LOCAL

Ras Gamila
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Sometimes strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

The most Northern dive site of the local sites, and as the name indicates, very beautiful. (Gamila in Arabic means beautiful). Usually an easy and pleasant dive, but currents can get strong. The vast sandy plateau inclines slightly, and has many coral colonies including a garden of large fan corals. Great for spotting many different type of fish, but beware of the Giant triggerfish in the summer months. Always a drift dive.



Ras Nasrani
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Sometimes strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

Normally done as a drift dive, the reef at this dive site drops from the shallow bays to a wall down to 60+ meters, with many caves and overhangs. The best diving though is among the big coral heads in the shallow areas. Here, the chances of finding crustaceans hiding between the hard corals are good. It is also a good spot for Spanish dancers and cone shells in the sandy gullies. There is a red anemone at the depth of 12 meters, and some fabulous gorgonians to admire at around 20 meters. Also here, currents may be strong, especially around the corner. Can also be a mooring dive.


Ras Bob
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Mild to none
Suitable for: OW Divers

Normally done as a mooring dive, this dive sites has high concentrations of reef fauna. Good place for spotting crocodile fish and blue-spotted stingrays. Often the dive ends with exploring the small caves and gullies in the shallow water (3-6 meters) and there are beautiful configurations of both hard and soft corals - it makes you feel like you were in the Disney movie 'Little Mermaid'. Great spot for usage of underwater cameras! Can also be done as a drift dive.



White Knight
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Mild to none
Suitable for: OW Divers

This dive site has a nice canyon starting from 8 meters going down to 38 meters, although we normally exit at slightly shallower depths. Here you can also see remains of a small wreck, the dive boat Noose One that sank in 1994 after a fire and then drifted into the blue in 2004. There is an eel garden to the north, and this sheltered site is home for triggerfish, groupers, an occasional manta as well as some marvelous nudibranchs. Normally a drift dive.

Sharks Bay
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Mild to none
Suitable for: OW Divers

Most of the time done as a shore dive, and very good for training as it is well sheltered with an easy, sandy entrance and big sandy plateaus. During the summer months, there is a good chance to see Manta rays. A great place for night dives too, with lots of lionfish and some Spanish dancers.


Far Garden
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

A site usually sheltered from waves and wind, with a colorful fringing reef with a slope to greater depths and dotted with small 'ergs'. At the top of the drop off, there are a few pinnacles frequently visited by pelagic fish. In the reef wall, there are also glass fish caves. A great spot with many scorpion fish and nudibranchs, although the current may get stronger at the corner. This is normally done as a drift dive.

Fiddle Garden
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to mild
Suitable for: OW Divers

This dive site is a very good alternative when Far Garden becomes overcrowded; it also has a mooring. Here you can find coral structures of fire corals, sponge corals, pore corals, salad corals as well as anemones, and in between these coral formations the sand has formed 'streets' making it look like a city of coral. Closer to Far Garden, there is an ancient amphora originating from Roman times.



Middle Garden
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

An ideal dive site when the sea conditions are rough, as it is always sheltered. During the summer, a lot of rays like to pass by here, and in the winter you see schools of fusiliers, puffer fish, triggerfish as well as Blue-spotted stingrays. Closer to the Fiddle Garden, you find some fantastic coral pinnacles. Can be done as a mooring or a drift dive..



Near Garden
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

The most Southern of the gardens, this is a great location to spot Napoleon fish, Blue-spotted Stingrays and triggerfish, as well as occasionally a white tip reef shark. Here, you can also find some red sponge coral, as well as great formations of Porites and gorgonians. Can get strong currents at times though. This can also be done as a mooring or a drift dive.



Sodfa
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

This is a local drift dive leading along a sandy slope up to a drop off. On the sandy slope you find some coral pinnacles rising up, and near the drop off you will see some huge gorgonians. In between there is a fantastic garden of different types of corals, as well as great amounts of surgeon fish, fusiliers, anthias and triggerfish, to mention a few.



