Sha'ab Mahmud - Sharm el-Sheikh

Coffins Patch, for us, is one of those Florida Keys spots that just feels right. It's not the deepest dive, but the reef structure here is fantastic, with big stands of grooved brain coral and lettuce coral forming overhangs and swim-throughs. We love drifting along, watching for the subtle movements of dusky jawfish peering from their holes, or spotting a plump striped burrfish trying to blend into the rock. Visibility can be excellent, especially on a calm morning before the boat traffic picks up. We’ve found the best strategy is to get there early; the site can get busy later in the day, but those first few dives are often magical, with schools of French grunts blanketing the reef and doctorfish zipping by. Keep an eye out for the smaller critters too – golden-lined marginellas are often tucked away in crevices if you look closely. It's a great spot for photographers who appreciate a healthy reef and plenty of macro subjects.

Location
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
27.738611, 34.094440
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: محمية رأس محمد

Best Time to Dive in Sharm el-Sheikh

The warmest water temperatures in Sharm el-Sheikh occur in August, averaging 29.9°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 22.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 23.6°C
  • February: 22.8°C
  • March: 22.5°C
  • April: 23.3°C
  • May: 25.6°C
  • June: 26.9°C
  • July: 28.4°C
  • August: 29.9°C
  • September: 28.6°C
  • October: 27.8°C
  • November: 27.1°C
  • December: 25.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Sharm el-Sheikh

Nearest Dive Centres to Sha'ab Mahmud

Marine Life in Sharm el-Sheikh

Home to 13 recorded species including 6 whales & dolphins, 5 reef fish, 1 sharks & rays, 1 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Sha'ab Mahmud

Based on average water temperature of 26.0°C, currents 10 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories