Is an Egypt Liveaboard Worth It? A First-Timer`s Honest Trip Report
Part of our New Wave series — trip reports from real divers and creators.
My name is Małgorzata, and I’m a professional scuba diver. This year I started working as an instructor and underwater videographer. I’ve been diving actively for several years, but it was only now that I first thought about a liveaboard. For a long time I assumed they were expensive and aimed mostly at older divers, so I always organised my own trips and dived from different bases. Then I got the chance to join a BookDiveBoat trip to Egypt, a company that presents liveaboards as an option for younger divers and solo travellers too. I had no idea what to expect: would I enjoy a whole week on a boat, diving several times a day and living with people I didn’t know? It wasn’t my first time in Egypt, but it showed me a completely different side of the Red Sea.
Life on board
A Daily Routine Built Around the Sea
I’m a morning person and I love sunrises, so I felt at home straight away. Waking up in the middle of the Red Sea at dawn, a quiet cup of coffee, the sun coming up over the horizon — is there a better way to start a day? And that was only the beginning. Between the dives came delicious meals from an amazing chef and his crew, detailed briefings before every dive, and real care and attention from the instructors. Then the sunsets, and evenings spent with the other people on board. It took me one day to feel like this was exactly where I was meant to be.
Coffee on deck, and a look inside the cabin. Photographs and film: @malgosja.zmi
Gearing up, getting in the water and coming back on board became part of the daily rhythm, with the crew and instructors looking after the details.
Photographs: @malgosja.zmi
Between dives, the chef and his crew kept everyone well fed.
Photographs: @malgosja.zmi
Underwater
The Red Sea Below: Reefs, Turtles and Dolphins
The Red Sea has a reputation for good reason: excellent visibility, warm water, beautiful coral reefs and an incredible variety of marine life make every dive enjoyable and full of surprises.
A hawksbill turtle on the reef. Film: @malgosja.zmi
Photographs: @malgosja.zmi
But the most special moment of the trip was swimming with dolphins. Dolphins have always been my favourite marine mammals, and being so close to them filled me with an overwhelming sense of happiness and excitement.
Illustrative photo: bottlenose dolphin. Credit: NOAA
Blue water, and a camera housing on deck. Photographs and film: @malgosja.zmi
The people
From Strangers to a Little Diving Family
People are one of the most important parts of any journey, especially when you travel solo, and this trip delivered. Sharing dives naturally brings people closer, but it was everything between the dives that made the week: long conversations, jokes, shared meals and all the small moments on board. We arrived as a group who barely knew each other, and after just a few days we had become a little diving family.
Photographs: @malgosja.zmi
Friends on the dive deck, and ringing the ship’s bell. Photograph and film: @malgosja.zmi
If you’re thinking about travelling alone, our going solo on a liveaboard guide covers how it works in practice.
Disconnecting
No Signal, Fully Present
This was probably the biggest surprise of the whole trip. With no phone signal in the middle of the sea, I enjoyed every moment more. I could simply be present, without thinking about messages, work or everything waiting at home. Leaving worries and responsibilities for later can feel almost unrealistic, even like a luxury today. We’re so used to being connected and reachable that we forget we actually need to switch off, especially on holiday.
Evening on the Red Sea. Photo: @malgosja.zmi
Want your first liveaboard to go this well?
Tell us your level and dates, solo or not — we’ll match the right boat and group.
Or email: office@bookdiveboat.com
More New Wave reports
Read Other Divers’ Reports
Every diver brings a different trip home. Here are two more from our New Wave series.
Why BookDiveBoat
Why a Liveaboard Is More Accessible Than It Looks
Małgorzata’s assumption, that liveaboards are expensive and mostly for older divers, is a common one. Our job is to show that a week on a boat can suit younger divers and solo travellers too, and to match the boat and the group to you. Her week was on the Al Suraya. If you’re comparing routes, our Egypt liveaboard Red Sea guide lays them out side by side.
Małgorzata sailed on the Al Suraya
See the boat’s cabins, route and dates before you book your own week.
Good to know
Before You Book Your First Liveaboard
🎓 Experience
Requirements differ by boat and route. Tell us your certification and number of dives and we’ll point you to the right trip.
📅 Dates
What you can see changes with the route and time of year. Share your preferred dates and we’ll check what’s available.
🧭 Going solo
You don’t need to arrive with a group. Solo divers join the rest of the guests, and the crew looks after the dive routine.
Every dive came with a detailed briefing, and the instructors paid close attention to the group.
Photographs: @malgosja.zmi
If this is your first liveaboard, our Egypt liveaboard for beginners guide explains what to expect and which kind of route suits a first trip.
The verdict
Would I Do It Again? Absolutely.
After this trip I can honestly say a liveaboard was one of the best diving experiences of my life. I came on board not knowing what to expect, and I left already thinking about where to go next.
Ready to plan your own week on the Red Sea?
Check available dates or reach out — we answer quickly.
Or email: office@bookdiveboat.com
The answers
Questions about a first liveaboard in Egypt
Is a liveaboard a good choice for a first trip?
Are liveaboards only for older divers?
Are liveaboards expensive?
Can I go on a liveaboard alone?
What’s it like with no phone signal?
How many dives will I do each day?
BookDiveBoat quality marks
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