
Sea Serpent Grand dive boat review






Photographs: Sea Serpent Grand gallery on LiveAboard.com.
Sea Serpent Grand: two suites and a choice of northern or offshore weeks
Sea Serpent Grand, previously reviewed here as Grand Sea Serpent, now accommodates twenty-eight guests in fourteen cabins. Two suites and several upper-deck options make the cabin choice particularly important: this is a larger-capacity liveaboard, with generous shared spaces and a substantial dive platform.
Its checked programme leans strongly towards Hurghada-based northern routes, including Tiran and Dahab, but also includes BDE, Fury Shoals and a planned Daedalus & St John’s week. Match the route and ports to the actual departure rather than choosing on the boat name alone.
Compare Grand dates and cabins
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Fourteen cabins across three accommodation levels
The current specifications give Grand a length of 44 metres and a beam of 8.5 metres. Built in 2005, the wooden vessel has refits listed in 2020 and 2024. The present fourteen-cabin configuration replaces the twelve-cabin layout described in the original review.
| Category | Number | Beds and position | Choosing a cabin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard lower-deck twin | 6 | Cabins 1–6; separate beds | For buddies or an agreed shared booking. |
| Lower-deck double | 2 | Cabins 7–8; double bed | A double-bed choice without selecting a suite. |
| Upper/sun-deck standard | 4 | Cabins 9–12; twin/double configuration listed | Sea-view category; request the preferred bedding. |
| Main-deck suite | 1 | Cabin 13; twin/double configuration listed | Confirm the bed arrangement and current photographs. |
| Upper-deck suite | 1 | Cabin 14; double bed | Panoramic-view category for a couple. |
All cabins have air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. The operator also lists fridges, with towels, bathrobes and housekeeping included in the accommodation offering. Bed conversion is a request to confirm, not an assumption to make after booking.
Ask for the current deck plan and cabin number when comparing categories. A lower-deck twin and a panoramic suite are different purchases, even on the same departure. Solo travellers should establish sharing or sole-occupancy terms in writing.
A large salon and room to relax outside
The main-deck lounge sits beside the dining area, with cushioned seating and an entertainment system for time between dives. Outside, several seating areas offer a choice of company, shade or a view. The upper leisure spaces combine covered seating with open areas for enjoying the sun.
Meals draw on Egyptian and European cooking, with fresh baking, snacks and fruit. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free requests can be considered in advance; discuss allergies and essential dietary needs before booking. Water, soft drinks, tea and regular coffee are included, while alcohol, sparkling water and Nespresso cost extra.
Wi-Fi is listed, but offshore reception should not be treated as a dependable connection. With up to twenty-eight guests aboard, the shared spaces matter as much as the cabin category.
Travelling with a non-diver?
Grand is listed as welcoming non-divers and snorkellers. Its large salon and outdoor seating give a companion space to relax, but an offshore BDE week is still centred on diving. Ask which swimming or snorkelling stops are realistic on the selected route and obtain the companion fare before booking.
Eight programme families and two one-way variants
The boat-specific calendar checked on 24 October 2026 showed forty-two departures through October 2027. All displayed trips last seven nights. The ten entries below separate eight route families from their one-way port variants. Some sailings are planned or full; confirm availability and sailing status before arranging flights.
