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Scuba Diving in Fury Shoals, Marsa Alam, the Red Sea
Reader Reviews:
Dive Site: Sha'ab Claudia
Location: Fury Shoals, Marsa Alam
Description: Reef / cavern
Depth: 15 - 22 metres (50 - 72 feet)
Visibility: 30 metres (100 feet)
Rating: *****
I entered the water on this dive at 6am after having left my porthole open so I was already soaking wet! I was wondering if we were still in the Red Sea - waves were crashing on the reef, it was cold and grey but I was still excited.
We entered the cave to find a torpedo ray resting in the sand and then a free swimming moray came by which was very cool. The lighting wasn't so good in the carven on this dive - it is known to be fascinating when the sun is out. In the middle of the system is a spacious swim through and here on our second dive the light created a more ambient atmosphere. The roughish weather meant the waves crashing on the surface also added something distinct to the overall effect. Outside the carven is a large coral growth in the shape of a Christmas tree which was nice to dive around at nearly Christmas time! Many reef fish and lots of large parrotfish were around. The faithful humphead wrasse saw us get back to the boat as we had fun clambering on being bashed about by the waves. Coffee and crepes for breakfast were particularly perfect after this morning dive.
Carina Hall, PADI Divemaster
Sha'ab Claudia (sometimes known as Sha'ab Claude) is a small reef with lots of disturbed water at the surface and can have quite large swells in the top 5m of water. The west side of the reef has lovely hard coral formations, with stony and boulder corals cascading down to 20m like an underwater waterfall. Current will normally run from north to south and boats usually moor on the more sheltered south side, although surface conditions can still be rocky on the boat. There are some reef fragments to the west which also have great hard coral, and yet more reef pieces to the south. Although the southern pieces are sparser in terms of coral growth there is some nice small marine life and in the top 5 metres the reef is densely populated with antheas.
Rik Vercoe, BSAC Advanced Instructor
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