Sha’ab Almarrah is an appropriate choice for both beginners and advanced divers, with plenty of excitement for snorkellers as well. The soothing warm waters, lull of the mild current and excellent visibility ranging between 15m and 20m ensure optimal environmental conditions for observing and examining the creatures that call this reef their home.

Travelling along the slope of Sha’ab Almarrah’s reef wall, divers will find a thriving scene of hard coral formations and fire corals.

These hard corals, often referred to as “reef-building corals”, receive their name from the solid, rock-like skeletons they create and their affinity to grow in colonies.

Not far below the water, the aquatic wildlife is bustling with dynamic activity. A truly unique ecosystem full of diverse organisms, this site provides divers the opportunity to encounter all sorts of fish, notably bluecheek butterflyfish, sabre squirrelfish and moray eels.

Moray eels usually hunt at night, though in the Red Sea they are a common sight during the day, peering from holes and crevices. The eels may seem docile, but in rare cases, divers have been injured in unprovoked attacks, so it’s best to give them a wide berth.

Sabre squirrelfish are nocturnal fish that gather near reefs and caves, and are often found upside down during the day. Their colour can change in different lights or if they feel threatened, appearing white during the day and bright red at night.