Day Diving & Dive Sites

Marsa Shouna

Also named "Shouni Kebir". A favourite spot of liveaboards and daily boats alike, Shouna is one of those areas where you can have magic encounters. Sites include:

• Ras Shouna -

  The corner and outside north of Shouna is unique for its sprawling sand plateau. Littered in table corals of all shapes and sizes, pick your depth on the gradual slope and see what's hiding beneath. Blue spot rays are abundant, but certain times of year bring in breeding guitar rays.

• Aquarium -

  The name says it all - this is the site to come to for that fish-tank feel. Cleaning stations up and down the reef serve the resident schools of snappers, batfish, goatfish and fusiliers. Crocodilefish, lionfish and scorpionfish lay in wait for the meals to come to them and the keen eye will spot more camouflaged critters on this site than any other.

• Shouna Seagrass -

  The fine sand of Shouna supports a lush seagrass bed that runs down the middle of the bay and around two shallow pinnacles. This is a classic dive where you won't have to go far to see large whiptail rays and green turtles. Ghost pipefish, snake eels and shrimpfish are regularly seen but one of the greatest sights is the large school of golden trevallies that hunt in the seagrass like a pack of dogs. Also, for the lucky ones, Dyson our local dugong is spotted here.

• Shaab Sireer -

  The 'bed reef' could be named after the lazy speed we find works best to take in the scenery. It’s actually because more often than not we encounter sleeping green turtles at about 20m. Massive male, George, and cute female, Tracy, are the most regularly spotted. Don’t the massive schools of snapper and bream cruising amongst the stunning corals above.

• Shaab Abu Khaled -

  Named after one of our captains, this reef is characterised by steep, sloping reef tongues extending down from the reef wall, separated by sandy areas. These sandy areas reflect the sun, lighting up the colourful soft corals and giving another opportunity to see big, sleeping green turtles. Large shoals of unicornfish, fusiliers and red snappers congregate next to the reef wall, and you may even be lucky to see something a little bigger out in the blue.

Ras El Torfa

Good visibility and excellent corals are a safe bet in R.E.T. and there is always the chance to see turtles, rays and even sharks. Sites include:

• Etnin Galawa -

  The 'two lagoons' are poised between beds of some of the most intact coral you will see. Being a dive on the east facing wall this is often achieved by a boat drop and zodiac pickup, using the drift to explore the reef wall. Hawksbill turtles are regular visitors and there is a pinnacle infested with boxer shrimp for the macro lovers, but the coral is the star with beds of goniopora mixing it with huge salad corals.

  
  

• Abu Siyal -

  The boat moors in a natural lagoon that forms the most northern part of a sprawling bay. Here a sand strip that starts at 5mt separates the main reef from a series of beds that form a drop-off. Pufferfish and goatfish can be found on the sand patch and the drop off is covered in anthias and other small fish life. Exploring further south you could spot a turtle or two, but on the way back watch out at 9mt for one of the most picturesque pinnacles in this area, complete with a totally undamaged table coral that plays host to the secretive lemon coral goby.

  
  

• Kora Kebir -

  For advanced divers only, seeing the 'big ball' loom out of the distance at a depth of 25mt is a memorable experience. On the outer edge of this unique coral formation the drop off extends below 50mt and you are right out in the blue, meaning big life encounters are possible. Coming across a deep sand plateau back to the main reef you may encounter a large resident school of barracuda before exploring the shallows of the reef wall to end your dive.

  
  

• Shaab Salata -

  Named after some very large and vivid salad corals, this dive is usually done by zodiac one-way. In amongst the coral beds you can find hawksbill turtles and all the usual red sea fish, but the lucky few may well spot the resident black-tip reef shark. It pays to keep your head up on this one!

  
  

Marsa Shouni Soraya

A very narrow bay south of Port Ghalib, Shouni Soraya provides easy access to 3 very different dives:

• El Lesan -

  A reef tongue and sand patch marks the turnaround point of this dive but you'll want more time to explore the beautiful corals in this area. On the way back in the shallows look for camouflaged critters such as scorpionfish and Crocodilefish.

  
  

• Talata Tabba -

  The 3 large table corals the reef was named after have long since died but now host a diverse and vibrant array of soft corals. This reef wall is perfect for picking your depth and enjoying the scenery and the sandy bottom is home to blue spotted rays and goatfish schools.

  
  

• Nos Wa Nos -

  Cross the sand plateau on the south reef, keeping your eyes out for large rays as you do. You then hit a series of 3 large pinnacles out in the blue, smothered in the bicolour chromis fish - giving the site its name 'half and half'. Barracuda and rays can surprise you on these pinnacles, before you cruise back along the south reef wall.