| Programme and ports | Dated example | Route character |
|---|---|---|
| North, Tiran & Dahab Hurghada round trip · 7 nights |
5–12 November 2026 | Northern reefs and wrecks, Tiran and Dahab, including the Blue Hole, Canyon and Gabr el Bint as named sample stops. |
| North & Brothers Hurghada round trip · 7 nights |
26 November–3 December 2026 | Northern diving combined with the Brothers. |
| Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone Hurghada round trip · 7 nights |
12–19 November 2026 | Offshore walls, currents and pelagic possibilities. |
| Northern Reefs & Wrecks Hurghada round trip · 7 nights |
11–18 March 2027 | The operator’s northern sample combines Abu Nuhas, Ras Mohammed, Thistlegorm and the Gubal area. |
| North & Tiran Hurghada round trip · 7 nights |
20–27 May 2027 | Northern diving extended to the Tiran reefs. |
| North & Safaga Hurghada round trip · 7 nights |
3–10 June 2027 | The programme combines northern diving and Safaga; detailed stops are unconfirmed, so this layer identifies only the port. |
| Fury Shoals Port Ghalib round trip · 7 nights |
27 December 2026–3 January 2027 | A southern reef week with several possible Fury Shoals sites. |
| Daedalus & St John’s Port Ghalib round trip · 7 nights |
1–8 July 2027 — planned | A planned combination of southern reefs and offshore Daedalus. |
| North & Brothers: one-way Hurghada → Port Ghalib · 7 nights |
17–24 December 2026 — planned | A planned port-to-port variant; also listed for 24 June–1 July 2027. |
| BDE: one-way Port Ghalib → Hurghada · 7 nights |
8–15 July 2027 — planned | A planned one-way BDE variant; also listed for 5–12 August 2027. |
Compare the route areas
Use the independent checkboxes to compare programmes. These partial maps show representative geographic references without a fixed day order. Blue Hole, Canyon and Gabr el Bint now appear in the Dahab layer. Safaga references are included where named in North & Brothers; the separate North & Safaga programme still shows only its port because its detailed stops remain unverified. They are planning aids, not navigation charts; port markers do not establish the final berth.
Daedalus marker: southern reef reference from Red Sea Diving, checked 4 November 2026. This is a geographic reference, not a dive-entry point.
Hurghada round trip. 5–12 November 2026. Northern reefs and wrecks, Tiran and Dahab, including the Blue Hole, Canyon and Gabr el Bint as named sample stops. Final stops and order depend on departure arrangements and conditions. Hurghada round trip. 26 November–3 December 2026. Northern diving combined with the Brothers. Final stops and order depend on departure arrangements and conditions. Hurghada round trip. 12–19 November 2026. Offshore walls, currents and pelagic possibilities. Final stops and order depend on departure arrangements and conditions. Hurghada round trip. 11–18 March 2027. The operator’s northern sample combines Abu Nuhas, Ras Mohammed, Thistlegorm and the Gubal area. Final stops and order depend on departure arrangements and conditions. Hurghada round trip. 20–27 May 2027. Northern diving extended to the Tiran reefs. Final stops and order depend on departure arrangements and conditions. Hurghada round trip. 3–10 June 2027. The programme combines northern diving and Safaga; detailed stops are unconfirmed, so this layer identifies only the port. Final stops and order depend on departure arrangements and conditions. Port Ghalib round trip. 27 December 2026–3 January 2027. A southern reef week with several possible Fury Shoals sites. Final stops and order depend on departure arrangements and conditions. Port Ghalib round trip. 1–8 July 2027 — planned. A planned combination of southern reefs and offshore Daedalus. Final stops and order depend on departure arrangements and conditions. Hurghada → Port Ghalib. 17–24 December 2026 — planned. A planned port-to-port variant; also listed for 24 June–1 July 2027. Final stops and order depend on departure arrangements and conditions. Port Ghalib → Hurghada. 8–15 July 2027 — planned. A planned one-way BDE variant; also listed for 5–12 August 2027. Final stops and order depend on departure arrangements and conditions.North, Tiran & Dahab · 7 nights
North & Brothers · 7 nights
Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone · 7 nights
Northern Reefs & Wrecks · 7 nights
North & Tiran · 7 nights
North & Safaga · 7 nights
Fury Shoals · 7 nights
Daedalus & St John’s · 7 nights
North & Brothers: one-way · 7 nights
BDE: one-way · 7 nights
How the Dahab extension fits into the week
The published sample crosses from the Hurghada area through Dunraven, Ras Mohammed and Jackson Reef to Gabr el Bint. Blue Hole and Canyon follow, before a return via Tiran, Ras Mohammed, Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas. It is an indicative outline, not a guarantee of the same stops or profiles; diving stays within your training and the guide’s limits.
