In recent weeks, a series of diving bans have disrupted operations across the Red Sea, including not just liveaboards and boat diving, but shore-based diving as well. These bans—sometimes lasting just a day, other times stretching over multiple days—have been triggered by weather conditions that many in the dive community view as relatively mild.
While most divers agree that safety should always come first, there’s growing concern that these sweeping closures are less about present danger and more a reaction to recent high-profile liveaboard incidents in the region. With reports of vessel sinkings still fresh, authorities appear to be taking a more cautious stance—but some argue it’s a step too far.
A particularly puzzling element is the blanket inclusion of shore diving in these restrictions. Many divers have questioned how conditions that might justify suspending boat travel would also apply to sheltered, controlled shore entry points. The lack of distinction has fueled frustrations among operators and guests alike, with concerns over lost revenue and a sense that a “one-size-fits-all” safety approach is doing more harm than good.
Experts and professionals in the region have long expressed concerns over liveaboard safety, particularly regarding boat architecture. Many vessels are built high and narrow, making them less stable in wind and waves. Instead of broad bans, the dive community is calling for smarter, targeted regulation, such as:
- Mandatory vessel stability assessments and seaworthiness certification
- Independent safety audits for commercial dive operators
- Real-time, tiered weather protocols based on dive site type and vessel class
- Differentiation between boat and shore diving restrictions
While stronger safety oversight is welcomed, divers and operators alike are asking for thoughtful, collaborative solutions—ones that protect lives and livelihoods, without closing off the very experiences that draw people to the Red Sea.
