Nestled on the Horn of Africa, Djibouti emerges as a hidden gem for divers seeking uncharted underwater wonders. The Scuba News Travel Team invites you to explore the untouched depths of the Red Sea and the Seven Brothers/Tadjourah region with our exclusive liveaboard deals. Immerse yourself in the mysteries of Djibouti’s marine world with these captivating offers:

• Lucy – Seven Brothers/Tadjourah
  • Departure: 25 Nov 2023
  • Price: from €1,599.00
  • Dive into Djibouti’s hidden wonders with a 20% discount. Limited time offer! (Djibouti Marina – Djibouti Marina)

Djibouti, a convergence of tectonic plates, promises an underwater tapestry teeming with diverse marine life. From the rugged landscapes of Seven Brothers to the untouched beauty of Tadjourah, each dive invites you to witness the magic beneath the surface. Our exclusive liveaboard deal ensures not only an extraordinary journey into Djibouti’s depths but also significant savings for the intrepid adventurer.

Secure your place in this unexplored underwater sanctuary by booking now. Click, book, and get ready to dive into Djibouti’s hidden treasures with The Scuba News Travel Team! An extraordinary aquatic experience awaits you in this emerging dive destination.

See even more choice of liveaboard locations at: https://travel.thescubanews.com

The Scuba News Travel Team carefully select from hundreds of liveaboard travel operators around the world. If you find a good deal at The Scuba News and make a booking, we may receive a small commission. This, however does not affect the price you pay.

Are you ready to embark on an underwater journey of a lifetime? The Scuba News Travel Team have scoured the depths of the internet to bring you the most enticing scuba diving liveaboard travel deals. Get ready to explore vibrant coral reefs, encounter fascinating marine life, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Dive into the details of these exclusive offers that promise not only unforgettable experiences but also unbeatable savings!

Indonesia – Explore the Hidden Wonders

1. Aliikai Voyage – North & Central Raja Ampat
   • Departure: 05 Dec 2023
   • Price: from €4,656.00
   • Itinerary: Leisurely exploration, snorkeling, and 1-2 dives per day (Sorong – Sorong)
   • Last Minute Special Offer! Valid for a limited time only. (20% OFF)
2. Ecopro Duyung Baru – Komodo
   • Departure: 07 Sep 2024
   • Price: from €2,784.00
   • Early Bird Special! Book now and save 25% on your Komodo adventure! (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
3. Emperor Harmoni – Best of Raja Ampat
   • Departure: 10 Jan 2024
   • Price: from €3,591.00
   • Dive into the beauty of Raja Ampat with an exclusive 30% OFF. Limited time offer! (Sorong – Sorong)
4. Indo Siren – Komodo National Park
   • Departure: 11 Jun 2024
   • Price: from €4,302.00
   • Secure your spot in Komodo National Park with a fantastic 20% Early Bird Deal! (Bima – Labuan Bajo)
5. Komodo Sea Dragon – Unleash the Adventure
   • Departure: 06 Jan 2024
   • Price: from €1,134.00
   • Also available for full charter booking. Dive deep into Komodo National Park and enjoy a 20% discount! (Labuan Bajo – Labuan Bajo)
6. Samambaia – Raja Ampat North
   • Departure: 11 Dec 2023
   • Price: from €4,567.00
   • Last Minute Special! Book now for an incredible 20% OFF on new bookings. (Sorong – Sorong)

Bahamas – Discover the Mysteries of the Deep

• Bahamas Master – Grand Bahama and Beyond
  • Departure: 19 Dec 2024
  • Price: from €4,513.00
  • Seize the Early Bird Deal! Book now and enjoy a 20% discount on your Bahamas adventure. (Freeport – Freeport)

Egypt – Unveil the Secrets of the Red Sea

• Blue Horizon – Daedalus & St Johns
  • Departure: 03 Jun 2024
  • Price: from €1,087.00
  • Dive into the Red Sea with a special DEMA Show Offer! Save 20% for a limited time only. (Marsa Ghalib – Marsa Ghalib)
• Blue Melody – Best of Wrecks & Brothers
  • Departure: 05 Apr 2024
  • Price: from €862.00
  • Explore the underwater wonders with a 20% discount. Act fast, this DEMA Show Offer won’t last long! (Hurghada – Hurghada)
• Freedom III – Dive into History
  • Departure: 03 Dec 2023
  • Price: from €480.00
  • Explore Thistlegorm, Dunraven, Ras Mohammed & Tiran and enjoy a 20% discount. Contact us for details! (Umbi – Umbi)

