Sea Friend

Liveaboard · Egypt · Official Website

Sea Friend from the air at anchor by a reef, a zodiac alongside

The boat under way off a desert stretch of Red Sea coast

Guests on the foredeck as the bow drives into a wave

Book through Tour Leader Club

40 m · 20 guests · 12 cabins

Sea Friend is a 40-metre steel vessel run by Hamata Mangroves, an Egyptian family operator. The fleet has two hulls: Sea Friend and her contemporary Admira, both 40 metres with 12 cabins each. SEA FRIEND is spelled out in large letters on the superstructure and the operator’s web address runs along the bow; the sister carries M/Y ADMIRA in the same place, so the two are easy to tell apart.

The most useful thing to know about this boat is hidden in the arithmetic. There are 24 berths on board, but the operator closes a departure as soon as 20 places are taken — “maximum 20 guests per vessel”. In practice the twelve twin cabins are almost never full, and there is more room on the dive deck and at the table than the capacity suggests. The booking system, however, still counts all 24 berths, so “6 free” can really mean “2 places left to sell”. Our schedule shows the number you can actually buy.

Cabins sit on two decks. The lower deck has six: a bow suite with a 160 cm double, four twins with separate beds, and one cabin with a 140 cm double. The sun deck has six more: two bow cabins with a curved deckhead and double beds, three twins and one double. Every cabin has its own bathroom with a shower, air conditioning, a hairdryer and an opening window or portholes. The finish is light maple and white panelling, with turquoise linen and towels embroidered SEA FRIEND. A sun-deck cabin or the suite carries a surcharge of €100 per cabin, once per trip — the booking system shows it as €50 per person.

The money is refreshingly clear. The week includes full board, soft drinks, three to four dives a day, 12 L DIN tanks, weights, a dive guide, nitrox up to 32 %, Wi-Fi where there is coverage, the ENOS diver-recovery system, and airport or hotel transfers on arrival and departure day. One package is paid in cash on board: €200 per person of “extra costs” on an eight-day trip — national park, port fees, fuel surcharge, reef tax and local taxes. Longer programmes cost more: €285 for 10 nights, €350 for 12, €400 for 14. On top of that come the Elba marine park fee of €100 and the Sataya reef fee of €50, on the itineraries that go there. The Egyptian visa is $30 on arrival. Tips are described as voluntary, with a suggested €10–15 a day.

One practical detail: cards are not accepted on board at all right now. Payment is cash in euro, US dollars or Egyptian pounds — so the fee package, rental gear and drinks all have to be brought in cash.

The boat runs all year from three ports — Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Hamata — and a trip often ends somewhere other than where it started: Marsa Alam to Hurghada and back appears constantly in the schedule. Book the return flight after picking a date. Hamata is the operator’s southernmost base, closest to Fury Shoals and St John’s, and the family and dolphin weeks all leave from there.

There are fourteen programmes and they are honestly graded. The northern weeks with the Thistlegorm, Ras Mohamed and Tiran have no experience requirement at all. “Silent Reefs” is the gentle south, from 15 logged dives. “South Legends” with Zabargad and Rocky Island asks for 25. Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone, Elba and “Big Fish” want 50 logged dives and recommend Advanced Open Water. “Beneath the Surface” with Yousef is a twelve-night expedition for very experienced, self-reliant divers. And two programmes need no certification whatsoever: the family week out of Hamata and the retreat in Sataya lagoon, which take snorkellers and non-divers, charge half price for children under 12 and 70 % for non-diving companions.

Check-in from 17:00, check-out by 10:00. Two dives on the first and last day at sea, three plus a night dive on the others — except in the Brothers and Daedalus marine parks, where night dives are not allowed. No decompression diving, maximum depth 40 metres. You must bring a dive computer or depth gauge and watch, an SMB, your certification card and a regulator with an alternate air source. Two guides sail on every trip and speak English and German.

No mark-up

You pay the rate the operator publishes. The only thing added on top is the actual payment processing cost — no fee of ours.

We run the booking

Correspondence with the operator, holding your places, the contract, confirmation and all paperwork sit on our side. Nothing for you to arrange yourself.

Pay by card

We send you a Stripe invoice — pay by card, in your own currency, from anywhere in the world. The transfer to the operator is handled on our side.

