Sha'ab Sharm

Sha'ab Sharm is a kidney-shaped reef dome about six nautical miles off the coast, 700 m long. It sits atop a vast undersea mountain that may be an ancient volcano. It is a frequent stop for diving safaris to the south, and several groups of divers are often on the reef at the same time.

The plateau and the drop-off have beautiful growth of hard and soft corals. On the stepped walls the flora is rich and is visited by both schools of fish and large fish. There are usually schools of jacks and barracuda, and the area is patrolled by grey reef sharks, hammerheads and tuna. There are also groper and yellowmouth moray eels, and encounters with Napoleons are possible. Especially in summer, encounters with large fish are not rare on early morning dives.