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Local
Dive Sites | Ras Mohamed Dive Sites |
Straits
of Tiran | Red Sea Ship Wreck
Straits
of Tiran
Starting from the North
on the Eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula lie the Straits of Tiran,
one of the most famous diving areas in the Red Sea. Situated in the
middle of the straits are four coral reefs, Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse
and Jackson named after 19th century British cartographers. Enjoy
exciting drift dives, drop offs, amazing coral and friendly sharks for
the lucky at these dive sites. The beautiful lagoon next to Tiran
island is a popular destination for lunch and snorkeling.
Tiran
Dive Sites
Click On
the dive site you seeking for
Gordon
Reef
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Facts about dive:
Like Jackson to the north, this reef is marked by the
wreck of a large commercial freighter; at the southern
end of the reef, there is also a light beacon to keep
other ships off the reef. A permanent mooring point
lies just offshore near the light.
The dive site encompasses a wide, oval sloping patchy
reef which extends to the south and east of the shallow
circular reeftop, rather like the sloping brim of a
baseball cap. The reef composition is quite varied,
with patchy sections, sand beds and ful-fledged coral
gardens. In the centre of the reef slope, a 'shark
amphitheatre' or bowl dips to 24m; a variety of shark
species can be seen sleeping on the sandy bottom.
The site boasts a very good range of corals, with lots
of branching varieties. All of the corals are well
preserved, in densely grown patches that often show a
remarkable mix of different species.
Fish life is not the most profuse in the Straits of
Tiran, but there are some notable surprises including a
huge moray eel with a body as thick as a small divers
waist. Triggerfish abound while surgeons and jacks swim
in moderately large schools, and angels, parrotfish and
small wrasse are all present in good numbers. Large
Napoleon wrasse can often be seen along the reef.
The reef slope is suitable for relatively inexperienced
divers while more experienced divers will enjoy the
incredible experience to be had at the shark
amphitheatre. |
Access to the dive: By local or
live-aboard boat from Sharm El Sheikh, Naama Bay or other
ports.
Conditions: As with all Straits reefs, can be swept by
current.
Experience grade: Everyone
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Average visibility :
20 m. |
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Average depth :
15 m. |
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Maximum depth :
35 m. |
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Getting there :
By boat |
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Thomas
Reef
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Facts about dive:
This site is on a generally steep sloping reef, which
includes some plateau sections and a very deep canyon
running along the reef's southern section. It is the
smallest of the four Tiran reefs, and its position in
the chain leaves it exposed to some fairly vigorous
currents.
The reef's upper section is a riot of color,
encompassing some of the finest soft coral growth in
the Sinai region. Huge, densley packed fields of
Dendronephthya of every imaginable hue are spread
across the reef, along with antler corals, fine
Stylophora, some Acropora and many other stony coral
forms.
Fish live is also rich, with the greatest concentration
in the shallows. Lyretail cod and other groupers grow
to great size, and many varieties of rabbitfish and
wrasse congregate along the reef face, accompanied by
box and pufferfish.
The only reason to go much deeper than 20m at Thomas
Reef is to explore the canyon; an option for only very
experienced deep divers. You should not even consider
this hazardous option without consulting your dive
guide. |
Access to the dive: By local or
live-aboard boat from Sharm El Sheikh, Naama Bay or other
ports.
Conditions: Current can be strong.
Experience grade: Everyone
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Average visibility :
20 m. |
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Average depth :
20 m. |
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Maximum depth :
50 m. |
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Getting there :
By boat |
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Wood
House Reef
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Facts about dive:
Lying between Jackson and Gordon Reef The Woodhouse is a
long, narrow reef running at an angle from northeast to
southwest. From its shallow reeftop, the reef drops at a
sharp angle on all sides; although it is less than vertical
throughout the reef's length, the angle steepens still
further beyond 25m.
Woodhouse is generally dived as a drift along the reef's
eastern side. The current is usually moderate, but can pick
up speed at certain phases of the Moon, particularly toward
the northern channel between Woodhouse and Jackson. Care
should be taken not to get pulled around the point here, as
you could be swept off the reef into the main shipping
lane.
Coral cover is excellent throughout the reef, with dense
growth all over; there are a few sandy patches at depths of
around 20m. Many species are present but because of the
sheltered position of the reef, away from the main current,
a certain amount of sedimentation has affected the corals
here.
Pelagic fish including big tuna and schools of trevally or
jacks. Fusilieres, snapper, surgeons and unicorns
alsoschool here, along with thousands of other reef fish. |
Access to the dive: Local or live-aboard boat
from Sharm El Sheikh, Naama Bay or other ports.
Conditions: Strong current possible
Experience grade: Experienced
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Average visibility :
20 m. |
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Average depth :
20 m. |
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Maximum depth :
50 m. |
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Getting there :
By boat |
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Jackson
Reef
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Facts about dive:
On the northern edge of the reef, the wreck of a
grounded freighter stands as a warning to shipping in
the busy straits; most of its hull has been salvaged
for scrap, leaving only a skeletal hulk. A fixed
mooring exists at the southern end of the reef; dives
begin from this point and proceed generally northward
along the east side of the reef.
Current tends to run from the north, and generally
picks up strength as you approach the point on the east
side. Most divers will want to make this the northern
limit of their dive, and turn back to the south here.
Strong swimmers with good air consumption and
experience in currents can round the point, after which
the current slackens, and continue their dive along the
reef's north edge. This should only be done by prior
arrangement with your dive guide, and great care should
be taken, since divers have been swept off the reef
here.
The steep-sided walls of Jackson Reef are among the
finest in the Sinai region; the current-swept reef is
densely grown with a real profusion of hard and soft
corals, with special accents provided by luxuriant
gorgonian fans, sea whips and black corals, and vivid
growths of soft coral.
Fish life, not suprisingly, is excellent. The strong
current brings plenty of nutrients for reef and
schooling fish; current and profile combine to tempt
pelagic fish in from the open water, and large schools
of barracuda and jacks are common here, as are larger
predators including several species of shark. The
smaller reef species on which these pelagic visitors
feed are profuse. |
Access to the dive: By local or
live-aboard boat from Sharm El Sheikh or other ports.
Conditions: As with all Tiran sites, strong currents are a
very real possibility.
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Average visibility :
20 m. |
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Average depth :
20 m. |
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Maximum depth :
40 m. |
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Getting there :
By boat |
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