Betel Gueser Liveaboard Overview

diver with an underwater camera rig facing a manta rayDIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
By
Sally Lockman
diver with an underwater camera rig facing a manta ray
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Born and raised on a tiny island in the Middle East, Sally has always been passionate about the ocean. After finally leaving the corporate and banking...
Rebecca Strauss
DIVEIN contributor Rebecca Strauss taking a selfie near a city canal
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...
the liveaboard Betelgeuser cruising on blue water under a clear sky
The Betel Gueser measures 118 feet (36 m) and accommodates up to 22 guests in 13 ensuite cabins.
Stern view of the liveaboard yacht Betelgueser anchored at sea
The large open dive deck at the back of the boat was designed with ample space for divers to gear up and store their equipment and cameras.
White cushioned lounge seating on the Betelgueser's upper deck overlooking the sea
With another open-air lounge and bar located on the sundeck and a third lounge on the sky deck, guests have plenty of room to relax between dives.
Nitrox tanks stored in a dedicated fill room aboard the Betelgueser
On the dive deck you’ll also find rinse tanks, freshwater showers, and the two speedboats.
Cabin bed on the Betelgueser dressed with colorful towels and pillows
The cabins are located on both the lower and upper deck, with both double bed and twin bed options available.
Indoor lounge with blue and gold cushioned sofas on the Betelgueser
Guests can enjoy the spacious indoor salon on the main deck, which is furnished with comfortable sofas and entertainment area.
Lounge seating with cushions near the bar on the Betelgueser
Buffet-style food prepared by a highly trained crew each day will keep everyone satisfied.
Large school of barracuda swimming together in open blue water
Boasting some of the best dive sites in the world, the Red Sea is divided into several regions.
Giant moray eel peering out from a coral reef ledge
Ideal year-round weather and sea conditions make diving in the Red Sea perfect any time of the year.
Pair of masked butterflyfish sheltering under a coral overhang
Considered one of the seven wonders of the underwater world, the Red Sea has more than 1,100 species of fish and over 200 species of soft and hard coral.

When divers think of bucket-list destinations, the Red Sea is usually at the top of the list. With endless dive sites, incredible visibility, numerous historic wrecks, and a variety of marine life, the Egyptian Red Sea boasts amazing possibilities for divers of all levels.

Considered one of the seven wonders of the underwater world, the Red Sea has more than 1,100 species of fish, over 200 species of soft and hard coral, as well as shipwrecks dating back to the 1800s.

Many operators are available in the Red Sea, and one to consider is the French liveaboard operator, Seafari fleet. With four vessels operating in Egypt, this company offers varied itineraries depending on what you’d like to see.

The smallest vessel in the fleet, the Betel Gueser, is a 118-foot (36 m) luxury dive yacht built in 2012 that accommodates up to 24 passengers in 13 spacious ensuite cabins.

So, keep reading as we dive into our review of the Betel Gueser.

About this overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Things we like:

  • Highly trained captain, crew, and guides
  • Great hospitality
  • Intimate boat

Things we don't like:

  • Dive sites can be crowded and lacking in marine life

Diving on the Betel Gueser liveaboard

A reef shark swims beneath sunlit waves with schooling fish nearby
Colorful coral reef crowded with orange anthias fish
A shark resting beneath a coral ledge lined with soft coral

Boasting some of the best dive sites in the world, the Red Sea is divided into the northern region, including the Sinai Peninsula and the Hurghada wrecks, and the southern region, from Brothers Islands to St. John’s and the Sudanese border. Ideal year-round weather and sea conditions make diving in the Red Sea perfect any time of the year.

On land though, the hottest months run from June to September, with temperatures reaching all the way to 113 F (45 C), something to keep in mind when planning your trip. However, the sea temperatures this time of year can top out at 84 F (29 C), perfect for those who prefer the warmest water. Throughout the rest of the year, water temperatures range from 62 to 75 F (17 to 24 C), sometimes requiring divers to wear a thicker wetsuit.

The Betel Gueser runs week-long liveaboard trips with varied itineraries from wreck diving on the historic SS Thistlegorm, to visiting protected Marine National Parks like Ras Mohamed, to diving with sharks at Brothers Islands. Additionally, guests can encounter some mesmerizing marine and coral life, including dolphins, barracudas, turtles, and more.

