Dive Site: Rocky Island

About Rocky Island

Rocky Island, a tiny, uninhabited outcrop barely 500 meters long, is located in the far south of Egypt's Red Sea, approximately 170 kilometers southeast of Marsa Alam and just 6 kilometers southeast of Zabargad Island. Its remote position near the Sudanese border exposes it to strong currents and swells, which cultivate an exceptionally rich marine ecosystem. This isolation makes it a challenging but rewarding destination, primarily accessed via liveaboards from Marsa Alam or Port Ghalib. The island features a shallow plateau extending about 35 meters from its shores before dropping steeply into deep waters, providing an ideal depth for safety stops. The diving topography varies around the island. The southern shore offers the calmest conditions, with depths around 18 meters, featuring delicate corals, overhanging structures, and swim-throughs. In contrast, the eastern shore is characterized by drift dives along sheer walls that plunge to 50 meters, attracting large pelagics. The northern shore experiences the full force of weather and currents, presenting a landscape of rocky outcrops and sheer walls, making it suitable for advanced divers. Marine life at Rocky Island is diverse and abundant, including a wide array of reef fish and schooling species. Pelagic sharks, such as scalloped hammerheads and oceanic whitetips, are a major draw, especially in the deeper, more turbulent waters. The reefs are vibrant with hard corals like acropora and brain corals, alongside soft corals such as nephtheidae in various colors, and deep-water black corals. Dolphins are also seen year-round. Given its exposed location and strong, often shifting currents, Rocky Island is best suited for advanced divers comfortable with drift dives and potentially rough surface conditions. Dives typically involve entry techniques adapted to current direction. While the southern side offers some shelter, the northern and eastern sections require experience. Liveaboards provide the only access to this remote site, often mooring overnight at the more protected Zabargad Island.

Dive site facts: Rocky Island

Depth

0–50 m

Typical dive

18–25 m, 50–60 min

Current

Moderate to strong, variable

Visibility

20–40 m

Water temperature

21–30°C

Entry

Liveaboard tender / negative entry

Level

Advanced Open Water (AOWD), 50+ logged dives

Dive type

Wall, drift, pelagic encounters

Night dive

Possible, but limited due to currents and remoteness

Region / port

Southern Red Sea, Marsa Alam

Coordinates

24.0667, 35.7167

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Rocky Island can be significant and unpredictable, often shifting from the prevailing northeast to the south, necessitating careful dive planning. The island's exposed location means it acts as a magnet in the current, attracting pelagic species but also dictating dive profiles. The northern and eastern shores typically experience the strongest currents and surface surges, requiring experienced divers to descend quickly to avoid turbulent upper layers. Drift diving is common, particularly on the eastern side, where deeper water and strong currents attract larger marine life. While the southern shore is more sheltered, currents can still be present. Divers must be proficient in negative entries and comfortable with variable current conditions, making it less suitable for novices.

Marine life & sighting chances

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

June-November · common

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

occasional

Grey Reef Shark

common

Barracuda

common

Napoleon Wrasse

common

Surgeonfish

common

Snapper

common

Rabbitfish

common

Unicornfish

occasional

Moray Eel

common

Soft Corals

common

Hard Corals

common

Xenia Coral

common

Nephtheidae Coral

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Rocky Island typically involves a liveaboard and an initial negative entry from a tender due to potential strong currents and exposed conditions. The typical dive plan depends on the prevailing current, often focusing on a drift along one of the island's three main shores: south, east, or north. The eastern shore is frequently explored as a drift dive, starting shallower and descending to an average depth of 25 meters, with a maximum of 50 meters, along a sheer wall adorned with diverse corals and pelagic activity. The northern shore offers a similar drift profile, usually around 20 meters average depth, but can be more exposed to surge. The southern side, being more sheltered, allows for more exploration of its overhanging features and swim-throughs at an average depth of 18 meters. Safety stops are typically performed on the shallow plateau encircling the island, providing excellent views of reef fish and corals before surfacing.

Underwater photography

Rocky Island offers exceptional wide-angle photography opportunities, particularly along its vibrant coral walls and for capturing encounters with large pelagics. A wide-angle lens is essential for showcasing the extensive soft coral gardens, dramatic drop-offs, and schooling fish. For shark photography, patience and knowing where to position yourself in relation to the current are key. Given the potential for strong currents and deeper dives, maintaining excellent buoyancy control is crucial to avoid damaging delicate corals and to achieve sharp, well-composed shots. Using external strobes will enhance color and clarity, especially when shooting into the blue or at deeper depths. Be prepared for varied light conditions; intense surface light in summer can be great, but plankton blooms might require diffusers to minimize backscatter.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Zabargad Island

  Often combined in itineraries due to its close proximity and similar remote appeal.

• St. Johns Reef

  A complex reef system frequently visited on Deep South liveaboard routes.

• Fury Shoals

  A series of diverse reefs offering a range of dive experiences.

• Daedalus Reef

  Another remote offshore reef known for pelagic encounters.

• Elphinstone Reef

  Famous for its sharks and pristine corals, often part of southern Red Sea routes.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Rocky Island is exclusively via liveaboard, as its remote location precludes day trips. The primary departure ports are Marsa Galib or Marsa Alam, both served by Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF). Liveaboard itineraries typically last 7-8 nights and combine Rocky Island with other remote southern Red Sea sites like Zabargad Island and St. John's Reef. Guests should confirm whether marine park fees and permits for protected areas like Rocky Island are included in their liveaboard package, as these are mandatory. Due to its isolation, there are no shore facilities, meaning all logistics, including food, accommodation, and dive support, are managed aboard the vessel.

Safety & environment

Diving at Rocky Island demands a high level of experience due to its strong and unpredictable currents, exposed conditions, and extreme remoteness. The nearest recompression chamber is in Marsa Alam, approximately 170 kilometers away by sea, highlighting the necessity of robust emergency evacuation plans. Divers must carry personal dive insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and evacuation. Essential gear includes a dive computer, surface marker buoy (SMB), whistle, and a signaling mirror. Always dive with a qualified guide and adhere strictly to the liveaboard's safety briefings and protocols. Given the lack of immediate shore-based assistance, conservative dive planning, vigilant buddy checks, and excellent buoyancy control are paramount.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Rocky Island FAQ

Liveaboards diving Rocky Island

These liveaboards may visit Rocky Island 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

$172/day

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m

$172/day

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m

$185/day

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests

$97/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