Support in your language

We help you pick the cabin and dates, answer questions on the route and gear, and stay reachable until you are home — in English, in your time zone.

We quote the exact amount when confirming the booking: it covers the operator's rate plus the actual payment processing cost. No hidden charges.

Yacht Specifications

Length

40 m

Beam

7 m

Material

steel

Year Built

2015

Capacity

20 guests

Cabins

Engine

2 × MTU, 650 hp each

Refit

2024, refurbished every year

Bathrooms

Tender

2 zodiacs with 40 hp outboards

Water capacity

10 t

Fuel capacity

10 t

Freshwater maker

watermaker, 4 t of fresh water per day

On Board

Private bathroom with shower in every cabin

Air conditioning in every cabin

Hairdryer in the cabin, warm water in the showers

Opening window or portholes in the cabins

Fire extinguisher in every cabin

Air-conditioned indoor saloon

Dining room with panoramic windows and a coffee station

Outdoor dining area

Shaded lounge with sofas and beanbags

Sun deck with mattresses, loungers and a wind-protected corner

Bow relaxation area

Bar

Separate rinse tank for underwater cameras

Outside shower

Charging stations in the common areas

Daily housekeeping

Cabin and deck towels

Wi-Fi included — works where there is mobile coverage

Satellite phone and Starlink

Snorkellers and non-divers welcome

Crew and guides speak English and German, crew also Arabic

Diving on board

Dive deck and an extended stern platform

Two 40 hp zodiacs for drops at remote entry points

30 × 12 L and 10 × 15 L aluminium DIN tanks

12 L tank, weights and a dive guide included

Nitrox up to 32 % included — tell the operator in advance

Three Coltri compressors at 250 l/min each plus a nitrox compressor

Two dive guides on every trip, a full briefing before every dive

Three dives a day plus a night dive; two on arrival and departure days

Sidemount diving, DIN/INT adaptors

PADI courses on request, booked in advance, at extra cost

Rental gear, reserved in advance, at extra cost

15 L tank on request, at extra cost

Snorkelling and snorkel guiding

Experience requirements are set per itinerary and the range is wide. The northern weeks (Where History Meets Living Reefs, Wreck Legends, Blue Hole / Dahab / Tiran) have no minimum. Silent Reefs: St John's South asks for at least 15 logged dives. South Legends with Zabargad and Rocky Island asks for 25. Brothers–Daedalus–Elphinstone, Elba and Big Fish – Deep Blue require at least 50 logged dives and recommend Advanced Open Water or equivalent plus training for deeper dives; working depths are 20–40 m, currents can be strong and entries brisk. Beneath the Surface with Yousef is for very experienced, self-reliant divers — some dives are unguided. Minimum age is 16 on Brothers–Daedalus–Elphinstone and 12 on South Legends. The Hamata family week and the Sataya retreat need no certification at all and take snorkellers, non-divers and children. No decompression diving, maximum depth 40 metres. You must bring your own dive computer or depth gauge with a watch, an SMB, your certification card and a regulator with an alternate air source. The operator strongly recommends dive insurance but does not sell it on board and does not charge for it.

Food and drink

Three buffet meals a day

Local and international cooking

Full board starts with dinner on arrival day and ends with breakfast on departure day

Soft drinks — water, juice, cola, fanta, sprite — included

Tea and instant coffee around the clock

Snacks and fresh fruit through the day

Non-alcoholic cocktails

Vegetarian meals and allergy-safe cooking on advance request

Beer and wine at extra cost

There is a Nespresso machine and a filter coffee maker on board, but the operator asks you to bring your own capsules, ground coffee and filters — otherwise it is instant coffee. Alcohol is not included. Diets and allergies need to be flagged before the trip. On board you can pay cash in euro, US dollars or Egyptian pounds; bank cards are currently not accepted at all.

Navigation and safety

Radar, depth sounder, GPS

VHF/DSC/SSB radio

Satellite phone

Two life rafts and 40 life vests

Fire alarm, fire suppression in the engine room and on the dive deck

Extinguishers in cabins, saloon and engine room

50 L oxygen cylinder and a first aid kit with infusion and dive-specific medication

ENOS system with transmitters for locating lost divers

Search light, emergency flares, bilge pump alarm

Whole crew trained in first aid

Two 15 kW generators and one 40 kW generator

Cabins

· 1 cabin

Double bed

Beds: 1 double bed, 160 cm

The only suite on board, in the bow of the lower deck. A 160 cm double bed against a curved wooden panel with concealed lighting, a corner sofa along the hull side and portholes above it. There is noticeably more space than in the standard cabins: the sofa, a work surface and a wardrobe all fit alongside the bed. Private bathroom with shower, basin and a wooden-framed mirror. Category surcharge €100 per cabin, once per trip.

