Red Sea Diving Safari - Marsa Shagra

Located in the Marsa Alam region of Egypt, Marsa Shagra Village has operated as a dedicated diving camp for over 30 years. It occupies a prime position in the southern Red Sea, offering direct access to some of the most pristine marine environments in the area. The village is designed to limit impact on the local ecosystem, ensuring the reef remains healthy for those who visit.

The layout of the centre is centered around its extensive house reef, which stretches over 2km in both directions. This allows for a relaxed, shore-based diving experience that is rare in many high-traffic Red Sea locations. Whether you are looking for a quiet reef flat or a challenging wall, the site provides immediate access to varied topography.

The centre is led by a team with a long history in the region, maintaining a philosophy of sustainable tourism established in 1990. They work closely with environmental organisations such as HEPCA and the Red Sea Protectorate to ensure their operations support local conservation efforts.

Training is handled by qualified instructors, including those with IDC and AIDA credentials. This allows the centre to cater to a wide range of disciplines, from traditional scuba diving to specialised freediving sessions. For those interested in environmental science, the Reef Check Eco Diver course is also available on-site.

The training programme covers the full spectrum of diving, from initial certifications through to professional levels. The centre is equipped to run IDC (Instructor Development Course) training.

Specialised training is also available, including AIDA instructor courses for freedivers and the Reef Check Eco Diver course. This variety ensures that both recreational divers and those looking to pursue professional or scientific paths are well-served.

For trips away from the house reef, the centre utilises zodiacs to reach offshore sites. These are used to explore the deeper sections of the reef and to facilitate trips to more distant locations like Elphinstone.

The centre provides easy, sheltered shore entry for the house reef, making it highly convenient for divers to move between the beach and the water. For those looking to explore further, zodiacs are available during the day.

Accommodation options are varied, ranging from traditional royal tents on the beach to Superior Deluxe chalets equipped with air conditioning and private bathrooms. The centre also provides accessible chalets for wheelchair users and interconnecting rooms for families.

The house reef and surrounding bays are rich with life. You will regularly encounter Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), various species of turtles, and rays. The seagrass meadows of Marsa Abu Dabab are famous for sightings of the Dugong (Dugong dugon) and large turtles.

Pelagic life is a significant draw for the area, with the potential to see various Shark (Selachimorpha) species, including Reef shark (Carcharhinus) and Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus). Dolphins (Delphinidae), including Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), are frequently seen in the region, with sightings often occurring from March onwards.

The reef is also home to a wide array of colourful fish, such as yellow goatfish, black bannerfish, and various species of Wrasse (Labridae). You can find many reef fish (various) darting amongst the hard corals (Scleractinia) and soft corals (Alcyonacea).

Macro life is abundant for those who look closely. The seabed and reef structure host various octopuses (Octopus vulgaris), Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), and many species of Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani). Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) and various species of shrimp (Caridea) can be found amongst the crevices and corals.

The area is known for its accessibility, with many sites offering easy entry. The house reef is particularly well-suited for shore diving via a protected entry point.

While the house reef provides a variety of depths, the offshore sites like Elphinstone can involve more significant depths and different current profiles. Divers should always check the specific requirements for the site they intend to visit.