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Scuba Diving in Marsa Alam, the Red Sea
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Dive Site: Shiriniat Island
Location: North of Marsa Alam
Description: Reef System
Depth: 3 - 30 metres + (10 - 100 feet)
Visibility: 20 metres (65 feet)
Rating: ****
Boats normally moor on the south side of Shiriniat Reef. Both sides of the reef, south and north, have a depth to the seafloor of around 16m. Dive options are either an "out and back" dive from your dive vessel or a zodiac / RIB trip to the north side. The latter is a good option, although current sometimes sweeps from the north northwest and breaks coming in an easterly direction along the north side. This can mean a swim against the current until you get to the west corner, however current is not normally strong.
The north side is quite literally an aquarium with colourful coral and prolific marine life. The main reef has lots of alcoves making it easy to shelter from any oncoming current as you make your way west with the reef on your left shoulder. There are numerous large coral encrusted formations which stretch away from the reef, all densely covered in damselfish, butterflyfish and a myriad of small fishlife. Red-fang triggerfish and titan triggerfish chomp on the reef with their powerful beaks. Large coral groupers slink under the acropora table coral and yellow jacks come in very close to inspect passing divers. Orange fire coral festoons the reef and coral outcrops; raspberry hard coral abounds. The opportunity for macro photography is excellent and as you round the west tip onto the south side the coral and fish life remains in the same volume and quality. This allows a diver to complete the whole dive, including safety stops, on this picturesque reef.
Rik Vercoe, BSAC Advanced Instructor
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