Habili Dahara
24.7439°N 35.1804°E · reef
Habili Dahara is a small isolated pinnacle (habili) in the Marsa Alam / Wadi Gimal area of the southern Red Sea. It lies 5.5 km from Dahara Island and 4.6 km south of Shaab Sharm, rising from a sandy seabed to just below the surface. It is typically visited in transit by liveaboard boats.
Overview
The habili is approximately 70 m long and unsheltered, though strong currents are rarely encountered here. When currents do occur, the southern side provides refuge. During calm conditions the site is suitable for less experienced divers. The reef is not particularly rich in hard coral compared to larger reef systems, but supports characteristic Red Sea habili fauna. Mooring is possible for up to two boats in calm conditions.
Marine Life
Common sightings include moray eels, blue-spotted stingrays, scorpionfish, and occasional shoals of butterflyfish and squirrelfish. Coral rocks dotted across the surrounding sandy bottom at approximately 18 m provide habitat for hiding species. The site rewards patient divers willing to look carefully among the coral rocks.
Dive Profile
Average depth around the habili is 18 m, rising to near the surface at the top of the pinnacle. Sandy bottom surrounds the reef at 18–20 m. Conditions are generally calm and moderate, making this a relaxed dive when conditions allow. Access is by boat; usually visited as a transit stop.
Site Information
- Location: Wadi Gimal area, Marsa Alam, southern Red Sea, Egypt — 5.5 km from Dahara Island
- Entry Type: Shore entry
- Site Type: Reef
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Maximum Depth: 25 meters
Additional Resources
- Last Updated: 2026-05-17
Sources: Red Sea Diving – Habili Dahara. Last updated 2026-05-17.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
154 verified species observations (104 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1964 and 2016, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Stenella longirostris · Spinner dolphin
- Tursiops aduncus · Indian ocean bottlenose dolphin
- Enneapterygius altipinnis
- Scorpaenodes hirsutus
- Tursiops truncatus · Common bottlenose dolphin
- Sebastapistes strongia
- Fowleria aurita
- Megaptera novaeangliae · Humpback whale
- Fowleria variegata
- Rhincodon typus · Whale Shark
- Nerita sanguinolenta
- Gibberulus albus
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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