Abu Hashish
The name of Abu Hashish comes from smugglers who were redeploying here the hashish smuggled from Sudan. This reef is the furtherst south from Hurghada. At this dive site the boat more up in the lagoon where they are sheltered from the waves. The dive route starts just on the outside of the wall where many ergs and interesting coral formations are to be found.
Dive route:
We start our diving adventure from the boat where there is only 5 m depth. When reaching the eastern side of the lagoon we shall find a shallow canal which leads us outside the wall of the reef. In the canal one can be sometimes met by strong currents but your effort will be rewarded with beautiful views once on he outside. To your right hand side, towards the south, you will see fantastic coral garden consisting of many ergs located at the depth of 12 m – 15 m, while to your left hand side, towards the north, you will see the bottom gently slopping off to the depth of 30 m and more. Whichever route one should chose it will not be a disappointment. We come back to the reef’s wall and then entering the same canal which will lead us into the lagoon and to our boat.
Flora & fauna:
Abu Hashish is famous for its beautiful hard coral garden. You can find many hard corals there accompanied with soft ones covering every space left for them. The main attraction, however, are beautiful and impressive table corals. There are plenty of vibrant Fairy Basslets and Butterfly Fish dancing around small corals and the big ergs. Blue Fusiliers are often passing by flooding the surrounding us blue. Just under the surface one can meet Calamari or Barracudas. There is plenty of fishes the bigger chance of spotting amazing Scorpion Fish or lurking somewhere poisonous Stone Fish. Hawksbill Turtles are often visiting this reef as well.
Depth: from 5 m to 30 m