Fanus west
Fanous is a form of a lighthouse in Arabic as there is a small light point located at the eastern and more popular part of thus reef. The reef itself is some 300 m long and extends to the west. Furthermore, it is divided into two parts: El Fanous East and El Fanous West
We start more to the southern wall of the reef, just by the canal leading north to a sandy lagoon. The depth under the boat will reach about 7 m while in the canal it is around 5 m. We head across the lagoon in the north-west direction keeping the reef on our right hand side, within our sight. On the way we should run into a clusters of corals forming a road sign and assuring us that we have the right diving direction. After reaching the northern edge of the lagoon we continue north, where, in about 10 m, we will see coral erg covered mainly with hard corals. We make a circle around it looking out for big Sand Rays and return to the main reef. When coming back to the lagoon, hold the reef on your left hand side. We return to the boat through the same canal we first crossed.
Flora & fauna:
We can find, as always, many interesting creatures in the sand with dominance of Blue Spotted Sting Rays and Stone Fish. One can very often spot here huge Sand Rays or Feather tail Rays but the real fun is to see a pod of Dolphins very often passing through the lgoon and the canal when the pod heads to the south of Hurghada.
12
16
Yes
No
No
bluffpoint
Bluff point is a steep wall dive that follows the coastline. There are plenty of small passages and inlets in the rock that hide away life. The reef is full of glassfish, butterflyfish, crocodilefish and a flat-headed scorpionfish. The wreck itself isn't much to look at, but it serves as an attraction for sealife. Keep an eye out for turtles
by boat
good
25
40
Yes
No
Yes
Gota Abu Ramada
An excellent dive site if you are on a liveaboard as you can drop in at the far end of the reef a long way from all the day boats. The shallow reef has plenty of coral outcrops away from the main reef to explore around and there is an abundance of life wherever you look. Because of the shallow depth there is plenty of light making it an excellent dive for taking photos. There are a couple of eagle rays that have made this reef there home and are often come across by divers. Crocodilefish and stonefish are also something to look out for and underneath where the day boats moor there were some nesting triggerfish to steer clear of.
by boat
medium to strong
30
40
Yes
Yes
No
Erg Abu Ramada
Erg Abu Ramada consists out of three ergs that rise from about 18 meters of depth to just beneath the surface. They lie in a line with the largest to the south and the smallest to the north. The dive site is small enough to take it easy and make a nice round around each one of the eggs. Enjoy the marine life, the extensively growth of coral and the pelagic action. This dive site is often less crowded than the nearby abu ramada wall dive, but definitely not less interesting.
by boat 45 min good conditions
good conditions during winter time
15
25
Yes
No
No
Shabur Uum Gamar
Umm Qamar is a small island halfway between Giftun and Shatwan island and one of the furthest dive sites reachable by day boats from Hu
221
Giannis D
The Giannis D crashed into the reef at Sha’ab Abu Nuhas in April 1983 and sank with her cargo of timber. Originally built in Japan in 1969 and called the ‘Shoyo Maru’, at the time of her sinking she was owned by a Greek shipping company, Dumarc, hence the ‘D’ in her name which was painted on the ship’s funnel and can still be seen today.
She lies between depths of 4m and 24m. Dives usually commence at the stern which is very much intact, though completely severed from the midship area which has virtually all broken up. The bow section, too, is also intact, while separated from the rest of the ship. You can visit the engine room in the stern section entering via an opening in the funnel. You can see all the instruments, pipes and machinery in here which are all intact. After exploring the stern, you can swim across the destroyed middle section and take a closer look at the bow, which lies between 12 and 18m.
The ship has been colonised by many soft corals and, consequently, many fish have made the freighter their home. You are likely to encounter schools of glassfish and anthias, lionfish, groupers and Napoleon fish. Moray eels too have made the hull of the Giannis D their home
with boat 2 hours
good currents to strong currents
25
35
Yes
Yes
Yes
Giftun Soraya
Erg Somaya lies about 75 minutes outside of Hurghada on the east side of Giftun Soraya. To the south is the tower from the Giftun Police Station and to the north a small mountain ridge. The reef drops off quickly to a sandy ledge between 15 and 24m, and after this to 50m. On the ledge there are two towers. The one between 18 and 10m has a buoy line. In the north is another one, between 20 and 12m, which is in the form of a pyramid, and over saturated with crimson red soft coral. Under the ledge, between the two towers, are two caverns at 25 and 32m, which merge together as a chimney with boat half an hour The mooring spot is found in the near from the reef, therefore, it can be difficult to moor here by rough weather. The area has mostly a strong current, so in this case, the easiest dive to do here would be a drift dive.
by boat 45 min
good conditions can have strong currents
10
35
Yes
No
Yes
Fanus East
This narrow reef creates a huge calm lagoon, a great place to stop for lunch and catch the sun before the second dive of the day. The lagoon itself and the enclosing reef wall is relatively uninteresting and naturally lifeless but on the seaward side the area bursts with all manner of sea creatures. Swim through the gap between the first erg and the reef wall and head across the coral garden to the second erg, home to hordes of glass fish and the very occasional frog fish. Continue with the reef wall on your left to see the gorgonians on the corner of the reef where it turns west, if you have enough air continue along the north face where the corals are pristine, if not return with the reef on your right and explore the first erg before returning to the boat. Dolphins are often encountered anywhere around this reef so keep an eye out.
with boat 1 hour
Visibility between 20 and 30 meters. 27 degress in water
15
25
Yes
No
No
Panorama reef
Huge coral formations with wall dropping to over 200m. Panorama is also the home of Anemone city, ranging from 14m up to 5m, ideal for your safety stop.
Boat
20
40
Yes
No
No