Maldives – Paradise Awaits

• Blue Voyager – Best of the Central Atolls
  • Departure: 09 May 2024
  • Price: from €1,758.00
  • DEMA Show Offer! Secure your spot in paradise with a 30% discount for a limited time only. (Male – Male)
• Honors Legacy – Best of Maldives
  • Departure: 14 Sep 2024
  • Price: from €1,617.00
  • Take advantage of the Early Bird Special! Book now and save 20% on your Maldives adventure. (Male – Male)

Galapagos – Explore the Enchanted Isles

• Galapagos Aggressor III – Galapagos Islands with Wolf & Darwin
  • Departure: 04 Jan 2024
  • Price: from €4,991.00
  • Dive into the Galapagos with a 25% discount. Uncover the wonders of Wolf & Darwin. (Baltra – Baltra)
• Galapagos Master – Master the Galapagos 7-Night
  • Departure: 27 May 2024
  • Price: from €5,091.00
  • DEMA Special! Book by November 30, 2023, and enjoy a 20% discount on this exclusive 7-night adventure. (San Cristobal – San Cristobal)

Djibouti – Discover the Hidden Gem

• Lucy – Seven Brothers/Tadjourah
  • Departure: 25 Nov 2023
  • Price: from €1,599.00
  • Dive into Djibouti’s hidden wonders with a 20% discount. Limited time offer! (Djibouti Marina – Djibouti Marina)

Micronesia – Dive into a World of Wonder

• Palau Siren – Full Moon Spawning
  • Departure: 04 Dec 2024
  • Price: from €5,205.00
  • Enjoy an unforgettable experience with a 20% Early Bird Deal. Dive into Palau’s full moon spawning! (Koror – Koror)

Philippines – Immerse Yourself in Beauty

• Philippine Siren – Malapascua & Visayas
  • Departure: 17 Jul 2024
  • Price: from €2,690.00
  • DEMA Specials! Book before November 30, 2023, and enjoy a 30% discount on this extraordinary dive adventure. (Mactan – Mactan)

Solomon Islands – Dive into the Heart of the Pacific

• Solomons Master – Best of Solomons
  • Departure: 27 Feb 2024
  • Price: from €3,969.00
  • DEMA Special! Book now and save 30% on your exploration of the Best of Solomons. Limited time offer! (Honiara – Honiara)

Thailand – Explore Exotic Dive Sites

• The Phinisi – Best of Thailand
  • Departure: 11 Feb 2024
  • Price: from €2,437.00
  • Dive into the beauty of Thailand with a 20% DEMA Special. Valid until November 30, 2023. (Chalong – Thap Lamu)

Don’t miss out on these incredible offers! Secure your spot now and get ready to plunge into a world of underwater wonders. Click, book, and dive into the adventure of a lifetime with The Scuba News!

The Scuba News Travel Team carefully select from hundreds of liveaboard travel operators around the world. If you find a good deal at The Scuba News and make a booking, we may receive a small commission. This, however does not affect the price you pay.

See all of the Worldwide Liveaboards curated by The Scuba News Travel Team at: https://travel.thescubanews.com

Nestled in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti remains a hidden gem in the Red Sea, offering a unique and unspoiled diving experience. Here’s your chance to explore this extraordinary destination at a discounted rate:

Elegante – 16 Dec 2023 – from €900.00 – 7 nights/6 days Goubet Al Kharab/Gulf of Tadjourah (Djibouti – Djibouti) – €475 OFF! Rates Include Discount. Valid for new bookings.

Goubet Al Kharab and Gulf of Tadjourah: Djibouti’s underwater world is a blend of vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. Goubet Al Kharab and the Gulf of Tadjourah are known for their pristine, untouched ecosystems. Expect to encounter schools of colorful fish, rare critters, and even the chance to dive with majestic whale sharks. Elegante’s offer of €475 off makes it an excellent opportunity to explore this lesser-visited diving paradise.

Djibouti’s unique charm lies in its unspoiled beauty and thriving marine ecosystems. This liveaboard deal is your gateway to an unforgettable journey through the crystal-clear waters of Djibouti. Dive in and discover the Red Sea’s best-kept secret!

See more worldwide liveaboard travel deals at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

Are you ready to dive into the depths of the world’s most captivating underwater paradises? The Scuba News has scoured the internet for the best liveaboard travel deals this week, and we’ve got an array of thrilling adventures to tempt your inner explorer. Whether you dream of encountering vibrant coral reefs, exotic marine life, or underwater caves, we’ve got you covered. From Indonesia to Egypt, and the Maldives to Djibouti, here are the hottest liveaboard deals on offer.

