Description
Rocky Island & Zabargad Expedition – 7 Nights Crewed Cabin Charter from Port Ghalib
On Egypt’s wild southern horizon, two names carry the promise of clear blue and living walls: Rocky and Zabargad. This expedition links them with Fury Shoals’ playful lagoons and Sataya’s dolphins, then eases north along seagrass meadows where turtles graze. The rhythm is unhurried—two to three dives a day, long surface intervals on sun-lit decks, a night dive where conditions welcome it—and every return to the yacht feels like coming home to a boutique hotel that just happens to float.
About Our Service in Port Ghalib and the Southern Arc
Check-in from 16:00 is simple and personable. Crew handle your bags, label gear stations and pour a welcome drink while you meet the guides. Briefings are crisp and reassuring; safety is second nature here. Although some summaries reference Hurghada, this expedition optimizes time by embarking directly in Port Ghalib, with optional transfers available from either Marsa Alam or Hurghada airports. From cast-off to final mooring, your crew manages tenders, entries and rinse-downs, leaving you free to focus on the reefs.
Day 1 - Port Ghalib - A sunset safety talk leads into a gracious dinner. Sleep comes easy with the mild hush of the marina outside your window.
Day 2 - Fury Shoals & Shaab Maksour - The southern run begins with Shaab Maksour’s long ridges and pastel soft corals. Grey reef sharks often trace the current line here. Later, Shaab Claudio’s caverns create playful light shows, and a calm-water night dive reveals Spanish dancers unscrolling in the beams of your torches.
Day 3 - Zabargad Island - Steep coral slopes and a shallow wreck set the tone. Napoleon wrasse cruise the edges while turtles tuck into overhangs. The bay offers a sheltered night dive where basket stars open like delicate umbrellas.
Day 4 - Rocky Island - Vertical, alive and elemental. Gorgonian fields sweep down the wall; tuna and jacks flash silver; the blue can hold surprises from grey reefs to the occasional hammerhead. Experienced divers may enjoy a third circuit around the western shoulder when conditions approve.
Day 5 - Fury Shoals Northbound - Abu Galawa Soraya’s coral-clad wreck makes a cheerful first stop, ideal for wide-angle panoramas and macro detours. Malahi’s labyrinth of canyons turns sunlight into ribbons and leads you through playful swim-throughs. Dinner on deck becomes an informal star party.
Day 6 - Sataya Lagoon - A gentle morning finds you in Sataya’s immense turquoise bowl. With a respectful approach, snorkelers often encounter spinner dolphins at arm’s-length distance. Afternoon dives are relaxed, perfect for long looks at the reef’s architecture and the tiny, colorful lives it shelters.
Day 7 - Abu Dabab & Marsa Shona - Seagrass meadows attract grazing turtles and ever-charming blue-spotted rays. Marsa Shona’s coral gardens provide a vivid farewell. By evening, the yacht is moored once more at Port Ghalib and the chef sends out a final feast.
Day 8 - Goodbye for Now - Breakfast and check-out by 10:00, with transfers arranged to hotels or flights.
About Our Yacht
Purpose-built in 2024 and stretching 41 meters, the yacht balances expedition function with refined comfort. Sixteen cabins welcome up to thirty-two guests without ever feeling crowded. The aft platform streamlines water entry; twin tenders make drops and pick-ups smooth; spacious lounges invite slow mornings and sociable evenings. Panoramic windows keep sea and sky in view; smart storage keeps camera tables clear and gear neatly organized. Thoughtful touches—from hot chocolate after night dives to thick towels delivered warm—define the onboard experience.
Why This Expedition Works
Route design matters as much as the reefs themselves. By departing from Port Ghalib, you trade bus rides for blue water and reach the south efficiently. The balance of wall dives, wrecklets, caverns and lagoons keeps each day distinct, while an experienced team quietly manages the moving parts. It’s an expedition with the edges sanded smooth—wild sites, gentle logistics and the welcome of a small floating hotel.
