Marsa Alam, Fury Shoals & the Deep SouthBeginnerreef

Gota Kebir

Also known as Gota Kebira; Gotta Kebir; Big Gota; St John's Gota Kebir

Large reef over 800 m long that breaks the surface, with plateaux at about 15 m and 30 m+

No detailed dive map yet

A close-up reef map of Gota Kebir will appear here when available.

Large reef over 800 m long that breaks the surface, with plateaux at about 15 m and 30 m+. Several drift options around the reef. The sheltered side suits all levels. Depth 15–30 m; liveaboard only; Variable; the current often splits at the reef current. Red Sea Protectorates / Marsa Alam–Wadi el Gemal marine park area; Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) Red Sea Protectorates, with HEPCA involvement in mooring and site management.

Highlights

Large reef over 800 m long that breaks the surface, with plateaux at about 15 m and 30 m+
Several drift options around the reef
the sheltered side suits all levels
The famous St John's cave and tunnel system runs through the southern part of this reef

Marine life

whitetip reef shark
bluespotted stingray
green turtle
unicornfish
rabbitfish

Good to know

Protected status: Red Sea Protectorates / Marsa Alam–Wadi el Gemal marine park area; Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) Red Sea Protectorates, with HEPCA involvement in mooring and site management.
Fees: Red Sea marine park / environmental fees have been levied intermittently; HEPCA records that as of January 2011 'no fees collection at all except the entrance fees to Samadai reef'. Day-boat operators commonly bundle a marine-park charge into the trip price.

More sites in Marsa Alam, Fury Shoals & the Deep South

Abu Bassala

Sickle-shaped reef with coral columns, gullies and cracks running down to a sandy bottom at 15-20 m

Abu Dabbab I

Coral garden with pinnacles and a cave

Abu Dabbab II

Caves and swim-throughs

Abu Dabbab III

Hard-coral reef with a cave crossing and a coral garden