Dahab, South Sinai, Egypt

Ras Abu Galum

Ras Abu Galum is the headland inside the Abu Galum Protected Area, 15 km north of Dahab and reachable only by camel from the Blue Hole or by zodiac. The remote location keeps the reef pristine — hard coral cover is among the densest in the South Sinai, with extensive Acropora table corals dominating the shallow plateau. The wall drops past 40 metres and is decorated with gorgonians and soft corals; small caverns at 18–25 metres shelter glassfish and soldierfish. Resident Napoleon wrasses, lionfish, giant moray eels and a colony of garden eels at 18 metres are reliable, and turtles, eagle rays and the occasional whitetip reef shark pass. The site is dived as part of a day excursion combining the camel ride and snorkelling at the Bedouin camp. Visibility 25–30 metres. Currents are typically mild.