Routs for safari from October

Reefs of Safaga

Safaga - the favourite place of the divers, known for the coral shallows, pure water and curative sand, is in 60 km from Hurgada and 90 km to the south El Gouna, Safaga has got to itself the international recognition as one of the resorts known for unique ecologically pure sand, capable to cure a number of diseases of oporno-impellent system, skin diseases.

Unlike Hurgada where mountains only are seen in the distance, in Safaga they approach to the seacoast, protecting a resort from a strong wind and sandy storms. The city costs on the bank of a gulf which quiet waters reflect ultra-violet beams. In a gulf many coral reeves, concentration of salts in water because of it above, than in the high sea.

Shaab Saiman

This most beautiful reef too begins from coast. Because of the strong winds, blowing in the winter, immersings there are practically impossible at this time. Therefore underwater flora and fauna on this reef, much more richly, than on other reeves. Besides this reef has "highlight" which involves here divers is a gathering mant ray at a reef.
Average time of a course from Safaga - 55 minutes.

The narrow sandy canyon separates a reef from the big crest from firm corals, slowly plunging into abyss of the sea from a deep mark of 8 m. the highest part a crest is on depth of 2 m, falling on the edges to 30 and more metres. In a direction to the sea the small plateau depth of 15-20 m settles down. 

Currents prevailing here pass from the northwest on the southeast and can sometimes be strong enough. 

Shaab Saiman has almost all kinds of fishes of Red sea and in a considerable quantity. Flights groups of Sweetlips and Grunts can be seen at the western termination of a reef. On a plateau barracudas, fishes-rhinoceroses live. In smaller part of an East side of a coral crest frolic dark-brown groups of Sweetlips and Grunts and the big flights of sea crucians. In a canyon it is possible to come across on sleeping
Whitetip sharks, morays and crocodilefishes. Also here it is possible to meet various kinds of a mackerel and Eagle rays. 

Ras Abu Soma

Extended reef Ras Abu Soma is located at northern termination of a bay at Safaga and has two places of immersing: Abu Soma Gardens (a reef inside) and "Ras" (see a card). Both places of immersing are reached 45 mines of driving by the ship from Safaga. "Ras" has an abrupt steep wall on depth of 25 m on a reef plateau that does its similar on Small Giftun at Hurghada. 

The place of fastening of a boat is well enough protected from weather conditions that it is impossible to tell about a direct place of immersing. Currents come here from the north and can be very strong, passing along east wall of a reef, at all not mentioning a place of a parking of a boat. 

Here is better to make immersing in a current direction, having begun it on distance of 400 m from "Ras Abu Soma", having left a beacon it is enough far behind of itself. Visibility in this place will amaze you with the clearness that will allow to follow outlines of a steep wall of a reef far in abyss exhausting. In process of passage further on the south there is more appreciable the wall of a reef falling on its plateau. Shortly before it it is possible to see a small bay of a reef, and it is a little to distinguish further the beautiful cave located on depth of 35 m. It completely it is covered by soft corals at which glass small fishes huddle. 4-metre corals-oleny a horn have taken places on a reef plateau.

The underwater world of this reef is full of riddles - here it is possible to see set of the big fishes: barracudas, a mackerel, groups of Sweetlips and Grunts, squids and flight Plataxes and fishes-rhinoceroses. Leopard sharks, bluespotted stingray, орляковые slopes, hammerhead sharks have been here too noticed grey reefs sharks, reefs Whitetip sharks, Geigenrochen. 

Tobia Arba

The place known as Tobia Arba, is located near to cape Ras Abu Soma. Arba means "four", but actually here 7 coral columns which top part is shipped in water on depth to 1 metre. They are unusually high and stand on a sandy sea-bottom, towering on 12-15 m. Two steams of columns have the general basis and narrow channels depth of 4 and 8 metres. To the southeast from columns there is a gentle slope leaving on depth to 25 metres. Considering affinity Ras Abu Soma causing security of a site, here practically there are no waves and strong currents.  

Planning of immersing does not represent a problem as all columns are in visibility limits and it is impossible to lose the way here. The Most comprehensible plan of immersing - movement between columns "eight". Tobia Arba - one of the most picturesque places in vicinities Safaga also represents the big interest for the photographer. A beautiful landscape and an abundance of soft corals and Gorgonarias - object for interesting landscape shooting. The fauna is rich with the various fishes typical for reeves of Red sea, however in crevices and under ledges of columns it is a lot of Scorpaena porcus.

Tobya Kebir

It is simply ideal reef for immersing of divers of all levels and night immersings. Depth does not exceed 16 metres.
On an inside of a reef many sandy sites where beginners can get the first experience of immersings!!! It is natural, that here many the most different coral fishes. Average time of a course from Сафаги - 30 minutes.

