MY Golden Dolphin dive boat review
Photos: Golden Dolphin I gallery supplied through LiveAboard.com.
Golden Dolphin I: a twenty-guest boat with northern and longer southern options
Golden Dolphin I is the original boat in Golden Dolphin Safari World, built in 2003. Ten cabins accommodate twenty guests, with lower-deck twins and two upper-deck queen-bed cabins.
The checked schedule is largely northern, but includes Brothers, St John’s and a fourteen-night Red Sea programme. Compare the actual departure rather than choosing on the fleet’s general route list. The compulsory cruise charges make a substantial difference to the advertised starting fare.
Compare Golden Dolphin I dates & cabins
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Eight lower twins and two upper doubles
| Category | Operator specification | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-deck twin | Eight cabins with separate beds | Friends and sharing travellers, or couples who prefer twin beds. |
| Upper-deck double | Two cabins with queen-size beds | Couples who want a double bed and upper-deck position. |
All cabins have air-conditioning, private bathrooms and minibars. The operator also labels a gallery image “single bow cabin”, while its specification and the checked partner booking screen use the two categories above. Confirm the exact room and berth arrangement if considering that bow space or sole occupancy.
Eight lower-deck twins and two upper-deck queen-bed cabins make the main accommodation choice straightforward. For couples, the upper doubles offer a shared bed; friends travelling together may prefer the separate lower-deck beds. The final cabin number and photographs help clarify the room being offered.
Life between dives
The air-conditioned salon combines dining, seating and entertainment facilities. Two sun decks provide outdoor space, while the dive deck and platform are arranged around the daily diving routine. There are camera-rinsing and equipment-storage facilities.
Buffet meals combine local and Western cooking, with vegetarian and vegan options listed. Full board, snacks and standard soft drinks are included in the checked offer; alcohol remains extra. Discuss essential dietary needs when booking. Wi-Fi is advertised, though offshore reception may interrupt the connection.
Taking a non-diving companion
Contact the operator to confirm non-diver acceptance, fares and suitable activities for your departure.
Ten named programmes, including a fourteen-night trip
The operator calendar displayed 60 rows from 29 October 2026 through 30 December 2027, including open “Upon Request” weeks and a duplicated 30 September 2027 row. These are calendar rows, not 60 distinct confirmed departures. The named programmes below are separated from the unassigned weeks.
| Programme | Example dates / nights | Ports and status |
|---|---|---|
| North | 29 October–5 November 2026 7 nights |
Hurghada return; confirmed, with places available. |
| North Wrecks | 12–19 November 2026 7 nights |
Hurghada return; planned with places available. |
| North & Tiran | 4–11 December 2026 7 nights |
Hurghada return; planned with places available. |
| North, Tiran & Dahab | 5–12 November 2026 7 nights |
Hurghada return; confirmed but full. Dahab is not pinned here. |
| North Wrecks & Brothers | 28 January–4 February 2027 7 nights |
Hurghada return; planned. The 22–29 July variant ends at Port Ghalib. |
| North, Safaga & Salem Express | 29 April–6 May 2027 7 nights |
Hurghada return; planned with places available. |
| Deep South – St John’s | 29 July–5 August 2027 7 nights |
Port Ghalib return; confirmed but full. |
| Brother Islands | 5–12 August 2027 7 nights |
Port Ghalib to Hurghada; planned with places available. |
| Two weeks: Best of the Red Sea | 16–30 September 2027 14 nights |
Port Ghalib to Hurghada; planned, thirteen places shown. Daedalus, Rocky, Zabargad, St John’s and Elphinstone are named. |
| Brothers & Safaga | 30 September–7 October 2027 7 nights |
Hurghada return; two operator rows repeat this week with different place counts. Confirm the actual allocation. |
Select programme areas
The layers show named areas and selected dive-site references, not a day-by-day sailing sequence. Dahab is not pinned. Regional markers for St John’s, Safaga and northern wrecks do not represent an exhaustive dive plan. Obtain the detailed itinerary and both ports for your dates.
Daedalus marker: southern reef reference from Red Sea Diving, checked 4 November 2026. This is a geographic reference, not a dive-entry point.
Dive-site references
Weather, permissions and the guides’ assessment determine the sites actually visited.
Named map references and coordinates
These are the geographic references used by the partial maps, not guaranteed stops or navigation positions.
| Reference | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Daedalus Reef | 24.931167 | 35.870389 |
| Big Brother | 26.311111 | 34.848056 |
| Small Brother | 26.301111 | 34.864167 |
| Elphinstone | 25.306111 | 34.861389 |
| Port Ghalib — port area | 25.535278 | 34.640556 |
| Abu Nuhas — reef | 27.572778 | 33.924444 |
| Small Gubal — island reference | 27.677778 | 33.804444 |
| Thistlegorm | 27.813056 | 33.920556 |
| Shark and Yolanda — Ras Mohammed reference | 27.725000 | 34.259167 |
| Hurghada — port-area reference; exact marina to confirm | 27.225680 | 33.842140 |
| Jackson Reef | 28.005833 | 34.471111 |
| Thomas Reef | 27.990556 | 34.460556 |
| Gordon Reef | 27.984722 | 34.454167 |
| Woodhouse Reef | 28.001944 | 34.466111 |
| Rocky Island | 23.561389 | 36.244444 |
| Zabargad Island | 23.591389 | 36.196667 |
| St John’s reefs — Gota Kebiera area reference | 23.410278 | 35.930000 |
| Salem Express / Safaga area | 26.639444 | 34.061111 |
Diving requirements and equipment
The operator asks for diving certification and at least thirty logged dives for liveaboard participation, with a dive within the previous year. For marine-park routes it specifies Advanced Open Water and fifty logged dives. The guide may restrict dives according to experience and conditions.