Tower
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

Another great drift dive among the local dive sites, Tower is a spectacular dive site characterized by a deep canyon whose walls descend vertically for over 120 meters. This definitely is a strikingly beautiful underwater landscape. At 15 meters, you will reach the edge of a large, slightly inclined sandy plateau that runs at a depth of 12 to 15 meters with some coral pinnacles, crevices and caves with schools of glassfish.



Pinky Wall
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

The wall here seems bottomless and is covered in pink Alcoyonarian corals, hence the name. This is a drift dive along the reef, and to the south you encounter a sandy slope, which is richly covered in coral - just to emerge into a shear bottomless wall once again. Seems to be the home for groupers and wrasses.



Amphoras
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

In the seventeenth century, a Turkish vessel with a cargo of amphorae containing mercury was wrecked here. A sandy slope that begins at the depth of 12 meters and has some coral pinnacles of various shapes that create a sort of magnificent garden of coral, with lots of glass fish, you also see remains of the amphorae here as well as a huge stone anchor and a massive 'modern' anchor, this is an underwater photographers dream. At times, currents can be strong. Always a drift dive.



Turtle Bay
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

This dive sites topographical configuration is quite similar to that of Amphoras - a slope that runs at a depth of 10 to 26 meters, with coral pinnacles standing every here and there. On the edge of the coral gardens, there are fabulous colonies of Salad Coral and mushroom-shaped Porites. Another great site for underwater photography, as it is also inhabited by lots of butterfly fish and angel fish. May have strong current though, always a drift dive.



Paradise
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

This 'triplet' to Turtle Bay and Amphoras differs slightly in the taller coral pinnacles that rise on the slope between the reef ledge and the drop off, towering tall with a variety of colors. Definitely unique in its kind, you can explore the table corals and massive gorgonian fans while meeting Napoleon fish, Arabian angelfish and moray's. Don't forget your camera, as you find lots of glassfish here against a colorful background of soft corals! Also always done as a drift dive.



Ras Umm Sid
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

The name of the dive site is also the name of the promontory with a high lighthouse that marks the beginning of the shipping lane towards the Straits of Tiran on the Western coast. The south side of the headland offers a superb gorgonian forest on the drop off; while the plateau is bursting with life and swarms of reef fish, as well as lots of scorpion fish and smaller forests of fire coral. The possibility of spotting whale shark or manta exists at the corner in early summer. Also funnels of barracuda can be seen, and - if done as a night dive - sleeping parrotfish. Currents may be strong though, especially near the cape. This dive can be done as a mooring or a drift dive.



Temple
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

A sheltered bay with moorings, the Temple has some beautiful pinnacles, which are well worth exploring. The name comes from three coral pillars that resemble the columns of an ancient temple; although one of them fell over in the earthquake in the late 90's. This is also a good spot to see Octopus. Occasionally we have also encountered a friendly remora seeming to think we are of the whale-variety! Due to the currents, it is easy to get lost here, so don't forget your compass. Excellent site for underwater photographers, as there is a deep green anemone on 7 meters. Also, keep your eyes open for enormous black-spotted puffer fish. Normally a mooring dive.



Ras Katy
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

An easy dive site with moorings, Ras Katy offers coral pinnacles by small table corals and raspberry corals, which rises almost up the surface. In the beginning of summer time, triggerfish are nesting here, so towards the end of summer you may see clouds of small triggerfish trying to look evil. We have also spotted seahorses here, and some red sea walkmen. Perfect place for underwater photography! Even if this is classed as one of the easiest dive sites; even here the currents may be very strong depending on the moon phases.



Tank Reef
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: OW Divers

When Egypt got Sinai back; a few 'tanks' were thrown over the side of the land into the sea - now they serve as an interesting dive site! From a depth of 15 meters, you can start admiring these vehicles. Normally we dive around the tanks for a while then follow the wall up to the shallower sandy plateau outside of the Electric Station, where there is a mooring. Unfortunately the corals got a battering when all this rubble fell in, but if you keep your eyes open you can see some great nudibranchs and anemones. Also, we have spotted rays here occasionally. Always done as a drift dive.


