Location - Hamda is situated on the northeast side of Giftun Kebir beneath a series of prominent cliffs and opposite a white shingle beach. It goes by several names: Hamda, Unm Dom, Hamata or Stone Beach for starters. Beneath the water is a small plateau of hard coral sloping easily from 15 to 35m. On the outside, the plateau drops off in a series of smooth, rounded rocky ledges. At both ends the plateau gives way to a steep wall tumbling to 50m+.

Sea Conditions - If the wind is coming from the northwest the place is well sheltered, but from the north and north­east it is very exposed. Current is negligible.

Dive Plan - It’s worth going to have a look at the drop-off, if only to remind yourself how much more life and color there is shallow. It is stark, bare rock and somewhat lunar looking. Beneath the boat look out for a large green salad coral. As you head north across the plateau you will notice two large sand patches at 15 and 18m. Not far beyond here the wall starts. On your way back stay really shallow (3-4m), this is probably the best part of the dive.

Marine Life - In open water above the plateau there are large schools of blue fusiliers and redfang triggerfish and soli­tary tuna, snapper and unicorns. On the plateau you’ll find morays, scorpionfish, barracuda, maybe sharks or turtles and there are many cleaning stations where fish hover mouths open, under the attention of cleaner wrasse. This has also been the scene of a couple of whaleshark sightings.