Abu Galawa Kebir

Abu Galawa Kebir is a boat-access site combining a lush live coral reef with the fully encrusted wreck of the Chinese steam tug Tien Hsing, offering photogenic reef walls, pinnacles and bommies and a wreck that appears as part of the reef scenery. Dives typically range from a few metres in shallow lagoons up to about 30 m on the outer reef; the wreck lies mainly between 17–20 m and a noted pinnacle reaches about 35 m. Water temperatures are mid-20s°C (around 26–28°C) with visibility commonly 20–30 m and generally mild currents. Boats usually moor on the reef crest and divers drift or swim along the sloping wall toward the wreck; entry is by boat. A small submersible cave/overhang near the wreck bow at about 2–4 m is present for experienced divers; there are no enclosed overhead spaces in the wreck and standard recreational depth limits apply. Divers are advised to maintain good buoyancy and avoid disturbing the abundant coral life. The Tien Hsing is a World War II-era Chinese steam tug of about 35 m, with its stern around 17 m and the bow rising to the surface at low tide. The steel hull is heavily encrusted with soft and hard corals, the wooden superstructure has long decomposed, and open hatches allow swimmers to pass beneath the keel and access the deck, engine room and wheelhouse.