Abu Ramada Hurghada information, tours, prices and online booking
Abu Ramada Hurghada or Gotta Abu Ramada is an excellent dive site if you are on a live aboard. In fact, 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. In fact, they are away from the main reef to explore around. Moreover, 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. Furthermore, there are a couple of eagle rays that made this reef there home and are often come across by divers. Crocodile fish and stonefish are also something to look out for. Underneath where the day boats moor there were some nesting triggerfish to steer clear of!
The try dives going on at this site led to plenty of amusement for the divers. Gotta Abu Ramada is a medium sized, oval-shaped reef with a shallow, flat, sandy seabed surrounding it. This is one of the most popular sites for your first dive from the day boats in Hurghada. There is something here for all levels of diver, whilst giving an easy introduction to Red Sea diving. Don’t be put off if you’re an experienced diver (there’s plenty of time for the deep walls). Just a few inches above an adult eagle ray in just 8 meters of water here and recently (Aug 2006) seen eagle rays. They apparently are current residents of the reef. The coral and fish life is vibrant in color and great for photographers. Current is not normally a consideration here, however if it is running it is likely to run from the north towards the south.
More information about Abu Ramada Hurghada:
Off the north east side of the reef is a separate erg. In fact, it covered in orange fire coral. Moreover, there are huge shoals of yellow snapper often congregate here. This is likely to be the furthest part of your dive if you are diving out and back from your boat along the east side of the reef, but it’s well worth the swim. The north eastern side and north western side both have lovely coral gardens. They also have dozens of small coral encrusted blocks out on the sand seabed. So, don’t just stay on the reef itself. Boats moor on the mooring ropes on the south side of the reef. And then, the dive plan is normally to dive either the west side or east side of the reef by doing an “out and back dive”. If your boat does happen to have a zodiac or RIB then definitely drop on the north side. It is where the coral and fish life is more pristine and then make a “one way dive” back to your boat.
In fact, Abu Ramada Hurghada can be really busy. So, it’s a good idea to take a look up at your boat after entry. It is to establish any unique characteristics for identifying it upon return. This one tough little reef – dived relentlessly 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. In fact, it is often with up to 20 boats tied in. The continued quality of coral and diversity of marine life never ceases to amaze you. If there is a prime example of how the reefs of the Red Sea stand up to the amount of divers visiting them, then this has got to be it. For all the diving and boat traffic, Gotta Abu Ramada continues to thrive as a marine environment.
Abu Ramada diving site facts:
- Dive Site Name: Gotta Abu Ramada (‘The Aquarium’).
- Location: Hurghada.
- Description: Wall dive.
- Depth: 100 meters (300 feet).
- Visibility: 20 – 25 meters (65 – 80 feet).
