Shaab Iris is a small horseshoe-shaped reef on the eastern fringe of the Giftun complex, 55 minutes east of the marina. The dive runs the outer wall in 12-22 m and finishes inside the sheltered lagoon at 5-8 m for the safety stop. Less famous than the named Giftun sites, so noticeably quieter on the boat count. All certification levels.
- Depth
- 5-22 m
- Visibility
- 20–25 m
- Season
- Jan - Dec
- Boat ride
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- Open Water+
Topography and dive profile
Horseshoe-shaped reef opening to the southwest. Outer wall on the northeast face drops from 5 to 22 m with hard coral cover. Sheltered sandy lagoon inside the horseshoe at 5-8 m · perfect for the safety stop and for new divers. We drop on the outer wall, drift along the eastern face, then turn into the lagoon mouth for the back half. No current, gentle profile.
What you'll see
- ◇Glassfish swarms
- ◇Trumpetfish
- ◇Resident moray
- ◇Anthias clouds
- ◇Reef octopus
Who it suits
All certification levels. The lagoon side is fine for fresh Open Water graduates and for refresher dives. The outer wall to 22 m suits Open Water and above.
When the captain runs this site
When the captain runs the eastern Giftun rotation, Shaab Iris is one of the quieter alternatives if the named sites (Banana, Erg Somaya) are crowded. Standard 2-tank day rate.