TIRAN

Kormoran
Depth: 0-30
Currents: Sometimes strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

Located North of Tiran, Kormoran was an 80-meter long German ship coming from Aqaba with a phosphate cargo when it hit the reef of the Laguna in 1984 due to navigation error. As the wreck lies down from the surface to 12 meters depth; it begins as a shallow dive on the wreck, then you continue over the fantastic, nearly untouched hard coral gardens. Due to strong currents at times, the fish life is scarce but possibilities to see turtles and different types of rays are big. Weather conditions limit diving here though, as the sea has to be calm in order for the diving boats to get here; which is the reason for the corals to be so untouched here. Normally a drift dive.

Laguna Reef
Depth: 0-30
Currents: Sometimes strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

This is one dive to do when there are lots of boats in Tiran, as it is not dived very often. There are also many ways to dive this reef: Outside Laguna is a nice gentle slope with lots of colorful corals and chances to spot sharks are high as they like to sleep on the sandy plateau in front of the South Laguna beacon. These dive sites are rich in coral and reef fauna, and North Laguna has another plateau covered in table corals and fire corals. Weather conditions need to be good to dive the outside reefs, and the currents can get very strong, especially during certain phases of the moon. Normally a drift dive.


Jackson Reef
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Sometimes strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

The most northern one of the reefs of Tiran, also the northern limit for daily boats from Sharm El Sheikh. The shipwreck of Lara is lying in the Northern end of Jackson; a Cypriot cargo vessel that sank here in 1981 but it is partially demolished now. The 'backside' (Eastern side) of Jackson is a great, adventurous wall dive, with great possibilities to spot sharks and especially hammerheads during the summer - but the weather conditions have to be great in order to dive here. Currents can get diabolical so only very experienced divers, please! If you venture too far towards Woodhouse in certain currents, you might get caught in a whirly current, which we call the washing machine' - this, you don't want to experience. Always a drift dive.
The inside of Jackson is a nice wall dive, with colorful coral gardens and lots of fish, and a spectacular sparkling red anemone. Can be done as a mooring dive.

Woodhouse Reef
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Sometimes strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

Another great wall dive that needs good weather conditions, but offers you great possibilities to spot different types of sharks, turtles and rays. Currents can get very strong, and as with all Tiran dive-sites, divers should take care to not to get swept into the main shipping lane. There are a few sandy patches around 20 meters, and the coral gardens are beautiful, with an abundance of different corals growing densely throughout the rest of the reef. Also here, take care to not to get caught in the 'washing machine' style currents. Always a drift dive.


Thomas Reef
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Sometimes strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

This is the smallest reef in the Straits of Tiran, lying between Gordon and Woodhouse reefs. It is a round reef with walls plunging to great depths, fully covered with soft coral, gorgonians and filled with colorful fish. It is almost possible to circumnavigate the whole reef in one dive, and technical divers do like to see the canyon that starts on 35 meters to 70+. Good chance to spot turtles, Trevally and Tuna, and on shallower depths there are a couple of small caves where white tip reef sharks like to sleep. Warning for strong currents! Always a drift dive.

Gordon Reef
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Sometimes strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

Easily identified by the wreck of the Panamanian cargo ship Loullia, which ran aground in 1981 and is still partly sitting on top of the reef. The Southern side has fixed moorings on a sandy plateau, which reaches the depth of 24 meters before becoming a steep wall. On this plateau, there are some metal drums scattered around, and we often spot turtles here. In the summertime, you can see huge schools of banner fish on the edge of the plateau, and find nudibranchs hiding around, and with luck, sharks and rays. Currents can be strong so great care is to be taken. Can be done as a mooring or a drift dive.


