| El Aruk
Written by Hurghada Information Net
Monday, 14 January 2008
Description & Location
El Aruk lies north of Gotta Abu Ramada less than an hour from Hurghada. This site is has a cluster of mushroom shaped ergs scattered on the seabed at 12 meters. It makes for a very interesting underwater topography. The erg garden stretches from southwest to northeast creating three primary zones known as Aruk Gigi (northeast), Aruk Giftun (middle) and Aruk Diana (southwest). Other names given to this area are Shaab Kweiss, Aruk Tweil and the Magic Mushrooms.
About the Dive
This area is generally well protected in the lee of Giftun Kebira. Now and then a strong current will surprisingly move in so take care and check for currents before starting your dive. The biggest concern when diving here is navigating this site! The ergs lie in clusters making navigation challenging and often intimidating for novice divers. If diving Aruk Diana (7 ergs), start the dive by first locating the large erg with the split erg growing out of it, use this for a reference point. Keep this reference point in site while circling out to see the surrounding ergs. Aruk Gigi is identified by a near straight row of 11 ergs. Situated close together, it is easy to see the next erg from each one. Aruk Giftun is a cluster of 7 ergs on a rocky, not sandy seabed.
Reef Life & Special Interests
The more common marine life in this area include triggerfish, yellowish, parrotfish, blue spotted rays, rabbit fish and lots of snowflake moray eels
Following Fish
Clownfish (Nemo)
Pufferfish (Balloon grey)
Lionfish
Butterflyfish (yellow)
Cown Butterflyfish (Blue)
Black Backed Butterflyfish (Yellow with black Stripe)
Crocodile Fish
Murene
Eel (White)
Octopus
Anemone
Blue Spotted Stinray
Stonefish
lord coral
Napolionfish
Reefshark
tuna
eel garden
Baracuda
Shrimps (Garnalen Dutch)
Snail (slakje Dutch)
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