Red Sea Liveaboard With 50 Dives Requirement — What It Means and How to Qualify
The 50-dive minimum for BDE exists for specific reasons — here is what counts, what doesn’t, and what to do if you’re not there yet.
MY JP Marine — we’re in business since 1999 · Southern Red Sea
Why the 50-dive minimum exists
The 50-dive requirement on BDE is not an arbitrary number. Brothers Islands sits roughly 60 km offshore in the southern Red Sea. Daedalus is further still. Both are exposed to open-ocean conditions — currents change direction without warning, depth on the main sites reaches 30 m+, and there is no coastal shelter. The dive guides manage the group, but they cannot manage buoyancy for every diver simultaneously.
At Elphinstone south plateau, the current runs hard along the wall. Divers with fewer than 50 logged dives have not yet developed the automatic buoyancy response needed to hold position in moving water without burning through their air supply or drifting off the group. That is the practical reason behind the number.
| Site | Why experience matters | Minimum depth |
|---|---|---|
| Big Brother | Strong unpredictable currents; open-water plateau edge | 15–30 m |
| Little Brother | Wall diving; current can reverse mid-dive | 20–30 m |
| Daedalus | 60 km offshore; no shelter; surge on the plateau | 20–30 m |
| Elphinstone | Hard current on south and north plateaux; narrow entry window | 20–30 m |
| Zabargad / Rocky (Pelagic Trail) | Remote location; open-water conditions throughout | 20–30 m |
What counts toward the 50 — and what doesn’t
The 50-dive requirement refers to logged open water dives completed after certification. This is a point that causes confusion, so it is worth stating clearly.
| Dive type | Counts toward 50? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Logged open water dives (post-cert) | ✔️ | Sea, lake, quarry — any open water environment |
| AOWD training dives | ✔️ | Completed in open water and logged |
| OWD certification dives | ✔️ | If completed in open water and logged |
| Pool training dives | ✗ | Confined water — does not count |
| Confined water certification dives | ✗ | Pool or enclosed confined water — does not count |
| Unlogged dives | ✗ | Dives with no logbook entry cannot be verified |
Bring your logbook aboard. The guides check dive counts before the itinerary departs — this is a safety process, not a formality. If your log is incomplete, get it updated before travel.
30–40 dives logged: your options
The most common scenario: a diver with AOWD, 30–40 logged dives, wants to join BDE but is not yet at 50. The most practical route forward:
🔹 Join Pelagic Trail first — Pelagic Trail is open to divers of various levels and Open Water divers. If you’re close to 50, completing dives beforehand and starting with Pelagic Trail gives you a week of 17–21 dives in the southern Red Sea before returning for BDE. Complete your AOWD aboard during the Pelagic Trail itinerary. The course dives count toward your open water total and are logged.
Not sure which itinerary fits your current level?
Check available dates or reach out — we answer quickly.
Or prefer email? info@divesafarimaster.com
OWD vs AOWD — what each unlocks
| Feature | OWD | AOWD |
|---|---|---|
| Max certified depth | 18 m | 30 m |
| Eligible for BDE itinerary | ✗ | ✔️ |
| Eligible for Pelagic Trail | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Brothers Islands — south plateau | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Daedalus open-water plateau | ✗ | ✔️ |
| Elphinstone south wall | ✗ | ✔️ |
| Recommended to upgrade to DEEP aboard | ✗ | ✔️ |
| Can upgrade aboard MY JPMarine | ✔️ → AOWD | Already qualified |
Upgrade to AOWD During Your Trip
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver courses run aboard MY JPMarine every week. Complete your certification mid-trip and unlock Brothers Islands, Daedalus, and Elphinstone on the same journey.
View Courses Aboard →BDE and Pelagic Trail compared
| Detail | BDE | Pelagic Trail |
|---|---|---|
| Sites | Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone | Daedalus, Elphinstone, Sattaya |
| Dives per week | 18–21 | 17–21 |
| Minimum certification | AOWD + 50 logged dives | OWD + 15 logged dives |
| Primary pelagic species | Thresher shark, oceanic whitetip, hammerhead | Hammerhead, silky shark, dolphin |
| Current difficulty | Strong — particularly Brothers and Elphinstone | Open to all levels |
| Departure | Marsa Alam, Saturday–Saturday | Marsa Alam, Saturday–Saturday |
| From price | 813 € pp | 813 € pp |
MY JPMarine departs from Marsa Alam, Saturday–Saturday. 18–21 dives scheduled per week.
🏝️ Daedalus — open-water plateau, hammerheads, silky sharks
🏝️ Elphinstone — south plateau, oceanic whitetips, strong current wall diving
✔️ Nitrox available
✔️ Full-board catering aboard
✔️ PADI courses available mid-trip
✔️ Card payment accepted
Both itineraries depart Marsa Alam on Saturdays. BDE is the higher-difficulty route — Brothers is the only permitted liveaboard access point at that distance offshore, and day-trip access is not available. Book directly — no agency fees.
Briefings, descents and dive operations — BDE and Pelagic Trail, MY JPMarine
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Each route hand-crafted by our team. Solo divers, groups, and full charters welcome.
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MY JP Marine — we’re in business since 1999 · Southern Red Sea
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FAQ
Questions we get every week
I have 35 logged dives. Can I still book BDE?
Why does the 50-dive requirement exist for Brothers Islands specifically?
Do my AOWD training dives count toward the 50?
Ready for BDE or Pelagic Trail — Check Available Dates
Book directly — no agency fees, no hidden costs.
Or email us: info@divesafarimaster.com