Erg Somaya, Marsa Alam: A Dive into Red Sea Profusion

Erg Somaya presents a captivating dive profile, commencing in the shallows at a mere 5 meters and gradually sloping down to 15 meters. From this initial point, the reef transitions into an expansive sandy plateau, which continues its gentle descent to a depth of 24 meters. This upper section offers a bright, inviting entry, allowing you to acclimatise and observe smaller reef inhabitants before the more dramatic features of the site unfold beneath you.

The character of Erg Somaya shifts profoundly as you approach its northern edge. Here, the sandy plateau gives way to a steep drop-off, creating an impressive wall that plunges into the deeper blue. It's along this northern face that a notable cave awaits explorers, its interior richly adorned with a vibrant tapestry of gorgonian corals and colourful soft corals, illuminated by the natural light filtering from above. This section provides an engaging drift along the wall, revealing crevices and overhangs.

One of the site's unique architectural features is a chimney positioned at the north-eastern corner. This vertical passage offers an adventurous route for divers, with an entry point at a depth of 30 meters. As you ascend through its narrow confines, navigating the ancient rock, you will emerge at 22 meters, a truly memorable experience that adds an element of technical skill and exploration to the dive. The chimney acts as a natural conduit, often attracting concentrated marine life within its shelter.

The term "profusion" accurately captures the sheer abundance of marine life at Erg Somaya. As you traverse the site, you will encounter large schools of platax (Batfishes), barracudas (Sphyraena), and formidable tunas (Thunnus), alongside powerful trevallies (Carangidae) and sleek mackerels (Scombridae). These pelagics often patrol the deeper sections and the drop-off, creating a dynamic visual spectacle that highlights the site's connection to the open ocean.

Closer to the reef, the biodiversity continues with an array of resident species. Expect to see graceful napoleon wrasses (Cheilinus undulatus), various labridae (Wrasses), and secretive moray eels (Muraenidae) peeking from their rocky hideaways. Groupers (Serranidae) are a common sight, as are the delicate butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) and the distinctive harlequin filefishes (Oxymonacanthus longirostris). Schools of glassfish (Ambassidae) shimmer in the cracks, while anthias (Anthias) blanket the reef in vibrant hues.

Further enhancing the vibrant ecosystem, you may also encounter numerous snappers (Lutjanidae), contributing to the rich schooling fish biomass. For those with a keen eye, the intriguing Spanish dancers (Hexabranchus sanguineus) can occasionally be spotted, adding to the site's diverse macrofauna. This combination of both large, active pelagics and a thriving reef community ensures a varied and engaging dive for every level of experience.