Um Kud

Red Sea Global

Top Dive Time

45-60Min

4.0

Ratings

Distance

20 km @ 293° From

Al Khirj Coast Guard

Approx 45 - 60 minutes by boat

Skills

Advanced, Free Diving,

Site Features

Reef Wall,

Located along the northern barrier reef and taking its name from a nearby island, Um Kud features a sloping wall that radiates with colour. With dazzling formations of soft and hard coral, from carnation and mushroom coral to strands of finger-like sea sponge that stretch out into the blue, the undulating depths are also well known for spritely reef fish. Photographers will find inspiration in sculptural clusters hanging off the wall covered with all sorts of weird and wonderful species, from fire coral and leather coral to all manner of sponges, making good fodder for striking wide-angle imagery. There are also two crevices 10–18m in length, though with a width of just 3m, only advanced divers should venture inside. Be on the lookout for moray eels lurking at the opening.

Reef fish abound at Um Kud, with shoals of anthias, lyretail grouper, lionfish, pufferfish and coral-munching parrotfish. As the wall slopes, it meets a sandy seabed where bluespotted ribbontail rays rest and titan triggerfish, who can become aggressive if divers come too close, defend their nests. Whitetip reef sharks can also be seen flitting past at depths of about 35m.

The reef is dominated by fire and stony corals, vividly coloured red finger sponges, and all sorts of resident fish.