Stingray Station

The westernmost erg in The Alternatives chain, Stingray Station is a large, roughly quadrangular outcrop rather than a textbook pinnacle. Two approaches work here: moor up and circle the main formation, exploring the sheltered sides where blue spotted stingrays rest on sandy patches, or drift northward over colonies of Porites and Acropora table corals with gorgonian sea fans at 12-15m. The shelf drops away to about 25m at the edge, where larger fish patrol the blue water beyond. Smaller ergs scattered around the main outcrop are covered in reef fish life and offer easy side explorations during a single dive.

Typical dive times run 53-62 minutes. The shallow profile and sheltered position mean air consumption is forgiving, and there is enough terrain variety between the main erg, the surrounding coral heads, and the sandy wadis to fill a comfortable hour without repetition.

Stingray Station earns its name from the blue spotted stingrays that congregate at this particular outcrop, especially during March and April. The quadrangular reef shape creates a sheltered environment that appears to attract the rays to the sandy patches between formations. Beyond the signature species, the site works as a gentle counterpoint to the area's more famous high-current dives. While Shark and Yolanda Reef and the Tiran reefs demand advanced skills, The Alternatives area offers a relaxed, exploratory pace that suits beginners, training courses, and snorkellers alike.

After dark the character shifts. Night dives at The Alternatives reveal thousands of glassfish hanging in torch beams, free-swimming moray eels, and jacks hunting through the light. Current can pick up around the pinnacles at night, adding an edge to what is otherwise a mellow site.

The Alternatives is a day-boat hotspot. During midday hours, dozens of boats moor in the area bringing snorkellers and discovery divers. Arriving early morning or timing a dive for late afternoon avoids the crowds entirely. Liveaboard divers can wait until the day boats depart and have the pinnacles to themselves.

An SMB is recommended given the drift dive option and the volume of boat traffic overhead. The site sits within Ras Mohammed National Park, so a park entry fee applies. Current rates are EUR 7 per person per day, with a new fee of $15 USD daily for non-Egyptian nationals taking effect from June 2026.