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Dive Site

Umm Aruk

  • Current: S/W in the morning, N/E at midday, S/E in the afternoon
  • Visibility: J, F, M, A: 30–40 m; M, J, J, A: 25–35 m; S, O, N, D: 50–60 m
  • Temperatures: J, F, M: 24–25°C; A, M, J: 26–28°C; J, A, S: 28-32°C; O, N, D: 28-24°C
  • Depth: 40 m
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Dive Site

Overview

With a depth of 25 to 27m, Umm Aruk is one of the shallower sites in the St. John`s area, but due to its structure and imposing coral towers, it is the most interesting reef there. Diving in this maze is really something special!

Description

If you see Umm Aruk on the surface, it is hard to believe that this reef has an extension of 200 by 250m. In the south, from the craggy reef edge, an abrasion edge stretches down to 20m. East of it, two mighty boulders rise to the surface.Behind them stretches a bizarre picture of two dozen coral towers, 6 to 9m high and 2 to 4m in diameter, where corals and fish fight over the best spots. If you want to see banner and lemon butterfly fish in large numbers, you should definitely dive the north side. In the sloping lagoon like grooves you will often encounter juvenile whitetip reef sharks.

On the west side there are more astonishing boulders. Behind them, numerous ergs shooting up like mushrooms. Between them live, well protected, eagle rays and gardeneels.

The current is unstable and can come from all directions. However, due to the swirls between the blocks, we can use that to our advantage.

Hotspots

  • Coral Towers: Umm Aruk's underwater world is simply incredible - behind, around and on top of each of the coral towers we find endless life: from banner fish and lemon butterfly fish to eagle rays, gardeneels and white tip reef sharks.

map Dive Plans

No blocks because of many ergs

The best time to visit the east of Umm Aruk is late in the morning. You will get the best impression when you turn into the maze of ergs after the second block. Dive north, crisscrossing the blocks and you will return to the reef edge. Diving west along the edge will bring you back to the boat. The crazy thing about this site is the swirling layers of water that create shimmering water due to different temperatures.

The northwest

With the Zodiak we go to the northern lagoon where the young sharks sleep and then to the outer area to the older animals. Continue around the blocks and then head west to the garden eels and eagle rays and over the jagged reef wall towards the channel to the Napoleons. Ascending at the three big blocks is a must - the corals there are a dream!

Night dive

The night diving at Umm Aruk is gigantic, because from hunting scorpion fish to feeding moray eels you get to see everything here. You can also find sleeping turtles near the anemones and very nice slugs on the abrasion edge.