Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Group of scuba divers swimming near colorful coral reef with fish, showcasing underwater marine life.
📷 Atlantic Ambience · Pexels

Shaab Sakara

3.1 — based on 3 community signals
New spot

Shaab Sakara is a year-round dive destination in Egypt's Wadi al-Gamal and Jabal Hamata Marine Protected Area, known for healthy coral and strong marine biodiversity.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

🐢 MPA · محمية وادي الجمال وجبل حماطة updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
MPAPhotoFriendlyShore entry

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Bottlenose dolphin

Map

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

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
11.7 kn
Wave
0.68 m
Water
30.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NW (55%)
Now: NW (316°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.42m

Next: Low at 06:00 (-0.1m)

+0.3 m0 m-0.1 m
▼ 06:00 · -0.1m ▲ 13:00 · +0.07m ▼ 18:00 · -0.04m ▲ 01:00 · +0.08m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV7.45 · high Air PM2.532 · moderate 06:26 18:38
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 17.2 0.94 7 0mm
09-20 18.1 1.02 7 0mm
09-21 17.7 0.98 7 0mm
09-22 14.7 0.72 7 0mm
09-23 17.1 0.8 7 0mm
09-24 19 1.02 7 0mm
09-25 18.9 1.22 7 0mm

About this spot

Shaab Sakara sits within Egypt's Wadi al-Gamal and Jabal Hamata Marine Protected Area, one of the Red Sea's most productive reef systems. The site attracts divers year-round, making it accessible whenever you can travel. Protected status means the reef structure and coral remain largely intact, with no signs of bleaching stress. The site supports a diverse fish and invertebrate community typical of Red Sea reefs. Marine life observations and community dive videos document the healthy ecosystem here. Access and specific depth information vary by dive operator and conditions on the day, so check with local shops before booking. The protected designation reflects Egypt's commitment to reef conservation in this region.

📖 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 dolphin

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 ↔ 4278km · ~984kg · €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 Shaab Sakara?

Shaab Sakara is diveable year-round. Water conditions and visibility vary seasonally, so contact local dive operators for current conditions before your trip.

What kind of marine life will I see?

The site supports diverse Red Sea fauna including reef fish and invertebrates. Community observations and videos document the active ecosystem. Exact species vary by dive and season.

Is Shaab Sakara in a marine protected area?

Yes. It lies within the Wadi al-Gamal and Jabal Hamata Marine Protected Area. Coral shows no bleaching stress, indicating healthy conditions under protection.

How do I access Shaab Sakara and do I need permits?

Access is via local dive operators in the region. As the site sits in a protected area, operators handle all required permits and regulations. Book through established dive shops in nearby towns.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

2 records · 2 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Glaucostegus halavi

Elasmobranchii · Glaucostegidae
GBIF
Last seen:
3 Oct 2025
×1records

Sphyrna lewini

Elasmobranchii · Sphyrnidae
GBIF
Last seen:
22 Apr 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.

Shaab Sakara 22maggio2015

marinafreddo

Egypt. Berenice 2014. Dive site at Shaab Zabargad.

Davide Bozzi

EGYPT VLOG #4 - THE AWESOME SURPRISE - THAT'S A TERRIBLE TITLE

Surprise Her Journey
wind peaks Jun-Sep-May, calmest Dec-Jul-Nov, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

Nearby spots

Siyal South Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Siyal South

Siyal South is a year-round dive destination off Egypt's Red Sea coast, protected within a marine reserve and known for healthy coral.

Beginner
Um El Sheikh Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Um El Sheikh

Um El Sheikh is a year-round Red Sea dive site in Egypt's Wadi Gamal and Jebel Hamata Marine Protected Area, featuring healthy coral and diverse marine life.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Wadi Lahmy Azur Housereef Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Wadi Lahmy Azur Housereef

Wadi Lahmy Azur's housereef offers year-round diving with healthy coral and reliable marine encounters off Egypt's Red Sea coast.

Beginner 20m Jan·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Shaab Maksour North Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Shaab Maksour North

Shaab Maksour North is a Red Sea platform reef in Egypt's Wadi Gamal & Jabal Hamata Marine Protected Area, year-round diving with healthy coral.

Intermediate
Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Shab Sataya N-W

Shab Sataya N-W is a year-round Red Sea dive site in Egypt's Wadi el-Gemal and Gabal Hamata Marine Protected Area, known for healthy coral and consistent marine life.

Intermediate
Elphinstone Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Elphinstone

Elphinstone Reef is a pristine Egyptian reef offering year-round diving with healthy corals and abundant marine life.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
Shaab El Erg Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Shaab El Erg

Shaab El Erg is a year-round Egyptian dive destination with healthy coral and diverse marine life.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →