Abu Galawa Small

Abu Galawa Small (Abu Galawa Soraya) is a shallow reef in the Fury Shoals of Marsa Alam known for its coral gardens and a small wooden sailing-yacht wreck. A narrow crescent reef encloses a calm lagoon with seagrass beds and occasional seahorses; extensive table and boulder corals taper into a sloping drop-off around 15-18 m. The wreck, a roughly 16-18 m wooden yacht, lies on its starboard side on the southwest edge of the reef at about 18 m and is heavily encrusted with coral. The site is accessed by boat with moorings at the lagoon entrance and is usually dived as a single-boat dive. Depths range from about 5 m in the lagoon to 18-20 m at the wreck; visibility is often excellent (reports up to 30 m) and thermoclines are mild. Currents are usually weak but can strengthen outside the reef or during tide changes. Typical routes start at the mooring, follow the reef edge past coral blocks and an eel garden around 14 m, visit and often circle the overturned hull (swimming through openings where glassfish and sweepers gather), then return through a shallow V-shaped swim-through to the inner lagoon and back to the mooring. Diving is suitable for all certified levels; navigation can be tricky over sand or when exiting via the reef passage, so use lines or a compass. Stonefish have been reported near a coral block. The wreck is a small wooden sailing yacht about 16-18 m long resting on its starboard side at roughly 18 m, with its bow sometimes protruding toward the surface at low tide. It is heavily colonized by corals and provides swim-throughs and shelter for schools of small fish. Divers should avoid penetrating the wreck beyond safe limits.