Nitrox up to 32 percent is free for certified nitrox divers; notify the operator in advance. Rental equipment and courses need at least a week’s notice. Bring the requested logbook, certification, medical documentation, insurance and personal equipment. The operator’s rules set a forty-metre maximum and prohibit night diving in marine parks.
See the boat before choosing a cabin
The previous video is no longer available. The eight photographs above show the outdoor decks, dining room and cabin categories; request recent photographs of the actual room when booking.
A €1,400 subtotal for either cabin category on the checked week
For 29 October–5 November 2026, North, Hurghada return, the partner’s cabin-selection screen displayed €1,050 per person for both lower-deck twins and upper-deck doubles. The operator calendar adds €350 for that departure.
| Shared cabin | Base fare | Compulsory package | Cruise subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower-deck twin | €1,050 | €350 | €1,400 |
| Upper-deck queen-bed cabin | €1,050 | €350 | €1,400 |
Both categories showed available places on 24 October 2026. There was no advertised category premium on this particular week; that does not guarantee identical prices on other dates. The operator and partner displayed different remaining-place counts, so use the final booking confirmation for availability.
The partner describes compulsory park, port and fuel fees of €350–€490. The operator’s 16–30 September 2027 fourteen-night programme shows a €2,050 base fare plus €490, giving a €2,540 cruise subtotal before personal extras. That fourteen-night total is not comparable with a seven-night fare.
Full board, standard drinks, diving, eligible transfers and certified nitrox are included in the checked partner offer. Flights, entry arrangements unless expressly included in your fee package, insurance, equipment, alcohol and voluntary gratuities need separate consideration. Obtain one complete written quotation.
Compare Golden Dolphin I dates and complete costs
Equipment rental checked 4 November 2026: the listed BCD, fins, mask, regulator and wetsuit package is €135 per person per week. A 15-litre cylinder is €30 per week and a computer €35 per week, separately. Reserve the required items before departure.
Ports, transfers and boarding
Confirm Hurghada or Port Ghalib at each end; several southern and repositioning weeks use different ports. The operator describes evening embarkation and check-out by 10:00. Its FAQ gives both 17:00 and 18:00 boarding references, so obtain the actual pickup instruction.
The first night is in port and the final night may be aboard or in a hotel. Confirm the last dive time before choosing flights. The operator states that onboard expenses are settled in cash, so agree the currency and expected extras beforehand.
Guest feedback: a welcoming crew and an older boat
What guests appreciated
Sébastien G’s October 2026 account describes a two-week trip with a welcoming crew, attentive support and enjoyable site choices. Cooking was a particular highlight: he singled out the shrimp fritters. That is a guest’s memory of one sailing, rather than a promise of the same menu on your week. Bernard S’s August 2026 account enjoyed the northern reefs and wrecks, comfortable berths and attentive service.
What could be better
Rui C’s December 2022 review praised the crew and food but felt the boat looked older than its photographs, while still describing it as in good condition. It is a report from a particular 2022 sailing, not a current inspection.
Ask for recent photographs of the actual cabin rather than treating older reviews or gallery shots as a guarantee of current finishes. An enjoyable diving programme and a modern hotel-style cabin are separate preferences.
Golden Dolphin I: booking questions
Which cabins can couples book?
The two upper-deck cabins have queen beds. The eight lower-deck cabins have twin beds; confirm the exact room and occupancy on your departure.
How many cabins are there?
Ten for twenty guests: eight lower-deck twins and two upper-deck queen-bed cabins in the operator specification.
Does the upper-deck cabin cost more?
Not on the checked 29 October 2026 week: both categories were €1,050 before €350 compulsory fees. Other departures may differ.
Is nitrox included?
Nitrox up to 32 percent is free for certified divers in the operator information. Request it ahead of departure.
Is the boat only for southern itineraries?
No. Much of the checked calendar is northern, with selected offshore, southern and fourteen-night programmes.
What does Upon Request mean?
The route is not assigned in that calendar row. It is not evidence of a confirmed itinerary or guaranteed departure.
Are all trips seven nights?
No. The checked September 2027 Best of the Red Sea programme lasts fourteen nights and has a higher fee package.
Why is 30 September listed twice?
The operator calendar repeated the same week with different availability counts. Confirm the actual allocation rather than treating those as two departures.
Presentation and media checked 2 November 2026. Unless explicitly refreshed above, calendar and fare examples retain their 24 October observation date.
Meals, equipment rental and the October 2026 guest example checked 4 November 2026. Cruise-fare examples retain their earlier observation dates.
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 Marsa Alam & 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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