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Suyul Island from the Qulaan Archipelago has sandy beaches that gave rise to the sobriquet ‘Egyptian Maldives’. The uninhabited small island is within Wadi El Gemal National Park and is reached by boat from Hamata Port which got the name from nearby Mount Hamata. It has great opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and relaxing. Close to the boats mooring the reef drops off and can be snorkeled with up to 30 meters visibility.

Tour boat at Suyul Island's reef
Snorkelers along Suyul Island’s reef.

How to go snorkeling Suyul Island?

Suyul Island is part of the Qulaan Archipelago, located off the coast of Hamata. Several local companies offer day trips to the islands, for a price starting at around 50 euros pp. (2020), all included. Most of the tours combine two snorkeling stops, including one Suyul Island’s reef (to be confirmed when booking).

Suyul Island snorkeling map, Hamata

Water entrance for snorkeling Suyul Island’s reef

The most visited snorkeling area is along the reef that borders the south of the island for nearly 3km. Your boat will moor and drop you off directly on the reef.

Suyul Island’s reef snorkeling exploration tips

The most visited snorkeling area is located on the reef that borders the south of the island for nearly 3km. Your boat will moor and drop you off directly on the reef.

Daisy parrotfish at Suyul Island
The daisy parrotfish is one of the most commonly seen parrotfish species in the Red Sea.

Suyul Island’s reef forms a steep drop off, which outcrops close to the surface (↕1-3ft/0.5-1m) and falls on sandy bottoms (↕15-25ft/5-8m). In this protected area, the coral is healthy, with beautiful specimens of finger coral, tabular coral and fire coral.

Dozens of fish species can be seen on the reef, including several species of butterflyfish, damselfish, Red Sea bannerfish, Arabian Picasso triggerfish, and masked puffer.

Hundreds of sea goldies, whose bright red color contrasts beautifully with the blue, cluster on the drop offs. Keep an eye on the sandy beds, where bluespotted ribbontail rays are occasionally sighted.

Snorkeler over Suyul Island's coral reef
Skindiving at the foot of Suyul Island’s drop off.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

There is no restaurant on the islands, but most tours include lunch. Inquire when you book.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Protected areaWadi El Gemal National Park
  • Maximum depth30ft/10m
  • Water entranceFrom a boat
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersMedium
  • Access costsCost of a boat tour to the Hamata Islands
  • Restaurants nearbyNo

MAP Spot

These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.