It is the big rectangular reef including a chain from three эргов, stretched jugo-to the east from it. The western part of a reef represents the form of a lagoon depth of 6-7 m, and its east part goes down ledges in abyss of the sea to a mark of 15 m. the Place of fastening of a boat is well enough protected from sea excitements, and northern currents here are very weak to prevent excellent immersing. 
You will float through the channel between coral blocks and the basic reef and will pass in northern direction along its east wall. On a return way you visit blocks, remaining with their east part which looks much more beautiful western and contains большее quantity of kinds of sea inhabitants. On a reef outer side there is a small grotto where like to have a rest red крылатки. Here often enough meet Moraysand stone perches - groupers. Here it is possible to see various kinds carolinensis and the fishes-cleaners amazing with an abundance of the paints. In summertime here frequently swim away flights of dolphins.

Tobia Soraya

It is very beautiful, multi-coloured reef consisting of blocks, the different sizes.
Here always it is possible to see a large quantity of the most different sea fishes, beginning from angels and butterflies to slopes-hvostokolov. Here there is a grotto, depth about seven metres where hide groupers and small coral small fishes. Depth fluctuates from 11 to 15 metres.
This reef and for night immersings is good
Average time of a course from Safaga - 30 minutes

These are three chains of coral blocks incorporating among themselves in the form of the letter "Y". They have taken places on a sandy plateau depth of 12-15 m, opening the doors for divers with any experience of immersings. In the north erg almost closely join reef Tobia Kebir. 
Places it is protected from waves here again there are no almost problems to boat fastening. Currents come here from the east and can be strong enough. 
Two southern chains of blocks are the most interesting to divers. East chain possesses a narrow canyon on depth of 11 m and tunnel on depth of 9 m, here it is possible to find fine white soft corals growing on walls. The western chain has three поросшими corals channels through which it is possible to pass on depth of 4-6 m. At northern termination are 4 imposing ergs, having the mushroom form. 
Here it is possible to see bluespotted stingray, carolinensis, fishes-surgeons and sea crucians. Between tunnel and a canyon frequently it is possible to meet the big flight of fishes-butterflies. 

Tobia Hamra

Because of beauty of this reef, it often name «coral gardens».
It is paradise for photographers. Depth of a reef fluctuates from 5 to 30 metres.
Over a coral garden there is an equal quiet current. Here always it is possible to meet fishes of scorpions, morays, octopuses and slopes.
Average time of a course from Safaga - 40 minutes.

It is the extended reef in which southern part there is a sandy island under name Tobia Island. At northern termination of a reef one more extended stony islet has taken places, to the east from which immersings are made. Here there is the huge coral garden smoothly falling on depth to 30 m. 
Cape Ras Abu Soma completely protects this place from waves and currents, leaving chance only to winds which can be here strong enough. 
You plunge at a coral garden, passing by its coral crests divided by sandy areas. You do not need to fall on the big depth as the most interesting is on a deep mark to 15 m. Here it is possible to see flights of sea crucians and Synanceia verrucosa, living at the coral terminations, and at the bases of coral crests it is possible to meet various kinds of molluscs. On depth of 30 m it is possible to find out a leopard shark.

RAS UMM HESIWA

On distance of 45 mines of driving by the ship from Safaga and it is a little to the north from Ras Abu Soma is small reefs uvula. In its northern part the wide plateau smoothly falling from 15 to 30 m is located, and the narrow long end of its northern part leaves far in the sea, reaching a deep point from 25 and further to 40 m. 

This place practically is not protected from weather conditions that allows to make here immersings only at good weather. Currents come here from the northwest, not mentioning a separate part of east plateau of a reef. This place is known presence of huge corals-oleny a horn which can be seen on a reef plateau, beginning immersing on a mark of 20 m are closer to its steep wall. The wall of a plateau does not represent any interest for divers, therefore is better to proceed on a plateau to its termination where it is possible to feel force of undercurrents. Remember that you should be very attentive not to become their victim! On a return way you will pass at less deep part plateau where you can see the fragments of the corals which have remained after a southern storm in 1996 

Floating on a reef plateau, do not forget to look under its huge corals which frequently are a place of shelter whitetip sharks. Huge morays is possible to see in a place of a congestion of fishes-cleaners. Flights carolinensis occupy the central part of a plateau, and Chaetodon fasciatus and Ostracion cubicus have found the shelter at its northern and southern terminations. 

