Scuba Dive Site: Small Passage, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Scuba Dive Site Info:

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Name:	Small Passage
Description:	Small Passage or Small Crack is one of the best known dive sites near Sharm el-Sheik and Ras Mohammed. It is a crack or passage in the west-facing seaward side of the Sha’ab Mahmud reef system, which acts as a line between the Sinai desert and the streets of Gubal. This passage is one of the few places where you can actually get into the inner lagoons of Sha’ab Mahmud. Many live-aboard tours dive the passage and spend the night in the sheltered lagoons for a spectacular night dive. The best time to dive depends on the currents and is often at its worst during dusk. Then the current is at its strongest, pointing into the sea and visibilities can be as low as one meter because of all the sand that is transported in and out of the lagoon. It is better to dive when the current is picking up but then in an inward direction.
Fauna and Flora:	Coral is excellent with many types of hard and soft corals especially at the outer reef sections. About all the species of reef fish available in the Red Sea can be found here and pelagic are very common as well. Jacks, shoals of barracuda and many other types of pelagic can be found inside the passage.
Diving Types:	Sightseeing
Maximum depth:	20 m
Water Temperature:	Water temperature between 20ºC in winter and 27ºC in summer.
Diving Suit:	In the winter complete wet suit and in the summer wet suit with shorts.
Visibility under water:	Visibility between 15 and 30 meters.
When to go:	June July August September October