Shaab Rahma
26.3266°N 34.1791°E · reef
Shaab Rahma is a distinctive reef dive site in the Al-Qusayr area of the Red Sea (lat 26.33, lng 34.18), notable for its tunnel and cave features. The site is accessible as a shore dive or minibus-assisted excursion and is documented in multiple dive operator listings for the central Red Sea coast.
Overview
The site is characterised by its tunnel system. One documented entry route passes through a hole in the reef roof, then traverses an approximately 80 m tunnel ending at a depth of 7 m in a coral garden. A shorter alternative involves a 30 m tunnel with a small hole exit, with a transit time of approximately 4 minutes; current can be present inside the tunnel. The outer reef features coral blocks reaching from 10 m to 40 m, with a well-developed coral garden to the south containing many table corals. Additional features include small caves, crevices, and sand eel habitats.
Marine Life
The reef supports soft corals and coral boulder communities. Sand eels inhabit the sandy patches. The cave and tunnel sections provide habitat for invertebrates and smaller reef fish. The outer coral garden with table corals hosts a variety of reef fish typical of the central Red Sea.
Dive Profile
The tunnel route requires careful buoyancy control and is not suitable for large groups simultaneously. The outer reef can be enjoyed without the tunnels for less experienced divers. Depth ranges from the tunnel exit at 7 m to the outer reef at 20–25 m. Current possible inside the tunnels.
Tips & Safety
- Tunnel diving requires good buoyancy and a torch; not recommended for claustrophobic divers
- Current can occur inside the tunnel — check conditions before committing
- The outer coral garden is accessible without the tunnels for less advanced divers
Site Information
- Location: Al-Qusayr area, Red Sea, Egypt (26°19’N, 34°10’E)
- Entry Type: Shore entry
- Site Type: Reef
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Maximum Depth: 25 meters
Additional Resources
- Last Updated: 2026-05-17
Sources: Divers Guide – Shaab Rahma. Last updated 2026-05-17.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
195 verified species observations (192 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1997 and 2025, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Longchaeus maculosus
- Chama limbula
- Pinna muricata
- Tellinella crucigera
- Ctena divergens
- Euanodontia ovum
- Gibberulus albus
- Cerithium caeruleum
- Litoreibacter
- Thalassodendron ciliatum
- Clostridiales
- Dokdonia
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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