Shaab Abu Nugar

The name 'Abu Nugar' means 'father of pools', referring to the many holes and small lagoons in the main reef. On top of the reef there are several blue sandy lagoons, which is why the Arabic name is also translated as 'Reef — Father of reservoirs'. It is a large reef in the shape of the letter 'T', surrounded by a sand flat with coral blocks, and around it there are other dive sites, such as Shaab Iris, Erg Iris and Gotta Abu Nugar. Sailing to the reef can be rough in windy conditions, but there are protected moorings, and it can be reached in almost any weather.

The coral gardens are extensive and healthy, with giant table corals and brain corals. Pods of jumping dolphins are commonly seen, and on a dive in July 2019, amid huge schools of fish, 12 dolphins accompanied the group. There are cleaning stations where groupers and snappers queue for cleaner shrimps and wrasses, as well as nudibranchs and other macro life. Among the reef fish there are lots of parrotfish, unicornfish and broomtails, as well as moray eels, crocodile fish and lionfish. Blue-spotted rays and turtles are also commonly seen, and eagle rays and the odd shark may appear.