ABU KAFAN 

The 300m long Abu Kafan Reef in Safaga, also known as Abu Qifan, is particularly popular with divers and can be crowded at times. It is easily accessible by boat from Safaga, and many boats from Hurghada also stop here. Wall divers love the reef with the 300 m deep descent.

Possibly the best dive in Safaga. Abu Kafan roughly translated means “father of the abyss” and this a fitting description for this reef. This is the most southerly lying reef that we dive on and it grows out of depths in excess of 600m to rise just below the surface. On the north and south side, you will find two long and slim plateaus that are covered in a vibrantly coloured carpet of soft corals, with awesome table corals dotted around. The north side is best dived in the form of a drift, and after jumping into the water you will descend on to the plateau in 25m. Moving in a north easterly direction you will arrive at the eastern drop-off, with its majestic fan and brush corals offering safe refuge to long nosed hawk fish, in the blue you will see patrolling unicorn surgeon fish and large schools of fusiliers. Frequent encounters with barracuda, turtles, tuna, and reef sharks, plus the occasional hammerhead with the abundant and varied coral growth make this dive one not to be missed. The south plateau can be dived from the boat. Entering the water, you will find yourself on the sheer wall on the south western side of the main reef. The bottom is to be found 80m below, and this is a truly thrilling feeling. The opulent soft coral growth leads onto the longer but just as narrow south plateau. It is here on the plateau that you will have encounters with morays, wrasse, grouper, clouds of anthias, barracuda, turtles and reef sharks. Marauding jacks and mackerel dart out of the blue to strike for prey and even whale sharks have been known to pass by. Due to the varying strength and direction of the current, this dive is not suitable for inexperienced divers.