Safaga: Top Beginner Dive Sites
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Safaga
bay has an outstanding selection of lovely dive sites for beginners and
easy-going divers. The large bay and Safaga
Island
create an environment generally protected from strong currents and wind,
which makes the sites ideal also for non-diving companions willing to
spend a day on a boat, swimming and snorkeling in top
Red Sea
waters. Enjoy and always remember the main rule when diving or
snorkeling: never touch the corals, never stand on them, never feed or
harass the underwater creatures!
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site : Sha'ab
Saiman
Garden
Max Depth: 30 meters Visibility: 40 meters
Dive Type: Moored dive
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Notes: It is like visiting a virgin rain forest! A little jewel,
although difficult to reach in windy conditions. Luscious coral garden
permanently nurtured by constant currents. Hundreds of different coral
species and barrier fish ensure a rewarding dive. It seems to be
purpose-made scenery for u/w photographers and videographers. A perfect
place for snorkeling, weather conditions permitting. |
Site: Tobia Arbaa (also known as Seven
Pillars or Seven
Towers)
Max Depth: 20 meters
Visibility: 30 meters
Dive Type: Moored dive |
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Notes: Named the "seven pillars" after the small pinnacles rising from a
sandy bottom. One of the best dives in Safaga, despite the shallow
bottom, sometimes cause of not perfect visibility. Soft corals cover all
the seven ergs, glassfish, gorgonians, giant puffer fish, octopus, blue
spotted rays, morays, lionfish, sergeant majors, nudibranches, etc..
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Site: Gamul Kebir
Max Depth: 15 meters
Visibility: 30 meters
Dive Type: Moored dive
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Notes: A lagoon-shaped reef situated in the middle of Safaga Bay
with several dive sites. The highlight of this popular site is the eel
garden by the pinnacles on the northeast side. Approaching the area, it
looks like a sea grass garden - getting closer you will be surprised to
discover that the long black "leaves" dancing in the soft current are
dozens of sand eels having lunch. Another interesting site to explore is
the real sea grass garden, on the eastern side, where small sharks and
eagle rays can be found frequently. If you are extremely lucky, you
could even meet the elusive and timid dugong occasionally feeding on sea
grass. On the north part there are several coral heads covered in soft
coral, and stingrays and nurse sharks are often seen there
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Site: Ras Abu Soma
Max Depth: 80 meters
Visibility: 40 meters
Dive Type: Coastal reef - Moored dive / Beach access
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Notes: On the northern tip of
Safaga
Bay lies the panoramic Abu
Soma, a peninsula surrounded by a fringing reef, rich with top quality
dive sites. Can be accessed also from the 500 meters long jetty at the
Sheraton Soma Bay Hotel. The reef slopes gently to a plateau at around
25 meters and drops off with caves and overhangs rich with schooling
reef fish, giant moray eels and healthy hard corals. Occasionally we
spotted a large group of migrating fish out in the blue. But amazing
sights can be seen just snorkeling from the beach or the jetty
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