Abu Nugar

Abu Nugar is a coral reef dive site near El Gouna, north of Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt.

Overview

Abu Nugar sits in the coastal reef zone north of Hurghada, close to the upmarket resort town of El Gouna. This stretch of the Red Sea coast between El Gouna and Hurghada offers a dense cluster of reef sites accessible on half-day and full-day boat trips, making it one of the most convenient dive regions in Egypt. Abu Nugar is a characteristic northern Red Sea offshore reef — a shallow plateau of coral descending to deeper sandy margins — with the healthy coral coverage and diverse fish populations that have made the Hurghada region one of the world’s most popular dive destinations for over three decades.

Site Information

• Location: El Gouna / northern Hurghada area, Red Sea, Egypt
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 20–35 meters
• Current: Moderate; variable
• Best Time: October to May; year-round possible

Marine Life

The reefs north of Hurghada are productive and reliably populated. Large grouper and humphead wrasse are frequently sighted. The mid-water above the reef holds schools of fusiliers and jacks. Moray eels are common in crevices. Turtles are encountered across the area. Reef sharks are present on the deeper outer slopes. The El Gouna reefs are known for their night-dive marine life — octopus, sleeping parrotfish, and hunting lionfish are commonly encountered after dark.

Dive Profile

Descend to the reef plateau at 6–10 m and survey the structure before following the reef edge to the outer slope at 12–20 m. Work along the reef face, then ascend back to the plateau and complete a safety stop in the shallow coral garden. The flat plateau profile makes this a straightforward navigation dive.

Entry and Exit

By day-trip boat from El Gouna or Hurghada. Several dive operators are based in El Gouna and organise daily trips to Abu Nugar and nearby sites. The site is popular for guided dives, certification courses, and experienced diver day trips alike. Giant stride entry; dive ladder exit.

Tips and Recommendations

• El Gouna operators are well-organised — book in advance during peak holiday season (December–January)
• The reef is well suited to certification dives as a second or third open-water training site
• Evening boats for night dives offer excellent marine life activity different from day conditions
• Combine with the adjacent Sha’ab El Erg (dolphin reef) if time permits — it is in the same area
• Bring a torch even for daytime dives to reveal the colour of encrusting corals and anemones

Safety Considerations

The Hurghada-El Gouna boat corridor is busy with day-trip traffic. Surface carefully and deploy an SMB prominently. Follow all instructions from the dive boat captain and guide. Dive within your certification limits. Hurghada has a hyperbaric chamber — good backup medical support.

Photography

Consistent conditions and reliable subjects make this a good photography site. humphead wrasse and grouper provide large, approachable subjects. Night diving here is particularly rewarding for macro photographers — octopus and crustaceans are active after dark. Wide-angle coral landscapes work well in the clear northern Red Sea water.

Sources: Divezone - Red Sea, Dive the World - Egypt Red Sea, Red Sea Scuba Diving, PADI - Diving in Egypt. Last updated 2026-04-04.