Golden Dolphin I 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...
Golden Dolphin I liveaboard cruising with its bow wake visible
The Golden Dolphin is an exceptional liveaboard operator.
MV Golden Dolphin liveaboard dive boat underway leaving a wake at sea
Meticulously designed for the ultimate diving experience and made with superior-quality wood, it was built in 2003, refurbished in 2007, and extended in 2014.
Coral grouper resting among hard and soft corals on a reef
Guests can unwind between dives in the shaded outdoor lounge area on the lower deck.
Stern view of the Golden Dolphin I liveaboard with dive platform and ladder
The dive deck is designed with a spacious platform.
Twin cabin aboard the Golden Dolphin I with en suite bathroom
Eight twin-bed cabins are located on the lower deck and two double cabins are located on the upper deck.
Lounge and dining saloon with striped seating aboard the Golden Dolphin I liveaboard
The air-conditioned lounge is designed for guests to relax, dine, and gather for dive briefings.
Parrotfish swimming past a coral hunter fish on a reef
Every morning, guests are served hot entrees, fresh fruits, cereal, and select beverages.
Yellow masked butterflyfish resting near coral on a Red Sea reef
A great choice for both beginners and advanced divers, sites range from shallow reefs to deep wrecks.
Pair of red sea bannerfish swimming near a coral wall
The Egyptian Red Sea is home to incredibly diverse marine life, breathtaking reefs, historic wrecks, and remarkable visibility.
Yellow boxfish hiding among coral on a Red Sea reef
The Red Sea has an abundance of marine life, coral reefs, outstanding visibility, and incredible wrecks dating back to the 1800s.

The Egyptian Red Sea is home to incredibly diverse marine life, breathtaking reefs, historic wrecks, and remarkable visibility. A great choice for both beginners and advanced divers, sites range from shallow reefs to deep wrecks. With exceptional weather year-round, it’s the ultimate dive destination.

While dive centers offer fantastic shore and daily boat dives, there is no better way to explore the Red Sea than on a liveaboard for a week—or more—at a time.

The Golden Dolphin is an exceptional liveaboard operator. With four vessels in its fleet, trips range from one to two weeks long year-round. The Golden Dolphin I is the fleet’s smallest yacht, measuring 118 feet (36 m) and accommodating up to 20 guests in 10 spacious en-suite cabins.

As well as offering dive trips, this yacht is also available for private charters and large groups.

Let’s dive into our review of the Golden Dolphin I.

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:

  • The yacht is in pristine condition
  • Helpful crew readily on hand
  • Various itineraries

Things we don't like:

  • Not enough time to explore islands along the routes

Diving on the Golden Dolphin I liveaboard

Bow view of the Golden Dolphin I liveaboard moored at sea
Shaded lounge seating on the Golden Dolphin I liveaboard's upper deck
Twin cabin aboard the Golden Dolphin I with a towel embroidered with the ship's logo
Dining lounge with a round table and bar aboard the Golden Dolphin I liveaboard

The Red Sea has an abundance of marine life, coral reefs, outstanding visibility, and incredible wrecks dating back to the 1800s, offering endless possibilities to divers from around the globe.

In recent years, weather conditions have shifted throughout Egypt, with winters reaching a record low and summers reaching a record high. Land temperatures now range from 46 F (8 C) to 122 F (50 C), and water temperatures range from 61 F (16 C) to 86 F (30 C).

This means there’s a season to suit everyone’s needs, especially for those looking to escape Europe’s cold. What better way to do that than to cruise on a liveaboard for a week or two? You may even encounter dolphins, rays, dugongs, or different species of sharks.

Offering flexible itineraries from the North to the Deep South and everything in between, the Golden Dolphin’s flexible itineraries depart on at least three to four monthly trips. Guests can choose from destinations such as the Straits of Tiran, Brothers Islands, Elphinstone, Rocky Islands, Zabargad, St. Johns, and more. Others can also explore historic wrecks like the SS Thistlegorm, Salem Express, Giannis D, and Carnatic.

Certain dive sites may require advanced certification due to strong currents, and others can only be reached by zodiac. The Golden Dolphin I is equipped with two zodiacs to ensure guests are dropped off and returned safely to the yacht. Free nitrox is available for certified divers.

Guests can enjoy up to three or four dives a day, depending on the route and the weather conditions. An experienced crew is on hand to ensure the highest level of service and an unrivaled dive experience. 

Highlights:

  • Pristine visibility up to 100 feet (30 m)
  • Incredible marine and coral life
  • Free nitrox
  • Two zodiacs
  • Equipped for sidemount diving, technical diving, and rebreather support

Onboard the Golden Dolphin I

Drinks station with beverage dispensers in the galley aboard the Golden Dolphin I liveaboard
Interior dining saloon with striped seating aboard the Golden Dolphin I liveaboard
Coral grouper resting among hard and soft corals on a reef
Trevally swimming in dark water against a black background

The Golden Dolphin I is one of four Golden Dolphin vessels operating in Egypt. Meticulously designed for the ultimate diving experience and made with superior-quality wood, it was built in 2003, refurbished in 2007, and extended in 2014. Measuring 118 feet (36 m) with 10 spacious cabins, this yacht comfortably accommodates up to 20 guests.

Eight twin-bed cabins are located on the lower deck and two double cabins are located on the upper deck, offering guests a room with a view. All cabins feature ensuite facilities, minibars, storage space, and air conditioning. The air-conditioned lounge is designed for guests to relax, dine, and gather for dive briefings. It has a TV for entertainment, comfortable sofas, and dining tables. There’s also free Wi-Fi if you need to stay connected.

Guests can unwind between dives in the shaded outdoor lounge area on the lower deck, equipped with comfortable chairs and tables, or enjoy taking in the views and lying in the warm sun on the sun loungers in the rooftop’s open lounge.

The dive deck is designed with a spacious platform, a storage area for gear and equipment, and a hanging area for wetsuits. It is large enough for divers to move around freely and safely while they assemble their gear and clean their equipment after their dives.

Highlights:

  • 10 ensuite cabins
  • Free WiFi
  • Camera and charging stations

Dining on the Golden Dolphin I

Parrotfish swimming past a coral hunter fish on a reef
Round dining table set with formal place settings aboard the Golden Dolphin I liveaboard

No liveaboard is complete without a top-notch dining experience to keep divers fueled for their time underwater. The Golden Dolphin I is up to the challenge, with a professional chef onboard to ensure that guests are served freshly prepared meals daily. 

Every morning, guests are served hot entrees, fresh fruits, cereal, and select beverages. A buffet follows for lunch and dinner, and includes a range of dishes from local and Western cuisine as well as vegetarian and vegan options to suit individual preferences.

Guests also have access to complimentary snacks, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. For an additional charge, guests can choose from a bar fully stocked with beer and a fine wine selection to unwind at the end of a dive day.

Highlights:

  • Excellent variety of freshly prepared food
  • Complimentary snacks throughout the day
  • Local beer and wine selections are available at extra cost

Things we like:

  • The yacht is in pristine condition
  • Helpful crew readily on hand
  • Various itineraries

Things we don't like:

  • Not enough time to explore islands along the routes
Key facts
Year built: 2003
Max divers: 20
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: Yes
Internet: Yes (free)
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: Yes (free)
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: 5-7 Nights
Price range: Budget
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