A crew of professionally trained staff and guides are available round-the-clock to meet the needs of guests above and below the water, with complete knowledge of dive spots and emergency procedures. In addition, mandatory orientation and instructions are provided once all guests are checked in, covering all the information needed before starting the journey.

Free nitrox is also available for certified divers, and a nitrox course is offered for those looking to get certified. To ensure divers have the best experience, two speedboats are available to deliver divers to sites that are otherwise inaccessible.

Highlights:

  • Incredible visibility up to 100 feet (30 m)
  • Free nitrox
  • Wrecks, caves, reef walls, and marine life
  • Two speedboats for easy dive site access

Onboard the Betel Gueser

Cabin aboard the Betel Gueser with orange bedding and a harbor view
Shaded lounge deck aboard the Betel Gueser with white cushioned seating
Row of sun loungers on the Betelgueser's sundeck overlooking the harbor
Scuba tanks lined up on the Betelgueser's wooden dive deck

The Betel Gueser measures 118 feet (36 m) and accommodates up to 22 guests in 13 ensuite cabins. Each of these is equipped with an en suite bathroom, TV, mini-bar, storage space, and individually controlled air conditioners.

The cabins are located on both the lower and upper deck, with both double bed and twin bed options available. Some of the cabins on the upper deck even feature sea views.

Guests can enjoy the spacious indoor salon on the main deck, which is furnished with comfortable sofas, an entertainment area with a TV, DVD player, sound system, a buffet station, a bar, and a dining room. With another open-air lounge and bar located on the sundeck and a third lounge on the sky deck, guests have plenty of room to relax between dives or socialize and stargaze at the end of a long day.

The large open dive deck at the back of the boat was designed with ample space for divers to gear up and store their equipment and cameras. Here you’ll also find rinse tanks, freshwater showers, and the two speedboats. Non-divers can enjoy snorkeling for an added ocean experience, with rental dive and snorkeling gear available for reservation upon booking.

Finally, the friendly and professional staff are prepared to take care of guests from the moment of their arrival, waiting with cocktails and snacks, to the moment of their departure, and all that comes in between.

Highlights:

  • Lots of relaxation spaces
  • 13 ensuite cabins
  • Friendly, professional, multilingual staff and crew

Dining on the Betel Gueser

Carpeted walkway through the Betelgueser's indoor dining and lounge area
Dining tables and chairs in the Betelgueser's indoor dining room

No trip is complete without delicious local and international meals, and buffet-style food  prepared by a highly trained crew each day will keep everyone satisfied. Vegetarian and vegan options are included, but guests with special dietary requirements should make requests upon booking.

Complimentary drinks such as water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee, as well as snacks, are served to guests throughout the day. Spirits, wine, and other alcoholic beverages are available for purchase for those who would like a drink with dinner or at the end of a long dive day.

Highlights:

  • Local and international cuisines with vegan and vegetarian options
  • Complimentary water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks
  • Local alcoholic beverages are available at extra cost

Things we like:

  • Highly trained captain, crew, and guides
  • Great hospitality
  • Intimate boat

Things we don't like:

  • Dive sites can be crowded and lacking in marine life
Key facts
Year built: 2012
Max divers: 22
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: Yes
Internet: No
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: Yes (free)
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: 5-7 Nights
Price range: Budget
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1 Comment
Rony Kowalski
Rony Kowalski

I took a trip 19-26 June 2021 with another 2 friends.
The boat shows the signs of the years it’s been at sea. We had two rooms and one of them the A/C wasn’t working and they couldn’t make it work.
A few words on the logistics: I was surprised to discover that transfers to the boat where not included, after I asked about it over mail. The I got response was: yes we provide them. If it’s not included, a sincere answer would be like: we provide transfers and their price is xx €.
Also, we had a booking on the Tillis, when we arrived at the boat it was the Betel Gueser…Surprise, surprise :) That was really upsetting. Maybe the Betel Gueser is better than the Tillis, maybe it’s not. But I chose to go with the Tillis after talking with people that had already been on it. Please note that the Nitrox was extra 60 € and not included in the price.
Apart from that the divemasters were very professional and the dive sites were awesome!