RAS MOHAMMED

Ras Kharita
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

The very first dive site when you head towards Ras Mohammed from Travco Jetty, Ras Kharita (also known as Ras Travco) is a fairly easy dive with some sandy areas. Eagle rays are spotted eating here at times, and there are some great cave and cavern-formations to explore here. This is a great afternoon dive with lots of colorful corals in the shallower depths. Possibility to see cleaner shrimp is great so keep your eyes open! This can be done as either a mooring or a drift dive.


Marsa Ghozlani
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

This is the first bay when you enter Ras Mohammed, and on top of the cliff you can see the Ras Mohammed visitors center. Also a fairly easy dive site; can be done in many different ways. The Northern side is a slope with sandy bottom visible in between the corals every here and there; while the Southern side is a steeper wall covered in mostly pink, but also other colors of coral. A fantastic red anemone can be spotted here. The weather can change very fast in this bay though - you may jump in when it's calm and nice, but by the time you surface it could be storm-like. Can be done as a mooring or a drift dive.


Ras Ghozlani
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

A drift dive south of the bay of Marsa Ghozlani, in some opinions this is the most beautiful dive in Ras Mohammed. As this dive site was opened for tourism only a few years ago, the corals are in great condition and you can marvel at the size of some of the table corals. Here you can encounter schools of batfish, triggerfish and massive groupers as well as absolutely fantastic spots with glassfish, making it a perfect photo opportunity!


Marsa Bareika
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

The second, bigger bay when travelling south from Sharm El Sheikh, this is also a site, which was closed for tourism only a few years ago - and parts of this bay are still restricted. There are a couple of moorings here, and the possibilities of how to do this site are endless. One of our favorites is to start with the Canyon; which gives the dive a bit of an eerie 'Pirates of the Caribbean' feeling. Keep your eyes open for bigger things in the summer, such as whale sharks and dolphins! This can be done as a mooring or a drift dive.


Ras Zaatar
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

In the southern entrance to the bay of Marsa Bareika, where the steep wall of Ras Mohammed, with caves and overhangs, meets the gentle slope of the Marsa Bareika bay, this site is scattered with colorful coral heads. Head north along the wall amongst big overhangs and dark gullies, where the chimneys narrow up towards the surface creating spectacular effects when the sunlight filters through. The wall is covered in sea fans, gorgonians and the odd sprig of black coral, and here you can find the cleaning stations with the wrasse and shrimp in attendance. Don't forget to check out the blue for schools of barracuda and jacks, or the occasional ray cruising by! Always a drift dive.


Ras Burg
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

This is a nice wall dive with interesting chimneys throughout the reef. Lots of different types of corals of all the colors in the rainbow, we have spotted hawksbill turtles here every now and then. This is an excellent site for underwater photographers, especially at midday when the sun is in its zenith - as long as the currents aren't too strong. Always a drift dive.


Jackfish Alley
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

The white patch on the cliff is a good marker for this site, usually done as a drift dive. There are some interesting caves at 5 meters usually full of glassfish. As you move south, you find two 'ergs', again covered with glass fish, this is a great spot for photographers. Further south is a coral garden and the sandy gulley, which gives this site its name. Stingrays can be found resting in the sand as well as white tip reef sharks, and of course great schools of jackfish. In summer months, beware of the Titan triggerfish guarding their nests. Always a drift dive.


Eel Garden
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: None to strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

Very few scuba divers visit Eel Garden, which is nonetheless a very interesting site, especially from the biological point of view. This is definitely the best place to observe Garden Eels, which are to be approached with extreme caution as they are shy and will quickly slip back into their lairs when something bigger comes by. It is fantastic though to study the eels, while they sway in the current in search of plankton. Weather conditions have to be good in order to do this dive; it is not recommended if the swell is high. Always a drift dive.


