Al Farouk II dive boat review
Photographs: existing Divezone boat collection and the LiveAboard.com Al Farouk gallery.
Al Farouk II: cabins, cruising history and booking status
Al Farouk II’s appeal has long been a straightforward Egyptian Red Sea diving holiday: twelve cabins, an aft dive platform and open decks for the hours between dives. Its recorded programme stretches from northern wrecks to offshore reefs and the deep south.
2026 booking status: the partner listing is now headed Al Farouk Omar and has no online availability. A current sailing and the vessel supplied need written confirmation before a trip can be planned around this boat.
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An Egyptian safari boat with a long history
The Al Farouk II is an Egyptian liveaboard associated with Mirage Marine Fleet. The vessel was already appearing in guest accounts in 2004; a later refurbishment date should not be mistaken for its construction year. A confirmed build year and dated account of its subsequent refits are not available here.
The partner page still contains photographs labelled Al Farouk II beneath its Al Farouk Omar heading. That connection helps locate the listing, but does not establish when a formal name or ownership change took place. Nor does a missing booking calendar establish that the vessel has retired.
Twelve cabins over three decks
The Al Farouk II can cater to a maximum of 24 passengers, hosting them in twelve cabins. Air-conditioning and private bathrooms are consistently described. Older descriptions mention some larger beds; the partner’s current cabin categories show twins, so a couple hoping for a double should have the actual bed arrangement named in the offer.
| Recorded deck layout | Cabins | What to clarify when enquiring |
|---|---|---|
| Lower deck | Eight | Exact room and bed arrangement; older descriptions show portholes. |
| Main deck | Two | Which room is offered and whether its photographs match that cabin. |
| Upper deck | Two | Window layout and the quoted supplement, if any. |
Solo travellers are shown as eligible for the twin categories. Shared occupancy and a cabin to yourself are different purchases: a private-use supplement needs to appear separately in a current quote.
Life between dives
You will find a salon with an entertainment system and a separate dining area in the recorded layout. Outdoors, the top deck offers daybeds, benches and tables, giving the boat more than one place to settle with a book or compare the day’s photographs. The shaded seating is a useful counterpoint to the sunny spaces above.
Meals around the diving day
The published meal description is three buffet meals, mixing international dishes with Egyptian and Arabic cooking, plus snacks between meals. The dining room has three large tables, so meals form a shared part of the day. Dietary arrangements need to be agreed for the actual sailing, especially where an allergy requires more than a vegetarian choice.
From equipment station to the water
The broad diving platform sits at the stern, directly behind the dive deck. Two tenders are described in the boat’s specifications, alongside equipment storage, rinsing facilities and freshwater showers. Nitrox and rental equipment are advertised, but their availability and charges belong in the departure’s written details.
Northern wrecks, offshore reefs and southern safaris
These are programmes documented for Al Farouk II in the Egyptian Red Sea. They are not a confirmed 2026 schedule. The Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone are a separate offshore itinerary family; they should not be grouped indiscriminately with northern wreck diving.
| Documented programme | Places and character | Duration and departure evidence |
|---|---|---|
| North / northern wrecks | Thistlegorm and Ras Mohammed feature in the boat description; historical schedules also use Top North. | A dated northern trip ran 21–28 April 2018. The precise embarkation point depends on the sailing. |
| Brothers–Daedalus–Elphinstone | Big and Small Brother, Daedalus and Elphinstone; reef walls and offshore passages. | Seven-night programme described by Dive The World, with Hurghada or Port Ghalib departures depending on the trip. |
| Offshore reefs combined with the north | The partner describes combinations of its northern and offshore programmes. Historical schedules distinguish Golden Triangle + Wrecks and North Brothers. | Historical week-long entries; the complete stop sequence is not established. |
| St John’s / Deep South | Southern reef cruising; historical records also name St John’s + Abu Fendera. | Week-long entries appear in historical schedules, while a 2009 Deep South account describes ten days. |
| Top South | A historical Daedalus + St John’s combination, joining an isolated offshore reef with the southern reef region. | Recorded as a week-long trip; no current departure or exact sailing order confirmed. |
PADI’s boat description additionally names Safaga and the Straits of Tiran among its safari destinations. These names alone do not establish separate day-by-day routes. A northern itinerary, a deep-south cruise and an offshore circuit can involve very different passages; the actual port and full programme matter more than a broad “Red Sea safari” label.
Documented itinerary references
Each selectable layer locates places named in a documented programme. Points are geographic references, not an ordered sailing plan; no connecting track is drawn where the order is unverified. St John’s is represented by a regional reef reference. Abu Fendera, Safaga and the additional unnamed wrecks are not pinned here.
Daedalus marker: southern reef reference from Red Sea Diving, checked 4 November 2026. This is a geographic reference, not a dive-entry point.
Geographic references: CDWS dive-site directory. Historical programme records checked 22 October 2026.
Places represented by each layer
- Brothers–Daedalus–Elphinstone: Big Brother, Small Brother, Daedalus, Elphinstone.
- Northern programme: Thistlegorm and Ras Mohammed references.
- Northern + offshore combination: the preceding northern and offshore references; exact combined sailing unconfirmed.
- St John’s / Deep South: St John’s regional reference only.
- Top South: Daedalus and St John’s regional reference.
