Siyul Kebira

Overview

Siyul Kebira, also known as Ras Siyoul, is a reef dive off Siyoul Island in the waters north of El Gouna and Hurghada — an easy, scenic site whose centrepiece is a small soft-coral pinnacle alive with thousands of glassfish. Suitable for every level and run as a relaxed reef dive or, when the north current is up, a drift, it is a reliable and pretty stop on the northern day-trip and liveaboard circuit.

The Dive

The reef descends to around 30m, with the marine life concentrated on a small pinnacle at the natural turning point of the dive — a mound of lovely soft coral that shelters dense clouds of glassfish, small moray eels and a great variety of colourful reef fish. The dive plan typically works the coral slopes and ergs out to the pinnacle and back, staying in comfortable recreational depths. When a strong northerly is running, the same ground is best enjoyed as a one-way drift, letting the current carry you along the reef. Current is usually mild, and the site's gentle profile makes it as friendly to newer divers as it is enjoyable for the experienced.

Marine Life

The glassfish-wrapped pinnacle is the headline, but the wider reef delivers too: turtles, giant pufferfish, lionfish and moray eels are all common, and the soft corals are in excellent health. Out in the blue, leopard sharks and nurse sharks are occasionally spotted resting on the sand or cruising past — an unexpected highlight on what is otherwise an easygoing reef dive.

Good to Know

Siyul Kebira dives year-round and suits all experience levels, with visibility frequently excellent, often around 30m. The site sits roughly an hour and three-quarters by boat north of El Gouna, making it a longer-range day trip from Hurghada or a stop on northern itineraries. Gentle, colourful and dependable, it is a good choice for a varied multi-dive day.