Private bathroom with shower Air conditioning Corner sofa Portholes Hairdryer, towels, toiletries €100 per cabin surcharge

· 4 cabins

Separate beds

Beds: 2 single beds, 90 cm

The entry category and the one the weekly price is quoted from — no surcharge. Four cabins along the sides of the lower deck, two 90 cm singles against the bulkheads with a nightstand between them, portholes and wall lights above. Light maple finish, turquoise linen and a welcome set of towels on the beds. Private bathroom with shower, basin, wooden-framed mirror and hooks. This is the category the operator is happy to share, so it is the cheapest option for a solo traveller.

Private bathroom with shower Air conditioning Two 90 cm single beds Portholes Hairdryer, towels, toiletries No category surcharge

· 1 cabin

Double bed

Beds: 1 double bed, 140 cm

The one lower-deck cabin with a proper 140 cm double bed. It costs the same as the lower deck twins — no category surcharge — but the bed is a real double rather than two singles pushed together. An underwater photograph hangs above the headboard, there are shelves and a nightstand along the hull side, and a bench berth beside the bed. Private bathroom with shower.

Private bathroom with shower Air conditioning 140 cm double bed Porthole Hairdryer, towels, toiletries No category surcharge

· 1 cabin

Double bed

Beds: 1 double bed, 140 cm

The aft sun-deck cabin with a 140 cm double bed — the operator's deck plan marks it as the large-bed cabin. It opens straight onto the sun deck corridor, next to the mini bar and the stairs down to the main deck and up to the top deck. Private bathroom. The sun-deck surcharge of €100 per cabin applies once per trip. Neither the operator nor the booking system publishes a photograph of this cabin: the single image they attach to it was in fact taken in bow cabins 11 and 12, so we do not show it here.

Private bathroom Air conditioning 140 cm double bed Opens onto the sun deck €100 per cabin surcharge

· 3 cabins

Separate beds

Beds: 2 single beds, 90 cm

Three sun-deck cabins with two 90 cm single beds. The real difference from the lower deck is a proper window with a roller blind instead of portholes: you see the sea from the bed in the morning and the cabin is noticeably brighter. Same light finish, a panorama of Hamata beach on the bulkhead and a nightstand with water and glasses between the beds. Private bathroom with shower. The sun-deck surcharge of €100 per cabin applies once per trip.

Private bathroom with shower Air conditioning Two 90 cm single beds Window with a roller blind Hairdryer, towels, toiletries €100 per cabin surcharge

· 2 cabins

Double bed

Beds: 1 double bed, 140 cm

Two cabins in the bow of the sun deck and the most distinctive on board: the deckhead here is curved, following the shape of the bow, which makes the cabin feel like a sailing yacht's forepeak. A 140 cm double bed, a nightstand at the head, a window with a roller blind and a beach panorama on the bulkhead. Private bathroom entered from the cabin. The sun-deck surcharge of €100 per cabin applies once per trip.

Private bathroom Air conditioning 140 cm double bed Curved deckhead following the bow Window with a roller blind €100 per cabin surcharge

Schedule & Pricing

One Sea — Three Legends: Ras Mohamed, Tiran and the Brothers

A mixed week that strings together three landmark areas in one trip. Ras Mohamed for sheer walls and huge schools of fish; the Straits of Tiran for Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas and Gordon reefs with current and steep drop-offs; the Brothers, two islands far out in the open sea, where the walls come with the wrecks of the Numidia and the Aida and a real chance of grey reef and hammerhead sharks. Departure and arrival ports are often different — Marsa Alam to Hurghada or the other way round — so book the return flight accordingly.

