Umm Gamar

An elongated island in the north: a plateau with three coral towers, small caves and big predators out in the blue.

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Depth

10–30 m

Visibility

20–30 m

Current

Moderate, occasionally stronger

Level

Advanced (AOWD)

Boat ride

~75 min by boat

Area

Northern reefs

Quick answer:Umm Gamar is an island reef about 75 minutes north of Hurghada by boat, with depths of 10–30 m – recommended with AOWD certification. Its southern plateau holds three glassfish-covered coral towers plus small caves and swim-throughs, while tuna and barracuda hunt in the blue. The dive is typically a moderate drift along the eastern wall.

Dive profile

Umm Gamar

Your level

Reef

10–30 m

Your dive

18 m

Level needed

Advanced Open Water

Umm Gamar – “Mother of the Moon” – is a narrow, elongated island north of Hurghada, about 75 minutes by boat. The dive classically starts on the southern plateau: you begin at 10–15 metres at the foot of the reef wall, then the plateau slopes gently towards the 30-metre edge where the wall turns into the deep.

The jewels of the plateau are its three coral towers, literally wrapped in swarms of glassfish – lionfish hover among them in ambush and morays coil in the crevices. Small caves and swim-throughs open in the reef wall: spacious and bright, so you can safely enjoy their play of light without special training.

Keep glancing into the blue as you go: tuna shoot past at speed and the silver of barracuda schools flashes near the surface. The dive usually continues as a drift along the eastern wall in a moderate current – because of the depth and open-water character we recommend an AOWD certification.

What makes Umm Gamar special?

With its three glassfish-shrouded coral towers and light-filled little caves, many rate Umm Gamar the most beautiful dive north of Hurghada.

Highlights

Three glassfish-covered coral towers on the plateau
Small caves and swim-throughs in the reef wall
Tuna and barracuda out in the blue
Drift diving along the eastern wall

Frequently asked questions

The 10–15 m section of the plateau can be enjoyed with OWD, but for the full profile – the 30-metre edge and the current – we recommend AOWD certification or equivalent experience.

No: they are short, spacious, bright cavities and swim-throughs where the exit is always in sight. Your guide leads the way while you enjoy the streaming beams of light – no cave training required.

Three coral towers wrapped in glassfish with lionfish and morays among them, blue-spotted rays on the sand, and tuna plus barracuda schools out in the blue. Visibility often reaches 30 metres.

About 75 minutes north of Hurghada – we typically visit it on a full-day, two-dive northern trip when sea conditions are good.