Hamata & Wadi Lahami · Egypt · Reef · Wall
Sha'ab Maksur
Two coral-covered plateaus with walls dropping to 100 m
Area photo: Derek Keats · CC BY 2.0
Sha'ab Maksur is a large offshore reef in the Fury Shoals, shaped around two plateaus at its northern and southern tips, both fully covered in soft and fan corals. Drop-offs fall away on each side, and the north-eastern side can run a strong current, which is why it is kept for experienced divers. Scubago describes it as a big reef similar to Elphinstone.
Also known as Shaab Maksour, Shaab Mansour.
Where it is and how deep
24.2408° N, 35.6516° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
The reef is big enough that a dive takes one end of it: a plateau at the north tip and another at the south, both fully covered in soft and fan corals. Drop-offs fall away on each side, so the reef edge gives you a wall to follow and the plateau gives you somewhere shallower to finish the dive. Mid-reef on the west side there is a small lagoon.
Which end you dive is a current decision. The flow can come in hard from the north-east, and on a reef whose walls fall to 100 m that is what makes this an experienced diver's site rather than an easy one: you want the sheltered side, and a plan for a blue-water ascent if the reef edge runs out. Sharks head the species list here, with moray eels, blue-spotted stingrays, anthias, scorpionfish, lionfish and nudibranchs on the coral.
Marine life and season
- Stingrays
- Pristine corals
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair |
Season follows Hamata & Wadi Lahami: May to October is the calm window, with much less wind; diving runs all year, but sea state is wind-driven and can reroute a day.
Know before you go
- The current from the north-east can be strong and both sides of the reef drop to 100 m: pick the sheltered plateau, and start the dive into the flow so it carries you back.
Sources
- Sha'ab Maksur - Scubago — Scubago
- Fury Shoal - Wikivoyage (German) — Wikivoyage
- Sha'ab Maksur - Wannadive.net — Wannadive.net
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