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Gabr el Bint
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This site
is a sheer wall running around the north point of a
curving bay. Within the bay the wall begins at depths from
8-20m, above which a gently sloping reef flat leads to
shore. North around the point the upper reef slope widens
encompassing a veritable forest of soft corals which
completely blanket the reef in places, as well as numerous
huge gorgonians. Inshore, a large sandy lagoon dotted with
coral heads lies just past the point, an excellent place
to spot rays and crocodilefish.
Typically, you will make your first dive to the north of
the bay and your second to the south. Both feature a
dramatic seascape, with the wall dropping down to about
60m, cut by numerous chasms, faults, sandy ravines and
over-hangs. Massive boulders protruding from the drop-off
attract dense shoals of anthias and glassfish. The
drop-off is adorned with healthy table corals and displays
of graceful gorgonians, including a virtual forest of
gorgonians at about 20m on the left-hand side.
For both dives, drop down to about 20-25m and swim along
the wall. Heading back, ascend to about 10-15m where a
sandy ledge lies parallel to the shore. The ledge is
riddled with exquisite coral heads that attract numerous
reef species, including swarms of anthias, scorpionfish,
parrotfish, crocodilefish, surgeonfish, triggerfish,
trumpetfish, moray eels and the occasional turtle.
This is one of the most unusual sites along the Sinai
coast and well worth the effort of getting there.
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