Barge at bluff point Egypt information, tours, prices and online booking
Known simply as the Barge at Bluff point, this is what remains of a ship with an identity that is lost. There are several theories about its origin, but none are confirmed. The wreck has sustained quite a bit of damage but it makes an awesome night dive. It is located on the East of the Big Gubal Island, which is a wonderful dive sight in its own right, just 10 minutes away. The Barge is covered in hard and soft corals and is home to breathtaking marine life. This includes several giant morays, nudibranchs, and large numbers of lionfish.
Bluff Point itself is interesting as a wall dive. You will see hoards of glassfish as well as octopi, squid, crocodile fish, scorpion fish, and butterfly fish. Turtles have also been known to make an appearance. In addition the wreck of the Ulysses is in the vicinity, but you will have to traverse strong currents to reach it. The Bluff Point location is good for several dives, where you can enjoy wrecks, amazing corals, and a variety of Red Sea life. It is easily reached from both Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada.
Bluff Point:
Bluff Point, at the northeast end of Gubal Seghira island, extends like a pointing finger into the Straits of Gubal. The dive is along the island’s east coast, near the light which warns shipping off the sheer bluffs or cliffs. The reef here is a steep wall, following a meandering path along the coast. It boasts some very sheer, cliff-like sections, and is peppered with caves and cavelets. Coral growth is very good, with a wide variety of hard and soft corals on the reef face. A particularly attraction is the abundant growth of anti patharian black coral bushes at depth. A large cave lies just off the lighthouse and south of here, the reef bends inwards, eventually reaching the wreck of a barge.
This is the usual pickup point for dive boats. The section of reef between cave and barge often experiences tricky currents, so stay in close to the reef. A second wreck, carrying a cargo of electrical goods, lies several hundred meters to the north of the lighthouse, well covered in corals. Coral growth along the entire reef is good, with nice patches of dendronephthia soft corals and a wide range of stony species on display. Fish and other marine animals abound here. The site is famous for turtles, while bottlenose dolphins are also frequent visitors. The site offers the usual broad range of colorful reef species and there are lots of jacks and fussily.
The diving site facts:
- Location: About 14km (9 miles) southwest of Shag Rock, in the Straits of Gubal.
- Access: By day or live-aboard boat from Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada.
- Average Depth: 20m (65ft).
- Maximum Depth: 30m+ (100ft+).
- Average Visibility: 20m (65ft).
