Dive Site: Umm Gamar

About Umm Gamar

Umm Gamar, translating to 'Mother of the Moon' due to its crescent shape, is a long, narrow offshore island reef situated approximately 16 kilometers north of Hurghada. It stands as a significant landmark in the northern island route, recognized for its open-sea exposure and suitability for experienced divers, though adaptable for mixed-level groups. The site features a shallow coral plateau at 6 to 9 meters that transitions into steep walls dropping sharply to over 30 meters. These walls are dotted with small caves and overhangs between 20 and 28 meters. The topography includes both a sloped section and a vertical drop-off, making it a diverse underwater landscape. Marine life at Umm Gamar is abundant, offering frequent sightings of hawksbill turtles on the plateau and occasional visits from Napoleon wrasse. The 'blue side' of the reef attracts pelagic species like tuna, jacks, and reef sharks. Divers with keen eyes can also spot nudibranchs and crocodile fish nestled among the corals. Diving here typically involves starting on the south plateau, progressing along the eastern wall, and returning via a coral-rich shoulder. This profile allows divers to experience both the deeper wall sections and the shallower, vibrant coral gardens, making it a compelling dive for those seeking varied underwater exploration.

Dive site facts: Umm Gamar

Depth

8–37 m

Typical dive

12–26 m, 44–60 min

Current

Moderate to strong

Visibility

20–35 m

Water temperature

22–30°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Dive type

Wall, Reef, Drift, Big Animals

Region / port

Hurghada, Red Sea

Coordinates

26.8487° N, 34.3742° E

Conditions & Currents

Umm Gamar is an exposed site, and currents can range from moderate to strong, often running parallel to the wall depending on tidal conditions. The dive direction is typically planned on the boat upon arrival, after assessing the prevailing conditions. Due to the potential for stronger currents and its open-sea exposure, divers should be comfortable with these conditions. Surge can also be present, even when inshore sites are calm. Divers are advised to monitor their gas consumption, as the enticing wall topography can lead to deeper and longer dives. Staying within 5 meters of the reef face is a practical tip; this ensures that any current push keeps divers along the structure rather than drifting into the open blue. Safety stops are usually conducted on the shallow plateau, offering a serene environment among dense anthias clouds.

Marine life & sighting chances

Tuna

occasional

Jacks

occasional

Reef sharks

occasional

Hawksbill turtles

common

Nudibranchs

occasional

Crocodile fish

occasional

Napoleon wrasse

occasional

Clownfish

common

Goatfish

common

Parrotfish

common

Titan triggerfish

occasional

Lionfish

occasional

Royal Angelfish

occasional

Barracuda

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Umm Gamar typically begin on the south plateau at depths ranging from 12 to 18 meters. From there, the route follows along the impressive eastern wall, where the reef drops dramatically into the blue. This section of the wall features small caves and overhangs, often explored between 20 and 28 meters. As the dive progresses, it often turns back towards the reef, ascending to a coral-dense shoulder. The shallow plateau, filled with table corals and clouds of anthias, serves as an ideal location for extended bottom time and often for safety stops, allowing divers to gradually decompress while enjoying vibrant reef life. Divers should remain close to the reef structure, within 5 meters, to mitigate potential currents.

Underwater photography

Umm Gamar offers diverse photographic opportunities, from wide-angle shots of the dramatic wall and extensive coral formations to macro subjects on the plateau. For capturing the sweeping wall sections and schools of anthias or pelagic fish in the blue, a wide-angle lens is recommended. The excellent visibility, often exceeding 30 meters, provides ample natural light for ambient light photography in shallower areas. For macro enthusiasts, the plateau is rich with smaller critters like nudibranchs and crocodile fish, requiring a macro lens and careful buoyancy to avoid disturbing delicate corals. When photographing pelagic encounters, be ready to capture fast-moving subjects. Strobe use is beneficial for bringing out the true colors of the corals and marine life, especially in deeper sections or within overhangs.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• El Fanadir

  A versatile dive area with a long reef, also accessible from Hurghada.

• Careless Reef

  North-east of Hurghada, known for pinnacles, a chasm, and pelagic encounters.

• Giftun Island

  A marine national park near Hurghada with shallow reefs and abundant fish.

• Shaab El Erg

  A beginner-friendly reef known for pristine corals and bottlenose dolphins.

Getting there & logistics

Umm Gamar is a boat-only dive site, accessible from Hurghada. The journey from central Hurghada marinas typically takes around 90 minutes. It's a standard stop for both daily diving trips and liveaboard itineraries covering the northern Red Sea circuit. Day trip operators regularly visit, usually offering two dives per day with a lunch break on board. Liveaboards operating out of Hurghada often include Umm Gamar as part of their multi-day excursions. Equipment rental is generally available from local dive centers. No specific permits beyond standard Red Sea diving regulations were mentioned.

Safety & environment

The exposed nature of Umm Gamar means surface chop can be significant, even on calm days inshore, requiring careful entry and exit procedures. The potential for moderate to strong currents necessitates good current diving skills and careful gas planning, especially when exploring deeper wall sections. Divers should remain close to the reef structure to avoid being pushed into the blue. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Hurghada. Comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and evacuation is strongly recommended for all divers visiting this site. Always follow your dive guide's instructions and daily dive plans, which are adjusted based on current wind and sea conditions.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Umm Gamar FAQ

Liveaboards diving Umm Gamar

These liveaboards may visit Umm Gamar on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

DUNE Longara

Egypt

30 guests

$150/day

JP Marine

Egypt

28 guests

$109/day

Snefro Pearl

Egypt

12 guests

$150/day

Snefro Love

Egypt

20 guests

$154/day

Sindalahs

Egypt

26 guests38 m

$155/day

Hammerhead II

Egypt

20 guests

$173/day

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m

$173/day

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m

$185/day

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests

$104/day

Star Jet

Egypt

28 guests35 m

$145/day

SS Serena Dreams

Egypt

18 guests33 m

$159/day

Amelie

Egypt

12 guests23 m

$115/day