Dive-sites of Hurghada
Shaab Ishta
Location. Shaab Eshta is in 45 minutes - hour of driving from Hurgada. These are two erg - northern small and southern big, located in the form of clover sheet. «Eshta» or «Ishta» in the Arabian designates «cream» (cream, a cream), but also it can be considered as an English equivalent «cool». Depths vary from 9 to 12 metres. This site is surrounded by soft corals and seaweed which turtles eat.
Sea condition. The sea more often quiet and a current always weak except for the channel between two ergs.
Dive plan. It is small dive site and it is possible to make twice the eight around ergs on different depths. Swim to east erg, you will see there a huge variety of various kinds of fishes.
Marine life. On east erg look Pterios miles, fishes-emperors, slopes, turtles and the sea fads. In a crevice between ergs you will see lucians. On stones search for fish-stone, fish-scorpion and crocodilefish. Also here there is a cave which serves as a night refuge for turtles. Small hollows on southern erg serve as a small house for fish-toporika and, at last, look lettle grouper which supervises this territory.
Shaab Petra
Location. In 45 minutes of driving on the southeast from Hurghada there are two ergs, standing on a sandy sea-bottom on depth of 8 metres. To the east of these ergs there is a small coral impregnation (the best part dive).
Sea condition. Usually easy, a current weak from the northwest or the northeast. But in the winter and in the spring the current can amplify.
Dive plan. Swim for a while round east erg and a nearby coral boulder. This boulder simply teems with a life and makes strong impression even upon the most satiated divers.
Marine life. On a coral boulder there are some large apertures in which there live glass small fishes and lucians. From above teem Chaetodon auriga. The cores ergs not so are interesting, but on them there are various large apertures - small houses groupers, fishes-soldatov, cardinals, glass small fishes and lucians.
Ras Disha
Location. About 90 minutes in a southern direction from Hurghada, at coast, there is a wide gulf with island in the centre (Abu Hashish). The island is defined on a ledge on its northern part, named Ras Disha. Here there is a shallow sandy plateau and an old beacon. In northern direction very deep breakage begins. Three ergs are located in a southern part of a site. They also are the most pleasant place for diving.
Sea condition. This dive the site is well protected from waves and a current which, basically, goes from the north.
Dive plan. The best route for diving - to swim for a while around ergs. They are located on a sandy bottom, on depths of 10-12 metres. In the most northern erg there is the big cave abounding with glass fish.
Marine life. On ergs there live usual hunters for glass fish - Pterios miles and groupers. This place also is rich with the fauna living in sand - crocodilefish, a flounder, fish-stone, devilfish; bluespotted stingray - here usual inhabitants. Hearings go, that about northern wall sometimes meets grey reefs sharks, and over a sandy plateau between ergs the barracuda floats.
Abu Hashish
Location. Abu Hashish - island in the centre of a wide gulf in 90 minutes of driving from Hurgada in a southern direction. The island was once used under a warehouse by the smugglers taking hashish in the country. Reef "language" acts approximately on 1 km in a southern direction. The most southern point of this "language" also is ours dive a site. On depth from 15 to 22 metres to be the shelf, behind it goes abrupt, but amazingly smooth drop-off, usually with tremendous visibility. In reef "language" were stretched long ergs.
Sea condition. In spite of the fact that this site is well protected, in storm weather here it is very difficult to reach from Hurgada. The current mainly from the north on the south, as much as possible amplifies in area drop-off.
Dive plan. Leave a lagoon through the channel which has grown with table corals - it is very well looked through and, further through a shelf to drop-off and follow in a north direction. In this area there are some beautiful caves on depth of 30 metres. Back come back on an inside of a shelf and finish dive in a lagoon, among ergs.
Marine life. Lengthways drop-off the usual sea living creatures - barracudas, cezies and hummerhead sharks and slopes float, from time to time. Over a shelf there are turtles, bluespotted stingray, the Spanish dancer, morays, groupers. In a lagoon - a squid, flutes and little barracudas.
Shaab Аbu Nuhas
From time of opening of Suez canal in 1860 many courts have passed through a gulf, following from Europe in East countries. It is a lot of ships also was lost, having got to a trap of shallow reeves which not clearly appear under a water smooth surface. One of such reeves - Shaab Аbu Nuhas. So dangerously located on the brink of a sea way, this reef has collected more ships, than any other reef. Fishermen-beduiny have entitled this reef - «The reef of brass» - under brass - most likely, have in view of a memorial board. This reef is located to the north Hurghada, to reach it it is possible for 2,5-3,5 hours, therefore him visit either during a safari, or during an one-day trip, but with departure from Hurgada in 6-7 mornings.
On North side Shaab abu Nuhas is 4 whole wreck. The oldest - «The Carnatic», has sunk in 1869. Further not so ancient three wreck - «The Ghiannis D», «The Chrisola K» and one more, known under a name «Seastar». Also here there are fragments from some other old ships, now which are completely destroyed. This party of a reef is very strongly subject to bad weather influence, therefore it is necessary to show extra care. During strong excitement the given site is accessible only on the zodiac. On internal, a South side of a reef mooring is safe. Here there are three fine reeves, known under the name «The Yellowfish Reef». They can be excellent the third dive, or alternative in bad weather.