Shark Observatory
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Often strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

The story says that in the early days, you could stand on top of the 'shark observatory' on land and see the sharks swimming in the water. These days the site is not aptly named as it is not noted for its shark sightings, however, it is a fantastic dive. Beneath the towering cliffs that continue below the surface to disappear into the deep abyss, the wall is covered with soft coral and honeycombed with numerous gullies and canyons that are home to hoards of glassfish and hatched fish herded by red mouth grouper. An overhang, fringed with sea fans at 10 meters, is a great place to watch the Trevallies, Jacks, Tunas, Turtles and Barracudas passing in the blue. We have also spotted free-swimming giant morays here from time to time. Always a drift dive.


Shark Reef & Yolanda Wreck
Depth: 0-800+
Currents: Often diabolical
Suitable for: AOW Divers

Situated right at the tip of Sinai, this site is world-renowned. These two sites are two small 'ergs', joined by a vertical wall dropping into the abyss, and are normally done as one dive. If you ever fantasized about diving in the midst of a shark colony, this is the place. Here, the currents can be all over the place, going up, down, left, right, out from the reef, into the reef - and going in different directions on different depths. This can truly be an underwater rollercoaster! However, if the currents are going the right way; you might be guided from shark reef into the blue, through massive funneling schools of barracudas to the outside as silky sharks usually gather there - but you might have to tackle strong currents for a distance of a long way. Once you reach the plateau of Yolanda, which has been named after a Cypriot ship that sank here in 1980, you will see that the plateau is scattered with small ergs and coral outcrops, where stone fish and scorpion fish wait for a meal - as well as the cargo of Yolanda - toilets and baths. The whole of this area is big fish territory as well as a favoured spot for massive schools of all kinds of fish, but needless to say - this dive is only recommended for the most expert divers.


The Alternatives
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Often strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

About 30 minutes north west of Shark & Yolanda is a system of flat top ergs, with names like 'Lonely Mushroom', 'Stingray Station' - sometimes known as the 'Seven Pinnacles'. There are many ways to dive this site; but the whole area is favoured by gathering stingrays in March and April, as well as known as home to large groupers, turtles and leopard sharks. Diving here is very dependent on weather conditions, though. Can be done as drift or mooring dives.


The Wreck of Dunraven
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Often strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

This English steamer sunk in 1876 and lies today with its hull upside down and is totally covered in corals. Maximum depth of the wreck is 29 meters; and the propeller and rudder lies at 19 meters. The wreck is home to a wide variety of marine life, such as morays, napoleon fish, groupers and schools of glassfish and goatfish inside the wreck. After exploring the wreck, you can admire lots of small things in the reef, as nudibranchs and popcorn shrimp. Keep checking out the blue every now and then, as large sharks have been spotted here.


The Wreck of Thistlegorm
Depth: 0-30+
Currents: Often strong
Suitable for: AOW Divers

This World War II wreck is famous around the world. In October 1941, she was anchored behind Shaab Ali, awaiting orders to move up through the Suez Canal to deliver a cargo of munitions to the British troops in North Africa, when a German aircraft bombed the 129-meter freighter. The cargo is still virtually intact and includes railway locomotives, Bren gun carriers, trucks, motorcycles, wellington boots and a host of ammunition of all sizes. You need to do at least two dives on this wreck to even get a feel for the site. Dive the deeper stern section first and save the bow for the second dive of the day. The wreck is home to batfish, jackfish, barracudas, surgeonfish, nudibranches and rabbit fish, which graze the hull. The current here can be very strong and the visibility reduced, so this is only recommended for very experienced divers. Besides from that - enjoy your visit to this part of British history!




DAHAB

We also offer daily trips to Dahab on regular basis; 'The Key West of Egypt'. This trip is done by bus; two dives before lunch and then a relaxing couple of hours strolling around the city of Dahab. The dive sites we normally do are the Blue Hole and the Canyon; and are suitable for Advanced divers.

