23
EGYPT
23 An iconic oceanic
whitetip shark,
Carcharhinus
longimanus, at
Elphinstone Reef
Marsa Shagra
Text and images by JANE MORGAN
If your first view of Marsa Shagra is at sunset you
could easily mistake it for a scene from Lawrence of
Arabia. The simple white tents and chalets are bathed
in a beautiful golden glow with the mysterious Eastern
Desert as a backdrop while the deep blue lure of the
Egyptian Red Sea sparkles ahead. Though decidedly
a budget destination, the tented accommodation at
Marsa Shagra is not exactly roughing it. In fact, if you
opt for a “royal tent” you could almost describe it as
“glamping” – or “glamorous camping”. The desert
is incredibly tranquil and not long after arrival you
feel wrapped in a blanket of calm. All the tents are in
a beachfront position so you can fall asleep at night
with the waves virtually lapping at your toes.
The house reef is “open” all day long either from
shore or by taking a RIB further out. There are
plenty of subjects to keep photographers happy
and on the way back in, you will often encounter
the resident school of horse mackerel feeding just
below the surface.
SHARM EL-SHEIKH
HURGHADA
RED SEA
EGYPT
MARSA ALAM
INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
MARSA SHAGRA