Abo Nawas Housereef
25.2373°N 34.8003°E · reef
Abo Nawas Housereef is a dive site in Red Sea, Middle East.
Overview
The Abo Nawas (Abu Nawas) housereef is the shore dive belonging to the Bliss Abo Nawas Resort, located about 15 km north of Marsa Alam town. The reef is accessed via a long jetty extending from the resort, with divers entering at the jetty end or using a zodiac to reach specific sections. The reef is described as a magnificent coral garden featuring large fields of both hard and soft corals, beautifully overgrown pillars, overhangs, and a rich seabed. Visibility is typically around 25 m and depths reach approximately 12 m (39 ft) on the house reef flat, with the outer edge dropping further. This is not a demanding dive — it is a relaxed coral-garden site ideal for photography and marine life observation, accessible to all certification levels.
Marine Life
Resident species include squid, various snapper species, hawksbill turtles, scorpionfish, and moray eels. The site is well known for its high biodiversity and large numbers of coral-dwelling species. Clownfish in anemones, angelfish, and surgeonfish are common throughout. The pillar and overhang structures shelter soldierfish and bigeye.
Dive Profile
Shore/jetty entry via the long jetty (zodiac available for outer sections). Reef flat at 5–12 m with gradual slopes. Most dives are relaxed and shallow — suitable for training dives, check dives, and photography. Low current. Duration 45–60 minutes. Water temperature 24–30°C year-round.
Entry and Exit
Entry from the resort jetty or by zodiac to selected sections of the reef. A sandy beach entry is also available near the resort. Suitable for all levels.
Tips and Recommendations
Night dives here are rewarding — scorpionfish and moray eels are more active, and nudibranchs can be found on encrusting corals. Best for macro photography and unhurried reef exploration.
Safety Considerations
Fire coral is present on the reef structure. Watch for blue-spotted stingrays resting on sandy patches. Water is warm — dehydration is a risk during long surface intervals.
Site Information
- Location: ~15 km north of Marsa Alam, southern Red Sea
- Entry Type: Shore entry
- Site Type: Reef
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Maximum Depth: ~25 m (outer edge)
Sources: Zentacle — Abo Nawas Housereef, SeaHorse Diving Club — Abu Nawas Reef, Divers Guide — Abo Nawas. Last updated 2026-05-17.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
39 verified species observations (21 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1996 and 2025, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Tursiops · Bottlenose dolphins
- Stenella longirostris · Spinner dolphin
- Rhincodon typus · Whale Shark
- Tursiops aduncus · Indian ocean bottlenose dolphin
- Tursiops truncatus · Common bottlenose dolphin
- Conomurex fasciatus
- Nerita sanguinolenta
- Maculastrombus mutabilis
- Clanculus
- Fasciolariidae
- Dolomena plicata
- Aplysia nigrocincta
Scientific survey records skew toward sampled taxa (molluscs, corals) and do not reflect what you are guaranteed to see on a dive.
Source: OBIS (obis.org), aggregated Darwin Core occurrence records.
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