Umm Gammar
Location. Umm Gamar - the long thin strip of a reef laying in a direction "north-south", at 1,5 o'clock driving from Hurghada on the north. From northern and southern parties of a reef there are small plateaus in radius about 20 metres. The reef East side represents the vertical wall breaking in a blue, silent chasm. The most popular places for diving - a southern plateau (near to ship parking) and east wall. Umm Gamar it is translated as «Mother of the Moon». Possibly, this name occurs because of the island located at top of a reef and having the form of a half moon.
Sea conditions. In a way small rolling can expect you, but around a reef all is quiet. The current usually does not cause problems. If the current is, meets, as a rule, on the most southern point of a reef.
Dive plan. In that place where east edge of a plateau passes in a wall, there are three coral "turrets". The first - hollow and round, densely occupied by the glass fish, the second - above and its forms remind a sculpture. In third you will find the big sandy cave on depth of 27 metres. All three "turrets" are rich with colonies of purple soft corals round which the large quantity of glass fishes is turned.
Marine life. Around a plateau you can meet napoleons, morays, fish-flute, fish-bat. From time to time it is possible to see whitetips reefs sharks. In February-March sometimes casually appear devil rays, in September it is possible to see trigger, guarding the nest. Among corals of "turrets" it is possible to meet usual predators - fish-stone, fish-scorpion, Pterios miles.
North Umm Gamar
Location. North Umm Gamar includes two dajv-sites: northern plateau and Halg Umm Gamar (on an illustration). Northern plateau is characterised by huge corals, the big fishes, strong currents. Halg Umm Gamar - a gulf closed by a wall from the south and a 60-metre coral slope from the north. In its centre, on a sandy bottom there are two coral reefs.
Sea conditions. A place quiet enough, but currents amplify at movement on the north.
Dive plan. Dive in the beginning to deep reefs, further it is possible to float anywhere. If you float on the north, be more cautious with currents which you will feel as soon as you will turn for a wall corner. If you float on the south - look around more attentively - you can meet black corals. On depth of 8 metres near to a relief crevice in a reef there is a cave.
Marine life. The most widespread inhabitants on this reef - grouper and a grouper-peacock. Fishes-surgeons, fishes-butterflies also meet much. But this reef is considered an especial place because of one inhabitant - the Spanish dancer. Usually they live on depths from 15 to 20 metres, but meet on shoal is more often.
Shaabruhr Umm Gamar
Location. Less than in one mile to the north Umm Gamar, Shaabruhr - the same thin strip of a reef laying in a direction "north-south". But unlike Umm Gamar on this reef there is no island or the beacons marking its surface. For this reason it has faced three ships which fragments now are at the bottom. In the most southern point находяться remains of an old Egyptian vessel which was used for army maintenance on island Shadwan. The vessel for dive safari has sunk also, but it to be on the big depth. And known «Colona IV» - also it is located on the big depth. The plateau round island is on depths from 15 to 30 metres. It narrow from southern and east parties both wide and sandy from the West. The reef North country represents a mountain ridge and is stretched from 25-30 metres to several honeycombs of metres in depth. Shaabruhr to be translated as «a small reef».
Sea conditions. Shaabruhr accords less warm reception, than Umm Gamar, but nevertheless here it is simple to rise on an anchor. Sometimes there is strong enough current from an East side, but "parking" area usually quiet.
Dive plan. Around this reef there are two good dajv-sites. It or дрифт along east wall, or immersing in the field of a southern plateau - immersing on Wreck and drop-off near to it. Come back along a reef to shoal where you will see set пещерок and ledges. Finish the дайв on shoal nearby эрга грибообразной forms.
Marine life. On a plateau you can meet with morays, napoleons, large groupers and blue-spotty slopes. In area drop-off if will carry, it is possible to see it is white-plavnikovuju reefs a shark, and in any case - the big tunas. This best place in Hurgada for search grey reefs sharks (especially in the afternoon).
Careless Reef
Location. About one hour of driving on the north from Hurgada, in the middle of the sea from a chasm 12-25 metres, gradually slipping to edges on 22-24 metres where it sharply passes in drop-off tower reefs a plateau, with depths mainly. On a plateau two are located эрга - large in the north and less in the south. They are surrounded by wood of corals which teem with fish.
Sea conditions. In area ergs there is protection against the high sea and, accordingly, no reliable haven. It protects all Careless from its popularity (divers cannot visit this place every day). The current direction cannot be predicted. On a surface the current always occurs from the north, but on depth one God knows, whence it will be.
Dive plan. On this reef two good dajv-sites. The first - enter into water from a North side ergs and move on the south along east drop-off zones and finish the dive on a South side. Alternative - enter into water in any point and admire a plateau from different directions, having made around эргов "eight".
Marine life. This place simply teems with stuff!!! Search round itself morays, sharks, for turtles etc. In area drop-off search a tuna, large groupers, and at early o'clock - sharks-hammers.
