Marsa Alam, Fury Shoals & the Deep SouthBeginnerreef

Sha'ab Sataya (Dolphin Reef)

Also known as Shaab Sataya; Satayah; Sataya; Dolphin Reef Sataya; Sha'b Sataya

Crescent/horseshoe reef roughly 5 km long enclosing a large sheltered lagoon

No detailed dive map yet

A close-up reef map of Sha'ab Sataya (Dolphin Reef) will appear here when available.

Crescent/horseshoe reef roughly 5 km long enclosing a large sheltered lagoon. The southern Red Sea's second great spinner-dolphin site after Samadai, and a very heavily snorkelled one. An amphora field lies on the reef - OSM records 'Shaab Sataya Amphoren' at 24.15528, 35.68500. Depth 5–40 m; day boat; Light inside the lagoon; stronger on the outer walls current. Inside the Wadi el Gemal - Hamata National Park / marine protected area.

Highlights

Crescent/horseshoe reef roughly 5 km long enclosing a large sheltered lagoon
The southern Red Sea's second great spinner-dolphin site after Samadai, and a very heavily snorkelled one
An amphora field lies on the reef - OSM records 'Shaab Sataya Amphoren' at 24.15528, 35.68500

Marine life

resident spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) - a large pod uses the lagoon as a daytime resting area
whale shark (seasonal)
trevally
barracuda
reef sharks on the outer walls
green turtle

Good to know

Best season: Dolphins year-round with seasonal variation; whale sharks reported spring
Protected status: Inside the Wadi el Gemal - Hamata National Park / marine protected area. A six-zone management plan for Sataya was developed by HEPCA with the Egyptian Ministry of Environment (announced 2018, informed by Port Said University spinner-dolphin research): zones A1 and A2 are Absolute Protection Zones closed to all activity except authorised scientific research; B1 and B2 are snorkelling zones closed to boats and diving; zone C allows snorkelling and diving with small boats limited to 10 knots; zones D and F are for diving and tourist-boat anchorage. A ranger supervises the zoning. The same dolphin code of conduct as Samadai applies - no chasing, touching or feeding; encounters on the dolphins' terms.
Fees: World Cetacean Alliance: 'Visitors must pay a tax which pays for the management of the zoning system and supervision by a park ranger.' No published amount found.

More sites in Marsa Alam, Fury Shoals & the Deep South

Abu Bassala

Sickle-shaped reef with coral columns, gullies and cracks running down to a sandy bottom at 15-20 m

Abu Dabbab I

Coral garden with pinnacles and a cave

Abu Dabbab II

Caves and swim-throughs

Abu Dabbab III

Hard-coral reef with a cave crossing and a coral garden