Umm Sid, Dahab: dive site guide

Updated October 2026 · by Mohamed Fathy, PADI & SSI dive instructor in Dahab

Depth

5–30 m

Level

Open Water and up; Advanced for the gorgonians

Entry

Shore (sandy corridor through the reef)

Area

South

Umm Sid dive guide: what to expect

Umm Sid Dahab, also spelled Umm El Sid or Um Sid, is one of the southern shore dives, about 15 km down the coast from town in the Southern Oasis, a little south of Three Pools and just north of The Caves. It is quieter than the town sites and best known for one thing: big gorgonian sea fans in the deep part of the reef.

The entry is part of the fun. A wide, sandy corridor cuts through the steep reef, and you fin out through it and then around and beneath a massive tongue of coral. On the other side a sandy slope opens up, dotted with garden eels that sink into the sand as you approach. Keep going down the slope and you reach a coral garden full of life.

Diving Umm Sid Dahab as an Advanced diver means continuing to around 30 m, where giant gorgonians rise from the deeper reef, often standing in pairs. Look carefully in their branches for the small longnose hawkfish. Open Water divers get a very good dive too, staying in the coral garden and on the eel slope within their limits. On the ascent you move back up to about 18 m and finish along a wall covered in table corals and soft corals, with anthias swirling around you.

The fish list is long. Local centres mention scorpionfish, stonefish, moray eels, octopus, pufferfish, coral groupers, glassfish and blue-spotted stingrays, as well as tube eels on the sand and many kinds of nudibranch. Eagle rays and turtles show up now and then.

The thing to respect here is the current. It can be strong and unpredictable, especially at depth, which is why some centres rate Umm Sid as intermediate to advanced. Dive it with a guide who knows the site, and choose a calm day if you want to go down to the gorgonians.

Umm Sid dive map

The dive, step by step

1. Entry

   Enter from the shore and fin out through the wide sandy corridor in the reef.

2. Coral tongue and eel slope

   Swim around and beneath the big coral tongue onto the sandy slope with its garden eels.

3. Coral garden

   Follow the slope down into the coral garden. Open Water divers stay here within 18 m.

4. Gorgonians (Advanced)

   If the current allows, Advanced divers continue to a maximum of 30 m to see the giant gorgonians.

5. Wall and exit

   Ascend to about 18 m and return along the wall of table corals, make your safety stop at 5 m and exit through the corridor.

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Conditions

Max depth

30 m (Advanced); 18 m for Open Water

Dive time

45–55 min

Current

Often strong and unpredictable, especially at depth

Visibility

Usually 20–30 m

Best time

Calm days with little current; check with the guide on the morning

Requirements

Open Water for the shallow garden; Advanced and current experience for the gorgonians

What you'll see

• Giant gorgonians
• Longnose hawkfish
• Garden eels
• Tube eels
• Nudibranchs
• Scorpionfish
• Stonefish
• Moray eels
• Octopus
• Blue-spotted stingrays
• Anthias

Guide's tips

• Ask the guide about the current before going deep
• Look for longnose hawkfish in the gorgonians
• Combine with The Caves on a south-coast day

Snorkeling at Umm Sid

Listed as snorkel-friendly, with corals along the corridor and reef edge, but currents can be strong; snorkel only on calm days.

Snorkeling guide →

Safety notes

• Currents can be strong and change quickly, especially deeper; turn the dive early if the current picks up.
• Gas and no-stop time run short at 30 m; plan the deep section first and keep it brief.
• Scorpionfish and stonefish on the reef and sand; keep your hands off the bottom.
• Stay in the sandy corridor on entry and exit to avoid kicking the reef.

Questions about Umm Sid