Orca Dive Club Soma Bay
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1.2 km away as the crow flies
Soma Bay · Egypt · Red Sea
Max. depth · 40 mRas Abu Soma Reef: Shore Diving in El Quseir
Ras Abu Soma offers an unparalleled Red Sea diving experience, combining direct shore access to a vast and vibrant reef system with diverse marine life and varied topography suitable for all diver levels.
What makes this site special
- Direct shore access via a 420-meter jetty
- Extensive 2-kilometer reef system with varied topography
- Large tabular coral formations and extensive hard coral gardens
- Encounters with giant moray eels, butterflyfish, angelfish, and pufferfish
- Dense shoals of glassfish
- Potential for pelagic encounters with tuna, mackerel, and reef sharks
- Large lagoon for sheltered diving and buoyancy practice
- Options for drift diving
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Ras Abu Soma about the site
Ras Abu Soma, a substantial reef stretching two kilometers along the coast near El Quseir, offers a unique diving experience with direct shore access via a 420-meter jetty. This convenient entry allows divers to easily gear up and descend into the reef system without needing a boat, making it an ideal spot for multiple dives and simplifying logistics for all experience levels.
Below the surface, the reef quickly drops, with depths reaching up to 40 meters. While some sections feature a reef wall descending to about 15 meters before transitioning to a sandy bottom, the site also unfolds as a gentle slope, embracing the coastline of Soma Bay. This varied topography allows for different dive profiles, including options for drift dives along its extensive length.
The reef is renowned for its large, tabular coral formations and extensive hard coral gardens that dominate the seascape. These lush gardens create intricate habitats, providing ample shelter and hunting grounds for a diverse community of marine life. Even at shallower depths, the site offers a relaxed atmosphere to observe the delicate dance of reef fish.
As you explore these coral gardens, you'll often encounter giant moray eels (Gymnothorax javanicus) nestled within crevices and beneath ledges. Butterflyfish and angelfish, with their striking colors, are common inhabitants, flitting among the coral structures, adding dynamism to the underwater scenery. Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) are also frequently found browsing among the coral or resting in quieter spots.
On certain sections of the reef, particularly within the deeper areas, you have a chance to spot larger fish species cruising past the wall. The open water here can bring pelagic encounters, with tuna (Thunnus spp.) and mackerel (Scomber spp.) patrolling the deeper sections. More excitingly, the possibility of encountering reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) adds a thrill, particularly for those exploring the outer edges of the coral garden.
One notable resident at Ras Abu Soma is the glassfish (Ambassidae), often found in dense shoals. These shimmering schools move together in intricate patterns, providing a dynamic display over the reef, congregating in specific areas for protection. The site also boasts a general abundance of marine life, with a variety of reef fish moving through the corals and across the sandy patches.
The site's layout includes a large lagoon at the top of the reef, providing a sheltered environment at shallower depths. This serves as a nursery area and a good spot for buoyancy practice before heading to the deeper drop-off sections. The transition from the calm lagoon to the exposed reef wall offers a complete Red Sea diving experience within a single site.
Diving conditions
This dive site is accessible to all levels of divers, from Open Water Diver to advanced, with depths ranging from 4 to 40 meters. While the current is generally absent or very slight directly on the reef, sections suitable for drift dives may experience light movement. Visibility is typically excellent, offering clear views of the extensive coral gardens and marine life. While diving is possible year-round, the period from June to October is generally regarded as the best time to visit.
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Frequently asked questions about Ras Abu Soma
When is Ras Abu Soma best for diving?
Ras Abu Soma can be dived year-round, with June to October generally regarded as the best period to visit. Clear visibility typically makes it possible to view the extensive coral gardens and marine life well during your dive. Direct shore access through the jetty also supports multiple dives and straightforward planning.
What diving level is Ras Abu Soma suitable for?
Ras Abu Soma is accessible to all levels, from Open Water Diver through advanced divers. The large lagoon offers sheltered, shallow water where you can practise buoyancy before moving toward deeper reef sections. Its varied topography also allows different dive profiles, including gentler areas and sections suited to drift diving.
How deep is Ras Abu Soma, and what currents can you expect?
At Ras Abu Soma, depths range from 4 to 40 meters. The current is generally absent or very slight directly on the reef, while sections intended for drift diving may have light movement. The reef includes a wall descending to about 15 meters and a gentle slope, giving you varied underwater terrain.
What can you see while diving at Ras Abu Soma?
At Ras Abu Soma, you can explore large tabular corals, hard coral gardens, and dense shoals of glassfish. Marine life includes giant moray eels, butterflyfish, angelfish, and pufferfish. In deeper sections, you may encounter tuna, mackerel, or reef sharks, while the reef’s sandy patches and coral structures support varied reef fish.
