Dive Site: Fury Shoals

About Fury Shoals

Fury Shoals, nestled in the southern Red Sea, presents a captivating collection of reefs and lagoon systems. This dive destination is celebrated for its untouched coral formations, offering an escape from the more crowded northern sites. The area's rich topography includes fringing reefs, deep drop-offs, and intriguing wrecks, catering to a wide range of diving interests. Depths typically range from 10 to 25 meters, providing accessible yet rewarding dives. Divers can explore both natural coral ecosystems and artificial reefs formed by shipwrecks, all teeming with an impressive variety of marine species. The pristine nature of these reefs is a major draw, showcasing healthy hard and soft corals that flourish in the clear Red Sea waters. Marine life encounters are a highlight at Fury Shoals, with abundant reef fish and regular sightings of various shark species, including whitetips, grey reefs, and occasional oceanic whitetips. Pelagic species like barracudas, giant trevallies, and dogtooth tunas are also common, adding excitement to every dive. The renowned Sha'ab Sataya, or Dolphin Reef, offers unique opportunities to interact with a resident pod of dolphins. Access to Fury Shoals is primarily via liveaboard, departing from Marsa Alam or Hamata, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of its remote wonders. While day trips from these ports are possible, liveaboards allow divers to fully immerse themselves in the tranquility and biodiversity of this exceptional Red Sea region.

Dive site facts: Fury Shoals

Depth

10–25 m

Typical dive

10–25 m

Current

None or Light

Visibility

30 m+

Water temperature

21–30 °C

Entry

Liveaboard / Zodiac

Level

Advanced Divers

Dive type

Reef, wreck, pelagics

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Southern Red Sea / Marsa Alam

Coordinates

24.5, 35.3

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Fury Shoals are generally mild to light, making it suitable for advanced divers and those looking to explore the reefs without significant drift. However, certain areas or specific sites might experience stronger currents, particularly in deeper sections or around exposed reef corners, which can enhance pelagic sightings. Visibility consistently remains excellent, often exceeding 30 meters, contributing to relaxed navigation and photography opportunities. Water temperatures are comfortably warm year-round, with minimal thermoclines expected. Divers should remain aware of their position relative to the boat, as some areas may require specific entry and exit procedures to manage any subtle current variations.

Marine life & sighting chances

Spinner Dolphin

common

Whitetip Reef Shark

occasional

Grey Reef Shark

occasional

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

September–November · occasional

Barracuda

common

Giant Trevally

common

Dogtooth Tuna

common

Napoleon Wrasse

occasional

Reef Fishes (various species)

common

Moray Eel

common

Lionfish

common

Sea Turtle

occasional

Manta Ray

rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

A typical dive at Fury Shoals often begins with a zodiac tender drop-off near a specific reef formation, such as Sha'ab Sataya or Fury Shoal Garden. Divers descend along the reef wall or slope, maintaining a depth between 10 and 25 meters, exploring the vibrant coral gardens and looking for reef fish and smaller macro life. The dive plan might involve a gentle drift along the reef, allowing the current to carry divers past schools of barracuda or trevally. For sites with wrecks, the descent focuses on reaching the wreck at around 20-25 meters, exploring its exterior and potentially entering accessible sections. Mid-dive, the group turns and slowly ascends, often exploring shallower sections of the reef or lagoon for the latter half of the dive. The safety stop is typically conducted in the clear, calm waters of the reef plateau or a sheltered lagoon at 5 meters, before surfacing to meet the tender.

Underwater photography

Fury Shoals offers exceptional opportunities for underwater photography, particularly for wide-angle shots due to its pristine coral gardens and clear visibility. A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing the expansive reefscapes, vibrant soft corals, and the resident dolphin pods at Sha'ab Sataya. For macro enthusiasts, there's ample opportunity to capture the diverse reef fish and smaller invertebrates hiding among the corals, making a macro lens a valuable addition. Utilizing strobes with diffusers is recommended to bring out the true colors of the corals and marine life, especially in deeper areas or on the wrecks. Maintain excellent buoyancy control to avoid damaging the delicate corals and to ensure steady shots in the mild currents. When photographing dolphins, maintain a respectful distance and observe their natural behavior without disruption, prioritizing their well-being over a perfect shot.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Samadai Reef (Dolphin House)

  Known for resident spinner dolphins

• St. Johns Reef

  Remote reefs near the Sudanese border

• Zabargad Island

  Often combined in southern itineraries

• Rocky Island

  Part of remote southern itineraries

• Sataya Reef (Dolphin Reef)

  Famous for dolphin encounters, part of Fury Shoals

Getting there & logistics

Access to Fury Shoals is primarily facilitated by liveaboards, typically departing from Marsa Alam or Hamata. International travelers usually fly into Hurghada (HRG) or Cairo (CAI), with a domestic connection or transfer to the southern departure ports. Liveaboard itineraries to the Deep South, including Fury Shoals, often range from 7 to 8 nights. These trips are designed to maximize dive time in remote areas and generally include transfers from the airport to the vessel. Marine park fees are usually incorporated into the liveaboard package. It's common for Fury Shoals to be part of a broader southern Red Sea itinerary that might also include sites like St. Johns Reef, Rocky Island, or Zabargad Island, offering a comprehensive exploration of the region's diverse dive sites.

Safety & environment

Safety at Fury Shoals, as with all remote Red Sea diving, prioritizes liveaboard-based protocols. Divers are strongly advised to carry personal dive insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation and recompression chamber treatment, as the nearest recompression facilities are located in Marsa Alam or Hurghada, which can be several hours away by boat and road. Liveaboards typically have experienced dive guides and are equipped for immediate first aid. Adherence to dive briefings, buddy system protocols, and conservative dive planning, especially regarding no-decompression limits, is crucial. Site-specific hazards are minimal, mainly involving awareness of mild currents and respecting marine life, particularly larger pelagics. Following the lead of your dive guide is paramount for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Fury Shoals FAQ

Liveaboards diving Fury Shoals

These liveaboards may visit Fury Shoals on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

DUNE Longara

Egypt

30 guests

$150/day

JP Marine

Egypt

28 guests

$109/day

Snefro Pearl

Egypt

12 guests

$150/day

Snefro Love

Egypt

20 guests

$154/day

Sindalahs

Egypt

26 guests38 m

$155/day

Hammerhead II

Egypt

20 guests

$173/day

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m

$173/day

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m

$185/day

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests

$104/day

Star Jet

Egypt

28 guests35 m

$145/day

SS Serena Dreams

Egypt

18 guests33 m

$159/day

Amelie

Egypt

12 guests23 m

$115/day