  
  

Marsa Morena

Our furthest site accessible locally, this idyllic palm tree lined bay is a beautiful place to moor up and dive in:

• Torfet Badawia -

  A boat drop entry and a zodiac pickup in this small lagoon north of the bay is a real treat. Best explored at depth to start with, the overhangs and whip corals make nice scenery. Shallow up and explore the pinnacle in the centre of the laggon for loads of critters before drifting over the reef tongues and sand patches, enjoying the table corals scattered across them.

  
  

• Shaab Tarabesa -

  Named after the large schools of black ampwhite and twinspot snappers, this south reef has some great coral growth on the reef wall and also some very interesting large pinnacles. On the way over you'll go across a deep patch of seagrass where we often spot small green turtles and even from time to time Dennis, the dugong of Abu Dabab fame. On the way back you'll do your safety stop on a 5mt sand plateau covered in soles, flounders and partner gobies.

  
  

• Shaab Bohar -

  Named after the large schools of black amp; white and twinspot snappers, this south reef has some great coral growth on the reef wall and also some very interesting large pinnacles. On the way over you'll go across a deep patch of seagrass where we often spot small green turtles and even from time to time Dennis, the dugong of Abu Dabab fame. On the way back you'll do your safety stop on a 5mt sand plateau covered in soles, flounders and partner gobies.

  
  

Marsa Abu Dabab

Marsa Abu Dabab is a diver's paradise renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and abundant marine life. This dive site offers an unparalleled underwater experience with crystal-clear waters teeming with colourful fish, majestic sea turtles and, if you’re lucky, the occasional sighting of Marsa Alam’s most-famous dugong, Dennis. Divers of all levels are enchanted by the breathtaking coral formations, intricate caves, and thrilling swim-throughs that characterize this underwater wonderland. The sea grass is not to be missed while green turtles, dark-spotted stingrays and also guitar rays visit Abu Dabab. It’s a must for any divers visit to this region!

Abu Dabab Offshore Reefs

A collection of 6 reefs. Popular overnight location due to close proximity to the famous Elphinstone reef with a very good chance to see Spanish dancers on the night dive. Many swim throughs and caves. Often sightings of reef sharks on the southern outer reefs.

Elphinstone

A world famous offshore reef, Elphinstone is the jewel in our crown. Sheer walls and sometimes currents at exhilarating speeds make this one for advanced divers only but it will be one you remember. Dive the east wall in the morning and the west in the afternoon to make the most of the sun, and light up the abundant soft corals. Anthias smother the walls and large gorgonian fans and black corals hide critters such as the infamous longnose hawkfish. Keep an eye out in the blue for resident schools of snapper, large barracuda and enormous Napoleon wrasse.

The north and south plateaus drop to over 40mt in depth but can be a place for very special encounters - manta rays, silvertip, tiger, grey reef and hammerhead sharks have all been seen here and cruising the shallows at the right time of year can be curious silky and oceanic whitetip sharks.

Marsa Assalayia

A very narrow bay south of Wadi Sabarah, Marsa Assalayia provides easy access to two very different dives.

The real dive starts after 10 minutes when reef gets abruptly deeper, at around a 45-degree angle, with coral gardens coming down in steps from top reef, pillars coming off the hard coral garden and dramatic topography. 

Coral blocks set away from the main reef can be done by starting on one side of the bay, cutting across the seagrass about at 20-25m depth and coming back on the other of the bay. 

On the north side you will visit the coral outcrops (Xenia soft coral, cabbage coral and potato hard coral) on the sand along the reef. At 19m make sure you hop from the main reef and visit a barrel in the sand where schools of juvenile bannerfish, common lionfish and shortfin dwarflionfish shallow up over hard coral garden.

The south takes along the deeper area where there are many tall, coral pillars. On your turnaround there is the stunning topography of the main reef and on the way back you visit the tops of these coral pillars which are teeming with lots of small fish.

Marsa Egla

A large, seagrass bay which hosts three completely different sites in both topography and fish life.

The north reef is a shallow reef which slowly drops of passing soft and hard coral blocks. The deeper water has hard coral gardens and clusters of organ pipe corals.

The south is a set of pinnacles on a sandy plateau. Before reaching here you will swim over a large sand and seagrass trench and will see schools of fusiliers and snapper in amongst these hard coral pinnacles.