Gamul Soraya

It is a small coral reef where only the outer side is of interest for divers. Here fishes angels, and fishes of the butterfly of every possible forms and colouring much float. Here often there are surgeons and carolinensis. The mackerel Nearby likes to hunt.
Except usual morays here it is possible to see and a garden of eels.
During night immersings divers regularly meet turtles and octopuses
Average time of a course from Safaga - 25 minutes.

Reef Gamul Soraya is the second in a chain of the reeves stretched to the north from Safaga Island. The reef has the roundish form and has presence of four blocks, in the southeast, two of which can be seen from a sea surface. 
The current comes to this place from the north, sharing at a reef in two and bending around it from both parties. 

You can plunge directly at the coral block jugo-to the east from a reef where you can will take pleasure in beauty of a coral garden. The big block being more close to a reef, is located on depth of 13 m. a little further in a direction from a reef you will find empty from within a coral column in size of 6-7 m, being on a deep mark 16 m. 60 m further on the south you will find the picturesque block in the form of a horseshoe, on distance of 70 m from which it is possible to see most beautiful of all above the presented blocks. Its basis is on depth of 18 m, and its highest part reaches sea surfaces. Glass small fishes, fishes-cardinals have found in its southern part, grupers and Pterios miles a shelter.
At blocks it is possible to see flights of crucians, plataxes, Chaetodon fasciatus and groups of Sweetlips and Grunts. Along with them here live grupers and Pterios miles, hunting on glass small fishes. In set of deepenings of the basic reef it is possible to see Sphaeramia nematoptera. Various kinds grupers can be observed on all extent of a reef. It is possible to meet even Eagle rays.

At the basic reef fish-angel lives. And, if will carry, here it is possible to see dugong - the sea cow considering this reef by the house.

Panorama reef

It is one of the greatest and the most known reef Safaga. It is separately standing, huge 400 metre coral block. Usually divers plunge on a southern extremity where the most beautiful plateau falls on 35 metres, and then also the wall sharply breaks leaves on 80 metres.

Here except usual coral fishes it is possible to see and tunas, and whitetip sharks and Eagle rays. Uniqueness gives to this place carpet Actiniarias covering a plateau from a surface to 15 metre depths. Here always it is possible to see some tens fishes Amphiprion sebae, hiding among feelers Actiniarias. This place as approaches for дрифта.
It is possible to dive into good weather on northern extremity of a reef where as beautiful corals and it is possible to meet turtles.
Especially interesting immersings on this reef early in the morning when here come Napoleons and reefs sharks

Average time of a course from Safag - 70 mine.

Reef Panorama also is known under the name "Abu Alama", that "the father of masts" means. It speaks presence of a concrete column in northern part of the reef serving earlier by a reference point which later has been replaced by a modern beacon.

It is a plateau with the vertical, practically steep walls leaving on some hundreds of metres. From a reef North side there is a plateau located on depth of 20-25 metres. A place for mooring - the South side of a reef protected from a wind and currents. At strong excitement to plunge on a reef North side it is possible only from "Zodiac". The best plan of immersing is dreeft dive from the north on the south lengthways the most picturesque western wall of a reef. However it is possible to plunge and on a South side, it is direct at anchor parking. 

On northern plateau it is possible to see flights Paracanthurus hepatus, Naso hexacanthus, barracudas, huge a mackerel, reefs whitetip sharks (are more met in the western part of a reef), grey reefs sharks (are more met during after-dinner time), Eagle rays, dolphins, even ocean whitetip sharks. The southern plateau is rich with a family from three fishes-Napoleons where they live together with morays, crocodilefish and a turtle with the deformed armour. Here you also will find big flights Amphiprion sebae (50-60). And it is possible to observe of turtles in any part of a reef. 

Gamul Kebir

On northern part of this reef many very beautiful soft corals. This reef sometimes name «the house of barracudas» - so often divers meet here flights of these fishes.
Often here see slopes and sharks-nurses. And between coral blocks fine seaweed grows.
Beauty of northern part of a reef protect strong a wind, stirring to divers to disturb inhabitants of a reef in the winter.
On a southern extremity of a reef it is possible to dive all year long. Here it is a lot of carolinensis, Pterios miles, dogs and other fishes typical for Red sea.
Divers have chosen this reef for night immersings - turtles here like to sleep.
Average time of a course from Safaga - 20 minutes.

It is the big round reef. In its middle there is an extended anonymous reef, and in the northeast three small motley coral blocks have settled down. The territory round a reef was densely occupied with fields of various kinds of underwater plants. 
At this reef it is possible to plunge under any weather conditions. Places of fastening of a boat are well enough protected. Currents come here from the northeast and can sometimes be strong enough. 

