Дайв-сайты: Red Sea Governorate

The main Abu Dabab beach entry point sees heavy traffic from resort guests, day trippers, and organised dive groups, particularly during high season. Abu Dabab North refers to the reef section accessed by entering the water further north along the coastline, away from the main beach infrastructure. The reef here has denser seagrass coverage and receives significantly fewer visitors, which may contribute to more relaxed dugong and turtle behaviour. The northern section also has more developed hard coral formations on its outer edge compared to the sandier main bay.

Abu Dabab is one of the most reliable dugong encounter locations in the Red Sea, with sighting rates reported at roughly 60 to 70 percent on dedicated dugong dives. The resident dugong population is small, likely 2 to 4 individuals, but their dependence on the seagrass meadows keeps them in the bay year-round. Dugongs are shy animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed. They feed on the seagrass in depths of 5 to 15 metres and can remain submerged for 6 to 8 minutes before surfacing to breathe. Early morning dives tend to produce the best encounters before boat traffic increases.

Egyptian environmental regulations and responsible dive operator guidelines require maintaining a minimum distance of 3 metres from dugongs and prohibit chasing, cornering, or blocking their path. Approaching should be slow, low to the seabed, and from the side rather than head-on or from behind. Flash photography is discouraged as it may startle the animal. Groups should be small, ideally no more than 4 divers, to minimise disturbance. If the dugong shows signs of stress such as rapid departure or altered feeding behaviour, divers should immediately back away and allow the animal space.

The wreck is a small sailing yacht that ran aground on the reef and sank on the sandy slope at approximately 12 metres depth. The boat sits upright and largely intact, with its mast still pointing toward the surface and the hull colonized by soft corals and sponges. The exact history of the wreck is unclear, but it has been on the bottom for several decades. It is small enough to photograph entirely in one frame, making it one of the most photogenic wrecks in the Red Sea despite its modest size.

Abu Galawa Soraya is one of the best snorkeling sites in the entire Fury Shoal system. The lagoon is shallow with a white sand bottom, calm water, and coral pinnacles rising to within one to two metres of the surface. Snorkelers can see the sailboat wreck clearly from the surface due to the exceptional visibility. The lagoon is protected from waves and current, making it safe and comfortable for snorkelers of all levels. Many liveaboards use this site specifically as a snorkel and relaxation stop.