Ras Ghamila

Overview

Ras Ghamila — "Delightful Cape" in Arabic — is the most northerly of Sharm El Sheikh's local dive sites, a tongue of reef that juts eastward toward the Strait of Tiran almost directly opposite Gordon Reef. It separates a shallow sandy lagoon from open water and is best known for an extensive plateau carrying the largest concentration of gorgonian sea fans of any site around Sharm. Run as an exciting drift, it is a fine, not-too-difficult dive with a real sense of being out on the edge of the strait.

The Dive

You start from the jetty in front of the Conrad Hotel and drift eastward toward the green beacon that marks the western end of the Strait of Tiran. The topography is simple and satisfying: a shallow fringing reef with a sandy plateau of pillars and small table corals, sloping out to an extensive plateau that runs from about 14m to 26m. This deeper plateau is covered in coral bommies, huge table corals and a forest of giant gorgonians between 20 and 25m. Strong currents are often present, which is exactly what makes the drift so enjoyable — go with it, keep the reef on a shoulder, and stay in the 14-25m range where the gorgonians and table corals are at their best.

Marine Life

This is a good site for rays and schooling fish: feathertail stingrays on the sand, barracuda and grouper around the plateau, and schools of black snapper that gather at the corner of the site. The gorgonian forest and table corals draw the usual reef fish in number, and the position at the mouth of the strait means there is always a chance of something larger drifting past in the blue.

Good to Know

An enjoyable drift dive that is not too demanding, though the often-strong current makes it best for divers comfortable being carried along a reef. Visibility is typically good, commonly 10-30m, and frequently excellent near the strait. Access is from the shore at the Conrad jetty or by boat — either way it is run as a one-way drift toward the Tiran beacon.