 Blue spotted rays, small crack | ||
| Shaāb Maḥmūd · Maḥmūd reef شعب محمود | ||
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The Sha'ab Mahmud (also Sha'b / Shaab Mahmud / Mahmoud, Arabic:شعاب محمود, Shaāb / Shiʿāb Maḥmūd, „Maḥmūd reef") is a egyptian Coral reef to the east of the Strait of Gūbāl in the south of the Gulf of Suez. The two passages Small crack and Big crack, as well as the wreck of the S / S Dunraven are popular Destinations for divers.
background
The Schab Maḥmūd is to the east of the Strait of Gūbāl (Arabic:مضيق جوبال, Maḍīq Ǧūbāl, „Strait of Ǧūbāl“), The southern gate of the Gulf of Suez. The reef forms the southern end of the Strait of Gūbāl. The southernmost point of the reef is the Beacon Rock, the lighthouse rock. The wreck of the Dunraven, which sank in 1876, is also located here.
The narrow reef extends over eleven kilometers from the southeast to the northwest. In the east there is an eleven kilometers long, up to five kilometers wide and five to twelve meters deep lagoon that is open to the sea to the south. West of the reef is a sand plateau at a depth of 17-22 meters. The top of the reef is about half a meter under water.
The reef is from two passages interrupted that connect the Strait of Gūbāl with the lagoon: this is to the north of the Big crack and seven kilometers southeast of it the Small crack. Smaller ships can cross these passages and anchor in the lagoon. Also here is an overnight stay on the way to the wreck of the Thistlegorm possible.
getting there
Visiting the reef is usually part of a liveaboard safari to the south of the Gulf of Suez, which is in Sharm esch-Sheikh or Hurghada begins. The southern tip of the reef can be identified from the lighthouse. The safari ships can only anchor at Beacon Rock, in the area of the Small Crack or in the lagoon.
Tourist Attractions
The diving areas at Small Crack and Big Crack are considered easy to dive and are also suitable for snorkelers. Nevertheless, the changing currents should be observed and checked before the dive. At high tide the current runs towards the lagoon, at low tide away from the lagoon into the Strait of Gūbāl.
S / S Dunraven
The wreck of the S / S Dunraven is rolled into one own article described.
Small crack
The 1 Small crack(27 ° 43 '52 "N.34 ° 5 '54 "E), small gap, or the Small passage (small passage) connects the Strait of Gūbāl with the lagoon behind the Schaʿb Maḥmūd. The passage consists of two 5–8 meter deep channels and a small central reef. It can be navigated by small ships, which can then anchor in the lagoon. The destination is suitable for both divers and snorkelers. The sand plateau in the west of the reef drops to 17-22 meters.
The aim of the dive is the coral reefs in both channels and on the northwestern outside of the Schaʿb Maḥmūd. There are sea fans, table corals and fire corals on the reef walls. Marine life includes turtles, mackerel, barracuda, and sea bream.
Big crack
The 2 Big crack(27 ° 46 ′ 32 ″ N.34 ° 3 ′ 21 ″ E), large gap, the Big passage (great passage) or North Passage (northern passage) is another connection between the Strait of Gūbāl and the lagoon. It is located seven kilometers northwest of the Small Crack.
The dives take place in the area of the passage and in the southwest entrance area. The way back is close to the reef.
Kitchen and accommodation
Accommodation and meals are provided on the safari ships.
trips
Visiting the reef can be combined with other dive sites in the Strait of Gūbāl Connect as part of a liveaboard.
literature
- : Sinai Diving Guide: Part 1; German edition. Verona: Geodia, 2005, ISBN 978-88-87177-66-4 . Dive sites 34.
