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6 Days / 5 Nights - South

Home / Itineraries 6 Days / 5 Nights - South

Overview

This is a compact and well-structured 6-day (5 nights) southern safari route that focuses on the highlights of the southern reef systems: St. Johns and the Fury Shoals, before ending at the legendary Elphinstone Reef.

The first day is dedicated to the check dive and the first dives. Abu Dabbab is ideal for the check dive as it is a sheltered bay with a sandy bottom and sea grass beds. Highlight: High chance of seeing turtles and dugongs (sea cows). In the evening, the boat begins the longer overnight trip to the deep south to the St. Johns reefs.

St. Johns: A whole day in the extensive St. Johns reef system (far to the south). Diving focuses on the best spots, known for their excellent, intact reefs: Habili Ali (steep walls, large fish), Gota St. Johns (coral gardens) and St. Johns Caves (light-flooded caves and overhangs). Umm Aruk offers more impressive coral columns.

Sataya South, Shaab Claudio, Gotha Sataya: The boat returns north to the Fury Shoals (Sataya region). Sataya South and Gotha Sataya offer beautiful coral formations. Highlight: Shaab Claudio (coral caves/passages), known for its spectacular light effects (ideal for beginner cave diving). The Sataya lagoon is known for dolphins.

Shaab Maksur, Shaab Malahi, Abu Galawa, Wadi Gimal: A day of diversity within the Fury Shoals and Wadi Gimal National Park. Shaab Maksur is an offshore reef with steep walls and plateaus (good chance of seeing sharks). Shaab Malahi (also known as "The Labyrinth") is famous for its complex coral passages and canyons. Abu Galawa offers the small, coral-covered wreck of the Tien Hsing (shallow).

Shaab Sharm, Shaab Marsa Alam, Abu Dabbab: The boat continues north to the coast of Marsa Alam. Shaab Sharm is an exposed reef that often serves as a big fish spot. Shaab Marsa Alam and the return to the Abu Dabbab region offer more relaxed reef and bay dives.

Elphinstone, Marsa Shona: The highlight – Elphinstone Reef
Dives at the famous offshore reef (north and south plateaus), known for oceanic whitetip sharks (Longimanus) and sharks. Final, relaxed dive in the sheltered bay of Marsa Shona (good spot for macro life).

The time, sites and ports are subject to change at any time without prior notice due to weather conditions or other factors

Boat Schedule

Upcoming trip

  • Dates
    27/05/2026 01/06/2026
    Free places
    6 Places left
    Depart from/to PRG/PRG
    Starting from
    980 /person
    Book Now
  • Dates
    01/06/2026 06/06/2026
    Free places
    20 Places left
    Depart from/to PRG/PRG
    Starting from
    980 /person
    Book Now

    The time, sites and ports are subject to change at any time without prior notice due to weather conditions or other factors

    The Route

    Day 1

    • Start Port Ghalib
    • Abu Dabbab

    Day 2

    • Habili Ali
    • Gota St. Johns
    • Umm Aruk
    • St. Johns Caves

    Day 3

    • Sataya Süd
    • Shaab Claudio
    • Gotha Sataya

    Day 4

    • Shaab Maksur
    • Shaab Malahi
    • Abu Galawa
    • Wadi Gimal

    Day 5

    • Shaab Sharm
    • Shaab Marsa Alam
    • Abu Dabbab

    Day 6

    • Elphinstone,
    • Marsa Shona
    • Port Ghalib

    In the big lagoon of Sataya it is almost impossible not to meet dolphins. A little more luck it needs for Mobulas, the close relatives of the Mantas, who sometimes are likewise go. At the dropoff hammerheads, tiger sharks or Thunas are sometimes observed.

    A heavenly dive site with lots of canyons, caverns and caves labyrinths. To explore the place all at least four dives are required.

    One of the most famous dive sites at the edge of the Fury Shoals. At the impressive dropoff spectacular encounters with hammerhead sharks, manta rays or even tiger sharks are possible at any time.

    Shaab Alam is a dive site, which is often used for drift dives. The beautifully vegetated steep reef, with its hard and soft corals shelter for numerous species. Always there is the chance of an encounter with a large Napoleon, a turtle or a reef shark.

    The Elphinstone is among divers a legend. Solitary offshore reef in elevation of about 100 meters. The diversity is huge. Highlights include encounters with Longimanus sharks and - yes to the season - hammerheads. The flow, however, can sometimes be tricky here.

    A very diversified large dive site with many variation possibilities. Overgrown beautiful, rich in fish and always good for several turtle encounters.

    Partly coral gardens on a flat sandy bottom ensure a comfortable dive and encounters with the typical Red Sea residents.

    The site keeps prepared two special attractions. On one hand, here is a Chinese tugboat sank 1943. Very close to the wreck, only in six meter, there is an interesting cave.

    A large system of caverns and caves invites the divers to the most exciting dive sites in the southern Red Sea. Cathedral Illustrative, light-filled halls provide an unforgettable experience.

    Shaab Sharm is a popular diving site located about 12 km off the coast of Marsa Alam, Egypt. It is a long, exposed reef with steep walls that drop to over 200 meters, making it rich in coral growth and marine life, though strong currents mean it is not suitable for beginners and night dives are not possible. It is a frequently visited location for divers on south Red Sea diving safaris.

    A collection of offshore reefs (Habili Ali, Gota Kebir, etc.) with healthy hard and soft corals, steep walls, canyons and caves.
    High diversity of fish. Large schools of fusiliers and snappers. Good chance of seeing grey reef sharks and sometimes hammerhead sharks.

    Habili Ali is a freestanding offshore reef in the St. Johns reef system (a "habili" is a freestanding coral tower that does not quite reach the surface) known for its dramatic topography, impressive corals and, above all, the high probability of encountering large fish.

    Gota St. Johns is known for its beautiful sloping plateaus and rich, colourful coral gardens. It is considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing reefs in the St. Johns region. What makes Gota St. Johns special are the terraced sections covered with giant gorgonian fans, broccoli corals and massive table corals.

    Umm Aruk is a popular diving area known for its coral towers and suitable for all levels of experience. The name literally means "mother of coral towers" and describes the reef with its numerous pinnacles covered in colourful corals that look like an underwater forest. It is home to a variety of marine life, including young whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays and many species of fish.

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