LIVEABOARD DIVING IN
St. John’s
St. John’s has some of the best reef diving in the Red Sea and is less crowded than wreck diving in the North, with amazing corals, schools of fish, turtles, dolphins, and sharks
36
liveaboards
Price from
USD 450 per trip
Breathtaking marine life
Excellent visibility
Stunning coral formations
Due to its location in the south of the Red Sea, this group of islands has many benefits. Day boats rarely reach it and there are fewer liveaboards here than in other destinations. It’s not so crowded and the sea conditions are superb, with good visibility throughout the year. The dive sites here are mainly reefs that break through the surface and have steep or sloping walls. There are plenty of dive spots, so divers won’t feel it’s repetitive. St. John’s Caves is one of the most popular because it's so photogenic and not very deep. As suggested by the name, it’s mostly swim-throughs and caves with lots of juvenile fish and Napoleon wrasses. Another well-known dive spot here is Dolphin Reef, where pods of friendly dolphins are often spotted. Among the other marine inhabitants who live at St. John’s Reef are turtles, sharks, gray reef sharks, snappers, butterflyfish, and barracudas. Currents are mild on average, and the maximum depth is often up to 30 m (98 ft)
Must see dive sites of St. John’s
Habili Ali, Gota Kebir, Dolphin Reef, Claudia Reef, St. John's Caves, and Paradise Reef are some of the most beloved dive sites at St. John’s. Gota Kebir is known for its tunnels and plateaus, while Habili Ali offers big gorgonians and black corals. Gray reef, silvertip, and hammerhead sharks are often seen here. Sha’ab Claude has famous swim-throughs and huge porite corals. Claudia Reef (also called Sha’ab Claude) attracts divers with its swim-throughs and clownfish hiding in anemones
When To Go Diving in St. John’s
The best time for liveaboard diving in St. John's, Red Sea is from March to May and September to November. During these months, the water temperature is warm, visibility is excellent, and the weather is typically calm and pleasant. From March to May, the water temperature is around 24-26°C, and visibility is often over 30 meters. The sea is typically calm with fewer crowds than during the peak summer. This period is also the best time to encounter pelagic fish such as hammerhead sharks and oceanic whitetips.
From September to November, the water temperature is slightly higher, ranging from 26-28°C, and visibility is often at its best. There are still good chances to encounter pelagic fish. Still, this period is also an excellent time for macro diving, as the plankton blooms attract a variety of small marine life such as nudibranchs and ghost pipefish.
It's worth noting that the weather and sea conditions can vary from year to year. It's always recommended to check the weather forecast and sea conditions before planning your liveaboard trip to St. John's, Red Sea