Route Description - Northern Red Sea, Ras Mohamed, Straits of Tiran
The Northern Red Sea and Straits of Tiran provide some of the most historic wrecks like the Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas. Ras Mohamed National Park includes many pristine coral reefs as well as abundant marine life. The Straits of Tiran are the narrow sea passages between the Sinai and Arabian peninsulas which separates the Gulf of Aqaba from the Red Sea. These reefs, named after British cartographers (Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, Gordon), are world famous for their extraordinary diversity of corals and pelagics.
Itinerary Dive Sites:
•SS Thistlegorm
One of the most famous wrecks in the world, the 423-foot cargo ship was bombed in 1941 while carrying military supplies. Now resting at 104 feet (32 m), it’s encrusted with coral and attracts large schools of fish, tuna, and snappers.
•Shag Rock
This shallow wreck dive features the Kingston, a British cargo ship sunk in 1881. Lying at 50 feet (15 m), the site is rich in marine life including nudibranchs, reef sharks, eagle rays, and dolphins.
•Dunraven
A Victorian steamship wreck from 1876 lies upside down at 50–95 feet (15–30 m). Covered in corals, the wreck teems with goatfish, batfish, nudibranchs, and rare ghost pipefish.
•Ras Mohamed National Park
Located at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Ras Mohamed offers premier sites like Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, known for grey reef sharks, pelagics, and vibrant coral gardens. Anemone City and Shark Observatory round out this world-class marine park.
•Shaab Umm Usk
A colorful coral garden at 65 feet (20 m), with diverse Acropora corals and reef fish. Night dives may reveal cuttlefish and squid, and dolphins are often seen in the lagoon.
•Siyul Kebira
At 72 feet (22 m), this reef offers diverse topography with dense coral formations, pelagic sightings, and occasional nurse and leopard sharks on the sandy bottom.
•Abu Nuhas
Known as the “Ship’s Graveyard,” four wrecks rest along a coral-covered reef.
Ghiannis D – Lies between 30–88 feet (10–27 m), home to groupers and crocodilefish.
Carnatic – A 19th-century wreck at 65–88 feet (20–27 m), now covered in corals.
Chrisoula K – Sank in 1981 with tile cargo, now a scenic wreck dive at 16–80 feet (5–25 m).
•Shaab el Erg
Famous for dolphin encounters, this reef features coral gardens at 40 feet (12 m) with sea turtles, scorpionfish, and tunas.
•Carless Reef
A coral-covered plateau at 52–82 feet (16–25 m) with two pinnacles. Moray eels, barracuda, and reef sharks are often seen here, with the wall dropping to 130 feet (40 m).
•Jackson Reef
The northernmost reef in Tiran features remains of the Lara wreck, fan corals, and encounters with turtles and reef sharks between 50–100 feet (15–30 m).
•Woodhouse Reef
The longest reef in Tiran with canyon dives, coral gardens, and sightings of reef sharks and eagle rays. The canyon lies at 82 feet (25 m).
•Thomas Reef
A compact site with dramatic vertical walls and a colorful plateau at 82 feet (25 m), home to gorgonian fans and longnose hawkfish.
•Gordon Reef
This southern reef features a mix of shallow plateaus and drop-offs, vibrant reef fish, and whitetip reef sharks. The Louilla wreck lies on top of the reef near a lighthouse.
Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes and may change due to local regulations, weather, or logistical considerations.