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Divers interact with playful seals in a vivid underwater scene, showcasing marine life.
📷 Francisco Davids · Pexels

Shaab Sataya

3.5 — based on 16 community signals
4.1 12 species 14 contributors

Shaab Sataya is a year-round Red Sea reef dive in Egypt's Wadi Gamal-Hamata Marine Protected Area, known for healthy coral and rich marine life.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · محمية وادي الجمال وجبل حماطة updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAPhotoFriendlyYearRound

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
Shaab Sataya 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

Shaab Sataya sits within Egypt's Wadi Gamal-Hamata Marine Protected Area, a designation that reflects the reef's ecological value and protected status. The site delivers consistent diving conditions throughout the year, making it accessible to divers across seasons. The reef supports diverse coral communities showing no signs of bleaching stress, a marker of good water quality and stability. The area has documented 12 distinct species observations, indicating robust biodiversity. Three community-contributed videos provide real-world insight into conditions and marine encounters at the site. This peer-generated content helps divers understand what to expect and plan their dives accordingly. Shaab Sataya appeals to divers seeking healthy reef ecosystems in a protected setting. The combination of year-round access, documented marine life, and MPA status makes it a reliable choice for reef exploration in the Red Sea. Community engagement and available dive footage reflect an active diver base familiar with the site's character and conditions.

📖 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

ReefBoat

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 Shaab Sataya?

Shaab Sataya is diveable year-round, so your visit can align with your schedule rather than seasonal constraints. This consistent access is one of the site's main strengths for planning dive trips to Egypt's Red Sea.

What marine life will I see at Shaab Sataya?

The site has 12 documented species observations on record. Community videos provide visual proof of what divers encounter. Check those videos and local dive guides for the most current species activity and seasonal patterns.

Is Shaab Sataya within a marine protected area?

Yes. Shaab Sataya lies inside the Wadi Gamal-Hamata Marine Protected Area (محمية وادي الجمال وجبل حماطة). This protection status means the reef ecosystem is managed and monitored, and divers must follow MPA rules and protocols.

What is the coral health status at Shaab Sataya?

The reef shows no signs of bleaching stress, indicating stable water conditions and healthy coral communities. This is a positive indicator for long-term reef stability and biodiversity at the site.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Egypt Diving: Shaab Claudio

JulianDocumentary
💬 1 top comments
  • Love your video. What is the music? It suits the calm nature of diving.

    @djebeli · 👍 0

Shaab Sataya, The Best Dive Site in the Egyptian Red Sea

Travel Tips

SCUBA DIVING EGYPT - Sataya the Dolphins Reef 2017

Ollywood - Dive & Travel
💬 3 top comments
  • Absolut traumhafte Aufnahmen, das muss ein unglaubliches Erlebnis sein, mit Delfinen zu schwimmen.

    @dispodancer2113 · 👍 0
  • Das sind ja hunderte Delfine, einfach traumhaft. Dazu noch tolle Korallen. Sehr gelungenes Video mit Original-Delfin Tönen

    @berndtank8676 · 👍 0
  • Super Video, wunderbare Unterwasserwelt.

    @dieterhuck177 · 👍 1
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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