Video Contest – November 2021

Description: Sha’ab Quesir Maksur, als known as El Aruk Giftun is a dive site located near Giftun Island in the open sea and is about 45 to 75 minutes from Hurghada, depending on where you start your boat trip. Aruk is the Arabic word for erg (pinnacle), and as this location is covered with many ergs, we can deduce that this is the most appropriate name for the several dive sites in the area. As it is made up of a variety of erg, it looks like a colony of mushrooms. At Sha’ab Quesir Maksur, there are 7 ergs you can explore while diving. All the ergs can be found on a sandy plateau at about 12 meters depth until they touch the surface of the sea. But be aware, as this can be a tricky dive site, it is good to choose one of the central ergs as a reference point at the beginning of your dive. You can easily get lost because all the ergs look the same. So it is better to have a compass when diving El Aruk Giftun. One of the ergs has a cave that is filled with glassfish and scorpionfish. The marine life that can be spotted at Sha’ab Quesir Maksur consists of scorpionfish, several kinds of rays, napoleons, and Anthias at every erg. The ergs are also home to many bassets, goatfish, clownfish, butterflyfish, bannerfish and all kinds of groupers. Moray eels and stingrays can also be found on the bottom of the ergs. The most beautiful and colorful inhabitants and corals are near the surface of the water. The superb Sha’ab Quesir Maksur is attracting many divers, despite the difficulties concerning navigation.