Indonesia: Dive into the Heart of the Coral Triangle

Aurora – 20 Apr 2024 – from €4,430.00 – Raja Ampat – Halmahera – Lembeh (Sorong – Bitung) – (20% OFF)

Indonesia, the epicenter of marine biodiversity, is a diver’s paradise. Raja Ampat is famed for its jaw-dropping coral gardens, Halmahera boasts diverse marine life, and Lembeh’s muck diving is a photographer’s delight. Aurora’s 20% discount brings you closer to these underwater wonders.

Damai II – 04 Jun 2024 – from €3,578.00 – Alor (Kupang – Kupang) – Explorations Specials! Valid for new bookings. (20% OFF)

Alor’s untouched reefs and vibrant schools of fish await on Damai II. The Explorations Special offers the chance to discover this lesser-known gem with a 20% discount.

Ecopro Duyung Baru – 06 Aug 2024 – from €1,757.00 – Komodo (Labuan Fajo – Labuan Fajo) – Early Bird Special! (25% OFF)

Komodo’s fierce currents and incredible biodiversity make it a must-visit. Ecopro Duyung Baru’s Early Bird Special offers a 25% discount for those eager to explore this extraordinary destination.

Djibouti: A Hidden Gem in the Red Sea

Elegante – 16 Dec 2023 – from €900.00 – 7 nights/6 days Goubet Al Kharab/Gulf of Tadjourah (Djibouti – Djibouti) – €475 OFF! Rates Include Discount. Valid for new bookings.

Explore the pristine waters of Djibouti and experience the unique landscapes of the Gulf of Tadjourah at a discount of €475 on Elegante’s enchanting journey.

Maldives: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Emperor Explorer – 10 Dec 2023 – from €1,936.00 – Best of Maldives 7 Nights (Male – Male) – Special Price Offer! Valid for a limited time only. (20% OFF)

Discover the Maldives’ underwater magic at a special price with a 20% discount on Emperor Explorer’s unforgettable 7-night trip.

Emperor Voyager – 16 Dec 2023 – from €1,796.00 – Best of Maldives 7 Nights (Male – Male) – Special Price Offer! Valid for a limited time only. (20% OFF)

Emperor Voyager invites you to experience the “Best of Maldives” with a 20% discount on this limited-time offer.

Honors Legacy – 17 Aug 2024 – from €1,633.00 – Best of Maldives (Male-Male) – Early Bird Special! (20% OFF)

Get ahead of the game and enjoy a 20% discount with Honors Legacy’s Early Bird Special as you explore the Best of Maldives.

Theia – 06 Feb 2024 – from €2,798.00 – Deep South (Huvadhoo – Male) – (20% OFF)

For those looking to dive the uncharted depths of the Deep South in the Maldives, Theia offers a 20% discount for a limited time.

Thailand: Dive into the Andaman Sea

Giamani – 12 Dec 2023 – from €2,340.00 – Similan Surin (Chalong – Tablamu) – Special Autumn Sale! (20% OFF)

Thailand’s Similan Surin is a scuba paradise. Giamani’s Special Autumn Sale provides a 20% discount to explore this underwater Eden.

Philippines: Exquisite Coral Reefs and Vibrant Marine Life

Infiniti – 14 Dec 2024 – from €1,892.00 – Malapascua & Leyte (Cebu – Cebu) – Valid for a limited time only. Contact us for details! (20% OFF)

The Philippines beckon with its remarkable marine biodiversity, and Infiniti offers a 20% discount for a limited time to explore Malapascua and Leyte.

Resolute – 01 Feb 2025 – from €1,751.00 – Apo Reef – Coron (Anilao, Batangas – Anilao, Batangas) – Early Bird Special! (35% OFF)

Resolute’s Early Bird Special offers a generous 35% discount for those who want to explore Apo Reef and Coron’s underwater wonders in the Philippines.

Egypt: The Wonders of the Red Sea

Red Sea Aggressor IV – 30 Mar 2024 – from €946.00 – Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone (Marsa Alam-Marsa Alam) – $1700 OFF – Rates include discounts!

Experience the splendors of the Red Sea with a $1700 discount on Red Sea Aggressor IV’s Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone itinerary.

Snefro Target – 25 Feb 2024 – from €849.00 – Sinai Classic (Sharm El Sheikh – Sharm El Sheikh) – Up to €250 OFF on selected cabins! Rates include discount.

Snefro Target offers up to €250 off on selected cabins to explore the timeless wonders of Sinai Classic in Egypt’s Red Sea.

Don’t miss these exceptional liveaboard deals to explore the world’s most stunning dive destinations. Book now and immerse yourself in a world of underwater wonders. Happy diving!

