http://www.redseariviera.info/en/To-Know/Erg-Somaya

Location - About 75 minutes outside Hurghada, on the east side of Giftun Soraya, is Erg Somaya. To the south is the tower of Giftun police station, to the north is a prominent ridge of mountain. The reef slopes steeply to a sandy ledge between 15m and 24m, beyond which it drops o 50m+. There are two pinnacles on the ledge. One between 18m and 10m has a mooring buoy attached. To the north between 20m and 12m is another shaped like a pyramid and overgrown with a thick crop of purple soft corals. Beneath the ledge and between the two ergs is a distinct nose with two caves at 25m and 32m joining to form a chimney.

Sea Conditions - The moorings are very close to the reef so in rough weather it can be difficult to put a boat there. The area is ravaged by a strong current much of the time in which case it is easier to drift dive.

Dive Plan - If you choose to drift then jump in to the north and surface at the boat which waits on the moorings. Alternatively, the site connects with "Small Giftun drift." So drop in at the moorings and follow the wall southwards until you reach the south plateau of Small Giftun. Leave the drop-off and head to the shallow reef. Shortly after you round the corner you will start to sec the moorings, your boat should be waiting on one of these, Whichever way you dive it, make sure you visit the cave to be hypnotised by the billowing curtain of glassfish. Go through only if you're experienced enough and take your time along the drop-off to admire the deep rich colors of soft corals and the gorgonians.

Marine Life - Batfish, barracuda, tuna, jackftsh, Spanish mackerel, napoleons, morays, tunics, groupers, and if you're lucky, whitetips. Feeding on glassfish in the cave, lionfish and redmouth groupers. You can also find Spanish dancers here by daylight.