You can pass from the ship through "Fossma" in a direction to three blocks (depending on force of a current count on 20-30 mines) or to begin immersing directly at them, floating to a place of fastening of a boat which will throw the anchor after disembarkation of divers at blocks on the usual place. 

This reef is known for presence of the big flight of barracudas (15-20) size to 1,5 m. Flight consists from is yellow - and barracudas patrolling territory round three erg or at fields of underwater plants to the north from the basic reef. Eagle rays and reefs whitetip sharks too are not a rarity in these places, and sometimes here even it is possible to meet dugong. Around ergs live carolinensis, groups of Sweetlips and Grunts. If it is good to look narrowly, it is possible to see rare microscopic representatives of a sea-bottom.

Middle Reef

This reef which is to the south from Safagais seldom visited by divers. Northern part of a reef comes to an end with a sharp deep hollow to 60 metres which walls are covered by extraordinary beautiful rigid corals. Here often there are flights of tunas and, barracudas grazing them.

Currents which here pass, allow divers dreefing.
Coral gardens of a southern part of the reef, 15 metres settling down on depth, are so beautiful, that divers feel themselves in paradise.
Average time of a course from Safaga- 80 minutes


It represents the big roundish reef with set of low blocks in its southeast part. In northern and east part of a reef there are the coral gardens leaving in abyss of the sea to 30 m, and the lonely coral block on depth of 20 m. In east part of a reef in the south towers begins a plateau, stretched on 500 m in direction Hal-Hal. It is covered by the picturesque gardens of firm corals which are one of most beautiful in Red sea. Here too there is a steep rock which is far enough from the basic reef in the northeast. 

Currents come here from the north and vary from weak to stronger. 
You can begin immersing at northern, western or east walls of a reef in a current direction (if weather conditions allow) that will give the chance to you to see the big fishes. The majority of divers begin immersing in a place of fastening of a boat, passing by coral gardens to east plateau. The plateau is covered by labyrinths from sand and corals. In this place it is necessary to be cautious enough and to have in stock a buoy and a compass. 

Here it is possible to see a considerable quantity carolinensis. Steep rocks of a reef have Thunnus, a mackerel, flights Paracanthurus hepatus, reefs whitetip sharks and hammerhead sharks. Near to boat fastening it is possible to observe of turtles, morays, flights of young barracudas (300-400) and groups of Sweetlips and Grunts.

Umm Hal Hal

Two small turrets covered with firm and soft corals, rise from 20 metre depths. A strong current.



Word Hal-Hal the Egyptian fishermen designate the restless sea that corresponds to its constant condition in this place. Two big coral blocks rise from a sandy plateau, almost getting to a sea surface, but, not providing any protection against a bad weather. They are located on distance of 400 m jugo-to the east Middle Reef. To the west from blocks depth of a plateau makes 16 m, and its east part falls down in the sea in the form of a wide slope, to a deep mark of 22-24 metres. 80 m further, on the east, a plateau slope pass in the abrupt breakage which vertical wall sharply leaves in abyss of the sea from depth in 30 m. Hal-Hal also is known under name Shaab Kweiss that means "a beautiful reef". Though this name can be heard in relation to any reef of Red sea if the captain has simply forgotten its present. 

To make immersing at Hal-Hal, excellent weather conditions are necessary. Even if this requirement will be executed, very strong undercurrents prevailing in this place can prevent immersing. 
If to you nevertheless has had the luck to make here immersing you can take pleasure in beauty of one of the most motley and rendered habitable reeves which you ever saw. Such impression is created, that fishes of this reef never fall asleep, being in a constant condition of hunting or, on the contrary, shelter search. The immersing place so is not enough, that will allow you to round it some times, slowly rising more close to a surface exhausting. You should not make the immersing plan as currents of this reef will direct it to the channel irrespective of your desire. If you have enough air in cylinders and you possess excellent abilities to orientation you can float to a steep rock of a plateau where it is possible to see the big fishes. 

On the reef it is possible to see a large quantity of soft corals, fiery corals and a little separately standing corals олений a horn. The world of fishes various kinds reefs will make the small fishes living here by huge flights, grupers, turtles, Naso hexacanthus and reefs whitetips sharks. More close to a surface exhausting it is possible to observe hunting красноротого gruper of glass small fishes. Directly at a reef flights Chaetodon fasciatus live, and at plateau breakage it is possible to see groups of Sweetlips and Grunts, Naso hexacanthus, flights of small squids and their separate already adult representatives. Seasonally here it is possible to meet huge flight of a mackerel.

