El Aruk (Gigi)
A playground of coral towers on white sand: easy navigation, clouds of glassfish and light made for photography.
El Aruk (Gigi)
El Aruk – often called El Aruk Gigi – is a cluster of coral towers halfway between Hurghada and the Giftun Islands, only 35 minutes by boat. The towers (ergs) grow from a white sandy bottom at 10–14 metres almost to the surface, and you swim from tower to tower along comfortable, easy-to-read “streets” between them.
Each erg is a little world of its own: clouds of glassfish swirl around the coral heads with lionfish hovering below them on the hunt, clownfish families live in the anemones, and butterflyfish and parrotfish patrol the tower walls. Light bouncing off the white sand turns the whole scene into a bright, glowing stage.
With its shallow depths and simple navigation, El Aruk is a true playground: it builds confidence in beginners, gives photographers rewarding subjects, and snorkelers can watch the towers' life clearly from the surface. It works beautifully both as a second dive and as a long, relaxed exploration.
What makes El Aruk (Gigi) special?
The whirls of glassfish and the light bouncing off the white sand make this one of Hurghada's most rewarding sites for photographers.
Highlights
- A cluster of coral towers on white sand
- Clouds of glassfish with hunting lionfish below
- Easy navigation between the towers
- Spectacular from the surface for snorkelers too
Frequently asked questions
Yes: with depths of 5–14 metres, mild currents and a sandy bottom, it is one of the best sites for try divers and newly certified divers. Navigation between the towers is also very easy.
Clouds of glassfish around the coral towers with hunting lionfish beneath them, clownfish anemones, butterflyfish and parrotfish – all in brilliant light above white sand.
Yes: the tower tops reach close to the surface and the water is usually calm and clear, so snorkelers get a good view of the bustle around the ergs.
Typically mild, and the towers break what little there is, so El Aruk almost always offers a comfortable, relaxed dive – ideal as a second dive after a deeper morning site.
How to dive El Aruk (Gigi)
Try diving
A full boat day with 1–2 guided dives, all equipment and lunch – €60.
- Depth
- 12m
- On board
- 8h
- Age
- 10+
Snorkeling
A full Red Sea day with 2–3 reef stops, lunch and gear – €35.
- On board
- 8h
- Age
- 6+
Daily diving
Two dives on the Red Sea most beautiful reefs, with lunch and transfer – €60.
- Depth
- 30m
- On board
- 8h
- Age
- 12+
Nearby dive sites
El Mina roncs
A genuine warship wreck 20 minutes from the marina: an Egyptian minesweeper sunk in 1969, resting on sand at 30 metres.
- Depth
- 16–30m
- Boat
- 20min
- Species
- 5
El Fanadir
A long reef ridge barely half an hour from the marina: a gentle wall, blue-spotted rays and seagrass patches with turtles.
- Depth
- 6–25m
- Boat
- 30min
- Species
- 5
Giftun-szigetek
A national park island pair with a dozen dive sites: coral gardens, turtles and perhaps the richest fish life in the area.
- Depth
- 5–25m
- Boat
- 45min
- Species
- 6
The Red Sea will not wait forever.
Book today – seats on the boat are limited, your excitement is not.