Dive Site: Habili Ali

About Habili Ali

Habili Ali is a remote, current-swept pinnacle at the eastern edge of Egypt's St. John's reef system, marking the boundary between the reef complex and the open sea. It rises from a seabed approximately 200 meters deep, its submerged nature, never breaking the surface, is key to its dynamic environment. This reef, roughly 270 meters long and 80 meters wide, is essentially an underwater mountain of coral, consistently bathed in nutrient-rich currents that fuel its vibrant ecosystem. The topography features magnificent reef walls adorned with giant gorgonian sea fans. Overhangs are prevalent, especially on the eastern side, and deeper sections host massive gorgonians and sea whips. Divers typically explore sections of the oval-shaped reef wall, with the exact route determined by current direction and sun position. The site also includes a shallow reef flat. Strong currents attract a wide array of pelagic marine life, including hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, and occasional manta rays. Black snapper, triggerfish, and surgeonfish are abundant among the coral formations. Bottlenose dolphins are sometimes seen hunting. Oceanic whitetip sharks are a seasonal highlight, especially in May and June. This is an advanced dive site, renowned for its strong, often unpredictable currents and exposed conditions. It is exclusively accessed via liveaboard, catering to experienced divers seeking thrilling pelagic encounters and pristine reef systems. Divers should be prepared for drift dives and often require specific entry techniques due to the current.

Dive site facts: Habili Ali

Depth

5–40 m+

Typical dive

20–30 m, 50–60 min

Current

Moderate to strong, often drift

Visibility

25–40 m

Water temperature

24–30 °C

Entry

Tender / negative entry

Level

Advanced

Dive type

Wall, pelagic, reef

Night dive

Not permitted

Region / port

St. John's Reefs / Southern Red Sea

Coordinates

23.6167, 35.8333

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Habili Ali can range from moderate to strong, especially along the outer corners of the reef where pelagic activity is concentrated, demanding an advanced skill level from divers. While drift diving is common, conditions can shift, requiring vigilance and good buoyancy control. Visibility is consistently excellent, often ranging between 25 to 40 meters, with minimal impact from thermoclines or surge due to its offshore nature. Divers should be prepared for negative entries from tenders and plan their gas consumption carefully, considering the deeper sections and potential current resistance. The remoteness of the site also means that boat traffic is minimal, contributing to a pristine dive experience.

Marine life & sighting chances

Scalloped hammerhead shark

June–November · common

Silvertip shark

common

Grey reef shark

common

Oceanic whitetip shark

June–November · occasional

Bottlenose dolphin

occasional

Manta ray

occasional

Gorgonian fan

common

Black coral

common

Snapper

common

Surgeonfish

common

Triggerfish

common

Napoleon wrasse

occasional

Moray eel

common

Lionfish

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Habili Ali typically begin with a tender drop directly onto the reef top, which is relatively shallow at 5-10 meters. From there, divers descend along the west side of the reef, aiming for depths of 25-30 meters. This depth band is where the most significant pelagic action occurs, presenting opportunities to observe various shark species patrolling the blue. The dive proceeds along the wall, allowing exploration of the extensive gorgonian fans and black coral formations. The turn point is often dictated by current and individual air consumption, typically after 20-25 minutes of bottom time. The ascent involves working back towards the shallow reef flat, located at 5-8 meters. This area, rich with juvenile fish, serves as an ideal and picturesque location for the safety stop, providing a relaxed end to a deeper dive.

Underwater photography

Habili Ali presents exceptional opportunities for wide-angle photography, especially to capture the schooling hammerheads and other pelagic sharks in the blue water. A wide-angle lens is essential for documenting the impressive scale of the reef walls and the large schools of fish. Given the potential for deeper dives and moderate currents, good buoyancy control is paramount to avoid disturbing the delicate soft corals. For capturing the vibrant colors of the gorgonian fans and black corals, external strobes are highly recommended to bring out their true hues against the deep blue. Patience is key when waiting for shark encounters, particularly during early morning dives when they are most active. Always maintain a respectful distance from marine life, especially large pelagics, to ensure natural behavior and safety.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Gota Soraya

  Famous for its vibrant wall dives and diverse marine life.

• Gota Kebir

  Largest reef in St. John's, known for tunnels and pelagic action.

• Umm Kharalim

  A noted cave dive within the St. John's reef system.

• Rocky Island

  Part of the Deep South itinerary, known for pelagics.

• Zabargad Island

  Frequently combined with St. John's for extended liveaboard trips.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Habili Ali is exclusively via liveaboard, typically on 7- to 10-night itineraries focusing on the Deep South Red Sea. Most liveaboards depart from Port Ghalib, which is easily reachable via international flights into Hurghada Airport (HRG) or Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF). Transfers from these airports to Port Ghalib are usually arranged by the liveaboard operators. These trips often combine St. John's Reefs with other remote southern sites like Fury Shoals, Sataya, Zabargad Island, and Rocky Island, providing a comprehensive tour of the region's best diving. Due to its remote location within Elba National Park, specific marine park fees may apply, usually included in the liveaboard package. No day trips operate to this site, preserving its pristine condition.

Safety & environment

Diving at Habili Ali, given its remote location and potential for strong currents and deep sections, demands an advanced level of diving experience. Divers should ensure they have adequate insurance coverage, specifically including emergency evacuation and recompression chamber treatment, as the nearest recompression chamber is several hours away by boat and road, likely in Marsa Alam or Hurghada. Emergency evacuation from this far south can be complex and time-consuming. Adherence to liveaboard safety briefings and dive guide instructions is critical. Always dive within your training limits and be mindful of your no-decompression limits, especially during deeper pelagic observations. Good air consumption management and buddy procedures are essential for safe diving in these challenging but rewarding conditions.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Habili Ali FAQ

Liveaboards diving Habili Ali

These liveaboards may visit Habili Ali 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