Abu Cafan

Is to the south from Safaga. To dive it is possible both from a reef North side, and with southern.
On a North side in depth the plateau with the most beautiful black corals leaves. Here constantly there are young barracudas (sometimes this place name school of barracudas), turtles, sometimes it is possible to see grey sharks.

The reef South side falls on depth to 30 metres. Here it is possible to meet the most different reefs sharks. And in the winter from a blue chasm to a reef rise stingrays.
Average time of a course from Safaga - 90 minutes

Abu Kafan represents a long, narrow reef. The reef name is translated as "depth" of what it is possible to be convinced, having made here immersing. The underwater rock of a reef abruptly goes down in abyss of the sea to a mark more than 100 m. In its northern part the plateau with hardly acting on a direction to the sea coral blocks settles down. In a southern part of a reef there is the big and motley block connected to a reef on depth of 18 m. Further a reef is stretched infinitely far on the south at the maximum depth of 30 m. 

Currents on a reef variables, but the current from the north on the south, bending around a reef from an East side that creates quite good conditions for dreeft dive prevails. 
If there will be a possibility you make immersing in the conditions of currents along northern part of a plateau, grasping its East side. Local residents estimate it much above, than northern plateau of reef Panorama (pay attention to cross-currents from the east on the West). If weather conditions do not allow fulfilment of similar immersing you can plunge in a southern part of a reef, passing by the southern block, edge of east plateau if the direction of currents allows, and back to a reef. 

The underwater rock is covered by soft, black corals and huge a gorgonarijami-sea fan. Turtles can be seen constantly and in a considerable quantity. There is a possibility of a meeting with sulphur reefs and silvertips sharks. In the field of northern plateau it is possible to notice big tuns in size from 1 to 1,5 m. Seasonally here the big flights of barracudas or their separate representatives which consider this place as the house live. It is possible to meet hammerhead sharks in the late summer.

Shaab Sheer

You shouldn't need more than 10 minutes to investigate the boat as it sank recently and is not that interesting yet. There are two small ergs nearby which are decorated with some soft corals. Fish such as Spanish dancers and morays can be seen, but don’t expect too much of this dive site. For more advanced diving it is better to explore the northern sides of Sha'ab Sheer.

Sha'ab Sheer has some large coral boulders, hard brain coral gardens, caves and steep drop offs. This horseshoe shaped reef is from west to east more than 2 kilometers long and provides shelter to live-aboards in its sheltered southern lagoon. There are good drift dives in the north and dolphins are often spotted in the west. A great dive location with some wrecks, walls, reef, caves, marine life, corals and drifts.

Sea charts this reef is designated as Hyndeman Reef though local residents know it only under name Shaab Sheer, already used by fishermen when it was possible to dream of cards only. For this reason the name of reeves on cards sometimes mismatches names which are used by Egyptians. The reef has the form of the horseshoe stretched on distance more 1 km. Here it is possible to be fixed and make perfectly various kinds of immersings, some of which can be reached by means of an inflatable boat. On a card it is possible to see only east part Shaab Sheer where three coral blocks separated from the basic reef by the small channel are located. To the east from this place there is a fine coral garden, and blocks have delightful caves and grottoes. 

Northern part of a reef is not protected almost from excitements exhausting, that is a counterbalance of its southern part as which it is possible to consider on the security almost as a lagoon. Currents also prevail in northern part of a reef, sharing in two and passing lengthways its east and western walls. The western part of a reef is located in a direction to deep channel South Safaga that promotes strengthening of a current at its western wall. Even at smaller channel between three blocks and east part of the basic reef it is possible to feel force of currents sometimes. 

At this reef you can make three kinds of various immersings: to pass in a direction of a current along northern plateau of a reef and its steep wall, to plunge at the western part of a reef from a place of fastening of a boat or to visit its east part, enjoying beauty of a coral garden. Plunging at east part of a reef, it is necessary for you to pass through the channel on depth of 12 m and to proceed on a coral garden in a direction to northern termination of a reef where you can visit the plateau of the reef which has been rendered habitable Chaetodon fasciatus, carolinensis and various kinds a mackerel. After that you will float in the opposite direction where in the end of immersing you visit coral blocks with their grottoes and small caves. Average of them is the most interesting! 

This reef is known for beauty of the coral garden though the world of fishes too deserves certain attention of divers. Here it is possible to see all kinds carolinensis, to observe flights of fishes-parrots and fishes-cleaners. At northern plateau and its steep wall sea crucians, a mackerel, various kinds groups of Sweetlips and Grunts, squids and flights of barracudas live.

The text has been translated by means of the electronic translator. The big request! If you notice discrepancies of transfer, write, please, to the guest! Thankful in advance :)