DIVING – DIVINGS

The Gorgonia coral barrier reef offers some of the most fantastic sights of the entire southern coast of Egypt. Plateaus and gardens of coral alternate in an explosion of colour, fish of all shapes and sizes can be seen from carangidae to barracuda and moral eel to turtles, sly coral groupers loitering under the coral tables, sea eagles, anemones and clownfish.

Dives are available with guides (with compulsory initial cross-check) or in pairs, for which OWD certification is required as a minimum plus 30 recorded dives. Different entry points offer a range of dives in both the North and the South. No Landing pier.

The only wreck that can be visited in this part of southern Egypt is a merchantman which has now been taken over by coral; the maximum depth of 18 metres makes it suitable for all levels. The day continues with a Bedouin lunch in the marvellous mangrove lagoon of El Qulaan, whose white sands and pristine natural environment are sure to delight. Full day from land.

La ormai famosa Baia del Dugongo.
The now famous Dugong Bay is the location of our furthest dive from base. The exhilaration of encountering the ocean turtles that inhabit the plateau in this bay, the sight of bowmouth guitarfish, grey stingray and – with a little luck – the Dugong itself will all make the 50-minute transfer well worthwhile.

This bay is just a few minutes from the resort by minibus.

The southern area offers a barrier reef full of pinnacles, small caverns and recesses that will enchant you in the dancing light; on the north side, along with the red anemone, you will also be able to see batfish, turtles, whitetip reef shark and bowmouth guitarfish.

This is a stunning reef that extends for over a mile north-south at around 3 miles from the coast. Normally the dive begins along the far northern tip, which is sometimes subject to harsh waves and strong currents.

We immediately explore the long eastern wall that plunges into the blue depths and is full of black coral, gorgonia and alcyonaria.

The dive culminates near a plateau at a depth of 20 metres, forming a terrace that makes an ideal place for observing pelagic fish and whitetip reef shark (longimanus).

These dives are suitable only for scuba divers holding an advanced certificate.

Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) mandatory; minimum number of participants required

“Ras” means “head” in Egyptian, and it is precisely this area, adjacent to Marsa Samaday, that characterises this site, which is particularly rich in coral, that rises up in pinnacles and sandy plateaus almost like a theatre set.

The deepest plateau, at over 30 metres below the surface, is there to be explored, and we may also meet some barrier shark or see the wonderful Anemone City. Currents expected.

This bay, to the north of Gorgonia, offers the chance to admire soft corals and alcyonaria in a reef that rises gradually from a plateau made of the very pale sand that is typical of this particular area. Moray eel, Napoleonfish and stonefish are all there to spot and marvel at!