Mistral dive boat review
Photographs: Tornado Marine Fleet.
Mistral: space for cameras, kit and a quiet surface interval
Mistral is a steel-hulled Tornado Marine Fleet liveaboard for Egypt’s Red Sea. Its dedicated camera room and generous dive deck are the practical attractions; the lounge, shaded seating and jacuzzi offer somewhere to unwind afterwards. Northern wreck diving and southern offshore routes form part of its documented history.
Mistral remains advertised by its operator, but a current individual departure and all-in fare could not be verified. A direct enquiry is the useful starting point for this boat.
A steel liveaboard with a long Red Sea history
Built in Egypt in 2004, Mistral joined Tornado Marine Fleet in May 2010. Its documented operating area is the Egyptian Red Sea; other Tornado vessels’ Saudi Arabian programmes should not be assumed to apply to Mistral.
Maritime Survey International’s February 2025 inspection gave Mistral a three-star safety rating, described as satisfactory at inspection. That dated assessment is useful context, not a guarantee of present condition or a hotel-style comfort rating.
Choosing your cabin
The established layout distinguishes upper-deck double beds from lower-deck twin accommodation. Cabins have air-conditioning, private bathrooms, safes and storage. Couples may favour a double, while two dive buddies sharing usually need separate beds.
| Cabin type | Documented arrangement | Useful booking detail |
|---|---|---|
| Upper-deck double | A shared double bed, en-suite bathroom and individual A/C | The room number and bed configuration, rather than simply “double occupancy” |
| Twin accommodation | Lower-deck rooms are described with separate sleeping places; some listings show an upper bunk | Whether the assigned room has a bunk or two beds at the same level |
| Solo traveller | Fleet policy offers sharing or paid private occupancy | Sharing arrangements and the private-cabin supplement for the actual departure |
Capacity needs confirmation: current published descriptions disagree, giving 20 or 22 guests and differing cabin totals; older cabin prose still describes 12 rooms. A current deck plan and confirmed cabin allocation matter more than choosing one of those inconsistent totals.
Life between dives
The Mistral offers plenty of comfort, inside and out. There is a large sundeck with loungers and cushioned seating, as well as a jacuzzi deck. Shaded and open areas give you a choice between reading out of the sun and enjoying the sea view.
On the main deck, the dining room and lounge provide a sociable place to gather. The interiors have air-conditioning and big windows, so you can enjoy the view of the Red Sea during meals. The salon’s sofas and entertainment system also make it a natural place to review the day’s photographs.
Meals and everyday comforts
Advertised dining combines local and Western food, buffet service and snacks. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are listed, but their inclusion needs to be clear in the quote. Dietary arrangements are offered through the fleet; explaining an allergy or a specific diet before provisioning gives the kitchen the information it needs.
Wi-Fi information differs between the operator and booking listings. Even the fleet’s advertised service depends on reception, so Mistral is not a dependable choice for a holiday that requires continuous internet access.
Wrecks in the north, offshore reefs in the south
Mistral’s published coverage includes northern and southern Egypt. The route evidence below separates a currently described diving focus from documented past trips. It is not a calendar of confirmed departures.
| Programme | Evidence and duration | Ports and character |
|---|---|---|
| Northern wreck diving / Get Wrecked | Northern wrecks remain described on the boat’s booking profile. A 2015 photography trip documented seven nights; no current dated sailing verified | The historical trip left Sharm el Sheikh. Abu Nuhas, Thistlegorm and Rosalie Moller are named highlights; the exact port and order depend on the arranged trip |
| Simply the Best: Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone | Operator voyage report, 15 November 2018; six diving days. A separate October 2018 offer specified seven nights | Documented departure from Port Ghalib; offshore islands, walls and open-water passages. Historical example, not a current availability claim |
| Specialist freediving and yoga | A dedicated Mistral holiday was reported in 2014 | A separately organised programme with its own supervision and water-condition needs; not an activity promised on ordinary scuba departures |
The northern choice puts wreck history at the centre of the week. The southern example spends more time around offshore reefs. Neither label determines the difficulty of every dive: current, depth and surface conditions vary, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
A documented southern voyage
The November 2018 log ran from Port Ghalib to a Ras Tromby check dive, Little Brother, Big Brother, Daedalus and Elphinstone, then Abu Dabab Reef and Marsa Shouna. Several dives were made at the Brothers. This explains the progression of that particular trip without turning it into a fixed schedule for future guests.
The complete current Mistral programme, including departure and arrival ports, remains to be confirmed. Tornado’s broader route catalogue includes circuits that are not individually assigned to this boat; they are not presented here as Mistral departures.
Mistral’s documented route references
The northern layer locates the three named wreck highlights without assigning a sailing order. The southern line is a partial illustration of the November 2018 voyage: Ras Tromby and the unidentified Abu Dabab reef stop are not pinned. It is not a navigation track, a complete trip plan or a currently bookable departure. Port Ghalib marks the port area, not a berth.
Daedalus marker: southern reef reference from Red Sea Diving, checked 4 November 2026. This is a geographic reference, not a dive-entry point.
- Northern wreck programme: Abu Nuhas, Thistlegorm and Rosalie Moller. These are named highlights, not an ordered circuit; ports and duration require an agreed departure programme.
- November 2018 BDE voyage: Port Ghalib → Ras Tromby (unmapped) → Little Brother → Big Brother → Daedalus → Elphinstone → Abu Dabab Reef (unmapped) → Marsa Shouna. Six diving days; the report does not specify the final disembarkation berth.
