Hamata & Wadi Lahami, the area around Gota Sataya

Hamata & Wadi Lahami · Egypt · Pinnacle · Reef

Gota Sataya

Six coral towers rising from 22 m to the surface

Area photo: Derek Keats · CC BY 2.0

Gota Sataya is a reef with two very different sides. The north carries six ergs, coral towers that rise from 22 m to the surface; the south is a plateau running from 10 m to 30 m. Reef sharks, napoleon wrasse and hawksbill turtles are among the species listed for the reef, so it is a full dive whichever end the boat drops you on.

Also known as Small Gota Sataya.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Gota Sataya: typical dive 10–30 m (33–100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit10 m30 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

24.1816° N, 35.6459° EPublished position for this site.

The dive

The north side carries the ergs: six coral towers standing up from 22 m and reaching for the surface, close enough together to swim the gaps between them. You work the bases first, then spiral up the sides as the dive goes on, finishing shallow among the tops where the light is best. That vertical structure is what the north end is dived for, and nothing else on the reef gives you the same shape to follow.

The south side is a different dive: a plateau that starts at 10 m and drops away to 30 m, easier to navigate and shallower to finish on. The species listed for the reef run to whitetip and other reef sharks, napoleon wrasse holding station over the coral, triggerfish, and hawksbill turtles, so either end of the reef gives you a chance at the bigger animals as well as the coral.

Marine life and season

  • Reef sharks
  • Napoleon wrasse
  • Sea turtles
Month-by-month season rating for Gota Sataya
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairFairGoodGoodPrimePrimePrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodFair

Season follows Hamata & Wadi Lahami: May to October is the calm window, with much less wind; diving runs all year, but sea state is wind-driven and can reroute a day.

Sources

  1. Gota Sataya - Scubago — Scubago

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