Shaab Rumi, Precontinent 2

Shaab Rumi’s Precontinent 2 site is one of the most historically significant dive sites in the world — the location of Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s 1963 experimental underwater habitat, Conshelf II. The remnants of that pioneering project still rest on the sandy bottom inside Sha’ab Rumi’s protected lagoon, making this a pilgrimage site for divers interested in the history of underwater exploration.

Overview

In 1963, Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his team spent 30 days living and working underwater at Sha’ab Rumi as part of the Conshelf II (Precontinent II) programme, studying the feasibility of long-term human habitation beneath the sea. The main habitat, “Starfish House,” housed six oceanauts (not five, as previously stated here) at 10 metres depth. A separate, deeper “Deep Cabin” sat at 30 metres (not 27m) and housed two oceanauts for one week. After the experiment, Starfish House and the Deep Cabin were both dismantled and removed — what remains today for divers is the fish/urchin-shaped hangar that housed the team’s two-man “diving saucer” submarine, along with a toolshed and scattered equipment fragments on the lagoon floor.

Site Information

• Location: Sha’ab Rumi lagoon, northern Sudan Red Sea (~35km from Port Sudan)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 30 meters

The Conshelf II Remains

The fish-shaped submarine hangar is the most recognisable surviving structure, heavily encrusted with corals and sponges. The circular base area where Starfish House once stood sits at around 10 metres. Metal debris and equipment fragments are scattered across the lagoon floor near both former habitat sites. The lagoon’s protected position generally means calm water for examining the remains.

Marine Life

The Conshelf II structures have been colonised by marine life over six decades, but no source found during research confirmed specific species at this exact site. Rather than attribute a generic Red Sea species list to this location, this section is intentionally left general: expect typical Red Sea reef fish sheltering in and around the encrusted structures, without a confirmed inventory.

Dive Profile

Enter the lagoon and descend to the Starfish House site at 10 metres to explore the circular base and surrounding debris field, then move to the submarine hangar for exterior and, with care, interior viewing. Divers with appropriate qualifications can continue to the Deep Cabin site at 30 metres with proper depth planning. Finish with a slow return through the lagoon before ascending to a safety stop.

Entry and Exit

Access is by liveaboard dive boat anchored at Sha’ab Rumi. Entry is by giant stride or back roll into the lagoon. The lagoon’s protected waters make entry and exit straightforward in most weather conditions. Deploy an SMB on ascent for liveaboard pickup coordination.

Tips and Recommendations

• Watch the Cousteau film “World Without Sun” (1964) before diving — it adds extraordinary context
• Photograph the submarine hangar from multiple angles, including the entrance approach
• Respect the historical structures — nothing should be touched or removed
• Combine this dive with the South Plateau for a complete Sha’ab Rumi experience
• Morning dives typically offer the best light inside the hangar structure
• Ask your dive guide to point out specific Conshelf II components — local knowledge is invaluable

Safety Considerations

The lagoon environment is generally calm and forgiving. Avoid contact with the encrusted metal structures — fire coral, sea urchins, and sharp edges are present. Do not enter confined areas within the hangar without proper training. If venturing to the Deep Cabin at 30 metres, plan conservatively and maintain appropriate bottom time limits. Fire coral on reef structures requires careful buoyancy throughout the dive.

Photography

The submarine hangar is the centrepiece photographic subject — wide-angle shots from the approach show the fish shape clearly, and interior shots with a dive torch reveal the colour of encrusting life. The Starfish House base photographed against the sandy lagoon floor and blue water column above creates a classic image. Macro subjects on the metal framework are reported anecdotally by divers but not confirmed against a specific source, so no species list is given here.

Sources: Continental Shelf Station Two - Wikipedia, Shaab Rumi - Royal Evolution, Précontinent II in Sudan - Atlas Obscura. Last updated 2026-07-03.