Marsa Shona Sogayar
25.4176°N 34.6952°E · reef
Marsa Shona Sogayar is a bay and reef dive site in the Marsa Alam region of Egypt’s southern Red Sea. “Marsa Shona” means “small/lesser bay” in Arabic. The site features a sandy-bottomed bay framed by north and south reef structures with drop-offs, making it suitable for both reef exploration and deeper dives.
Overview
The entry bay has an easy sandy bottom providing calm conditions. North and south reef plateaus extend from the bay and are covered in coral gardens, leading to drop-offs on both sides. The southern reef plateau is the more commonly dived section. Average depth is around 20 metres, with the drop-off reaching a maximum of approximately 45 metres. Visibility is generally 25 metres and can reach 30 metres, with reduced clarity during the summer months of July and August (5–25 metres).
Marine Life
The reef supports a well-rounded Red Sea ecosystem. Barracuda and sharks — including reef species — are reported sightings. Blue-spotted stingrays (Taeniura lymma) rest on sandy patches within the bay. Sea turtles visit the reef gardens. The coral plateau hosts a typical southern Red Sea reef community including wrasse, parrotfish, grouper, and smaller reef fish. The site is also noted for productive night diving.
Dive Profile
A versatile site with multiple zones: the sheltered bay interior at 5–10 metres for initial exploration, the coral garden plateaus at 15–25 metres, and the drop-off pushing to around 45 metres for more experienced divers. Currents average 1–2 knots and are most pronounced on the outer reef edges. Water temperature ranges from 22°C in winter to 34°C at the surface in summer; the reef stays warm year-round.
Entry / Exit
Boat access typical of the Marsa Alam region. Night dives are available and recommended.
Site Information
- Location: Marsa Alam region, southern Red Sea
- Entry Type: Shore entry
- Site Type: Reef
- Maximum Depth: 45 metres
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Best Season: November–May for clearest visibility
Additional Resources
- Last Updated: 2026-05-17
Sources: Scuba Diving Place — Marsa Shona Sogayar, Wannadive — Marsa Shona Sogayar. Last updated 2026-05-17.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
27 verified species observations (8 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1999 and 2026, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Tursiops aduncus · Indian ocean bottlenose dolphin
- Stenella longirostris · Spinner dolphin
- Balaenoptera edeni · Eden's whale
- Nerita sanguinolenta
- Rochia virgata
- Halophila stipulacea
- Halophila decipiens
- Halophila ovalis
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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