Moray Garden
Also known as: Sharks Caves
Shore dive in Dahab's Southern Oasis: golden reef blocks to 30 m on the left, a sandy lagoon at 2-7 m on the right, and geometric morays.
Last updated October 2026
The dive
The whole dive turns on one choice, made over sand at 9-10 m: left or right. Getting there is easy. You walk in from the beach, descend over seagrass and sand, and the reef opens on both sides.
The left flank is the blocks side. Huge reef blocks with a golden hue stand at 15-30 m, separated by sandy roads, and shallower than 15 m the ground steps up into reef tables and soft corals. The right flank is a continuous reef from about 10 to 30 m that runs all the way to Three Pools, broken by a colourful sandy lagoon at 2-7 m, which is the shallowest part of the dive.
What makes it special
A pale moray gives the site its name. The geometric moray (Gymnothorax griseus) lives in the reef here and is described as white in colour, and giant morays are listed in the crevices too.
The sandy shallows hold the site's other draw. One guide points divers to a short dragonfish (Eurypegasus draconis) at around 2 m and to pairs of ghost pipefish, which makes the sand patches near the lagoon worth a slow swim.
The bay is sheltered from the waves, and divers have found it more often divable in windy weather than Canyon or Islands.
Know before you go
Centres drive divers and gear down by pickup, and two dives are usually done at this site or a nearby one with lunch in between. A few Bedouin restaurants have long stood on the beach for tea and food between dives, so non-divers and snorkellers can spend the day here comfortably.
The reef is continuous towards Three Pools, and divers also drift on to Golden Blocks. Whichever way you go, keep an eye on the air: a drift from either flank can turn into a very long dive.
Why Dive Moray Garden
What makes this dive site stand out.
- Geometric morays
The geometric moray, Gymnothorax griseus, lives in the reef here and gives the site its name.
- Golden reef blocks
Huge reef blocks with a golden hue stand at 15-30 m on the left flank.
- Sandy lagoon
The right flank has a sandy lagoon at 2-7 m, the shallowest part of the dive.
- Sandy-shallows macro
A short dragonfish and pairs of ghost pipefish are reported in the shallows from about 2 m.
- Sheltered bay
Sheltered from waves, so it is more often divable in wind than the exposed sites.
Depth & Profile
Location
28.4377°N, 34.4595°E
Conditions & difficulty
Two operators grade the site for all levels and one runs training dives here. The lagoon at 2-7 m is the shallow option; the left-flank blocks reach 30 m.
Summary
Sheltered water with no current described, no overhead and broad sandy ground to navigate.
Safety considerations
What can go wrong here, and what divers do about it. Conditions change - take the briefing from the operator on the day.
- Depth: Drifting on to Golden Blocks or Three Pools can make a very long dive.Plan gas against a turn pressure and keep checking consumption on the drift.
- Visibility: Northern Red Sea water runs near 41 ppt against 35 ppt in most oceans, so divers float higher.Add lead and check buoyancy at the surface before descending.
Marine Life
Rules and permits
- Conduct: no touching, no feeding, no taking anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the glassfish pinnacle one operator tells divers not to miss at Moray Garden?▾
It sits somewhere on the site and is best found with the guide leading your dive, who can point it out at the briefing or on the way. The glassfish gather around the feature itself, so a guide who knows the reef will lead you to the shoal.
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