See more worldwide liveaboard deals at: https://www.scubadivertravel.com

Let’s face it. Divers love nothing better than being underwater. We love warm, clear waters, healthy corals, and a good variety of marine life or wrecks to enjoy. One of the top destinations for scuba divers has always been the Red Sea. And more often than not, they head towards Egypt. But The Red Sea coastline touches Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Israel, and Jordan. Aqaba, Jordan is not as well-known as Egypt, but it has some of the best dive sites in the Red Sea. Aqaba is a hidden gem full of healthy corals, diverse marine life, wrecks, artificial reefs, and warm sunny days. And it is located in the Golden Triangle of Southern Jordan where Petra, the 7th New Wonder of the World, and Wadi Rum desert are located.

Whether one is just beginning to dive or advanced, the calm waters make it easy for divers to do both shore and boat dives. The 23 dive sites offer a variety of diving experiences. And snorkelers can enjoy some of the sites due to their proximity from shore and shallow depth. Beginner divers enjoy the Hercules C130 plane because it is a beautiful wreck filled with juvenile fishes, lionfish, trunkfish, and soft corals. Just nearby is the M42 Duster tank that sits on a sandy bottom in just 5 – 7 meters of water. The tank is encrusted with corals and also filled with marine life. Close to the tank are also large pinnacles covered with anthias and other smaller fishes. Another favorite is Japanese Gardens. It is a colorful site full of corals, bannerfish, anthias, clownfish, sergeant majors, an occasional turtle and octopus, eels, and macro life. 

But Aqaba offers something more than just corals and fish, is quickly becoming well known for a vast array of artificial reefs. Besides the Hercules C130 and Tank mentioned above, there is the renowned Cedar Pride Shipwreck. They sunk the ship in 1985 to make an artificial reef for divers. It is accessible from shore and boat. This wreck is a favorite to explore because it is covered with colorful corals, and a myriad of marine life makes this ship their home. It is also a favorite among underwater photographers because of its massive size. It is 74 meters long and lies on its side at a maximum depth of 28 meters. The crow’s nest is a highlight on this ship, and divers often spot large fish resting there.

Aqaba boasts the first and only Underwater Military Museum. In 2019 the dive site was set up with 19 battle vehicles placed in battle formation in an area where there wasn’t already a reef. The plan was to draw divers away from some of the heavily dived areas and attract new marine life. It worked! Images from the Underwater Military Museum are frequently published in dive magazines, blogs, and social media. Divers enjoy seeing Cobra helicopters, Howitzers, armored personnel carriers, ambulances, tanks, and jeeps. Juvenile fishes now inhabit many of these vehicles. Divers also see crocodilefish, giant frogfish, pufferfishes, lionfish, snake eels, jacks, tunas, bannerfish, turtles, trunkfish, and clownfish. Soft and hard corals are populating the vehicles as well.

And if this wasn’t enough, Aqaba recently scuttled a Lockheed Tristar passenger plane. It is the northernmost dive site and is reachable by boat only. Much work was put into making this artificial reef happen. The plane had to be completely dismantled and removed from the Aqaba Airport and brought to the old phosphate port, reassembled, and then carefully lowered onto the reef at a depth of 15-28 meters. This passenger plane is a sight to see as it is about 50 meters long. Divers enjoy swimming inside the plane and finding the skeleton of a stewardess inside the lavatory.

Petra and Wadi Rum

Tourists have been flocking to Petra and Wadi Rum for years because of their ancient history and beauty. The red dunes of Wadi Rum and the structures cut out of sandstone in Petra offer a stark contrast to the blue waters of Aqaba. Wadi Rum is only one hour away. It is a massive desert wilderness covering 278 square miles. Bedouins have called Wadi Rum their home for millennia. Favorite activities include 4×4 rides, camel rides, trekking, and mountain climbing. Besides the stunning desert landscape, Wadi Rum has 25,000 petroglyphs, 20,000 inscriptions, and 154 archaeological sites. After spending a day romping around the desert, visitors enjoy spending the night in a Bedouin camp (there are basic to luxury camps available), enjoying the sunset, a traditional Bedouin meal, the star-studded skies, and a night of peaceful sleep in the cool desert.

One cannot visit Jordan without touring Petra. This ancient city was made famous by the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage site and only a 2-hour drive from Aqaba. This ancient city was first established by the Nabateans in the 4th century BC, but some historians believe it may have been around since 9000 BC.  Photographers and historians enjoy the breathtaking sandstone structures that line the mountain walls. It can take days to see all of Petra, but tourists who are short on time can see a large portion of it in a day. Budget to luxury hotels are available outside of the park in the city of Wadi Musa.

Deep Blue Dive Center in Aqaba is a PADI 5 Star Dive Center. We offer daily boat and shore dives and dive packages. And until February 2022 we are offering a special package rate for dive groups of 5-7 divers. This package includes boat dives and a tour to Wadi Rum and Petra. Contact Deep Blue Dive Center for details.

Please visit our website at www.deepbluedivecenter.com for more information about all we offer.

It’s the start of a new year and the diving on offer is off the charts this month. The Maldives is the place to go for manta ray diving and picture-perfect atolls, whilst Mexico scuba diving in January is all about huge megafauna. The small African nation of Djibouti is also at its best this month, offering the chance to snorkel with numerous whale sharks.

Mobula ray jumping out of the water. Mobula munkiana, known as the manta de monk, Munk’s devil ray, pygmy devil ray, smoothtail mobula, is a species of ray in the family Myliobatida. Pacific ocean

Manta Madness in the Maldives

 January is a great time of year to visit the Maldives, as the dry season brings long sunny days just perfect for relaxed Maldives liveaboard diving. Whilst each of the different atolls have their own characteristic dive sites and marine life highlights, there are plenty of manta rays to see wherever you choose to dive:

Rasdhoo Atoll

This atoll may be tiny, consisting of just 4 islands and 3 sandbanks, but Rasdhoo Atoll scuba diving has a big reputation for large pelagics. Madifaru has almost every type of Maldives marine life on offer; including mantas, grey reef sharks, scalloped hammerheads, schools of eagle rays, mobula rays, stingrays, turtles and more. Manta Block is a great dive site for manta sightings at cleaning stations.

When you’ve had your fill of manta encounters, don’t miss out on diving Hammerhead Point for the chance to swim with hammerhead sharks.

Ari Atoll

January to April is a great time to go scuba diving in Ari Atoll and enjoy dry days and calm seas cruising among over 100 stunning islands, plus diving with mantas and whale sharks.

 Kudarah Thila and Rangali Madivaru in the south host cleaning stations with numerous mantas. There are also great manta dive sites in other parts of Ari Atoll, including the premier Ukulhas Thila cleaning station in the north and Donkalo Thila in the west. The sheer variety of cleaning stations throughout this atoll make it ideal for manta ray encounters.

The Blue Voyager visits the far north atolls, deep south and the best sites at Rasdhoo, Ari and Male atolls. Their Pelagic Encounters safaris are always a popular choice at this time of year.

Best Time for Whale Watching in Mexico

Only accessible by Socorro Islands liveaboard diving, these remote and wild islands are one to add to your wish list for 2019. Humpback whales arrive in their thousands during January, giving you the chance to see and hear them underwater.

This archipelago also attracts huge amounts of other big pelagics, including at least ten species of sharks and the renowned friendly Giant Pacific manta rays found there. It is understandably known as the ‘Galapagos of Mexico’.

There is a handful of Socorro Islands liveaboards to choose from and the Quino el Guardian is a great choice for less experienced divers, as there is no minimum logged dives requirement.

Another gentle giant can be found if you go Sea of Cortez liveaboard diving at this time of year. A large whale shark population frequents the Bay of La Paz in Baja California Sur from early winter to late spring. Scuba diving is not allowed, but free diving and snorkelling are a great way to immerse yourself in the experience, without the weight of tanks and gear. Winter is also the best time to spot grey whales, mobula whales and humpback whales in the area.

The El Duque liveaboard offers 2-night getaways to the Sea of Cortez, whilst the Valentina has 6-night Sea of Cortez safaris for those who want to spend longer there.

Dive with Whale Sharks in Djibouti

Djibouti liveaboard diving might not be on your radar yet but it soon will be. This relatively new dive destination has pristine coral reefs with large schools of Red Sea and Indian Ocean fish. It is tucked away from the crowds of Egypt and gives you the chance to enjoy peaceful dive sites. The star attraction is of course the numerous whale sharks that gather in Djibouti’s waters from November to January.

Visit Djibouti in January and you can swim in the company of juvenile whale sharks and possibly also see manta rays, grey reef sharks and nurse sharks. There are striking underwater landscapes to explore, including a dive site that allows you to descend between three tectonic plates; aptly named ‘The Crack’. It won’t be long before word gets out about this top new dive destination.

The beautiful MSY ELegante and Deli liveaboards offers whale shark safaris and the chance to sail the turquoise waters of Djibouti from November to January each year.

More Top January Dive Destinations

Read our guide to the Best Places to Dive in January to find out more about other top places to go diving in January.