- Depth
- 5–30 m
- Level
- Advanced
- Entry
- Boat
- Area
- Day trip
El Shugurat dive guide: what to expect
El Shugurat Dahab, also spelled El Shugarat, is a boat dive on the remote southern coast, about an hour's ride from Dahab and one of the most southerly sites dived from town. The name means 'Little Trees' in Arabic, and once you are in the water you see why: the sloping reef wall is covered in a forest of gorgonian sea fans that runs down out of sight.
The boat drops you next to the reef. You descend along a steep wall to about 16 m, where a large sandy ledge spreads out around 20 m. On its deep side sits an open canyon. Diving El Shugurat Dahab as an Advanced diver, you head north through the canyon between its coral walls, down to about 30 m, and exit into the blue. Just before the exit, at around 25–30 m, two big black corals stand on either side like underwater fir trees. Take your time here and look for the longnose hawkfish hiding in their branches.
Coming out of the canyon you turn left, shoulder to the reef, and enter the gorgonian forest. The fans are scattered down the wall into the deep, and some divers rate them among the finest in the Red Sea. As you slowly rise over them you pass glassfish, soft corals and big table corals, and Napoleon wrasse often cruise the top 15 m.
The wall then gives way to a sandy plateau and one of the prettiest lagoons around Dahab, full of giant table corals. Hawksbill and green turtles are often seen here, along with nudibranchs, crocodilefish and blue-spotted rays. The light in the lagoon is lovely, so it is the natural place for a long safety stop among strawberry corals and small fish.
Currents run here quite often, usually north to south, and the guide decides on the day whether to continue north or turn and drift south. With the depth, the canyon and the current, El Shugurat is for Advanced divers, and it is usually combined with Gabr el Bint or Sha'ab Said on a south-coast boat day.
El Shugurat dive map
The dive, step by step
- Boat drop
Enter from the boat next to the reef and descend along the steep wall to the sandy ledge at about 20 m.
- The canyon
Head north into the open canyon and follow it down between the walls to a maximum of 30 m.
- Black corals
Just before the exit, look for the longnose hawkfish in the two big black corals at about 25–30 m.
- Gorgonian forest
Exit into the blue, turn left with the reef on your shoulder and rise slowly over the gorgonian fans.
- Lagoon and safety stop
Cross the sandy plateau into the lagoon of table corals, make a long safety stop at 5 m and surface with an SMB.
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Conditions
- Max depth
- 30 m
- Dive time
- 45–55 min
- Current
- Common; often north to south, sets the direction of the dive
- Visibility
- Usually 25–30 m
- Best time
- Calm days for the boat ride south
- Requirements
- Advanced Open Water or Deep-certified; comfortable with current and boat entries
What you'll see
- Gorgonian sea fans
- Black corals
- Longnose hawkfish
- Glassfish
- Table corals
- Napoleon wrasse
- Hawksbill turtles
- Green turtles
- Nudibranchs
- Crocodilefish
- Blue-spotted rays
Guide's tips
- Book as part of a south-coast boat day
- Look for longnose hawkfish in the black corals
- Make a long safety stop in the lagoon
Snorkeling at El Shugurat
Listed as snorkel-friendly; the lagoon of table corals is shallow, but the site is boat-only and currents are common.
Safety notes
- Current is common here; follow the guide’s plan and be ready to drift in either direction.
- The canyon exit is around 30 m; keep an eye on depth and no-stop time.
- Remote site an hour from town: dive conservatively.
- Do not touch the gorgonians or black corals; they are fragile and slow-growing.
Questions about El Shugurat
How deep is the El Shugurat dive in Dahab?
A guided recreational dive at El Shugurat is usually between 5–30 m, planned around your certification level.
Is El Shugurat suitable for beginners?
El Shugurat is rated Advanced. If you're newer to diving, we'll start with an easier site and work up to it.
How do you get to El Shugurat?
Entry: Boat. Transport from Dahab town is arranged as part of your guided dive.