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Marsa Alam, Fury Shoals & the Deep SouthIntermediateisland

Zabargad Island

Also known as St John's Island; Jazirat Zabargad; Topazos; Zebirget; Zeberged; Sint Johns Island

A 4.5 km2 island rising to 235 m - geologically a fragment of uplifted sub-Red Sea mantle, the source of the peridot (olivine) known in…

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A close-up reef map of Zabargad Island will appear here when available.

A 4.5 km2 island rising to 235 m - geologically a fragment of uplifted sub-Red Sea mantle, the source of the peridot (olivine) known in antiquity as topazios, hence the Greek name Topazos. Sheltered western lagoon/Turtle Bay with seagrass and a gentle slope from 15 m wall to 30 m sand. Two wrecks lie in the anchorage (see wreck_details). Depth 5–30 m; liveaboard only; Strong on the outer walls; mild in the sheltered Turtle Bay on the west side current. Two wrecks are dived here. KHANKA - a Soviet/Russian vessel about 70 m long, sitting upright in about 24 m (per dive-the-world), formerly recorded by an OSM dive-site node. Part…

Highlights

  • A 4.5 km2 island rising to 235 m - geologically a fragment of uplifted sub-Red Sea mantle, the source of the peridot (olivine) known in antiquity as topazios, hence the Greek name Topazos
  • Sheltered western lagoon/Turtle Bay with seagrass and a gentle slope from 15 m wall to 30 m sand
  • Two wrecks lie in the anchorage (see wreck_details)

Marine life

  • green and hawksbill turtles - the island has historic nesting beaches, nesting reported August
  • manta ray at cleaning stations
  • reef sharks
  • stingrays
  • scorpionfish
  • cuttlefish
  • octopus
  • large schooling fish
  • garden eels on the sand

Good to know

Best season
Manta rays reported at cleaning stations year-round; turtle nesting around August
Protected status
Part of Gebel Elba National Park (Wikipedia) and of Egypt's offshore 'Far Islands' marine protectorate. Landing on the island is not permitted, and the island has been closed to visitors for a year at a time after coral damage and disturbance to breeding birds. Egyptian offshore marine protectorate ('Far Islands' group with the Brothers). Access is restricted to permitted liveaboards; the islands themselves are off-limits to landing and the sites were closed for periods in the 2000s and again at Zabargad after coral and seabird damage. Rangers and a permit system apply, and boats must use fixed moorings.
Fees
HEPCA's fee schedule for the 'Far Islands' (Brothers, Rocky, Zabargad): 'minimum $35 total for Brothers Islands ($5/day for 7-day minimum); up to $60 for 12-day safaris'; Egyptian rate 5 LE/day. Normally included in the liveaboard price as a marine-park permit.
Wreck
Two wrecks are dived here. KHANKA - a Soviet/Russian vessel about 70 m long, sitting upright in about 24 m (per dive-the-world), formerly recorded by an OSM dive-site node. NEPTUNA - a German liveaboard/dive vessel lost in 1981, now broken apart in about 15 m and shallower. Both sit close inshore of the island's western anchorage.

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

Helwa Ya Baladi

Dalida