Siyal Island

A remote island reef in the southern Egyptian Red Sea accessible only by liveaboard, offering pristine coral coverage, strong current dives, and the tranquil conditions that come with genuine distance from the nearest dive centre.

Overview

Siyal Island sits at approximately 22.8°N, 36.2°E in the southern Egyptian Red Sea — a position roughly midway between the Sudanese border and Marsa Alam, but far enough offshore to place it firmly in liveaboard-only territory. The island itself is a small rocky outcrop surrounded by a reef system that has seen minimal commercial diving pressure. Current from the open Red Sea sweeps the reef regularly, driving high water column productivity. The reef structure is a combination of fringing coral on the shallower flanks and a steeper outer slope that drops into deep water. It is one of several remote southern sites that appear on extended itineraries combining St. John’s Reef and Fury Shoals.

Site Information

• Location: Southern Egyptian Red Sea, approximately 22.8°N, 36.2°E
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 20–35 meters
• Current: Moderate to strong depending on conditions
• Best Time: October to May

Marine Life

The current-swept position supports healthy populations of reef fish: schools of fusiliers and anthias throughout the water column, with barracuda hunting in the open water adjacent to the reef. Grey reef sharks patrol the outer slope. Sea turtles rest on the shallow reef platform. The coral coverage, largely undisturbed by regular human visitation, includes dense hard coral formations and soft coral assemblages on the deeper sections of the outer slope. Moray eels occupy the reef crevices. Eagle rays pass through the site on the outer slope zone.

Dive Profile

Descend on the leeward side to assess conditions, then commit to the windward outer slope if current is manageable. Work along the outer slope at 12–18 metres, keeping the reef on one side. The shallower fringing reef at 5–10 metres provides an excellent second half of the dive after exploring the deeper sections. Complete the safety stop over the shallow reef top in the last 3–5 minutes. In strong current, limit the dive to the sheltered leeward side.

Entry and Exit

Access is by liveaboard tender only — Siyal Island is part of extended southern Red Sea itineraries. No permanent moorings or facilities. Giant stride entry. The island’s remote position means surface conditions should be assessed carefully before entry. SMB deployment before every ascent is essential — the boat will collect divers in the current from the SMB position.

Tips and Recommendations

• Approach this dive with conservative air planning — the distance from any base means a long surface swim is preferable to being left on the surface
• Dive the leeward side first to assess current before committing to the exposed outer slope
• Pair with other remote southern sites such as Shaab Ini or Shaab Malahi for a comprehensive southern itinerary
• Photography conditions are frequently outstanding due to the undisturbed fish life and clear water

Safety Considerations

Remote location means extended emergency response times — dive within comfortable limits and avoid pushing depth or gas consumption. Deploy SMB before ascending from any depth. Current can develop rapidly in this exposed position — maintain continuous awareness of drift direction. No decompression diving in remote locations without professional support.

Photography

The undisturbed nature of the reef at Siyal Island creates ideal photographic conditions: fish approach more closely, coral formations are intact, and the water clarity exceeds typical mainstream dive sites. Wide-angle reef-and-fish compositions in the 10–18 metre zone with natural ambient light are consistently productive. Reef shark portraits on the outer slope provide the signature wide-angle image.

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