Shabrour Umm Gammar
Unverified
Overview
Shaabruhr Umm Gamar is an exposed offshore reef situated close to Umm Gamar Island, northeast of Hurghada. The reef forms the summit of an underwater mountain and offers a combination of coral plateau, steep walls, deep drop-offs, drift diving and several wreck remains.
The southern section is the most commonly used starting point. Here, a sloping plateau extends from approximately 14–15 metres toward 30 metres before reaching the drop-off. The remains of a small Egyptian patrol or military supply vessel lie near the southeastern edge of the plateau and provide one of the site’s main attractions.
On the western side, the plateau becomes wider and sandier, with coral heads, pinnacles, caves and overhangs. The eastern side is narrower, steeper and more exposed to the current, making it particularly suitable for drift dives. Divers following the wall may encounter giant morays, groupers, Napoleon wrasse, tuna, trevally, barracuda and occasional reef sharks.
Because of its open-sea location, depth, steep drop-off and potentially strong current, Shaabruhr Umm Gamar is best suited to intermediate and advanced divers. Divers should maintain close contact with their guide, monitor depth and no-decompression limits, and follow the boat’s specific drift-dive and pickup procedures
Main Attractions
Dramatic offshore wall and drop-off
Southern plateau
Remains of a small Egyptian patrol or supply vessel
Drift diving along the eastern wall
Caves, recesses and coral-covered overhangs
Possible grey reef and whitetip reef shark sightings
Tuna, trevally and other pelagic hunters
Deeper technical wrecks below recreational limits
The reef is the exposed summit of an underwater mountain, with a broad western plateau and a much steeper eastern wall.
Marine Life
Giant moray eels, large groupers, Napoleon wrasse, tuna, bigeye trevally, barracuda, mackerel, blue-spotted rays, anthias, glassfish, whitetip reef sharks and occasional grey reef sharks.
Shark and pelagic encounters should always be described as possible sightings, not guaranteed sightings.
Coral & Habitat
Shaabruhr Umm Gamar is a narrow offshore reef forming the summit of an underwater mountain. A shelf surrounds much of the reef between approximately 15 and 30 metres. On the western side, the shelf expands into a wider sandy plateau dotted with coral heads and small pinnacles. On the eastern side, it becomes a narrow ledge before falling away into a steep wall and deep drop-off.
The shallower reef contains hard and soft coral growth, small caves, overhangs and recesses occupied by glassfish, anthias, moray eels and other reef species.
Wreck Information
The remains of a small Egyptian vessel lie on or close to the southeastern edge of the plateau at approximately 25–30 metres. Sources variously describe it as an Egyptian patrol boat, police boat or army-supply vessel, so the most accurate neutral description is:
The remains of a small Egyptian patrol or military supply vessel.
Only part of the vessel remains recognisable, but it provides an interesting focal point at the beginning of the southern dive route.
The Colona IV, an early Hurghada liveaboard charter vessel that grounded at the reef in 1995, lies much deeper at approximately 66 metres and is outside normal recreational diving limits. Other deeper wreckage has also been reported around the reef.
Suggested Route
Southern wreck and eastern drift
Enter from the boat near the southern plateau and descend toward the remains of the small patrol vessel at approximately 25–30 metres. After viewing the wreck, continue east with the reef on the left shoulder.
Follow the current northward along the eastern wall, watching the blue for tuna, trevally, barracuda and possible reef sharks. Gradually reduce depth as no-decompression time decreases.
Finish the dive in the shallower section of the reef. Deploy a delayed surface marker buoy and complete the safety stop while drifting before being collected by the boat or Zodiac.
Alternative western plateau route
Begin at the southern wreck, then turn northwest across the sandy plateau with the reef on the right shoulder. Explore the coral heads, caves and overhangs before continuing toward the mushroom-shaped coral pinnacle.
This route is generally more protected than the exposed eastern wall, but the dive guide must plan the route according to the actual current direction and boat pickup procedure.
Photography Notes
Shaabruhr Umm Gamar is best suited to wide-angle photography. The southern wreck, steep wall, coral-covered ledges and divers against the blue provide strong compositions.
The eastern wall can offer opportunities to photograph tuna, trevally and passing sharks, although the current may make it difficult to stop or reposition. Photographers should prepare camera settings before entering the strongest section of the drift.
The western plateau, caves and overhangs are better for close-focus wide-angle and macro subjects such as moray eels, scorpionfish, glassfish and small reef inhabitants. Avoid entering confined spaces or making contact with coral while positioning for photographs.
Best Season
Year-round diving
Site Diagram
