Abu Ramada South

Abu Ramada South is a shallow fringing reef on the southern side of Abu Ramada Island near Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt.

Overview

The southern face of Abu Ramada Island offers a classic beginner-friendly reef experience in the sheltered waters between the Abu Ramada island cluster and the Hurghada mainland. At a maximum depth of only 12 meters, this site is accessible to divers at any certification level and is frequently used for introductory and refresher dives. The reef is characterised by gently sloping coral formations extending from the island’s rocky base down to a sandy and rubble bottom, with hard corals dominating the upper sections and softer, more diverse communities in the mid-reef zone. The protected southern exposure provides consistent calm conditions.

Site Information

• Location: Abu Ramada Island (South), Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Maximum Depth: 12 meters
• Typical Visibility: 12-25 meters
• Current: Very light to light
• Best Time: Year-round (best October to May)

Marine Life

Despite the shallow depth, the southern reef supports a colourful fish community representative of northern Egyptian Red Sea reefs. Angelfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish work the coral surface. Anthias swarm the upper coral formations in clouds of orange and pink. Pufferfish and filefish move slowly over the reef, while lionfish and scorpionfish maintain their camouflaged vigils in rubble zones. Cleaning stations with cleaner wrasse are visible at coral heads — watching large fish queue patiently for service is an engaging behaviour to observe. Garden eels emerge from the sandy base at the reef’s lower edge.

Dive Profile

Descend from the boat directly to the reef crest at 3–5 meters and explore the upper coral garden before dropping to the base of the slope at 10–12 meters. The dive can follow the perimeter of the island’s southern face, working east or west along the reef contour. The consistent shallow depth means nitrogen loading is very low, allowing extended bottom time and a thoroughly leisurely safety stop over the sandy shallows.

Entry and Exit

Boat mooring on the southern side or near the island tip. Giant stride or back roll entry. Conditions are typically calm enough for even first-time divers to manage entry and exit comfortably. Signal for boat pickup with a raised arm or SMB.

Tips and Recommendations

• An excellent first dive for those new to Red Sea conditions
• The shallow depth and slow pace encourage detailed observation — look for small invertebrates on coral surfaces
• Ideal as a second dive paired with Abu Ramada Plateau or Ost in the same area
• Bring an underwater slate to identify species — reef fish variety is high
• Snorkelling from the boat is practical for surface intervals

Safety Considerations

Conditions at this site are generally very benign. The main hazards are fire coral on protruding reef structures and sea urchins near the sandy base — maintain neutral buoyancy throughout. Even at shallow depth, perform a safety stop at 3 meters before surfacing. Monitor boat traffic in the area.

Photography

Excellent natural-light photography throughout the dive due to shallow depth. Macro subjects are abundant: nudibranchs, sea slugs, and small crustaceans can be found with careful searching. The fish community is approachable and used to divers — reef portrait photography of parrotfish, angelfish, and anthias is straightforward.

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