What a Fury Shoals week can include
The sample starts with coastal check diving, spends several days among the Fury Shoals reefs and returns via the Wadi Gimal area, Abu Dabbab and Elphinstone. Possible sites include Malahi, Claudia, Maksur, Sataya and the two Abu Galawa reefs. The map adds Abu Dabbab and Abu Galawa Kebir without inventing coordinates for the unverified stops.
Main diving areas
The second map locates the referenced reefs and wreck areas independently of the route selection. Offshore sites can have strong currents; wildlife sightings and particular dive sites are never guaranteed.
Named map references and coordinates
Decimal-degree positions locate the named references; they are not navigation instructions or guaranteed stops. Route descriptions remain available if the map cannot load.
| Reference | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dabbab — reef-system reference at reef 1 | 25.34611 | 34.77167 |
| Abu Galawa Kebir | 24.22806 | 35.57361 |
| Abu Kafan | 26.65333 | 34.10806 |
| Abu Nuhas — reef | 27.57278 | 33.92444 |
| Big Brother | 26.31111 | 34.84806 |
| Blue Hole, Dahab — site reference, no deep arch route implied | 28.57250 | 34.53667 |
| Canyon, Dahab | 28.55472 | 34.52083 |
| Carless Reef | 27.31139 | 33.94000 |
| Carnatic | 27.57889 | 33.92556 |
| Chrisoula K | 27.57972 | 33.92833 |
| Claudia Reef | 24.21944 | 35.61167 |
| Daedalus Reef | 24.93117 | 35.87039 |
| Dunraven / Beacon Rock | 27.70306 | 34.12167 |
| El Malahi | 24.19667 | 35.66000 |
| Elphinstone | 25.30611 | 34.86139 |
| Gabr el-Bint | 28.35306 | 34.43333 |
| Giannis D | 27.57694 | 33.92306 |
| Gordon Reef | 27.98472 | 34.45417 |
| Habili Ali | 23.41556 | 35.98778 |
| Hurghada — port-area reference; exact marina to confirm | 27.22568 | 33.84214 |
| Jackson Reef | 28.00583 | 34.47111 |
| Kingston / Shag Rock | 27.77389 | 33.87056 |
| Marsa El Shouna | 25.46917 | 34.68278 |
| Middle Reef | 26.70500 | 34.09972 |
| Panorama Reef | 26.74861 | 34.08250 |
| Port Ghalib — port area | 25.53528 | 34.64056 |
| Rosalie Moller | 27.65083 | 33.77111 |
| Salem Express / Safaga area | 26.63944 | 34.06111 |
| Sataya — southeast reef reference | 24.15694 | 35.71250 |
| Shaab El Erg | 27.43861 | 33.82583 |
| Shaab Maksur | 24.23750 | 35.65306 |
| Shark and Yolanda — Ras Mohammed reference | 27.72500 | 34.25917 |
| Siyul Kebir | 27.55778 | 33.88278 |
| Small Abu Galawa | 24.25278 | 35.53944 |
| Small Brother | 26.30111 | 34.86417 |
| Small Gota | 23.42944 | 35.90417 |
| Small Gubal — island reference | 27.67778 | 33.80444 |
| St John’s Caves | 23.63611 | 35.82556 |
| Thistlegorm | 27.81306 | 33.92056 |
| Thomas Reef | 27.99056 | 34.46056 |
| Woodhouse Reef | 28.00194 | 34.46611 |
Programme checked against Sea Serpent Fleet’s boat-specific calendar and itinerary pages on 24 October 2026. Geographic references use CDWS and previously checked Divezone research.
