Rocky Island, Zabargad & deep South

10.08.2019

Rockys Island, Zabargad & deep South

Magnificent coral walls and gardens, including a mixture of soft and hard coral formations - probably the best in the Red Sea. Many tunnels, caves, overhang and a great view - ideal for photography.

Infinity Diving Safari

Among the highlights of diving in the deep south of the Red Sea are some magnificent coral walls and gardens, including a mixture of soft and hard coral formations - probably the best in the Red Sea, many tunnels, caves, overhangs and great visibility - ideal for photography.
Reef fish are abundant. The deep walls and the brisk currents in some places attract grey reef sharks, hammerheads, thresher sharks and other predators like mackerels, barracudas and jacks.

On the first dive day we do a check dive plus 1 or 2 more dives, depending on the route. The long crossings are made during the night so that we can be in the water in time for the early morning dive.

Rocky Island is small, but fine and wild. The small island lies very south in the Red Sea, not far from the island of Zabargad.

The north side is exposed to wind and weather and can sometimes have a strong, changing current. This can lead to sometimes very fast drift dives.
The eastern side is also relatively unprotected and has a strong current. Which also attracts big hunters and you have a great chance of seeing sharks and other big fish.
The south side is more protected and easier to dive.
Mostly the dives here are not so deep, around 18 meters.
Rocky Island offers an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Overhangs where you can dive underneath. Big lettuce and brain corals, purple stone corals and also the rare black corals can be found. In the crevices and under the overhangs you might be lucky to find baby sharks.
Due to the remoteness of Rocky Island, the island is not frequented very much and the reef is very intact. Often you are the only boat.

The island itself is not allowed to be entered.

A little north of Rocky Island lies the island of Zabargad, probably of volcanic origin. Zabargad is about 3 km long and has mountains up to 300 meters. The island is visible from far away and impresses with its Caribbean appearance. Surrounded by turquoise-blue water, a real dream. On the east side lies a nameless wreck, which is still very well-preserved and beautifully overgrown. The south impresses with its beautiful corals, along which you can dive peacefully. There is a lot to discover. Nudibranchs, octopuses, puffer fish, moray eels, scorpion and crocodile fish. Beside it, countless shoals of big and small fishes.
In the lagoon with light blue water there are many turtles.

The island itself is not allowed to be entered.

St. Johns is located deep in the south of the Red Sea and offers a variety of reefs for every level. Due to the long distance the reefs are still relatively undived and in excellent condition. They are often close to each other, so that several can easily be visited per day. Following is a small selection of possible dive sites.
Habili Ali is one of the biggest reefs, covered with big black fan corals. Also, here it is always worth a look into the blue, something big can swim by at any time. Umm Kaharim, means mother of the caves. A spectacular dive site with a colourful reef and many caves and canyons. Incredible light effects and a paradise for macrophotography. There is a lot to discover from big scorpion fish to nudibranchs, shrimps and crabs. Gota Soghayr is a small reef with steep walls. Often Napoleon's fish are found here and with luck you can also see buffalo head parrotfish. There are many overhangs and a small cave. Gota Kebira is an 800 m long reef, which is ideal for drift dives. In the north there is a plateau where the currents separate and offers a great chance for shark encounters. The southern plateau is home to unicorn fish and often turtles.

On the way north you pass the beautiful reefs of Fury Shoals.