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Gubal Straits/Ras Mohamed Dive Sites:
1. The Alternatives (27°43.84'N, 34°11.93'E)
A chain of flat topped reefs, also known as 'seven pinnacles'. Best dive
around third and fourth where current sweeps through feeding pristine
corals with bright vivid colours. 'Stingray Station' lies at the western
extremity of the Alternatives, an irregular reef owes its name to the
gathering of stingrays in March-April. Often sightings of a leopard
shark.
2. Wreck of Dunraven (27°42.15'N, 34°07.30'E)
At the southern extreme of 'Shaab Mahmoud' lies the wreck of the 72m
English steamer sunk in 1876 on its way to Bombay. The hull lies
upside down and is totally covered in corals (max. depth 29m). Morays,
groupers and schools of glassfish and goatfish inside.
3. Small Passage (27°43.91'N, 34°05.86'E)
Small split in midway of Shaab Mahmouds barrier. The tide empties
and fills the inner lagoon twice daily, thus creating strong currents that
promote an impressive explosion of life. Brilliant soft corals and
resident flashlight fish also make it a premier night dive location -
weather permitting.
4. Wreck of SS Thistlegorm (27°49.90'N, 33°55.23'E)
Most famous wreck in the Red Sea. The 129m English freighter was
bombed by German aviation in 1941, fully loaded with supplies and
arms for troops in North Africa. Has created an artificial reef on a flat
sandy bottom, home to a large variety of marine life and schooling fish
- max. depth 31m.
5. Shag Rock (27°45.50'N, 33°53.30'E)
Large circular reef offering excellent diving on pristine coral reefs from
any location on its perimeter. The sheltered southern point is the most
dived location offering the opportunity for drifts along the west or east
boundaries. Weather permitting the northern point hosts the wreck of
the 'Sarah H.' just below the surface (max. depth 12m). Large schools of
yellow goatfish, oriental sweetlips and regularly patrolled by palargics..
6. Bluff Point (27°40.07'N, 33°48.32'E)
At the gate of the Straits of Gubal, 'Bluff Point' draws its name from the
turbulance created by strong currents that beat the eastern most wall of
the island. Huge fan corals cover an impressive drop off with caves and
glassfish. Often sightings of turtles and napolean fish. A unknown cargo
boat lies on the reef 300m north of the lighthouse, starting at 5m depth
and sloping to 25m.
7. Abu Nuhas
Also named the 'Ships Graveyard', houses several wrecks on a sandy
seafloor at the bottom of a steep sloping coral reef layered with table
corals:
Gianus D. (27°34.71'N, 33°55.41'E) Greek freighter that hit the reef
in 1983. Most dived wreck leaning to port with a fully intact stern
section. Impressive engine room packed with glassfish. Be weary
of numerous lionfish, scorpianfish and strong surges in and
around the the wreck in rough weather - max. depth 27m.
Carnatic(27°34.81'N, 33°55.63'E) An old English steamer which
sank in 1869. In stark contrast to the other more modern wrecks
in design and fully encrusted in hard and soft corals - max. depth
27m.
Sea Star (27°34.92'N, 33°55.76'E) Sank in 1976, fully laden with
stone floor tiles. Early morning divers may find a white tip reef
shark sleeping under the rudder at the stern. Be weary of very
limited and small entry/exit points into the engine room - max.
depth 25m.
Chrisoula K (27°34.98'N, 33°55.88'E) Struck the reef in 1981. Lying
completely on its starboard side exposing its huge hull on one
side and gaping cargo holds on the other. Large morays live in
the scattered remains of wreckage on the starboard side and
batfish circle the top side - max. depth 31m.
8. Yellowfish Reef (27°33.99'N, 33°56.01'E)
A group of three small reefs and outlying pinnacles on the inside of
Abu Nuhas lagoon offering a superb landscape filled with schools of
yellowfishes like goat, butterfly, banner and oiental sweetlips which
give its name.
9. Shaab Umm Usk (27°34.99'N, 33°53.25'E)
A large horseshoe shaped reef shelters a shallow lagoon and offers
good shallow diving on coral gardens at either point. Further around
the southern reef exterior provides a steep coral encrusted wall sloping
to 40+m. Playful bottlenose dolphins inside lagoon at times.
10. Blind Reef
An Isolated reef south of Siyul Island, with good diving on its north
side. Soft coral, whip coral, glassfish bommies and turtles often found.
11. Siyul Kebira
The north eastern point offers a plateau which slopes gently from 10m
to 30+m. Sharks and large rays often sighted in the deeper water, with
schools of oriental sweetlips and masked butterflies in the shallows.
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