Click on the map to view dive site descriptions

GUBAL STRAITS The area either side of the Straits of Gubal is mainly the preserve of liveaboards. Flanked in the west be the islands of Gubal and Shedwan and in the east by the reef systems of Shab Ali and Shab Mahmoud. Most of these wrecks are covered during liveaboard trips however, Colona Sharm El Sheikh runs regular day trips to the wrecks of the Dunraven and of the Thistlegorm. Crossing the straits can be rough and sometimes downright impossible in all but the largest ships. The areas around Shedwan Island are closed to diving as this is a military area.

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The Alternatives
About 30 minutes north west of Ras Mohammed is system of flat top ergs, with names like “lonely mushroom, stingray station and sometimes known as the ‘seven pinnacles’. Best dive is around the third or fourth erg from the east where the current sweeps through feeding pristine corals with bright vivid colours, however, the visibility can be effected in rough weather. ‘Stingray Station’ lies at the western extremity of the Alternatives; this is an irregular reef and  owes its name to the gathering of stingrays in March and April. The whole area is known as home to large groupers, turtles and leopard shark.

The Wreck of the Dunraven
At the southern extreme of ‘Shab Mahmoud’, a series of shallow reefs and lagoons among which lies the wreck of the 72m English steamer sunk in 1876 on its from  Bombay to England loaded with timber and spices. The hull lies upside down and is totally covered in corals (max. depth 29m), the prop and rudder lies at 19m. The wreck is home to a wide variety  of marine life, morays, napoleon, groupers and schools of glass fish and goat fish inside the wreck.

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Small Crack (Small Passage)
Small split in the middle of Shab Mahmoud’s barrier. The tide empties and fills the inner lagoon twice daily, thus creating strong currents that promote an impressive explosion of life. Brilliant soft corals and resident flashlight fish also make it a premier night dive location - weather permitting.



Wreck of the Thistlegorm
This World War II wreck is famous around the world. In October 1941 she was at anchor behind Shab Ali and awaiting orders to move up through the Suez canal to deliver a cargo of munitions to the British troops in north Africa when German aircraft bombed the 129m British freighter. The cargo is still virtually intact and includes railway locomotives, bren gun carriers, trucks motorcycles and a host of ammunition of all sizes. You need to do at least two dives on this wreck to even get a feel for the site. Dive the deeper stern section first and the bow for the second dive of the day.  The wreck is home to bat fish, jacks, barracudas, surgeon fish, nudibranchs and rabbit fish graze the hull.  The current here can be strong and the visibility reduced so ensure a full briefing from you dive guide and enjoy your visit to this part of British history.



Shag Rock
Being so close to its neighbour, the Thistlegorm, this large circular reef is often overlooked.  It offers excellent diving on pristine coral from any location on its perimeter. The sheltered southern point is the most dived location offering the opportunity for drifts along the west or east sides. Weather permitting the northern point hosts the wreck of the Kingston (‘Sarah H’) just below the surface (max. depth 12m). Large schools of yellow goat fish, sweet lips abound here and the area regularly patrolled by grey reef sharks.

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Wreck of the Rosalie Moller
This wreck lies in the channel north of Gubal island and is a dive only for the more experienced as the visibility can be  reduced and the wreck swept by strong currents on occassions. She was on her way to Alexandria with a cargo of coal when she was sunk by German aircraft on the 7th October 1941, just two days after the Thistlegorm. Originally named the Francis she was launched in 1910, she was then purchased by the Moller Line in 1931 and renamed after the grandchild of one of the company directors. The wreck is  in pristine condition,and home to prolific fish life and a magnificent array of hard and soft corals,  she is 108mts long and sits upright on an even keel with the bow at 39mts and the keel in 50mts. The top of the mast is at 17mts. She is rarely dived due to her position and can only be accessed in the best of weather.

Bluff Point
At the gate of the Straits of Gubal, ‘Bluff Point’ draws its name from the turbulence created by strong currents that beat the eastern most wall of the island. Huge fan corals cover an impressive drop off with caves and glass fish. Sightings of turtles and napoleon fish are not uncommon. An unknown wreck lies on the reef 300m north of the lighthouse, starting at 5m depth and sloping to 25m. Rumor has it that this is the wreck of an Egyptian patrol boat sunk in the 6 day war.

