Rocky Island – Zabargad – St.John
The most beautiful coral reefs of the southern Red Sea.
Discover three exceptional dive destinations far from the usual tourist routes. Rocky Island, Zabargad Island, and St. John’s Reef offer pristine coral reefs, dramatic walls, abundant marine life, and some of the most spectacular dives in the entire Red Sea. This expedition is the perfect choice for divers who want to experience the untouched beauty of southern Egypt.
Rocky Island – Zabargad – St.John
The most beautiful coral reefs of the southern Red Sea.
Discover three exceptional dive destinations far from the usual tourist routes. Rocky Island, Zabargad Island, and St. John’s Reef offer pristine coral reefs, dramatic walls, abundant marine life, and some of the most spectacular dives in the entire Red Sea. This expedition is the perfect choice for divers who want to experience the untouched beauty of southern Egypt.
ABOUT EXPEDITION
THREE ICONIC DIVE SITES OF THE SOUTHERN RED SEA
Rocky Island, Zabargad Island, and St. John’s Reef are among Egypt’s most spectacular dive sites. Each offers a unique diving experience – from dramatic walls and encounters with pelagic species to vibrant coral gardens teeming with marine life.
This expedition takes you to remote offshore reefs with outstanding visibility, pristine coral formations, and some of the best-preserved marine ecosystems in the Red Sea. It is one of the most popular routes for divers seeking breathtaking underwater scenery and the tranquility of diving far from the busiest sites.
UNTOUCHED CORALS
Some of the healthiest and most vibrant coral reefs in the Red Sea.
PELAGIC ENCOUNTERS
Sharks, tuna, manta rays, and other pelagic species.
REMOTE DIVE SITES
Offshore diving far from the crowds, with fewer boats and fewer divers.
CRYSTAL-CLEAR VISIBILITY
Excellent conditions for underwater photography, with consistently outstanding visibility.
A More Relaxed Pace
If you want to enjoy long dives, pristine coral reefs, and less-visited dive sites, this expedition is for you.
ADVANCED OWD +
Recommended for Advanced Open Water Divers or higher, with at least 50 logged dives.
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHERS
Vibrant coral gardens, pristine reefs, and exceptional visibility make this expedition an excellent choice for underwater photographers and macro enthusiasts.
TECHNICAL DIVERS
We can provide twinsets, stage cylinders, Nitrox, Trimix, and the full technical diving support you need.
CCR REBREATHER
Support for rebreather diving, including gas fills and logistics, available on request.
EXPEDITION ITINERARY
What to Expect on This Expedition
rocky island
Dramatic Walls of the Southern Red Sea
Rocky Island is a small remote island near the Sudanese border and one of the most iconic dive sites in the southern Red Sea. Its steep walls, covered with both hard and soft corals, descend into the deep, creating a habitat for a wide variety of pelagic and reef species.
During the dive, you’ll explore pristine coral reefs, swim-throughs, and overhangs, with regular opportunities to encounter oceanic whitetip sharks, grey reef sharks, and tuna. Thanks to its remote location, Rocky Island remains one of the best-preserved dive sites in Egypt.
Oceanic whitetip sharks, grey reef sharks, and tuna.
Healthy hard and soft corals covering the entire reef wall.
Offshore diving far from the crowds.
ZABARGAD
A Colorful Coral Paradise of the Southern Red Sea
Zabargad Island is the largest natural island in the Egyptian Red Sea and one of the region’s best-preserved dive sites. It offers pristine coral reefs, giant gorgonians, vibrant marine life, and exceptional visibility, making it one of the most photogenic highlights of the entire expedition.
Unlike the more exposed drift dives at Brothers and Rocky Island, Zabargad offers more relaxed dives with plenty of time to photograph and explore the intricate details of its vibrant coral reefs.
Some of the largest gorgonians in the Red Sea.
From nudibranchs to sea turtles, moray eels, and pelagic species.
Vibrant coral reefs, excellent natural light, and abundant marine life.
Saint John
A Maze of Coral Gardens in Southern Egypt
St. John’s Reef is a vast network of dozens of reefs, pinnacles, and lagoons near the Sudanese border. Here you’ll discover some of the most diverse coral gardens in the entire Red Sea, where every dive offers something different.
This part of the expedition is perfect for relaxed exploration of the underwater world. Expect vibrant hard and soft corals, abundant tropical fish, sea turtles, reef sharks, and occasional encounters with larger pelagic species.
An extensive network of reefs, pinnacles, and lagoons.
Sea turtles, Napoleon wrasse, moray eels, and hundreds of fish species.
Some of the most colorful coral reefs in Egypt.
Where Are These Dive Sites Located?
Also known as the Deep South route, this expedition takes you to the southernmost dive sites in the Egyptian Red Sea. Rocky Island, Zabargad Island, and St. John’s Reef are among Egypt’s most remote dive destinations, which means the liveaboard makes longer overnight crossings between dive sites during the expedition.
This remoteness is exactly what makes the expedition so special. It takes you to reefs that simply can’t be reached on day trips, offering a completely different diving experience.
A liveaboard allows you to explore all three dive sites in a single trip, without the need to return to the mainland each day.
WHY TO GO WITH US
More Than Just Diving
COMFORT ON THE BOARD
Air-conditioned cabins, private bathrooms, and plenty of space to relax between dives.
DELICIOUS MEALS
Freshly prepared meals, snacks, and soft drinks available throughout the day.
PROFESSIONAL CREW
Our experienced crew and dive guides ensure a safe, smooth, and enjoyable expedition from start to finish.
LIFE ON BOARD
Relax between dives, enjoy stunning sunsets at sea, and experience the unique atmosphere of life aboard a liveaboard.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Expedition
WHAT CERTIFICATION DO I NEED FOR THE DEEP SOUTH EXPEDITION?
We recommend a minimum certification of PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or an equivalent qualification. Most dives take place at deeper offshore sites with currents, making this certification level ideal for a safe and comfortable diving experience.
ARE THE LONG CROSSINGS BETWEEN DIVE SITES CHALLENGING?
The Deep South is one of the most remote liveaboard itineraries in the Red Sea, so expect longer overnight crossings between dive sites. Most of the sailing takes place at night, allowing you to make the most of your diving during the day.
CAN I COMPLETE A PADI COURSE DURING THE EXPEDITION?
Yes. If the expedition schedule allows, you can complete selected PADI courses or specialty certifications, such as Enriched Air (Nitrox) or Deep Diver. We’ll be happy to help you choose the option that best fits this itinerary.
WHAT MARINE LIFE CAN I EXPECT?
The Deep South is renowned for its pristine coral reefs, sea turtles, Napoleon wrasse, moray eels, schools of barracuda, tuna, and reef sharks. Each dive site offers a unique underwater landscape, ensuring an incredible variety of experiences throughout the week.
IS NITROX A GOOD IDEA FOR THIS EXPEDITION?
Absolutely. With multiple dives each day, Nitrox helps you maximize your no-decompression limits and makes the entire liveaboard experience more comfortable.
IS THIS EXPEDITION SUITABLE FOR UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHERS?
Absolutely! Zabargad and St. John’s offer stunning coral gardens, exceptional visibility, and countless opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. If you’re travelling with an underwater camera, you’ll also have plenty of space on board for setup and maintenance.
Pripravený na expedíciu?
Choose your departure date and join us for an unforgettable liveaboard adventure at the Red Sea’s most spectacular dive sites.