Discover the hidden treasures of the Red Sea! Dive into the vibrant wonders of Sataya and the southern Fury Shoals, south of Marsa Alam, where playful dolphins, graceful turtles, and colorful marine life await in this magical underwater paradise.
Marsa Shouna
Marsa Shouna is known for its expansive sand plateau located at the northern outer corner of the site. The area is dotted with table corals of various shapes and sizes along a gentle slope, offering divers the chance to explore different depths and discover marine life hiding beneath each coral head. Blue-spotted rays are abundant, while certain times of the year bring breeding guitar rays and other rare sightings.
Sataya (Dolphin Reef)
Situated within the Fury Shoals south of Marsa Alam, Sataya is a vast reef system famous for its vibrant coral walls and frequent dolphin encounters. The northern and northwestern sides feature colorful drop-offs, while the eastern wall displays striking gorgonian formations between 17 and 22 meters. The eastern plateau, ranging from 18 to 32 meters deep, hosts a variety of marine species including surgeonfish, napoleon wrasse, turtles, and numerous reef fish. Along the southern side, dolphins, sharks, and manta rays can often be seen cruising the blue. The nearby Wadi Gimal area, particularly Shilineat, resembles a natural aquarium—its shallow hard coral gardens, white sandy bottom, and clear sunlight create a beautiful habitat teeming with small reef fish and hidden critters.
Abu Galawa Soraya
Abu Galawa Soraya lies in the western part of the Fury Shoals, about 12 kilometers from Wadi Lahmi. This small, isolated reef—approximately 100 meters wide—is separated from the larger main reef system. Known for its shallow depths, crystal-clear visibility, and gentle currents, it provides ideal conditions for beginner divers.
Shaab Marsa Alam
Shaab Marsa Alam is a large, semi-circular reef shaped like a bean, surrounded by sandy bottoms and scattered coral formations. The northeastern section features an especially rich and colorful coral garden, home to a wide variety of marine life. Reef sharks are commonly sighted, and with favorable currents, divers may also encounter blacktip reef sharks or oceanic whitetips (Longimanus). In the southern lagoon lies a small wreck resting at around 17 meters, adding a touch of history to this vibrant site.
Abu Dabbab
Abu Dabbab is famous for close encounters with gentle Green Sea Turtles that often graze on the seagrass meadows. In the shallows, divers may spot the unusual yet harmless Guitar Shark. The site also offers outstanding macro life, including ornate ghost pipefish, thorny seahorses, and the delicate hairy pygmy pipehorse, making it a favorite for underwater photographers.
Fury Shoals
The Fury Shoals comprise a series of reefs along Egypt’s southwest Red Sea coast, celebrated for their pristine coral formations and diverse marine ecosystems. Hard and soft corals thrive here, creating vibrant underwater landscapes at sites like Fury Shoal Garden. Divers can encounter a wide range of Red Sea reef fish, reef sharks such as whitetips and greys, and occasionally oceanic whitetips. Pelagic visitors like barracudas, giant trevallies, and dogtooth tunas are also frequently seen.
Shaab Maksur
Shaab Maksur is a narrow but elongated reef featuring plateaus to the north and south, with steep drop-offs on the eastern and western sides. The northern terrace often attracts dolphins, barracudas, and reef sharks, while the southern plateau—with its larger coral structures—provides shelter for an array of marine species, making it one of the most rewarding dives in the area.