Abu Nuhas
Also known as the ‘Ships Graveyard’, this reef is dangerously positioned close to the busy shipping lanes of the Gulf of Suez.  This reef has claimed more ships than any other in the area.  On the north side are four wrecks laying on a sandy seafloor at the bottom of a steep sloping reef layered with table corals. The wrecks are sometimes inaccessible in anything other than a RIB or inflatable due to the heavy swell driving down the length of the gulf. On the south side is a safe anchorage for liveaboards and two beautiful ergs, known as Yellow fish reef that make an excellent third dive or night dive or an alternative if the weather is extremely bad.

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Giannus D
This Greek freighter hit the reef in April 1983 and over the course of two weeks slowly broke in two and sank. She is the most dived wreck here, Laying in 28m and leaning to port with a fully intact stern section and an impressive engine room packed with glass fish.  Locally known as the ’wood’ wreck for the cargo it was carrying when it sank. The bow is also very interesting but is a long swim out. She is a great wreck for penetration but beware of disorientation due to the angle at which she lays. Be weary of the many lion fish and scorpion fish that call this wreck home. and watch out strong surges in and around the wreck in rough weather.

Carnatic
A British P & O steamer which struck the reef in 1869.  and sank the next day as the weather worsened.  She was a passenger and mail ship and is sometimes known as the ‘wine’ wreck for the numerous bottles once found in the holds, sadly not many now remain to be seen. Rumor has it that she sank with forty thousand pounds sterling of gold bullion, much of which was never recovered. She lays in 29m and now the whole hull is draped in multicoloured soft corals and the inner areas are full of glass fish complete with red mouthed grouper sentinel.  One davit supports a beautiful table coral. The wreck is now home to large grouper, octopus and morays and jacks and tuna cruise overhead.

Chrisoula K
Another Greek ship which sank in 1976, now laying in 30m is fully laden with stone floor tiles and sometimes called the ‘tile’ wreck for obvious reasons. Early morning divers may find a white tip reef shark sleeping under the rudder at the stern. Be weary of very limited and small entry/exit points into the engine room, however, penetration of the wreck is not recommended due to the unstable nature of the wreck.

Olden
Not a lot is known about this wreck except that it struck the reef in 1981 and is locally known as the ‘lentil’ wreck for the cargo she carried.  Lying in 31m and completely on its starboard side exposing its huge hull on one side and gaping cargo holds on the other.  Growth on the hull is fairly sparse due to the position and current. Large morays live in the scattered remains of wreckage on the starboard side and bat fish circle the topside. Most of the fish in the vacinity of the wreck are overweight from dining on the lentils leaching from the sacks once contained in her holds.

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Shab Umm Usk  
A large horseshoe shaped reef that shelters a shallow lagoon and offers good shallow diving on coral gardens at either point. Further around the southern reef exterior provides a steep coral encrusted wall sloping to 40+m. Playful bottlenose dolphins are found inside the lagoon at times.

Blind Reef
An Isolated reef south of Siyul Island, with good diving on its north side. Soft coral, sea whips, many ergs home to glass fish and turtles can often be found here.

Siyul Kebira
This reef extends around the Island of Big Siyul and has a varied profile, in some areas sand chutes (wadis) split the reef face, in others there are overhangs and gullies to explore. The coral growth is abundant as is the fish life. Most diving here is in swift currents on the drift but the north eastern point offers a plateau which slopes gently from 10m to 30+m. Sharks and large rays are often sighted in the deeper water, with schools of sweet lips and masked butterflies in the shallows.

Siyul Seghira
Despite it Arabic name Little (seghira) Siyul is the largest reef in the area at over 4km long. It is usually dived as a drift due to the strong currents along the sloping reef. The depth range is 20-25m, the corals are lush and vibrant and the fish life is dense and varied. The best dive here is along the north side but can only be done in moderate weather due to the exposed nature of the reef.

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