Diving from Grand
The large dive deck provides individual preparation space and access to a substantial platform. Two tenders support the diving operation. Photographers have a camera station, charging facilities and a separate rinse area. Nitrox is included for qualified divers. Grand also lists a helium/oxygen blending station and booster pump; technical and rebreather support must be agreed in advance, including gases, equipment, training and the trip programme.
Northern routes appeal to divers interested in wrecks and reef variety; offshore BDE adds exposed walls, currents and longer crossings. Shark sightings are possible, never guaranteed. Discuss certification, logged dives and recent experience for the exact itinerary rather than relying on a single minimum for the entire fleet.
The fleet requires a dive computer, SMB and appropriate personal equipment. Bring certification records and complete the operator’s medical paperwork. Reserve rental equipment at least two weeks ahead. Expect a diving-led routine, often three or four dives where the route allows, with fewer dives on travel days and no night diving at the marine-park islands.
The operator lists safety drills, oxygen, an AED and an ENOS diver-location system. Attend the boat-specific briefing and locate your cabin’s escape route when you board. Wreck penetration and other overhead diving require appropriate training and conditions; they are not an automatic part of a wreck itinerary.
A look aboard Sea Serpent Grand
Boat tour linked by Sea Serpent Fleet, published on Sameh Rizk’s channel. Use the current cabin descriptions above when choosing accommodation.
Watch the boat tour on YouTube
The fleet’s general diving rules specify non-decompression dives. A boat’s blending or rebreather facilities do not by themselves make a standard recreational departure a technical-diving trip; any specialised programme needs explicit agreement.
A dated fare with the mandatory park fee included
For the 26 November–3 December 2026 North & Brothers departure, checked on 24 October 2026, the checked reseller starting fare was €999 per person plus €200 mandatory park fees, totalling €1,199 before personal extras. The operator’s calendar also showed €1,199. This was a time-limited departure offer, not a permanent starting price or a verified same-cabin comparison.
| Cost | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Cabin and occupancy | Compare the same departure, cabin category, bed arrangement and sharing basis. |
| Required charges | The reseller lists €200 park fees per trip; confirm all route, port and fuel charges in the final total. |
| Package inclusions | Check full board, standard drinks, guided diving, Nitrox and your actual transfers. |
| Personal extras | Flights, entry formalities, equipment rental, courses, premium drinks and gratuities require separate allowances. |
A suite supplement or sole-occupancy price needs a specific quotation. Do not add a fee again if it is already included in your package.
Check Grand’s complete departure price
Boarding in Hurghada and planning the final flight
The fleet’s general check-in is from 17:00, with checkout by 10:00 on the last day. The first night is normally in port; the final night may be aboard or in a hotel according to the schedule. Follow the actual departure confirmation.
Hurghada port is approximately fifteen minutes from Hurghada airport. Port Ghalib is about fifteen minutes from Marsa Alam airport, but around three hours from Hurghada airport. The one-way North & Brothers and BDE departures therefore deserve particular attention when arranging transfers.
The operator asks for twenty-four hours between the final dive and flying. Confirm the final diving day before buying flights and submit the requested passenger and flight details through the booking process.
Guest feedback: roomy shared spaces, with cabin and guiding details to discuss
What guests loved
Paul L’s June 2026 report praised cleanliness, the helpful crew and detailed briefings. Barry M, in July 2025, highlighted the atmosphere and the attention to safety. These reports fit a boat whose shared spaces and daily operation are central to the experience.
What could be better
Jose A’s December 2024 review liked the common areas and platform but described a compact lower-deck bathroom with a wet floor after showering. Melanie A’s July 2026 report praised the crew and food but was disappointed with the guiding approach on her BDE trip. Ask about your cabin’s bathroom layout and how dive groups will be organised.
Paraphrased from dated LiveAboard.com guest reviews; individual reports describe particular sailings.
