Scuba Diving in Sha Ab Bagul

Sha'ab Bagul (sometimes spelt Bagoul), or Cannon Reef as this site is named on Admiralty Chart 3042 is comprised of a large reef which splits into an upside down 'V'-shape at the southern end and a number of smaller ergs (reef pieces) to the south south east. 

The inside of the 'V' provides a shallow lagoon area, less than 10m deep which is an ideal area for boat mooring, however has less in the way of marine life and coral growth, although blue spotted rays and feathertail stingrays sometimes inhabit this area. If your dive vessel has a zodiac or RIB it is best to get dropped on the east side of the reef as far to the north as possible where the reef has a steep wall which drops to 40m+. 

The hard coral and marine life here is much more prolific, with acropora and stony corals on the reef wall and shoals of blue lunar fusiliers and coral groupers. Around halfway along the east wall (heading south with the reef on your right shoulder) a plateau at 18m begins and widens the further south you travel. It is on this plateau that 5 ergs are located as you reach the southern tip of the upside down 'V' shape. 

The soft coral on the first erg is the most prolific, however antheas cover all 5 and some of the other smaller coral boulders on the seafloor and snapper and goatfish are also common here. Current inside the lagoon is non-existent and if any is present on the outside of the reef it normally runs from north to south.