Habili Ali

Habili Ali is an offshore reef pinnacle in the far southern Egyptian Red Sea, situated in the deep-water offshore zone east of Berenice near the Brothers–Zabargad liveaboard corridor.

Overview

“Habili” in Arabic denotes a submerged rocky reef or shoal, and the term is common across the southern Red Sea for reef structures that barely breach the surface or remain permanently submerged. Habili Ali is one of several “habili” sites clustered in this remote offshore zone. The pinnacle rises from deep water to a shallow crown at around 5 meters, with steeply sloping flanks supporting abundant soft-coral and sea-fan growth. The site is on extended southern Red Sea liveaboard itineraries and receives diving pressure only a handful of times per year — which explains the noticeably pristine condition of both reef and fish life.

Site Information

• Location: Far southern Egyptian Red Sea, offshore east of Berenice
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 25–35 meters
• Current: Moderate; can be variable around the pinnacle
• Best Time: October to May

Marine Life

Resident humphead wrasse are immediately apparent on descent, often approaching divers within metres. Large groupers occupy the overhangs at 12–18 meters. Schools of snapper and fusiliers are dense, and a school of barracuda is typically found hanging above the pinnacle in the current shadow. Grey reef sharks patrol the base of the structure. Hawksbill turtles are consistent presences on the reef crown. The clean offshore water supports impressive soft-coral growth with accompanying glassfish schools that explode outward when larger predators approach.

Dive Profile

Descend quickly to 18–20 meters to observe the deeper overhangs and any pelagic activity in the blue. Work up the pinnacle flanks at a comfortable pace, spending time at 10–15 meters where the soft coral and sea fan growth is most developed. The reef crown at 5 meters makes an excellent final stage before the safety stop. The compact size of a habili pinnacle means you can typically circle it twice in a single dive.

Entry and Exit

Liveaboard access only. Entry by giant stride from the boat. Deploy an SMB before ascending — the pinnacle is surrounded by open water with no visual reference for the boat from underwater. Coordinate the ascent point with the dive guide so the boat captain knows where to expect divers to surface.

Tips and Recommendations

• Habili sites in the southern Red Sea are among the most rewarding for sheer fish density
• The small footprint of the pinnacle means divers feel fully immersed in an ocean environment rather than on a reef wall
• Look carefully in the deep overhangs for sleeping whitetip reef sharks
• humphead wrasse at remote sites like this are often curious and will follow divers throughout the dive
• Plan for a full southern Red Sea itinerary — these remote habili sites cannot be visited on shorter trips

Safety Considerations

Standard remote offshore pinnacle safety applies. Deploy an SMB before every ascent and maintain close contact with the dive group. Gas management must account for the open-water environment. The liveaboard crew must keep watch throughout the dive.

Photography

The humphead wrasse’s curiosity makes for compelling fish portrait photography. Wide-angle shots of the pinnacle’s flanks draped in soft coral with schools of fish above and divers for scale are consistently outstanding. The clear offshore water provides a deep-blue background that requires no artificial light for effective wide-angle compositions.

Sources: Divezone - Red Sea, Dive the World - Egypt Red Sea, Red Sea Scuba Diving, PADI - Diving in Egypt. Last updated 2026-04-04.