Banana Reef

Qesm Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate, Egyptreef20 m maxbeginner

Conditions

Banana ReefQesm Hurghada

Fair · 4/5

conditions visualisation

Fair4/5

Some chop right now — best window today 8 AM–3 PM.

Wind20 kn NW

Current~0.2 kn S · model

Swell

0.3 m · 4s · NNE

Water

26 °C

Max depth

20 m

Conditions through the day

7 AM4 PM

Sunrise 05:59 · Sunset 16:57 local

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Outlook — select a day for full conditions

On-face swell 0.1 m — the component of the swell aimed at this site’s exposed face. Current is a regional model value (Copernicus, ~9 km grid) — a guide to the area, not a precise reef measurement. Imagery © Esri · not depth or visibility.

Scored by DiveConnect's site-physics model

Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.

Dived here today? How were conditions vs. what we showed?

About this site

Banana Reef is a crescent-shaped wall and reef dive site near Hurghada, Egypt, located in the vicinity of Big Giftun Island and close to Ben el Gebel. The reef takes its name from its distinctive banana-like shape, and the site is reached by boat — approximately 90 minutes of sailing. Moorings are on the south side of the main reef.

The reef structure features a wall that serves as a navigation reference, two large pinnacles rising from around 14–17 m toward the surface, boulders, gorgonian formations, and a fan-shaped boulder famous for its banner fish colonies. The coral gardens slope downward in a northwest direction and transition into a sandy patch at around 20 m, with the working depth generally between 10–12 m and a maximum of 18 m. On the southeast corner, close to the wall, lies an extensive anemone city with colonies of anemone fish numbering in the hundreds. The pinnacles are covered in soft corals and gorgonians.

Marine life at Banana Reef includes feather-tailed rays and eagle rays that regularly pass over the coral gardens, along with turtles and whitetip sharks. The pinnacle and gorgonian formations shelter barracuda, jackfish, lionfish, and groupers hunting schools of silversides and glassfish. Bannerfish colonies are particularly prominent, and stingrays and scorpionfish are also present.

Read the full guide

Current can be considerably strong here and affects visibility even in shallow water; a drift is the most natural way to dive the site. Visibility is typically 20–25 m. Water temperature ranges from 21–29 °C. The reef is sheltered overall but open to the north. The site is suitable for most levels of divers, including beginners.

AI-written site guide