- North Brothers: Brothers and northern references; exact wreck selection unconfirmed.
- St John’s + Abu Fendera: only the St John’s reference is mapped; Abu Fendera remains unpinned.
A closer look at the principal sites
- Thistlegorm: a wreck-focused stop; conditions and diver experience determine the dive plan.
- Ras Mohammed: reef diving at the southern tip of Sinai; the map uses Shark and Yolanda as a reference.
- Brothers: exposed offshore islands with walls and wrecks, rather than a sheltered coastal circuit.
- Daedalus and Elphinstone: offshore reef walls and plateaus; neither a particular shark encounter nor a fixed dive sequence is guaranteed.
- St John’s: a southern group of reefs, not one universal dive site.
A usable quote needs a dated departure
No current fare or full-trip total can be verified from an available sailing. A written offer should identify Al Farouk II or Al Farouk Omar unambiguously, the travel dates, nights aboard, cabin and occupancy. It should also explain what happens if a different vessel is substituted.
| Part of the holiday budget | Details needed for a fair comparison |
|---|---|
| Cruise fare | Currency, price per person or cabin, nights, meals, diving package, tanks and weights. |
| Compulsory extras | Park/environmental charges, port fees, fuel and taxes for that exact departure, including whether each charge is per week or per trip. |
| Personal choices | Nitrox, equipment hire, courses, private guiding and single occupancy, itemised separately. |
| Travel beyond the boat | Flights, insurance, any hotel nights, entry costs, drinks not included and discretionary tips. |
The difference between a headline fare and the payable total can be substantial when each charge uses a different basis. A dated, itemised offer makes it possible to compare the same cabin occupancy and trip length across boats.
Airports, ports and diving requirements
Published logistics describe departures from Hurghada or Port Ghalib, with transfers from Hurghada and Marsa Alam airports and some Hurghada hotels. Those are alternatives, not interchangeable meeting points. The confirmed embarkation port determines which airport and transfer arrangement make sense.
Earlier agent terms called for Advanced Open Water certification, with some course or private-guide arrangements. They do not establish current acceptance criteria. The sailing details need to resolve certification, logged dives, recent experience, mandatory equipment and insurance before a diver commits, particularly for the offshore routes.
Acceptance, fares and activities for non-diving companions have not been confirmed for a current Al Farouk departure.
What guests loved — and what could be better
The older partner reviews repeatedly mention meals and the crew. They describe particular trips, and should be read alongside the later comment preserved below rather than treated as a current inspection.
What guests loved
Thomas O’s April 2018 review praised food and guides who adapted to guests’ needs. Ralf N’s November 2019 account highlighted the food, international group and sociable evenings: a reminder that the time between dives is part of the trip too.
What could be better
Yani A’s December 2019 partner review reported a last-minute switch to MY Orion without advance notice. That is feedback about the booking experience; the ensuing account of life aboard Orion must not be assigned to Al Farouk.
In the Divezone comment dated 10 November 2024, Damjan Belič reported repeated engine failures and problems with water, air-conditioning and electricity, while praising the food. This is one guest’s account, not an independently verified inspection or proof of the vessel’s present condition. It warrants a specific response from the operator when considering a new booking.
When another boat might suit you better
If flights and holiday dates need to be fixed now, a vessel with a confirmed departure and a clear cabin assignment is easier to plan around. Al Farouk’s older descriptions explain its layout, but cannot resolve its current operating arrangements or the later maintenance complaint. A replacement boat should be an agreed booking decision, not a surprise at the quay.
Questions about Al Farouk II
Can I book a confirmed Al Farouk II departure for 2026?
No online departure was available when checked on 22 October 2026. The partner listing accepts enquiries under Al Farouk Omar; obtain a dated offer identifying the actual vessel before arranging travel.
Why does the partner use the name Al Farouk Omar?
Its page uses that heading while retaining Al Farouk II photographs and review history. A formal rename date and current ownership have not been established.
Are all twelve cabins doubles?
No. The partner categories describe twin beds. Older descriptions mention larger beds in some rooms, so a double bed should be expressly confirmed for the booked cabin.
Does a Brothers trip cover the northern wrecks?
Not automatically. Brothers–Daedalus–Elphinstone is an offshore programme. Northern wrecks and combined trips appear separately in the boat’s records, and the exact itinerary determines what is included.
Are St John’s and Abu Fendera current departures?
They appear in historical Al Farouk programme records, not in a confirmed current sailing schedule. The map shows only the verified St John’s regional reference for that combination.
Is Nitrox included?
Nitrox has been advertised as an extra. A current offer needs to specify its price and availability along with rental equipment and any certification requirements.
What should a quote say about a replacement boat?
It should identify the booked vessel and explain substitution, notification and cancellation terms. A 2019 guest reported being transferred to MY Orion; that account does not describe an Al Farouk cabin or cruise.
Does the 2024 complaint establish the boat’s condition today?
No. It is a preserved guest report of serious problems on their trip, not an independent survey. A current operator response and departure-specific documentation are needed; older favourable reviews do not answer it.
Sailed aboard Al Farouk II? Write your review, including the trip date, route, cabin, crew and any limitations.
Boat information and booking status checked 22 October 2026. This is a source-based update, not a new firsthand inspection. Original guest feedback remains below.
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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