Marsa Shagra Marsa Nakari Marsa Alam Red Sea

Marsa Shagra Marsa Nakari Marsa Alam Red Sea

Marsa Shagra Red Sea

Marsa Shagra is one of the most well-known destinations in Marsa Alam and was established more than 30 years ago as a diving camp. It occupies a stunning location in the Southern Red Sea with one of the most beautiful House Reefs in the region. Although the village has changed a lot since 1990, the concept and atmosphere remains the same, offering a chance for our guests to experience the incredible natural resources that the Red Sea has to offer, both on land and underwater.

Exploring Marsa Alam’s highlights which are all focussed on nature-based enjoyment. Desert excursions, trips to Wadi El Gemal National Park, El Nayzak Beach, Qulaan Lagoon, Sharm el Luli and Ras Hankorab are all within easy reach. Our sustainable tourism model was established by our founder Mr Hossam Helmy back in 1990 and has meant that access to Marsa Shagra is exclusive and limited to the number of people that the house reef can tolerate.

Scuba divers and snorkelers enjoy unlimited use of our house reef which is accessible from the beach by a sheltered, convenient entry point taking you directly to the underwater world. Certified divers may dive independently and unguided according to their certification, giving complete independence and freedom in your diving plans. 

The house reef stretches over 2km to the north and south and zodiacs are available during daylight hours to allow you to explore every corner of it. As well as the house reef, world famous dive sites such as Elphinstone and Abu Dabab off-shore reefs are just a short distance away. With depths of more than 40m at the fringing reef, Marsa Shagra an ideal playground for free divers who enjoy practicing their skills in a sheltered environment which is rich in marine life. Many also choose to take development sessions with our AIDA instructor or join one of our free diving excursions which offer the chance to free dive with dolphins, dugong, through canyons and on wrecks .

Marsa Nakari Marsa Alam Red Sea

Marsa Nakari itself is a historical site dating back to the Roman times; known to the ancients as the port of Nechesia, from where the bay takes its name. The remains of its ruin are still present atop a hill towards the southern end of the bay.

Marsa Nakari is a small, intimate and charming village featuring a sheltered bay with its own house reef, 78km south of Marsa Alam Airport. Marsa Nakari is in a prime location for both marine and land attractions, close to the Samadai protectorate (Dolphin House Reef) and Wadi el Gemal. While Samadai is known as a resting place for Spinner Dolphins, Wadi el Gemal encompasses a strip of coastal marine waters featuring patches of mangroves, as well as a number of marine islands (the Hamata archipelago and Wadi El Gemal Island). With unlimited house reef diving and close proximity to a number of beautiful shore and off-shore reefs, divers have the best of both worlds and can tailor their diving holiday to their wishes without being restricted to a diving schedule. Marsa Nakari is ideal for for individuals, buddy pairs and groups or dive clubs alike.

Five minutes away from Marsa Nakari, the Habili Nakari dive site gets its name from a massive pinnacle in the northwest corner. According to Andy, the word “habili” means pregnant, which in this case refers to the biggest pinnacle, which hasn’t yet reached the surface. (Once the reef reaches the surface, it is called a “shaab.”) To the east across a coral garden are four smaller pinnacles close enough together to look like an underwater ridge. Our plan was to descend at the habili, cross the garden to explore the ridge, and return to end the dive at the big pinnacle.

Marsa Nakari is one of Marsa Alam’s best kept secrets. It is a charming village in a quiet location 18km south of Marsa Alam city.  It has a rustic charm, giving a truly natural feel which is in-keeping with its surroundings which allows our guests to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of the Red Sea’s natural resources, away from mass tourism.

One of the marine highlights is the marine protectorate of Shaab Samadai (Dolphin House) where snorkelers and divers have the opportunity to encounter spinner dolphins in the wild, but in an environment which is regulated and controlled for the protection of the dolphin population. The coral reef system of this off-shore reef and the dolphins that inhabit its lagoon are one of the southern Red Sea’s most popular attractions. Our operation offers exclusive access to this beautiful site by speedboat in just 20 minutes.

The nearby Wadi el Gemal National Park is one of the biggest attractions of the region with both marine and terrestrial areas covering over 7450 square kilometres. The marine component encompasses a strip of coastal waters with large patches of mangroves and sea grass beds, as well as a number of islands (the Hamata archipelago and Wadi El Gemal Island) which are breeding grounds for birds and turtles. On land, it covers a vast rocky desert and mountainours landscape, with various archaeological sites including Ptolemaic and Roman ruins, as well as mining sites from ancient Egypt. Wild animals including birds, camels, gazelles, foxes and Ibex roam the area.

The quality of the coral reefs which are accessible by boat and car from Marsa Nakari often catches divers and snorkelers by surprise. Despite their close proximity to the shore, the quality and diversity of the fish and coral life is astounding, and the variety of landscapes offers something for everyone from pinnacles, swim-throughs and canyons, to drop-offs, hard and soft coral gardens and sea grass beds. It is also possible to dive the wreck of the Hamada at Abu Ghusoun.