Boat entry and no-permit note from a community site guide.
Sha'ab Maksur: exposed offshore wall reef in Fury Shoals
Sha'ab Maksur: exposed offshore wall reef in Fury Shoals
Save it, log a dive, or explore nearby on the map.
Save it to come back later
Sha'ab Maksur is a large offshore reef in the Fury Shoals with two coral-covered plateaus, steep drop-offs, and a small west-side lagoon. It is an advanced boat dive for teams comfortable with changing current, with the exposed reef rewarding the effort with sharks, manta rays, turtles, dolphins, and other big pelagics. The reef is large enough that more than one dive can be useful if you want to cover the key sections.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
18m - 40m
Depth Note
Main plateaus start around 18-22 m and drop to 40 m, with pinnacles rising to 6 m near the mooring.
Best Season
Year-round, with summer months best and late spring to early summer offering whale shark chances.
Typical Conditions
Exposed offshore reef with strong current, steep walls, and plateaus; north-side diving depends on calm sea conditions.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Advanced divers only. Treat the site as a current-aware drift dive and be ready for deep walls, exposed sections, and limited mooring.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; the exposed north side should be dived only in calm seas, and mooring is limited to the southern tip.
Legal Notes
No permit requirement is reported in the site guide.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Advanced boat dive with steep walls, plateaus, and a lagoon; the north side is exposed, so calm seas matter more than easy entry.
Freediving
Not a casual freedive site; the reef is deep, exposed, and current-prone.
Snorkeling
Not suitable for snorkeling; this is an advanced boat dive.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Boat entry and no-permit note from a community site guide.
Boat access, advanced difficulty, deep plateaus, and strong current.
Offshore reef context, strong currents, and limited mooring.
Know this site? Improve Spot Details.

Maze-like Fury Shoals reef with caves and sharks.

Boat-only Fury Shoals reef with shallow caves and reef life

Boat-access reef with pinnacles, plateau, and sharks

Reef-and-wreck system in the southern Red Sea

Boat-only dolphin reef with a sheltered lagoon

Dolphin House Sataya Reef North: boat-only dolphin lagoon and reef.