Sha'ab Rumi – Sudan Red Sea Diving

About Sha'ab Rumi

Sha'ab Rumi holds a special place in diving history as the site of Jacques Cousteau's pioneering Precontinent II underwater habitat experiment in 1963. The remains of this legendary underwater village, including shark-cage frames, a dome-shaped hangar, and commemorative plaques, still lie on the sea floor at 12 metres and are visited by divers from around the world. Beyond its historical significance, Sha'ab Rumi is one of the most thrilling shark diving destinations on Earth. The South Point is world-famous for grey reef sharks, schooling scalloped hammerheads at peak season from April to June, silvertip sharks, barracuda tornadoes, and eagle rays on the deep wall. The North Point offers calmer conditions with green turtles and bumphead parrotfish in coral garden settings. The Plongeur Reef features hanging walls with schooling unicornfish and manta ray passes. Sha'ab Rumi sits approximately 45 minutes by liveaboard from Port Sudan and is included in virtually every Sudan liveaboard itinerary as an essential stop combining history, sharks, and spectacular coral formations.

Highlights

• ✓Cousteau's Conshelf II underwater habitat remains at 12 metres
• ✓South Point – world-famous for hammerheads, grey reef sharks, and barracuda tornadoes
• ✓Bumphead parrotfish and green turtles at the North Point coral gardens
• ✓Schooling unicornfish on the hanging walls of Plongeur Reef
• ✓Peak hammerhead season from April to June at the South Point
• ✓Just 45 minutes from Port Sudan by liveaboard

Getting There

Sha'ab Rumi is located approximately 45 minutes by liveaboard east of Port Sudan harbour. It is included in virtually all Sudan liveaboard itineraries as a key destination. The reef is accessible only by boat with no shore facilities. Most liveaboards spend 1-2 days at Sha'ab Rumi offering 4-8 dives across the various sites.