Ras Shona

A coastal headland reef between Quseir and Port Ghalib with a fringing wall, sandy bay transitions, and the moderately-trafficked character of a site that serves both liveaboards transiting the central Egyptian coast and day boats from Quseir.

Overview

Ras Shona sits at approximately 25.47°N, 34.68°E — on the Egyptian Red Sea coast between Quseir and Port Ghalib, in the central-south section of Egypt’s dive corridor. This headland reef marks a geographic transition point: north of here is the Quseir/El Quseir dive zone; south is the approach to Marsa Alam territory. The reef structure is a standard coastal headland configuration: a fringing reef crest at 2–5 metres, a slope descending to 12–18 metres, and sandy bays on either side of the headland. The site receives moderate traffic from operators on the coastal highway between Quseir and Marsa Alam.

Site Information

• Location: Central Egyptian Red Sea coast between Quseir and Port Ghalib (~25.47°N)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 15–25 meters
• Current: Mild to moderate; tidal headland effect
• Best Time: Year-round; October to May optimal

Marine Life

The headland reef supports the central Egyptian Red Sea assemblage: groupers, moray eels, and schools of anthias throughout the slope. Sandy bays on either side of the headland hold blue-spotted stingrays and garden eel colonies. Barracuda patrol in open water off the headland tip. The slope below 12 metres carries gorgonian fans and soft coral on the more current-exposed sections. Hawksbill turtles rest on the reef platform. Cleaning stations in the 8–12 metre zone are established.

Dive Profile

Begin on one side of the headland and work around the tip at 10–15 metres before exploring the sandy bay on the far side. The sandy bay sections at 15–18 metres provide the macro and stingray component of the dive. Return to the headland reef face for the safety stop at 5 metres.

Entry and Exit

Day boat from Quseir (30–40 minutes) or Port Ghalib/Marsa Alam (45–60 minutes). Often dived as a transit dive on liveaboard itineraries heading north or south along the coast. Giant stride entry. SMB deployment before ascending.

Tips and Recommendations

• The sandy bays on either side of the headland reward slow searching for garden eels and stingrays
• The headland tip is the most current-affected section — time the dive to use the flow rather than fight it
• A good option for a morning dive before heading to deeper, more demanding sites later in the day

Safety Considerations

Moderate current at the headland tip requires monitoring. Fire coral on the upper reef crest. SMB before ascending.

Photography

Sandy bay macro photography — garden eels, blue-spotted rays, flatfish — rewards a prone, slow approach. The headland reef face in ambient light suits wide-angle reef portraits.

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