Exploring the Classic Red Sea Diving Route

The Underwater Wonders of Sharm El Sheikh with Blue Force

At Blue Force, diving is our passion, and there’s no place we love more than the Red Sea—especially the iconic Classic Diving Route, also known as the Northern Route, centered around Sharm El Sheikh. With over 25 years of experience navigating these waters, we’re thrilled to share why this route is every diver’s dream and how its famous wreck dives make it unforgettable. Our Red Sea Blue Force 2 is ready to take you on this incredible liveaboard cruise, departing from Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Ready to dive into the magic with us? Let’s explore!

The Classic Northern Route: A Diving Cruise Through the Best of Sharm El Sheikh

Imagine yourself aboard the Red Sea Blue Force 2, gliding through the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea, departing from the vibrant port of Sharm El Sheikh. The Classic Diving Route, or Northern Route, is the perfect introduction to Red Sea diving, ideal for both beginners and seasoned divers, offering a stunning mix of reefs and historic wrecks. This seven-night liveaboard adventure, with five or six full days of diving, takes you to some of the world’s most spectacular underwater sites, all easily accessible from the coastal city of Sharm El Sheikh.

Your journey begins with a warm welcome at Sharm El Sheikh airport, where our friendly team assists with your transfer to the port to board the Red Sea Blue Force 2. From there, a week of immersive diving awaits, with short crossings (often a maximum of two hours to the farthest sites) and up to four dives per day (typically three daytime dives and one night dive, except for the first and last days, which usually include two or three). The itinerary features reef dives, wreck explorations, and opportunities to snorkel with dolphins. The route caters to all diving levels, from beginners to technical divers, though we recommend an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent to fully enjoy the experience.

You’ll dive at iconic sites like Ras Mohammed National Park, with its kaleidoscopic reefs and drift dives along vibrant coral walls, and the Tiran Strait, where strong currents attract pelagics like barracudas, tuna, and reef sharks. But it’s the wrecks that steal the show, turning this route into a living museum beneath the waves.

Famous Wreck Dives: A Dive into History

The Red Sea near Sharm El Sheikh is renowned for its shipwrecks, and the Classic Route offers front-row access to these underwater time capsules. These wrecks aren’t just dive sites—they’re stories teeming with marine life and steeped in history.

One standout is the SS Thistlegorm, often considered the crown jewel of the Red Sea and one of the world’s top wreck dive sites. Sunk by German aircraft in October 1941 during World War II, this British freighter rests at 33 meters deep in Shaab Ali, about 30 miles from Sharm El Sheikh. Discovered by Jacques Cousteau in the 1950s and kept secret for years, it’s now a diver’s paradise, filled with relics like motorcycles, trucks, locomotives, rifles, and ammunition. On the Red Sea Blue Force 2, we typically schedule four dives here (two or three daytime dives and, if conditions allow, one night dive) to explore the wreck inside and out. You’ll discover the propeller, anti-aircraft guns, locomotives, cargo holds, decks, and the iconic, photogenic bow. Schools of batfish, barracudas, snappers, and crocodilefish often join us, making it feel like a vibrant World War II museum bursting with life and color.

Another gem is the Dunraven wreck, a wooden steamship built in 1873 that sank in 1876 after striking a reef in Shaab Mahmoud. Resting upside down at 30 meters, it’s accessible to divers of all levels. Its stern hosts colorful nudibranchs, while the main deck shelters crocodilefish and moray eels. The lesser-known but striking Kingston wreck offers another glimpse into Red Sea history, surrounded by vibrant corals and fish.

Beyond Wrecks: Sharm El Sheikh’s Reefs and Tiran’s Walls

Beyond the wrecks, the Classic Route showcases the reefs of southern Sinai. Sites like Small Crack and Shag Rock dazzle with coral gardens—table corals, gorgonians, and soft corals in every hue, teeming with anthias, clownfish, and damselfish. Ras Ghozlani features a sandy slope with pinnacles, while Anemone City in Ras Mohammed is a highlight, with dozens of anemones housing clownfish and other reef dwellers. Drift dives in the Tiran Strait, with its deep walls and currents, deliver thrilling sightings of pelagics like sharks and trevally, ensuring every dive is a new adventure.

Conservation and Connection with Blue Force

At Blue Force, diving is more than exploration—it’s about protection. The Red Sea’s reefs and wrecks face threats like tourism pressure, pollution, and climate change, but we’re committed to their preservation. Our guides share knowledge about the ecosystem and their passion for the Red Sea, turning us all into guardians of its underwater wonders.

Live the Adventure with Blue Force

Dreaming of diving the legendary Classic Red Sea Route and experiencing an unforgettable dive trip? Join us on a cruise aboard the Red Sea Blue Force 2, departing from Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. With comfortable cabins, an open-air bar, and a passionate, experienced crew, our liveaboard offers a week of unforgettable diving in a warm, family-like atmosphere. Enjoy up to four dives a day—from thrilling wreck explorations to vibrant reef dives and spectacular walls—plus relaxing moments on the sundeck or snorkeling with dolphins.

Book your trip at www.blueforcefleet.com and dive into the underwater world of Sharm El Sheikh. Ready to create lifelong memories? Contact our team today and let us make your Red Sea dream a reality with the safety, comfort, and ocean passion that the Blue Force team delivers.