Karang Sungai Bamban - Sumatra

Sha‘ab Abu Sha‘r, just north of Hurghada, is where we often head when we want a reliable, enjoyable dive without the crowds of some of the more famous sites. It’s got a beautiful hard coral garden at about 10 to 15 metres, stretching out from a shallow plateau. We’ve spent many an hour here just drifting along, watching parrotfish – especially those chunky Bullethead and Candelamoa varieties – systematically munching on the coral. What we really love here are the overhangs and small caves carved into the reef wall, a little deeper at around 20 metres. You can swim through a couple of them, and it’s always a thrill to find the resident Peppered Squirrelfish and Small-eyed Squirrelfish clustered in the shadows. Look closely on the sandy patches, and you’ll often spot a Mangrove Crocodilefish, perfectly camouflaged, waiting for an unsuspecting snack. The visibility is usually excellent, often 25 to 30 metres, making it a great spot for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak it all in. It’s a pretty relaxed dive, suitable for most experience levels, and a fantastic place for a second dive of the day when you're after something chill but still interesting.

Location

Sumatra, Indonesia, Southeast Asia

Coordinates

-0.533889, 99.973050

Type

reef

Marine Protected Area: KK Batang Gasan Padang Pariaman