---
title: Shaab Petra
type: Reef dive site
location: Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt
coordinates: 27.156600952148438, 33.88019943237305
max_depth_m: 8
published: 2023-11-25T21:59:56.557Z
updated: 2026-09-06T15:01:57.895Z
tags: Shaab Petra, Reef, Red Sea, Dive site, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/diving/dive-sites/shaab-petra
---

# Shaab Petra

## Quick facts

- **Type:** Reef
- **Location:** Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt
- **Coordinates:** 27.156600952148438, 33.88019943237305
- **Max depth:** 8 m
- **Depth notes:** 8m on the sand around the ergs
- **Level:** All levels

## Overview

Shaab Petra is two ergs standing on sand at 8 m southeast of Hurghada, and the best of the site is not on them. A small coral boulder sits east of the ergs, riddled with large openings, and it holds more life than the two ergs put together.

## Location

About 45 minutes southeast of Hurghada.

## Conditions

Usually calm, with a weak current from the northwest or northeast. In winter and spring that current can pick up.

## Dive plan

The dive that works here circles the eastern erg and then the coral boulder beside it, with most of the time given to the boulder. The main ergs are worth a pass on the way back.

## What to see

The openings in the coral boulder hold glassfish and snappers, with butterflyfish and small goatfish working over the top of it. The main ergs have their own holes, occupied by groupers, soldierfish, cardinalfish, glassfish and snappers. Zebra sharks have been recorded here more than once, which is not a common entry for the Hurghada reefs.

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/diving/dive-sites/shaab-petra)*
*Updated: September 6, 2026*