Last updated on
January 17, 2024.
January 17, 2024.
Umm Aruk is a dive site that suits divers of all experience levels. The average depth of the site is 30m / 98ft and the water visibility is around 10-20m/32-65ft. This scuba dive site consists of various small pinnacles which are covered in beautiful colourful corals and are full of different species of marine life. The access to the dive site is from a boat. Water temperature ranges from 23 to 30C/73 to 86F. There are pinnacles, reefs, corals, reef fish and other marine creatures.
Cave Reef or Umm Chararim / Umm Khararim lies to the East of Zabargad Island and is half way between Gota Sataya in the South and Milkauwa Island in the North. You are unlikely to be on your own when your on this reef. It is one of the most popular dive sites in St. John's Reef complex.
The cavern system is very shallow, somewhere between 3 and 15m. The complex has narrow and larger passages allowing an easy swim through into the coral garden in the middle of the reef. The sun directly shines through the cracks in cave ceilings giving it a magical feel.
Sernaka Island or Mukawwa Island lies just 6 km south of Ras Banas peninsula. When looking at maps of various dive centres and websites, a variety of names is being used.
For instance Sernaka, Sarnaka and according to Google Earth Mukawwa Island. Also Mikauwa and Sernara surfaced as a name for the Island. Most likely depending on the language that is used to describe the Island (Arab, English, French, German) the written name varies.