When another boat might suit you better
Grand’s twenty-eight-guest capacity may be more company than travellers wanting a small-group atmosphere prefer. A suite can change the accommodation experience, but it does not reduce the number of people aboard. If a roomy bathroom or a particular guiding style matters most, discuss those points before choosing solely on the size of the yacht.
Sea Serpent Grand: booking questions
Is this the boat formerly called Grand Sea Serpent?
Yes. The current marketed name is Sea Serpent Grand; this page retains the original Grand Sea Serpent URL.
How many guests and cabins are there?
The present configuration has fourteen cabins for twenty-eight guests, including two suites. Older twelve-cabin descriptions are outdated.
Which cabin has panoramic views?
The upper-deck suite, cabin 14, is listed with panoramic windows and a double bed. Confirm current photographs and availability.
Can the beds be converted?
The main-deck suite and four upper/sun-deck standard cabins are listed with twin/double arrangements. Request and confirm the setup for your booking.
Does every trip start in Hurghada?
No. Fury Shoals and the planned Daedalus & St John’s week use Port Ghalib, while some North & Brothers and BDE departures are one-way.
Are park fees included?
The checked reseller adds €200 per trip. Compare the final package total and avoid adding the charge twice if another offer already includes it.
Is technical diving available?
Grand lists blending and booster facilities, but support depends on advance agreement about gases, equipment, qualifications and the departure.
Can non-divers join?
The operator lists the boat as non-diver and snorkeller friendly. Confirm the companion price and permitted activities for the actual route; the label does not promise snorkelling on every dive stop.
Have you sailed on Grand? Share your experience below, including your trip date and route, to help other divers choose.
Updated 24 October 2026 using operator specifications, the boat-specific schedule, booking details and dated guest feedback. This is an editorial review, not a first-hand inspection; departure documents take precedence for the final programme and price.
Presentation, map references and boat-tour identity checked 2 November 2026. Calendar and fare examples retain their 24 October observation date; check the actual sailing and cabin before booking.
Where does this liveaboard dive boat go?
Check out the fabulous places where this dive boat travels to.
Note: some destinations may not be listed below, please enquire for more details.
Hamata
Hamata gives land-based divers access to Fury Shoals: coral gardens, small wrecks and exposed outer reefs, with outings matched to experience and sea conditions.
Eilat
Eilat offers mainly shore-based Red Sea diving, with coral gardens, the Satil wreck and sites for different experience levels. Check recent-dive and insurance requirements before arrival.
Aqaba
Aqaba combines coral gardens and shore diving with the Cedar Pride, aircraft wrecks and underwater military displays. A land-based stay can also include Petra and Wadi Rum.
Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam combines shore-access bays such as Abu Dabbab with boat trips to offshore reefs including Elphinstone. Choose the base and dive profile to suit your experience; wildlife sightings vary.
Nuweiba
Nuweiba suits unhurried shore diving and underwater photography, with coral gardens and small marine life to explore with a local guide.
Dahab
Dahab combines shore-access reefs and training sites with advanced profiles at the Canyon and Blue Hole. Choose the dive to match your experience.
Hurghada
Hurghada combines day-boat reefs, beginner training and longer wreck excursions. Match the site, transfer and dive profile to your experience.
Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm combines local reef diving with Ras Mohammed, Tiran and separately planned wreck excursions. Match the route and dive profile to your experience.
Red Sea
Red Sea diving, through the eyes of the people who have been: guest reviews, trip stories and our guide to Egypt’s reefs, wrecks and shore-diving stays.
- If you have been diving on board this liveaboard dive boat in Red Sea, please share your review and let us know what you thought. Please post your comments in the review section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next diving trip
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Simply fantastic holiday! I’m a returner, also is my husband. He has been on the Obsession and we have been on the Contessa Mia and they are amazing, all of them. We very much enjoyed our stay on the Grand Sea Serpent and we will return. The standard of service of this fleet is just outstanding! I wish they were all over the world!
Ps, great review here divezone! how come I can’t find some of the Sea serpent on your site ?
Thanks!