Wadi Gimal DC Housereef

The Wadi Gimal DC Housereef is the house reef directly in front of the Shams Alam Beach Resort and its associated Wadi Gimal Dive Centre — the only diving resort with direct access to the Wadi Gimal National Park. The reef runs along the beach in three sandy bays that provide easy entry and exit, and serves as the base for exploring the 29 dive sites accessible within the national park.

Overview

The Shams Alam Beach Resort is situated approximately 80 km south of Marsa Alam in the southern Red Sea, within the boundaries of the Wadi Gimal–Hamata Protected Area, one of Egypt’s most ecologically significant coastal reserves. The dive centre has operated since 1999 and offers the closest direct access to the park’s reef systems.

The house reef itself is sheltered across three sandy bays, each offering easy shore entry into clear water. The reef slopes gently before dropping to around 25 metres, with patches of sand alternating with coral heads supporting a diverse assemblage of reef fish. Blue-spotted stingrays are regular residents on the sand, and the reef hosts good numbers of butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, groupers, and anthias. The national park’s protected status means the reef is generally in better condition than comparable unprotected reefs to the north.

Beyond the house reef, 29 offshore dive sites are accessible within 5–45 minutes from the dive centre, including deeper walls and more remote reef systems that see very few divers.

Dive Profile

• Depth range: 5–25 m (shelved in three bays with easy entry)
• Entry: Shore dive — direct beach entry in each of the three bays
• Currents: Generally mild — sheltered bay configuration
• Visibility: 15–25 m
• Training: Suitable from beginner level through technical diving

Marine Life

Blue-spotted stingrays (resident), butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, groupers, anthias, chromis, moray eels, and assorted reef invertebrates. The protected park status keeps fish populations robust.

Photography

Good ambient light in the shallows makes this a productive site for beginner photographers. Blue-spotted rays on the sand make classic subjects. The coral heads at 15–25 m are well-lit and colourful.

Site Information

• Location: Shams Alam Beach Resort, Wadi Gimal National Park, southern Red Sea (~80 km south of Marsa Alam)
• Entry Type: Shore entry
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 25 metres

Sources: Sportif Dive — Wadi Gimal, PADI — Wadi Gimal Dive Center, TripAdvisor — Wadi Gimal Diving Center reviews. Last updated 2026-05-17.