Ben El Gebel

Ben El Gebel, meaning between the mountains, is a sheltered lagoon site in the narrow passage between Big Giftun and Small Giftun off Hurghada in Egypt. Even when waves pound the outside reef and the wind howls, the lagoon stays calm, so it suits any level of diver. The main attractions are the ergs, or pinnacles, found by entering the shallow channel heading west.

North-west of the channel is a flat sandy patch scattered with coral blocks, and further north a beautiful erg perforated with cavities and overhangs. The three closest ergs have beautiful gorgonians on their northern ends. The furthest erg is dived less, so it is full of fish and has impressive overhangs veiled in glassfish. A drift all the way to the neighbouring Banana Reef is possible, but it needs very good air consumption and advanced navigation skills.

On the sandy bottom numerous gobies live with shrimps. The ergs are carpeted in soft corals. Crocodilefish shelter under the table corals with Moses sole, and eagle rays and feather tailed rays are quite common. Orange spot jacks hunt the glassfish beneath the overhangs, and turtles feed in the soft corals.