Shaab Hamam

Shaab Hamam is a coral reef in the Fury Shoals region of southern Egypt, positioned in the cluster of offshore reefs that form one of the Red Sea’s most exceptional liveaboard diving areas. At approximately 24.26°N, 35.52°E, the site lies northwest of the Sataya Dolphin Reef complex and is part of the circuit of reefs that southern Red Sea liveaboards cover on multi-day itineraries departing from Marsa Alam or Port Ghalib. “Hamam” (حمام) in Arabic means pigeon or dove, and may refer to the white-capped appearance of the reef when waves break over the shallower sections.

Overview

Shaab Hamam is a typical Fury Shoals reef structure: a broad coral flat rising to within a few meters of the surface, surrounded by sloping outer walls that drop to 20 meters and deeper. The reef is in excellent health given the low diver traffic of the southern Red Sea compared to northern sites. The coral coverage is dense — massive Porites, table corals, and staghorn formations dominate the upper platform, while gorgonian fans and soft corals appear on the current-facing outer walls. Visibility in this area regularly reaches 25–35 meters.

Site Information

• Location: Fury Shoals, southern Red Sea, Egypt
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 25-35 meters (80-115 feet)
• Current: Moderate to strong
• Best Time: October to May

Marine Life

Sea turtles are among the most reliable sightings in the Fury Shoals; hawksbill and green turtles rest on the coral platforms and are approached closely at this low-traffic site. Spinner dolphins are frequently encountered in the blue water around the outer reefs. humphead wrasse patrol the reef edge. Grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks are present along the deeper outer wall. Coral groupers and parrotfish are abundant on the reef platform, and the sandy base hosts blue-spotted stingrays and garden eels.

Dive Profile

Descend to the reef platform and explore the shallow coral garden before working outward to the reef slope. The outer slope from 10–20 meters is the most productive zone for larger fish and pelagic encounters. The sandy base at 18–20 meters is worth checking for rays. Return to the reef platform for the safety stop and ascent.

Entry and Exit

Liveaboard access from Marsa Alam or Port Ghalib. Day boats from Marsa Alam can also reach this site. Giant stride or back roll entry. SMB deployment is required for all open-water ascents in this offshore location.

Tips and Recommendations

• The Fury Shoals rewards a slow, unhurried approach — the best marine life encounters come from patience
• Combine with Sataya (Dolphin Reef) for the iconic spinner dolphin encounter
• Check the blue water regularly from the reef edge — dolphins and sharks can appear at any time
• Morning dives are best for turtle activity on the reef platform

Safety Considerations

The Fury Shoals are offshore reefs in a remote location. Emergency support is provided by the liveaboard; dive conservatively. Currents on the outer reef sections can be strong. Always carry an SMB. Fire coral is present on the reef crest.

Photography

Turtles in clear water with coral platform backgrounds are classic Fury Shoals images. The excellent visibility enables wide-angle reef scape shots with natural light penetrating to depth. Dolphin encounters in the blue water reward a wide-angle zoom. Macro work in the sheltered coral crevices is productive in calmer conditions.

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