September 2026

1 departure

December 2026

1 departure

Into Shark Territory: Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone

The Red Sea classic for experienced divers: three remote offshore reefs. The Brothers offer soft-coral walls and two well-known wrecks; Daedalus is famous for hammerheads, barracuda schools and its immense sheer walls; Elphinstone closes the week with its north and south plateaus, strong current and a chance of an oceanic whitetip. Night dives are not permitted at the Brothers or Daedalus — both are marine parks. Minimum 50 logged dives, Advanced Open Water recommended, minimum age 16.

November 2026

1 departure

January 2027

1 departure

South Legends: St John's, Zabargad and Rocky Island

Three different faces of the southern Red Sea in one week. St John's is a vast reef system of coral gardens, caves and canyons where good weather often means diving almost alone. Zabargad, further south, already has an offshore character: walls, plateaus and deep blue. Rocky Island is the most exposed and the most current-swept reef of the trip, and the reason people come. Turtles, napoleons, eagle rays and big schools are routine; around Zabargad and Rocky the odds on sharks rise sharply. Minimum 25 logged dives, minimum age 12.

September 2026

1 departure

October 2026

1 departure

Silent Reefs: St John's South

The operator's gentlest southern programme. A week around the reefs of St John's and the southern Fury Shoals: coral gardens, canyons, caves, narrow swim-throughs, plateaus and easy drifts. The area is huge and boat traffic is light, so most dives are done with nobody else around — hence the name. Turtles, napoleons, eagle rays, big schools and dolphins almost every trip; reef sharks show up less often but they show up. Suited to confident beginners and returning divers — the operator asks for at least 15 logged dives.

February 2027

1 departure

June 2027

1 departure

Elba: expedition to the Sudanese border

Egyptian liveaboards only started visiting the Elba area next to the Sudanese border in the last few years, and this operator has been exploring it since 2023. Remote reefs, deep drop-offs, open blue water and constant chances of pelagics: sharks, rays, big tuna, barracuda. Current is normal here and working depths are 20–40 metres. The week starts and finishes in Hamata and takes in Zabargad, Rocky Island and St John's along the way. Not for beginners: minimum 50 logged dives and real confidence in current and blue water. The Elba marine park fee of €100 per person is paid on board on top of the usual package.

January 2027

1 departure

July 2027

1 departure

Big Fish — Deep Blue: Daedalus, Zabargad, Rocky and St John's

A week for people who come to stare into the blue. Daedalus for hammerheads, grey reef sharks, tuna and one enormous vertical wall; Zabargad and Rocky Island for exposed reefs and strong current; then St John's with its canyons and coral gardens to finish. Harder work than an ordinary southern trip: the operator asks for at least 50 logged dives and confidence on drop-offs and in open water.

June 2027

1 departure

August 2027

1 departure

Beneath the Surface — expedition with Yousef

A twelve-night expedition rather than an ordinary safari. Zabargad and Rocky Island, Elba, St John's and the Fury Shoals — and some dives deliberately away from the known sites: "here are the coordinates, we have not seen this reef yet, let's go and look". It is led by Yousef, who has known the Red Sea for years and has added diving experience from well outside Egypt. Drop-offs, strong current, depths of 30–40 metres and excellent odds on sharks, eagle rays, tuna and barracuda. For very experienced, self-reliant divers only — some dives are unguided. On board you pay the Elba fee of €100 plus the 12-night package of €350 per person.

October 2026

1 departure

June 2028

1 departure

Where History Meets Living Reefs: Thistlegorm, Ras Mohamed and Tiran

The northern week built around the Red Sea's most famous wreck. The Thistlegorm — a British transport with trucks, motorcycles and railway wagons still in her holds — usually gets two dives. Then the walls of Ras Mohamed with their schools and current, and the reefs of the Straits of Tiran with gorgonians, coral gardens and a chance of something big. No experience requirement, which makes this the operator's most accessible programme for divers who do not dive often.

April 2027

1 departure

September 2027

1 departure

Wreck Legends: SS Turkia, the Street of Suez and the Thistlegorm

A week about steel. The SS Turkia, the wrecks of the Street of Suez and, of course, the Thistlegorm — holds, decks and superstructures long since overgrown with soft coral and colonised by schooling fish. For contrast the itinerary includes Ras Mohamed with its sheer walls and current. The operator sets no experience minimum, but wreck diving asks for careful buoyancy.