- Specialist freediving/yoga: week-long holiday reported in July 2014; Thistlegorm, Gordon Reef, Jackson Reef, Dunraven (unmapped) and Marsa Bareika (unmapped). The named sites are not an ordered route.
Locate the named wrecks and reefs
Abu Nuhas is a reef with several wrecks; its marker does not identify an individual wreck entry. Thistlegorm and Rosalie Moller are wreck references. The Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone mark offshore diving locations, while Marsa Shouna marks the bay. Gordon and Jackson are Tiran reef references from the specialist holiday. These places do not all belong to one cruise.
Geography: CDWS dive-site directory, checked 23 October 2026. Historical route: Tornado’s 15 November 2018 voyage log.
Diving and looking after your equipment
The Mistral displays a sizable dive deck at the aft of the ship, with individual preparation space and gear storage. Cylinders are filled in place. Rinsing facilities, showers and a dedicated camera room help separate equipment care from the bustle of getting ready for the next dive.
Nitrox, twinset and rebreather support are advertised, together with a Haskel pump and two tenders. Technical support is an arrangement to make for your equipment and gas needs, rather than an automatic promise that every week is a technical-diving trip. Private guiding is also offered by request.
The fleet requires diving insurance and sets experience requirements by itinerary. Its Get Wrecked programme specifies Advanced Open Water or equivalent; offshore programmes such as Simply the Best add 50 logged dives. These are programme requirements, not evidence that a particular Mistral date is available. A diver’s qualification and recent experience still need to suit the planned sites.
A specialist holiday aboard Mistral
Film by Emma Farrell / Go Freediving, showing a dedicated November 2013 freediving and yoga holiday. It does not describe today’s standard scuba package. The cover photograph shows Mistral and is not a frame from the film.
What to include in a Mistral quote
No verified current per-person fare is available here. Divebooker presently directs Mistral enquiries towards groups rather than showing individual bookings. The operator can establish whether your dates are available as a berth booking or a charter, with the route and accommodation agreed together.
| Cost item | What the quotation needs to establish |
|---|---|
| Cabin and duration | Currency, per-person or charter basis, shared/private occupancy, nights aboard and any hotel night |
| Diving extras | Nitrox and rental equipment are listed as surcharged; technical gases, larger cylinders, instruction and private guiding need separate costing where requested |
| Compulsory charges | Applicable park, port, fuel, tax or other mandatory fees, with the total for the chosen route |
| Travel and onboard spending | Airport/marina transfers, flights, visa, insurance, drinks and any discretionary gratuities |
Port Ghalib, Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh are different travel plans. A historical departure port is not a reason to book flights before the current boarding and disembarkation arrangements are settled.
Travelling with a non-diver?
Contact Tornado to confirm Mistral’s non-diver acceptance, fare and activities for your departure.
What guests loved — and what could be better
The available feedback is too limited and dated to establish a current consensus. Divezone’s visitor votes remain visible separately from the accounts below.
What guests loved
Valeria Carluccio, undated operator-selected testimonial: describes a memorable week and a very positive overall impression of the boat. The short account supplies no route or cabin detail.
Janet Westin, Undercurrent, November 2019: praised the food and divemasters during a trip on a substitute boat identified as Mistral by fellow passenger Elaine Brown. Those positives sat alongside substantial disappointment with the accommodation.
What could be better
The same November 2019 account reported facilities below the package expectations, rough equipment handling and short air fills. Follow-up comments mentioned bathroom faults and missing tender ladders. These are historical passenger reports, not findings about today’s equipment or crew.
Because this was a substituted-boat booking, the useful lesson is to agree the actual vessel, cabin and included services in writing. There is insufficient recent independent feedback to say whether the reported issues persist.
When another boat might suit you better
Mistral’s camera facilities and technical-diving support make it worth discussing for a suitably organised group. If you need an immediately bookable berth, a clearly documented cabin plan or a fixed total price, a boat with a current departure listing may be easier to compare. Its advertised equipment does not by itself establish the right route, guide or package for your holiday.
Mistral: practical questions
When was Mistral built?
Mistral was built in Egypt in 2004. It joined Tornado Marine Fleet in May 2010; these are different events.
How many guests does Mistral carry?
Published information conflicts between 20 and 22 guests, with inconsistent cabin counts. The operator needs to confirm the current capacity and your assigned cabin.
Can I reserve a double bed?
Upper-deck double accommodation is advertised. A double-occupancy fare alone does not establish the bed type, so the assigned room should be specified.
Can I travel alone?
The fleet offers shared cabins and private occupancy at an extra cost. Availability and the applicable sharing arrangement must be agreed for Mistral’s actual departure.
Is Nitrox free?
Nitrox is available, but the checked booking listing describes a surcharge. The price and any technical gas requirements belong in the departure quote.
Does Mistral still offer southern routes?
The operator advertises northern and southern coverage. The detailed BDE voyage described here is from November 2018; current southern dates, ports and route allocation remain unverified.
Is the three-star inspection rating a comfort score?
No. It is MSI’s safety-survey rating from February 2025, describing the assessed condition at that time. It is not a hotel classification or a guarantee about a future sailing.
Are yoga and freediving included?
No such inclusion is established for ordinary scuba trips. Mistral has hosted dedicated specialist holidays, which require their own programme and supervision.
Have you travelled on Mistral? Share your experience, including the trip date, cabin, route and what worked well or could be improved.
Research checked 23 October 2026. This update is based on published documentation, not a new onboard inspection. Current departure details, capacity and a complete fee schedule remain unresolved.
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 ranges from shore reefs and northern wrecks to exposed offshore walls. Choose the base and route around your experience and travel plans.
- 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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