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Scuba diver navigating through a colorful coral reef in deep ocean waters.
📷 Francesco Ungaro · Pexels

Sataya South

3.6 — based on 19 community signals
4.1 12 species 14 contributors

Sataya South is a year-round dive site in Egypt's Wadi El Gamal and Jebel Hamata marine protected area, known for healthy coral and diverse marine life.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · محمية وادي الجمال وجبل حماطة updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendlyBeginner

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Bottlenose dolphin, Blacktip reef shark

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
Sataya South location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
16.6 kn
Wave
0.74 m
Water
30.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NNW (52%)
Now: NNW (330°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.4m

Next: Low at 06:00 (-0.09m)

+0.3 m0 m-0.1 m
▼ 06:00 · -0.09m ▲ 13:00 · +0.07m ▼ 19:00 · -0.04m ▲ 01:00 · +0.08m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV7.35 · high Air PM2.532 · moderate 06:24 18:37
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 21.6 0.9 7 0mm
09-20 23.4 0.98 7 0mm
09-21 24.4 1.06 7 0mm
09-22 20.3 0.78 7 0mm
09-23 19 0.84 7 0mm
09-24 22.7 1.04 7 0mm
09-25 23.9 1.26 7 0mm

About this spot

Sataya South lies within one of Egypt's most carefully managed marine zones, the Wadi El Gamal and Jebel Hamata protected area. The site sits in waters that support robust coral ecosystems with no signs of bleaching stress, making it a reliable choice for divers seeking intact reef habitat. Local observations have documented 12 distinct species in the area, giving you real data on what lives there. The protected status means the reef has space to recover and thrive away from heavy commercial pressure. This translates to healthier fish populations and more vibrant coral formations than many other Egyptian dive destinations. The site works year-round, so timing is flexible depending on your schedule and what other Egyptian dives you want to pair with it. Community divers have documented the site in three separate video records, offering firsthand glimpses of conditions and marine life. Before booking, review those videos to understand site layout and what depths and skills suit your level. Sataya South rewards divers who respect the protected area rules and take time to observe rather than rush through the reef.

📖 Guide: Diving in Egypt: 258 Sites From Wrecks to Hammerheads

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Bottlenose dolphinBlacktip reef shark

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 4318km · ~993kg · €18

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 59/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 8h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 7h east · 5 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Sataya South?

Sataya South is diveable year-round. Check tide and wind forecasts before your trip, as local conditions vary seasonally. Summer brings warmer water but can have stronger currents; winter offers calmer conditions but cooler temperatures.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species have been documented at Sataya South. Watch community videos and local dive reports to see what species are currently active. The site's protected status means populations are healthier than heavily-dived reefs.

What are the access and permit requirements?

Sataya South sits inside the Wadi El Gamal and Jebel Hamata marine protected area. Check with local dive operators and Egyptian authorities about current permits, park fees, and entry rules before you plan your trip.

How difficult is this dive?

Specific depth and difficulty data aren't available for this site. Watch the three community videos and contact local operators to understand the site layout and what training or experience level suits your skills.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

88 records · 37 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Stenella longirostris

Mammalia · Delphinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
27 Apr 2026
×1records

Trapezia tigrina

Malacostraca · Trapeziidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Apr 2026
×1records

Glossodoris hikuerensis

Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Apr 2026
×1records

Trapezia bidentata

Malacostraca · Trapeziidae
GBIF
Last seen:
22 Apr 2026
×1records

Ocypode saratan

Malacostraca · Ocypodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
17 Apr 2026
×3records

Ophiocoma scolopendrina

Ophiuroidea · Ophiocomidae
GBIF
Last seen:
10 Apr 2026
×1records

Fromia ghardaqana

Asteroidea · Goniasteridae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Mar 2026
×1records

Acanthaster benziei

Asteroidea · Acanthasteridae
GBIF
Last seen:
15 Mar 2026
×1records

Pearsonothuria graeffei

Holothuroidea · Holothuriidae
GBIF
Last seen:
11 Mar 2026
×1records

Triaenodon obesus

Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
29 Dec 2025
×1records

Geograpsus crinipes

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Dec 2025
×1records

Engina mendicaria

Gastropoda · Pisaniidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Dec 2025
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Marsa Alam, Sataya reef dolphins, turtle, napoleon . Diving Egypt

Underwater Photo Bali
💬 1 top comments
  • No sharks on this trip, but still nice landscape and dolphins .

    @UnderwaterPhotoBali · 👍 0

Diving in Egypt - Our Best Advice for Scuba Diving in the Red Sea!

DIVEIN
💬 3 top comments
  • I absolutely love Egypt—it’s my top destination for diving. The combination of incredible dive sites, warm hospitality, and perfect weather makes it an unbeatable choice. It truly checks all the boxes for me!

    @23number · 👍 3
  • I'm actually from Egypt, and I appreciate making such a great video about my country. Diving here is very amazing and affordable for all types of diving. ❤

    @Sukar777 · 👍 14
  • Wow, I never knew the Red Sea was this incredible! Absolutely breathtaking. Adding this to my dive wish list for sure.

    @steam-mikkel · 👍 2

Sataya Reef - Freediving with Dolphins - Marsa Alam - Egypt 2018 - Gopro Hero 4 Balck

Simone
💬 3 top comments
  • diving stuff are awsome. Cool.

    @rimotivri · 👍 1
  • Amazing.

    @ykazkaz5507 · 👍 0
  • freediving things are awsome. Cool.

    @rimotivri · 👍 0
wind peaks Feb-Sep-Mar, calmest Nov-Aug-Jul, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Aug (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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