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Dive Site

Abu Dabab

  • Current: N in the morning, N at midday, N in the afternoon
  • Visibility: J, F, M, A: 25–35m; M, J, J, A: 30–50m; S, O, N, D: 30–50m
  • Temperatures: J, F, M: 24°C; A, M, J: 26°C; J, A, S: 28°C; O, N, D: 27°C
  • Depth: 30 m
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Dive Site

Overview

20 minutes west of Elphinstone reef we come across Abu Dabab III - a dive site known for the wreck "Heaven One" and also for the dolphins that also like to stay here. In addition, there are small caves, beautiful coral gardens, remains of amphorae and the possibility to experience a fantastic night dive.

Description

A unique structure makes this reef so remarkable: there are notches and small caves, also a stunning coral garden. All kinds of emperor and banner fish are at home here, but also reef sharks. Due to its location and its maximum depth of 16m, Abu Dabab I is excellent for relaxed day and exciting night dives.
In the south, almost exactly in the middle, there is a single block. There you will see bright red lionfish, as well as feather stars and at night basket stars. In addition, dolphins keep passing by in the south. In the southeast there is another collection of ergs with soft and hard corals, around which there are occasional hawksbill turtles and sharks.

To the north is the famous "Heaven one". Many stories are told around this wreck. Not far away you will find anemone colonies and a cave system overgrown with ancient corals, before diving into two lagoons on the west side with mighty corals and schools of barbels and snappers.

On the west side, an ancient coral formation stretches south with some boulders where reef sharks like to sleep. At the edge of the reef you can find remains of amphorae.

Hotspots

  • The wreck "Heaven one
  • Different species of sharks, moray eels, lionfish, dolphins and many more.
  • Beautiful coral landscapes

map Dive Plans

The sharks in the southwest

From the boat we head west. At the end of the reef, a reef nose stretches towards the south. Next to it are single coral mounds. In this area you can often find young reef sharks, but also nurse sharks have been seen there, as well as moray eels and napoleon wrasse. On the way back you should dive along the reef and keep your eyes open: In the first large notch you can find splinters of historic clay drinking vessels.

Wreck and caves at midday

With the Zodiac you can reach the wreck of the "Heaven one" in 5 minutes. The ship burned totally above the waterline. Accordingly little is left. But you can still see the keel and the engine as well as some parts in the outer area. From the wreck we continue south, over a coral hill. Then the entrance to the cave appears - the play of lights there is fantastic!

The southeast at midday

From the boat you have to swim just a few meters until you reach the block in the middle. There you will often find a large moray eel and many lionfish. Continue east to the next blocks with glassfish and pipefish. Also turtles like to come by here. Back towards the reef you will find scorpion fish and blue spotted stingrays, in the upper area also schools of snappers and barbels or carpet crocodile fish.

Night diving

The block in the middle in the southern area offers everything you must have for a night dive - from feather stars to basket stars and Spanish dancers, squids, crabs, shrimps and on the bottom slipper lobsters with 20-30cm size. You should not use too much light - it's worth it!