In the seagrass, as with all such dives, it is a chance to either get your head down and look for macro-life (seahorses, ghost pipefish, sea moths) or your head up looking for turtles, large rays and possibly dugongs.

Gabal el Rosas

A very narrow bay which opens out into the open sea and is easy to swim from one side to the other. A short swim to the south will take you across the bay if you prefer to start on this side. Here there are tall, hard coral formations with many coral pinnacles set away from the main reef which are good to explore for cleaning stations. Enjoy the reef on the way back as you swim above the towering pinnacles.

On the north side the bay, unlike the others in the area, sees the entrance start a lot deeper. A site with lovely coral topography, towering pinnacles and big clusters of Porites corals. Follow the sandy bottom along to where the reef meets for camouflaged fish. In the middle of the bay is a group of coral blocks which will take you over to the south side.

Halg El Shouni

Entry is via a swim-through in the reef which takes you to a small sandy bay area with a huge coral pinnacle. The best dive is on the south side as you gradually follow a sloping, sandy bottom to a glassfish hole in the reef. Stunning hard coral garden. 

Abu Dabour

A beautiful dive site in a very narrow bay, Abu Dabour offers two contrasting dives – but can only be done in good weather due to entry and exit procedures.

Having reached the edge of the reef by pulling yourself along a rope, you have a choice of the north or south. The entrance mouth to the cavern on the south side is very visible. Inside there is no current and lots of goatfish and yellow snappers with lovely light shafts coming in. The cavern has two chambers following each other, second having the exit to the main bay. 

On the north side, it slowly gets deeper allowing you to enjoy the pillars with lots of fish on them, schooling goatfish and yellow and black snappers. If you swim out you will find an eel garden at about 18-20m while there is an interesting coral garden topography with many little fish around the pillars. Remember to look into the holes and under overhangs. 

Marsa Samadai

A medium-sized, seagrass bay that has easy access to two dives, both of which start from the same place in a shallow area. Keep look out for camouflaged creatures!

On the north side you swim out over the seagrass and once you reach the reef with it on your left shoulder, follow it along the sandy bottom checking out the coral outcrops on the way and an abundance of little damsels and baby bannerfish. Coming out of the main reef, the coral garden slopes gently from surface to about 18m and a collection of reef patches, a lot of nice pillars on the main reef as well as cabbage coral patches.

For the other dive you head towards the southern main reef after swimming over the seagrass area, visiting the fishy, coral outcrops on the sandy bottom close to the main reef. At about 10m depth, the main reef makes a right turn where you follow still visiting coral patches. When reaching 15m along the main reef you will see a coral ridge, or habili, which you should swim over to. The south side of it is amazing - with a lot of glassfish, cardinalfish, baby snapper and fusiliers - but the whole habili is covered in fish. Look out into the blue as eagle ray sightings are possible and also go higher up on the coral garden which has lovely topography with lots of pinnacles covered in small fish.

Shaab Samadai

Often named 'Dolphin House', this offshore reef is shaped like a horseshoe and creates a naturally protected lagoon to moor in. Usually with very good visibility, here the diving is stunning: a labyrinth of pinnacles, some steep drop offs on the outer walls, table corals bigger than you are likely to have seen and a stunning 'Cathedral' swim-through at 5m.

A pod of spinner dolphins uses this lagoon as a nursery and shelter and the chance to snorkel with them in between dives is the 'icing on the cake'. If you ever figure out which way to look when you have 50+ dolphins playing around you, be sure to let us know!

Hamada

A wreck you can dive from the shore! Just wait until you see the stern of this 65mt long coaster looming out of the blue after just a few minutes swim! Situated in a wonderfully secluded bay, the wreck of the Hamada is a new addition to Emperor Marsa Alam's list of top class dives. No need for any great depth here as you explore this two-part wreck that sank in mysterious circumstances in 1993. Masts and ropes are still attached and now smothered in fledgling hard corals while butterflyfish and parrotfish nibble away. Lying on its starboard side at 15mt it makes for a nice subject for photographers, while 'wreckies' will delight in the intact propeller and the possibility to explore holds and cabins. Snorkellers will also love the opportunity to snorkel a wreck - so unique!

Light lunch on the unspoiled beach with an imposing backdrop of mountains sets you up for either another dive on the wreck or the chance to explore an immaculate north reef. Then drive back through Wadi El Gamal National Park and keep your eye out for the grazing camels on the way home!

Depth: 12-18m

Minimum qualification: Open Water/1*/Ocean Diver.

Supplement: 30 Euros (includes lunch)

Marsa Alam Airport

Emperor Divers Wadi Sabarah