Umm Gamar by private yacht

Umm Gamar, also spelled Umm Gammar, is one of the best-known reefs north of Hurghada. Three coral towers rise from a deep wall, with caves, large coral blocks and big table corals on the north side.

Look for schools of glassfish, batfish, moray eels, turtles, lionfish and jackfish. Eagle rays are seen here too.

The reef is not fully protected from the current, so it suits a calm day. On a private yacht, your captain can move the day to the sea that suits it.

Shaab Ruhr Umm Gamar lies near the island. A plateau starts at about 14 m and slopes to about 30 m before a steep wall. The wreck of an Egyptian army supply ship lies in the deeper part, and large moray eels live in the overhangs and caves of the shallows.

Careless Reef has two coral blocks whose tops sit about 3 m below the surface, with a coral garden between them. It is known for large moray eels, turtles, schools of fish and big groupers. It is visited only in calm weather with no wind, because the shallow tops give little shelter and the current can be strong.

These are dive sites first. Your crew decides whether the sea is right to get in.

1. You send a request with your date, your group and your swimming or diving level. Umm Gamar is already filled in.
2. The LYT Concierge Team replies within 2 hours, 9:00 to 22:00 Cairo time, and sends a written quote: the yacht, the harbour, the departure time, the hours at sea and what is included.
3. You accept the quote and pay the 25% deposit through a secure payment link from your concierge. The operator confirms in writing.
4. On the day, you meet the crew at the harbour named on your quote, with your passport or a copy. The crew gives a short safety briefing.
5. The yacht sails north-east into open sea. The captain chooses the mooring for the wind and the current.
6. Between stops you swim, snorkel or rest on deck. Lunch and drinks are on board if your quote includes them.
7. You sail back at the time on your quote. The 75% balance goes to the operator before boarding.

Every yacht we list carries a licensed crew and a life jacket for every guest, including children’s sizes. Everything else is written on your quote, line by line: snorkelling gear, food and drinks, towels, any fee and a hotel transfer. If it is not on the quote, it is not included.

Boats tie up to mooring buoys instead of dropping anchor on the coral. Do not touch or stand on coral, do not feed the fish, and take nothing from the sea, not even shells. Leave no rubbish in the water.

Boats sail all year, but Umm Gamar is a calm-day trip. The wind blows from the north all year and is strongest from late May to early October, so keep your dates flexible if you can. If the port authority or your captain stops sailing, you choose a new date or a full refund.

A motor yacht or a catamaran gives shade and a steadier deck in open sea. If you want to dive, say so in your request. More places are on our Hurghada yacht charter page.