South
Ras El Torfa
Good visibility and excellent corals are a safe bet in R.E.T.
and there is always the chance to see turtles, rays and even sharks. Sites include:
Etnin Galawa - The 'two lagoons' are poised between beds of some of the most
intact
coral you will see. Being a dive on the east facing wall this is often achieved by
a boat drop and zodiac pickup, using the drift to explore the reef wall. Hawksbill
turtles are regular visitors and there is a pinnacle infested with boxer shrimp for
the macro lovers, but the coral is the star with beds of goniopora mixing it with
huge salad corals.
Abu Siyal - The boat moors in a natural lagoon that forms the
most northern part of a sprawling bay. Here a sand strip that starts at 5mt separates
the main reef from a series of beds that form a drop-off. Pufferfish and goatfish
can be found on the sand patch and the drop off is covered in anthias and other small
fish life. Exploring further south you could spot a turtle or two, but on the way
back watch out at 9mt for one of the most picturesque pinnacles in this area, complete
with a totally undamaged table coral that plays host to the secretive lemon coral
goby.
Kora Kebir - For advanced divers only, seeing the 'big ball' loom out of
the distance at a depth of 25mt is a memorable experience. On the outer edge of this
unique coral formation the drop off extends below 50mt and you are right out in the
blue, meaning big life encounters are possible. Coming across a deep sand plateau
back to the main reef you may encounter a large resident school of barracuda before
exploring the shallows of the reef wall to end your dive.
Shaab Salata - Named
after some very large and vivid salad corals, this dive is usually done by zodiac
one-way. In amongst the coral beds you can find hawksbill turtles and all the usual
red sea fish, but the lucky few may well spot the resident black-tip reef shark.
It pays to keep your head up on this one! |
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