preference, choose between the lower deck and the main deck.

• Main deck

  Comfortable room for two with a single queen-size bed, an ensuite bathroom, and individual storage, or a twin bed setup.

• Upper deck

  Share a comfortable space with a fellow diver in a twin-share cabin featuring two single beds, an ensuite bathroom, and individual storage. Depending on your preference, choose between the lower deck and the main deck.

• Master Cabin (Upper Deck)
  For those wanting a little more luxury, the Royal suite offers a king-size bed, extra space, and prime placement on the upper deck. Perfect for couples or solo travelers wanting extra room to stretch out. 

Each cabin is air-conditioned, features ensuite facilities with hot showers, and has plenty of storage for your dive gear and luggage. Linens, towels, and daily housekeeping are all included, so you can relax and recharge in peace.

With cozy cabins, stunning views, and everything taken care of, you'll sleep soundly and wake up ready to dive into the Red Sea's underwater magic.

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to return home from your trip
• It is your responsibility to review and meet the vaccination requirements and visa/immigration requirements for the countries you're visiting
• Your proof of certification and logbook will be checked during check-in at the dive center to clarify your level and experience: it is your responsibility to ensure you bring these with you and your diving could be at risk if you do not bring these
• Please remember it is your responsibility to ensure you are fit to dive and meet the medical standards outlined by PADI
• Dive times and locations can change due to local weather conditions, and it is your responsibility to check in with your dive center after you arrive to confirm the timing of your dives: late check-in could lead to missed dives.
• We recommend you buy travel and trip cancellation insurance. Trip deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the whole trip is canceled by YAY Scuba. 
• Dive insurance is mandatory
• It is recommended that you arrive at the boat by 2 PM on Saturday. 
• Please note that your payment is committed to the trip and is non-refundable. 

Upon cancellation of a reservation for any reason, the refund of the deposit and payments made or due will be contingent upon YAY Scuba reselling the participant's reservation. Any refund may also be subject to a $250 cancellation fee and payment of any non-refundable fees imposed by the tour company, dive operator or any other contractor associated with the trip. 

Dive accident insurance is mandatory for all divers participating in this trip. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. Contact us if you need more information. 

Aboard the Oman Explorer, guests can enjoy 2 to 4 dives per day, including night dives. However, no diving is typically conducted on embarkation and disembarkation days (usually Saturdays). The final day of diving is generally Friday, with 1 to 2 dives depending on the itinerary.

Standard tanks are 12-litre aluminium cylinders (DIN/INT) (AL 80) , while 15-litre tanks are available on request (AL 100)and at an additional charge. Nitrox is also available for certified divers for an extra fee.

The spacious dive platform is well-equipped with rinse tanks and freshwater showers, and the large dive deck provides ample storage space for equipment, including personal gear boxes. Dives are conducted either directly from the platform or from the two RIBs.

Required Dive Experience: OWD + Deep or AOWD certification with a minimum of 30 logged dives.

Itinerary Highlights:

Saturday: Port Ghalib

• 1500: Guests board

• 1830: Dinner (snacks or dinner available for those arriving on later flights)

• 2000: Captain's Briefing, documents, etc. Night spent at the dock.

Sunday -Friday: Red Sea

• Up to 4 dives daily

Saturday: Port Ghalib

• 0600-0800: Continental breakfast

• 0900: Guests depart the vessel. If you are leaving on a morning flight, breakfast will be earlier. Should you be leaving on an afternoon flight, please feel free to leave your luggage aboard (or on the dock alongside) until you depart.