Fanous east
Location. This reef is known under several names: Torfa el Fanous (designates «a reef with a beacon»), Dolphin Reef or Dolphin’s Playground (a platform for games of dolphins). As though you did not name this reef, it represents a narrow strip of the reef surrounding the big lagoon severo-to the west Giftun Kebir. In its east part the wide channel-crevice is located and on the brink of it there is a coral garden and three picturesque coral "turrets". To reach it it is possible for 45 - 60 minutes.
Sea conditions. In a lagoon always easy, but the reef North side is not protected from a bad weather. The current occurs with northern, lateral aspect of a reef and bends around it from east and western parties. You can enter into water near to a beacon and make drift through the channel.
Dive plan. Look an illustration - visit erg "And", a coral garden and erg. Also, before to turn back, look gorgonias.
Marine life. There is nothing surprising if during time dive on this reef you meet a flock of dolphins in 5-6 pieces. Turtles, yellow slopes in a blue speck, eagle rays, barracudas also meet around it reef. Also this site differs presence pegasus, living in sand, sometimes there are fishes-bats and starfishes.
Fanous west
Location. On western termination Fanous of a reef there are narrow «fossma» or the channel which is passing through a wall of a reef and the leader through it to an external lagoon on depth of 9 metres and further to a coral garden, 12-14 metres located on depth. There there are 2 cores ergs and various coral impregnations.
Sea conditions. The boat can be moored in an internal part «fossma» in any weather - here it always will be in safety. The current of southern or northern direction usually is only from a wall outer side. Sometimes the current happens strong and in this case the best variant for you will be drift-dive with an input in water about northern erg and movement on a current in a direction to a boat.
Dive plan. If you do not wish to do drift-dive as it is described above, enter into water near to “fossma” (4) and float through it in a lagoon. It is not necessary to waste time on lagoon survey - there there is nothing interesting. Having reached a reef corner, you can make a choice - or to continue movement along the basic wall of a reef in northern direction, or to move directly. Following in this direction about 20 metres, you will see relief coral island which to be on one line with the core erg (remoteness of 50 metres). This isle is most picturesque from a North side. In a southern direction there are also two interesting "turrets".
Marine life. Round this reef the small fish - picasso, colour triggers, morays, octopuses, squids, fishes-butterflies and turtles teems usual reefs. Dolphins often by float, following with the north in a southern direction.
Hamda
Location. Hamda it is located on the most northern part Giftun Kebir, at bottom of a ridge of highly towering rocks and on the contrary white a beach. This reef has some names: Hamda, Umm Dom, Hamata or Stone Beach (a stony beach). Under water the small plateau of firm corals smoothly leaving from depth of 15 metres to 35 metres is located. From its external party is drop-off with set of smooth, round, stony ledges. The abrupt wall falling to depth more of 50 metres begins with both parties of a plateau.
Sea condition. At a wind from the northwest this place is well protected, but at winds from the north or the northeast here it is very uncomfortable. A current insignificant.
Dive plan. It is necessary to swim and look on drop-off but only to remind itself how much more richly and more brightly a life on shoal. These rigid, naked stones partly remind a lunar landscape.
Marine life. In the high sea over a plateau a large quantity of triggers, tunas, groups of Sweetlips and Grunts and narvals. In the field of a plateau there are morays, fishes-scorpions, barracudas, sometimes sharks and turtles. In this place also met pair of whale sharks.
Ben el gebel
Location. Between Giftun Soraya and Giftun Kebir there is a narrow passage. The long half moon of a reef appearing from northern termination Giftun Soray, also is Ben el gebel (literally «between mountains» in an Arabian way). Also this reef name Shaab Torfa, Shaab Dorfa, Torfa el Shait. On the termination of this half moon of a reef there are five ergs. It also is yours dive site. To reach it from Hurghada it is possible for 90 minutes.
Sea conditions. From a reef outer side waves can boil and howl a wind, but the lagoon will remain thus quiet. You can venture and pass through the channel outside. This area is washed by currents which practically always run through the channel.
Dive plan. Leave through the channel on depth of 8 metres. If you are lazy and languid today, do not sail further three the nearest ergs. From a North side of these ergs you will see a little fine gorgonias. If you are in good mood - follow further, to remained ergs. In this area not so someone often dives, therefore here it is a lot of small fish and there are some the tremendous ledges which have been densely stuck round by glass fish. Be attentive and try not to swim away further! We remind, that sometimes divers are lost in this zone and wrongly emerge on next Gota Ben el Gebel or Banana reef. To be necessary for you time a great lot to return back.
Marine life. On this reef often there are triggers, fishes-boxes, napoleons, groups of Sweetlips and Grunts. On a reef North side sometimes there are barracudas and eagle rays. More close to a reef there live fishes-clowns.
For maps of dive-sites thanks:
http://www.divingsoft.com/redseamap and
http://www.webdive.ru
Dive-sites for safari (Safaga)
Dive-sites for safari (Marsa Alam)
Dive-sites for safari (Deep South)
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