Paradise may be a state of mind, but in Abu Soma it’s also a state of being – especially for divers. Whether you’re a novice or a maestro, you’ll find waters to suit your skill set. The Jaz water sport team can set you up with lessons, equipment and charters to explore reefs around the resort as well as up north near Hurghada.
This is a viable year-round diving destination. There is plenty to explore offshore of the resort – Panorama Reef, Middle Reef and Abu Kafan. Many divers in Abu Soma say that these local sites are every bit as good as the more popular diving destinations of Ras Mohammed and Careless Reef.
These are amongst the most popular place to dive around Abu Soma:
Ras Abu Soma
This fringe reefs slopes gently into deeper waters and plays host to several high-quality dive sites along the way. The waters here teem with colourful reef fish, moray eels, sea turtles, stonefish and even the odd octopus.
Panorama Reef
This huge coral formation is a highlight, to say the least. Its walls drop off a staggering 200 metres and are punctuated with soft purple corals swept by a southbound current. Divers can spot barracudas, jacks and reef sharks.
Abu Kafan
This could easily be the best dive site in Safaga, filled with vibrant pink, orange and yellow reef fish schooling around soft coral formations. The underwater wall plunges more than 300 metres and is blanketed in soft and black coral. Jacks, tunas, barracudas, reef sharks and even the occasional hammerhead patrol these waters.
Sha’ab Sheer (Wreck of Al Khafein)
This U-shaped reef occupies a shallow lagoon to the south and hosts hard coral gardens to the east and west. In 2005, it became the final resting place of the Al Khafein, which sank due to an engine fire and drifted up to the north side of the reef.
Wreck of the Salem Express
The Salem Express was a passenger ferry that sank in 1991 after smashing into the reef at night. Divers can admire the ships exterior, pars of which are now covered with hard coral.
Wreck of El Arish El Tor
This Norwegian ship slowly sank while at anchor in 2002. There was no one on board, so all of the ship’s paraphernalia, including life jackets and fire hoses, are still visible. Clusters of soft coral have overgrown the propeller, and a massive school of yellow tail barracuda have taken up residence inside.