Marsa shagra
25.2451°N 34.7968°E · reef
Marsa Shagra is the flagship house reef of Red Sea Diving Safari’s Shagra Village, located approximately 10 km north of Marsa Alam. One of the most pristine and well-protected fringing reefs in the Egyptian Red Sea, the site has been a designated protected area for over 20 years. The reef stretches roughly 2 km along the coast, with a naturally sheltered bay providing easy beach entry to both the north and south reef sections.
Overview
The bay of Shagra begins at just 1–10 metres depth and gradually deepens toward outer walls dropping to 40–50 metres. The reef has been documented by marine biologist Robert Myers as hosting over 300 species of fish and more than 100 species of coral. Certified divers may explore independently according to their certification level, with Zodiac support available during daylight hours. The site is accessible for all levels from snorkellers to advanced divers.
Marine Life
- Lionfish, pufferfish, angelfish, parrotfish throughout the reef
- Ghost pipefish and multiple nudibranch species on close inspection
- Pelagic visitors including dolphins and occasional manta rays
- Colourful soft corals, gorgonian fans, and complex coral formations
Dive Profile
Entry is directly from the beach through the sheltered sandy-bottomed bay. Divers can head north or south along the fringing wall, which begins at 5–10 m and drops to 40+ m on the outer faces. Long bottom times are possible at mid-reef depths of 15–20 m. Night dives are a highlight of the site.
Tips
- Shore entry via the sheltered bay is easy in most conditions
- Both north and south reef sections offer distinct dive profiles
- RSDS guests have unlimited independent access throughout the day
- Nearby liveaboard day trips run to Elphinstone and Marsa Abu Dabbab
Site Information
- Location: Marsa Alam area, Egyptian Red Sea
- Entry Type: Shore entry
- Site Type: Reef
- Maximum Depth: 40 meters
- Difficulty: All levels; outer walls suit intermediate and above
Sources: Red Sea Diving Safari – Marsa Shagra, PADI Dive Site – Marsa Shagra House Reef. Last updated 2026-05-17.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
51 verified species observations (23 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1996 and 2026, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Tursiops · Bottlenose dolphins
- Stenella longirostris · Spinner dolphin
- Tursiops aduncus · Indian ocean bottlenose dolphin
- Rhincodon typus · Whale Shark
- Tursiops truncatus · Common bottlenose dolphin
- Balaenoptera edeni · Eden's whale
- Conomurex fasciatus
- Nerita sanguinolenta
- Maculastrombus mutabilis
- Clanculus
- Fasciolariidae
- Dolomena plicata
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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