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 Hurghada and El Gouna. The southeast side is the place where boats anchor and where the reef has been able to grow, sheltering from the northern wind. Shaab Umm Gamar translates as part of mother the moon and is a long isolated reef formed by an underwater mountain. At its southeastern side is a very steep wall where many species of pelagic hunt for smaller fish. There is also a plateau at its western side which is full of small caves and overhangs. Also here is a generally sloping wall which finally plummets into the deep, unfortunately not as steep as at its southeastern neighbor.
by boat 40 min good conditions, clear visibility
good conditions during winter
20
40
Yes
No
Yes
Fanadir North
Fanadir is one of the longest reefs of Hurghada. It is situated north of Hilton Plaza Hotel and stretches in almost a straight line towards the north. Fanadir itself is divided into two dive sites Fanadir South and North. The northern part consists of 1 m high reefs wall, sandy plateau which is about 15 m wide by the mooring and narrows down reaching the depths of 40 m and over. Navigation of this dive site is very simple we begin our dive having the reef on the left hand side and heading, against the current, in the northern direction. Coming back with the current holding the reef on our right hand side. Initially we dive over a naked sandy plateau, but you could not be mistaking more When observing carefully one can possibly see many inhabitants here among which we can find the rarest samples of Red Sea flora. The edge of the plateau falls down rapidly to 30m and more but it does not offer much apart from some big Tunas or a small reef shark passing by from time to time. Some whip corals fill up the scene. You can often run into walking together Moth Fish, Stone Fish especially during the mating period they give quite a show on the sandy bottom marching together We can also see, in the sand on the edge of the plateau big Sand Rays or Feather tail Rays laying under a thin layer of the sand waiting for their victims. Gobi's together with Partner Shrimp fill the entire bottom digging holes. Octopuses are often visiting this reef as well.
by boat 45 min from hurghada
good conditions during december month
20
40
Yes
Yes
No
El Mina
El Mina or the Harbour Wreck is a 70 meter long Egyptian minesweeper that was sunk by an Israeli fighter in 1969 during the 6 day war. It is very hard to locate at such a short distance from the shore and the Hurghada harbor. Large aircraft guns and ammunition can still be found on the wreck. There are many holes which are all fabulous to peek through as she lies on her side. Entering the ship besides the huge starboard side blasthole is not recommended because of the always strong northern wind, the loose wires and the instability of the wreck.
by boat 25 min from hurghada
can be windy and have strong currents
25
30
Yes
No
Yes
Abu Ramada
Abu Ramada island is a flat one kilometer long and small island surrounded by a fringing reef. There are nice drift dives along the steep eastern walls and some coral eggs in the south. A cave named igloo can be found in the east in 18 meters of water, but there are also some other overhangs and swim throughs. Coral and marine life is vivid all around the island. by boat 40min
by boat 40min
good conditions
25
50
Yes
No
Yes
Fanadir South
Fanadir is one of the longest reefs of Hurghada. It is situated north of Hilton Plaza Hotel and stretches in almost a straight line towards the north. Fanadir itself is divided into two dive sites: Fanadir South and North. The southern part consists of 10 m high reefs wall, sandy plateau which is about 30 m wide by the mooring which ends up with another steep wall reaching the depths of 40 m and over. by boat Navigation of this dive site is very simple, we begin our dive having the reef on the left hand side and heading, against the current, in the northern direction. Coming back with the current holding the reef on our right hand side. Initially we dive over a naked sandy plateau, but you could not be mistaking more! When observing carefully one can possibly see ay inhabitants here among which we can find the rarest samples of Red Sea flora. The edge of the plateau falls down to about 18 m and later even exceeds 30 m. The slop itself is not looking too interesting. On the way back towards the boat we dive close to the reef, which offers many soft and hard corals, a lot of different kinds of sponges and it is also a home to variety of fishes.
by boat 40 min from hurghada
good conditions during winter
20
40
Yes
No
Yes
Shaab El Erg
This is a large horseshoe shaped reef north of Hurghada. It is a sheltered site and excellent for micro reef life such as nudibranch. You are also likely to encounter moray eels and blue-spotted stingrays here. Pods of dolphins also frequent the area.
with boat 1 hour
good conditions
25
40
Yes
No
Yes
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