El Shugarat
28.3560°N 34.4399°E · reef
El Shugarat (meaning “the trees” or “little trees” in Arabic) is a reef and canyon dive site located in the Dahab / northern Sinai area of the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt. It is documented on PADI’s dive site directory and is served by local dive operators including Circle Divers Dahab. The site is noted for its distinctive canyon structure and extensive gorgonian fan coral forest along the reef wall.
Overview
The dive begins with a boat drop-off at the reef edge. Divers descend and swim along the reef wall until reaching a sandy bottom, where an impressive open canyon begins at around 16 metres depth. The canyon descends to approximately 30 metres and is flanked by steep walls. Exiting the canyon to the left reveals a striking forest of gorgonian fan corals scattered down the reef wall. The ascent leads back to the reef table and into a sheltered lagoon described as one of the most beautiful in Dahab, featuring giant table corals.
Marine Life
The gorgonian fan coral forest is the site’s defining feature, providing habitat for hawkfish, groupers, and moray eels. Blue-spotted stingrays (Taeniura lymma) rest on sandy patches within and around the canyon. Crocodilefish and nudibranchs occupy the reef flat. The lagoon section hosts giant table corals (Acropora species) under which diverse reef fish shelter. Long-nose hawkfish perch in gorgonians. Reef sharks and dolphins are among the larger species sometimes reported in the area.
Dive Profile
Boat entry; multi-zone dive progressing from reef wall, into canyon, through the gorgonian forest, and finishing in the lagoon. Depth range: 5 metres (lagoon) to 30 metres (canyon floor). Safety stops are conveniently made over the shallow lagoon table corals. The site is moderately challenging due to the canyon navigation.
Entry / Exit
Boat only; captain drops divers adjacent to the reef. Return to the boat or beach as directed by the operator.
Photography
The gorgonian fan forest and giant table corals of the lagoon are strong wide-angle subjects. The canyon walls also offer opportunities for ambient-light canyon photography. Nudibranchs and crocodilefish provide macro subjects.
Site Information
- Location: Dahab area, Gulf of Aqaba, North Sinai
- Entry Type: Shore entry
- Site Type: Reef
- Maximum Depth: 30 metres
- Difficulty: Intermediate
Additional Resources
- Last Updated: 2026-05-17
Sources: PADI — El Shugarat dive site. Information attributed to Circle Divers Dahab (PADI member dive centre). Last updated 2026-05-17.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
33 verified species observations (29 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1968 and 2023, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Aseraggodes macronasus
- Arnoglossus macrolophus
- Astronesthes martensii
- Grampus griseus · Risso's dolphin
- Lambis truncata sebae
- Monodonta nebulosa
- Cardita variegata
- Dendostrea crenulifera
- Glycymeris arabica
- Planaxis savignyi
- Dolomena plicata
- Cerithiidae
Scientific survey records skew toward sampled taxa (molluscs, corals) and do not reflect what you are guaranteed to see on a dive.
Source: OBIS (obis.org), aggregated Darwin Core occurrence records.
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