Straits of Tiran

The Gulf of Aqaba is a approximately 2000 meter deep cut in the bottom of the ocean. At the southern end of the Gulf, the island of Tiran is located. Here the Gulf narrows and becomes shallower.
With the change of tides, huge quantities of water flow through this bottleneck and cause very strong currents. In the center of the Straits of Tiran, a ridge pushes up, running from north to south. On its highest elevation four coral reefs (Gordon, Woodhouse, Thomas and Jackson, which are named after British cartographers) have formed.
The currents around these reefs are the cause for the extraordinary diversity of corals and big fish swarms. Among others, you can see barracudas, snappers as well as sharks.

Dive Sites In Sharm El Sheikh

Ras Mohamed
Ras Mohammed is situated at the extreme southern part of the Sinai Peninsula. Here, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets with the Gulf of Suez the ocean floor drops down to depths of more than 1000 meter.
Here an underwater world has developed which is unique in the Red Sea. Due to the topographical position, there a strong currents throughout the whole year which are often hard to predict even for experienced divers.
However, it is exactly these currents which provide the reefs in the best possible way with the necessary nutrients. No other dive site in the northern part of the Red Sea offers as much of a variety and density of species as Ras Mohammed.

Snorkeling - Sharm el Sheikh, Red Sea

Snorkeling in Sharm el Sheikh is very easy and convienient. The nature of the reef system is that the corals come up to the low water mark. Which with a small tidal action of the Red Sea means that it is only about 1 metre below the surface.In most of the area the reef comes right to the shore and most of the larger hotels have a floating jetty over this shore reef making access easy. At the end of the shore reef there is normally a wall reef which goes down to a depth of between 6 metres and 600 metres.In areas where there is no set route over the shore reef care is needed when crossing this. As the coral can be sharp and has many holes in it, as well as some spiney urchins or other marine life that you don’t want to stand on. If the water level is high then it is possible to swim over this shore reef but care is still needed. So where ever possible use the jettys or walkways into the waterBy snorkeling close to the shore reef you will be clear deep water which is full of life. With colourful corals and loads and loads of fish life.
Before jumping into the water, please have a look at where you are and assess the location with an eye to your own safety. The areas that are on the edges of any bays tend to have currents along them. So don’t get to engrossed with the multitude of life you see or too relaxed in the water that you forget to keep an eye on your own safety

The Blue Hole

The dark hole rests in the shallows of a bright blue reef shelf. The best corals are over the saddle at the furthest point which are normally accessed by entering further north down 'The Bells' - a 30m deep crevace (great experience). You pop out at 30m alongside a vertical wall reef which is incredible. Swimming along to the blue hole the view is incredible. Keep an eye out into the blue for whale sharks, skarks and manta rays. When in the Blue hole watch your depth as hundreds have died there from oxygen toxicity and diving too deep.