Shaab Claudio

Shaab Claudio is a coral reef in the Fury Shoals / southern Egyptian Red Sea, at approximately 24.22°N, 35.61°E — placing it within the cluster of offshore reefs north of Sataya in the Marsa Alam region. The Fury Shoals are one of Egypt’s finest liveaboard diving areas, characterized by pristine reefs, exceptional visibility, and the kind of marine life encounters that attract repeat visitors from around the world. Shaab Claudio is one of several named reefs in this system dived by southern Red Sea liveaboards.

Overview

Shaab Claudio follows the typical Fury Shoals reef profile: a coral platform rising to shallow depths (3–8 meters) surrounded by sloping walls that drop to 20 meters and beyond. The reef structure here features a mix of hard and soft corals, with table corals dominating the upper platform and gorgonian fans and soft corals appearing on the current-swept outer walls. The southern Red Sea around the Fury Shoals sees relatively low diver traffic compared to northern sites, and the reef health reflects this — coral coverage is dense and fish populations are undisturbed.

Site Information

• Location: Fury Shoals, southern Red Sea, Egypt (Marsa Alam region)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 20-35 meters (65-115 feet)
• Current: Moderate to strong
• Best Time: October to May

Marine Life

The Fury Shoals reef system is renowned for dolphin encounters, and spinner dolphins are frequently observed in the blue water around these outer reefs. Sea turtles are abundant — both green and hawksbill turtles rest on the coral platform and are among the most reliable sightings on any Fury Shoals dive. humphead wrasse are present on the outer reef edges. Grey reef sharks patrol the deeper sections. The reef surface hosts enormous populations of anthias and chromis, and the transition zone between coral and sand at the reef base provides habitat for garden eels and stingrays.

Dive Profile

Descend to the reef flat and explore the coral gardens before following the slope outward to the reef edge at 15–20 meters. Look outward from the reef edge into the blue for dolphins and sharks. In current, the dive can be structured as a drift along the outer slope. Return to the reef platform for a comfortable safety stop in the shallows before ascending.

Entry and Exit

Liveaboard access from Marsa Alam or Port Ghalib. Day boats from Marsa Alam may also reach this site. Giant stride entry from the dive skiff. Deploy an SMB for all open-water ascents given the remote offshore location.

Tips and Recommendations

• Combine with Sataya East and Sataya South for a comprehensive Fury Shoals dive itinerary
• Early morning dives maximize the chance of dolphin encounters before the pod departs offshore
• The Fury Shoals area rewards three to four days of diving — multiple sites can be combined on a liveaboard loop
• Move slowly on the reef platform — turtle behavior is relaxed here and close approaches are possible

Safety Considerations

The Fury Shoals are offshore reefs; emergencies require liveaboard support. Dive conservatively and within your limits. Currents on the outer reef edges can be significant. Always carry an SMB. A full-length wetsuit or 3mm suit provides adequate thermal and exposure protection year-round.

Photography

Turtles at close range on the coral platform are among the best photography opportunities in the southern Red Sea. The clear water and healthy coral provide excellent wide-angle reef scape compositions. Dolphin encounters in the mid-water zone reward quick action with a wide or fisheye lens. Soft coral growth on the outer reef walls produces close-focus wide-angle opportunities.

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