St John’s, Zabargad and Rocky Island

The Deep South features the most untouched and pristine reefs in the Egyptian Red Sea, including well-known names like St John's, Zabargad, and Rocky Island, which are all only accessible by liveaboard. St John's is home to the richest coral gardens in the Red Sea, spectacular gorgonian forests, and some of the most abundant and biodiverse wildlife in the region, including sharks and large schools of pelagic fish like jacks and tuna, as well as some of the most abundant and biodiverse wildlife in the region. The strong currents around Rocky Island and its neighbor, Zabargad, allow experienced divers to enjoy some spectacular drift dives with regular sightings of manta, hammerheads, Silvertips, and dolphins further out to sea.

The long chain of reefs known as Fury Shoal, often a part of deep south liveaboard itineraries, has become accessible by day boats thanks to new developments in the town of Hamata, providing access to some of these pristine reefs without the need for a liveaboard, albeit a long (180km) trek south by road from Marsa Alam.

How to get there: Departure to the deep south is most often from Port Ghalib, with the closest airport being Marsa Alam. As with other destinations, it’s often easier to fly to Hurghada and make the three-hour road trip to Port Ghalib, but liveaboard operators generally fulfil the travel requirements.
Location: Egypt's southern Red Sea