Shaab Malahi

A compact Fury Shoals reef with an exposed outer wall, protected lagoon section, and the combination of oceanic whitetip shark sightings and macro invertebrate diversity that characterises the best of the southern Egyptian offshore reefs.

Overview

Shaab Malahi sits at approximately 24.20°N, 35.66°E in the Fury Shoals cluster south of Marsa Alam — one of a series of offshore reefs in this region that share the characteristics of clean water, strong current, and limited dive pressure. Shaab Malahi has an outer wall section and a more sheltered inner section, providing within a single dive the contrast between open-ocean exposure and protected lagoon environment. The site is dived as part of Fury Shoals liveaboard itineraries or as a long-range day trip from Marsa Alam operators. It sits in the same latitude band as several other Fury Shoals sites — Shaab Ini, Shaab Maksour — and is often combined with these reefs.

Site Information

• Location: Fury Shoals, southern Egyptian Red Sea (~24.20°N, 35.66°E)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 20–30 meters
• Current: Moderate on the outer wall; mild on the inner section
• Best Time: October to May

Marine Life

Oceanic whitetip sharks pass through the outer reef zone in autumn (October to November) — Shaab Malahi lies in the same latitude band as Elphinstone and shares its autumn oceanic whitetip corridor. Grey reef sharks are resident on the outer wall. The lagoon section supports nudibranch and flatworm diversity on the coral rubble substrate. Schools of snapper and goatfish pack the inner reef section. The outer wall carries gorgonian fans at 15–18 metres in good condition. Moray eels are abundant throughout.

Dive Profile

Begin at the outer wall at 15–18 metres and work along the wall face, scanning the blue water beyond the reef edge for passing oceanic species. After 15–20 minutes on the wall, round the reef to the inner section and transition to the 8–12 metre zone. The inner section is the macro and coral photography area. Safety stop at 5 metres over the inner reef flat.

Entry and Exit

Day boat from Marsa Alam (60–80 minutes) or liveaboard. Giant stride entry. Pair with Shaab Ini or Shaab Maksour for a two-dive Fury Shoals day. SMB deployment before ascending.

Tips and Recommendations

• Autumn dives (October to November) at the outer wall edge may produce oceanic whitetip encounters — these sharks cruise the offshore channel at depth
• The lagoon section is excellent for nudibranch photography — slow movement over the coral rubble and sandy patches is essential
• The outer wall gorgonian fans at 15–18 metres are photography subjects in their own right — bring a wide-angle lens for the full fan profiles

Safety Considerations

Current on the outer wall can be moderate to strong. Assess before extending the dive beyond the sheltered inner section. Oceanic whitetip sharks should be observed with distance and without chase. SMB before ascending.

Photography

Outer wall gorgonian fan portraits at 15–18 metres in good natural light are the signature wide-angle subjects. Nudibranch macro photography in the lagoon section rewards close work with a macro lens. Oceanic whitetip portraits in open water require a wide-angle approach from a stationary position.

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