April 2027

1 departure

October 2027

1 departure

North: Blue Hole, Dahab and the Straits of Tiran

A northern route through the landmark sites of the Sinai. Around Dahab there are deep drop-offs, unusual reef structures and the world-famous Blue Hole; then the reefs of the Straits of Tiran with their vast walls, gorgonians, current and chances of pelagics. This one is more about underwater landscape than about big fish. No experience requirement.

May 2027

1 departure

October 2027

1 departure

10 nights north and south — Ras Mohamed, Tiran, Brothers and Daedalus

The long programme for people who do not want to choose between the north and the open sea. First Ras Mohamed and the Straits of Tiran with coral gardens, walls and schooling fish, then the crossing out to the Brothers and Daedalus with deep blue water, strong current and chances of hammerheads and grey reef sharks. Ten nights leave enough time to link areas that lie far apart without rushing. The 10-night package of €285 per person is paid on board.

October 2027

1 departure

December 2027

1 departure

Sun, Sea and Dolphin Dreams — family week out of Hamata

The only programme you can bring the whole family and non-divers to. Sheltered reefs, shallow coral gardens and lagoons around Hamata and the Fury Shoals: while some are diving, the others snorkel, swim and watch the spinner dolphins that are common in this area. No certification needed. Children under 12 pay half price, snorkellers and non-diving companions 70 %.

July 2027

1 departure

August 2027

1 departure

Sataya — dolphin lagoon retreat

A week in one place: the boat stays in Sataya, the huge southern lagoon that a pod of spinner dolphins has made its home. Days are built around what is happening in the water rather than around a dive count — a morning snorkel with the dolphins, a dive or a drift over the reef later, and nothing compulsory in the evening. Divers, snorkellers and complete non-swimmers of the reef are all welcome; no certification needed. The Sataya reef fee of €50 per person is paid on board.

October 2026

1 departure

Sataya Dolphin & Soul — retreat with Nadine, maximum 10 people

The same Sataya lagoon, but in a small group: the operator caps this one at ten participants. A week with Nadine means dolphins, snorkelling, diving if you feel like it, rest and time to yourself, with no race through dive sites. No certification needed and non-divers take a full part. The Sataya reef fee of €50 per person is paid on board.

July 2027

1 departure

June 2028

1 departure

Prices and availability can change. Get in touch and we'll confirm current dates and pricing.

Included in Price

Accommodation in a cabin with a private bathroom

Full board — from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day

Soft drinks, water, tea and instant coffee

Diving — three to four dives a day, two on arrival and departure days

12 L DIN tank, weights and a dive guide

Nitrox up to 32 %

Airport or hotel transfer to and from the boat in Hurghada and Marsa Alam on arrival and departure days

Wi-Fi where there is mobile coverage

ENOS diver safety and location system

Not Included

Flights to Hurghada or Marsa Alam

Egyptian visa

The extra-costs package paid on board

Elba marine park fee and Sataya reef fee on the relevant itineraries

Sun-deck cabin and suite surcharge

Single occupancy of a double cabin

Alcohol

Rental gear and 15 L tanks

Diving courses

Private transfers outside arrival and departure days

Tips for crew and guides

Dive insurance

Required extras

Extra-costs package — national park, port fees, fuel surcharge, reef tax and local taxes. Paid in cash on board. For an eight-day trip (7 nights) — €200 per person

The same package on longer programmes — 10 nights / 12 nights / 14 nights — €285 / €350 / €400 per person

Elba marine park fee — only on itineraries that reach the Elba area — €100 per person

Sataya lagoon reef fee — only on the Sataya programmes — €50 per person

Egyptian visa, issued on arrival at the airport; euro accepted — $30

Optional extras

Sun-deck cabin or suite surcharge, once per trip — €100 per cabin

Single occupancy of a double cabin — +50 % of the trip price

Private transfer Hurghada marina — Hurghada airport, per car, one way — €15

Private transfer Marsa Alam City marina — Marsa Alam airport, per car, one way — €25

Private transfer between Hurghada and Marsa Alam, per car, one way — €80

Tips for crew and guides — the operator calls them voluntary and suggests a guideline — €10–15 per day

Rental gear, 15 L tanks, PADI courses, massages on the family weeks and retreats, beer and wine — booked in advance and paid on board. The operator sends the price list on request and does not publish it — price not published

Extras are shown per person and are paid on board.

Sea Friend

from 1000 EUR / 7 nights

Estimated wait time — 24 hours