TIRAN

NAME & LOCATION

Located East of the Sinai Peninsula between the mainland and the Tiran Islands the Tiran Straights are found. This location is named after the islands and hold 4 famous dive sites: Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse and Jackson.

The SS Thistlegorm has found her final resting place at the edge of the Ras Mohamed National park, just west of Sharm. On the east side the straight of Tiran with famous sites like Wilson and Jackson.
The SS Thistlegorm has found her final resting place at the edge of the Ras Mohamed National park, just west of Sharm. On the east side the straight of Tiran with famous sites like Wilson and Jackson.

These 4 dive sites (Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse and Jackson) are all named after British cartographers who first mapped the are.

BIODIVERSITY

Due to the strong currents and great depths loads of nutrients are brought in by the water, the food course for the local reefs. Big fan coral gardens grow around corners where the current can be ripping.

Extraordinary diversity of soft and hard corals, an amazing variety of colorful reef fish and big pelagic species, such as snappers, barracudas, tuna and sharks will make diving at any of the four locations of the Straits of Tiran unforgettable. Besides schooling hammerheads, other shark species, that can be found around the reefs, include whitetip shark, grey reef shark, leopard and tiger sharks.

  • Tiger sharks are rarely seen in the Red Sea as they are believed to live on deep plateaus and traveling from reef to reef.
    Tiger sharks are rarely seen in the Red Sea as they are believed to live on deep plateaus and traveling from reef to reef.
  • The grey reef shark can be found single or in a group. Usually she is shy towards divers and to be found in places where the currents change the most.
    The grey reef shark can be found single or in a group. Usually she is shy towards divers and to be found in places where the currents change the most.
  • The giant travail loves the blue waters next to deep falling walls with a medium to strong current, as they hunt schools of fish that hang nest to the reef. known to be vicious hunters and run after anything that is silver or blings.
    The giant travail loves the blue waters next to deep falling walls with a medium to strong current, as they hunt schools of fish that hang nest to the reef. known to be vicious hunters and run after anything that is silver or blings.
  • Barracuda, different species live solitude or in schools. Knows as the pike of the Sea
    Barracuda, different species live solitude or in schools. Knows as the pike of the Sea
  • This hammerhead shark can be found on offshore reefs like brother islands or Daedalus Reef. This species is quite shy although curious if we divers know how to respect them.
    This hammerhead shark can be found on offshore reefs like brother islands or Daedalus Reef. This species is quite shy although curious if we divers know how to respect them.
  • The torpedo or electric ray hides in the sand awaiting prey that he will stun with an electric shock by means of catching food.
    The torpedo or electric ray hides in the sand awaiting prey that he will stun with an electric shock by means of catching food.
  • A juvenile white tip reef shark hiding under blocks and in small caves to protect itself from larger predators.
    A juvenile white tip reef shark hiding under blocks and in small caves to protect itself from larger predators.
  • A bundle of light falling on a leather coral.
    A bundle of light falling on a leather coral.
  • The giant moral eel lives on most reefs of Egypts Red Sea. Sometimes running up to 2,5 meters they like to relax during the day and come out to hunt at night.
    The giant moral eel lives on most reefs of Egypts Red Sea. Sometimes running up to 2,5 meters they like to relax during the day and come out to hunt at night.

GORDON REEF

Gorned reef is right next to Thomas reef an easily recognized bu the wreck on the top the reef. The currents can pick up and that together with the deep walls can bring you any surprise imaginable. From eagle rays till tuna, schools barracuda and even sharks.
Gordon reef is right next to Thomas reef an easily recognized bu the wreck on the top the reef. The currents can pick up and that together with the deep walls can bring you any surprise imaginable. From eagle rays till tuna, schools barracuda and even sharks.
DIVE SITE SPECS
Access:Year round, in the winter currents and wind pick up
Type of diving:Drift along deep walls and night dive from the boat.
Diver level:Advanced & comfortable with currents & depth.
Depth:From boat / zodiac
Current:0-40 meters
Visability:20-30 meters

Gordon is one of 4 dive sites that belong to Tiran. Diving in all of these sites is done pretty much the same. Meaning from zodiac and usually back to the zodiac. Driving and using the currents to make an awesome dive. When it comes to the night diving, this is done outside of the current and only from and to the back of the main boat.

Typical for these sites is the current that gives us a chance to not only drift but also meet some of the bigger fish in the sea. Schools or large tuna, grey reefs, white tips, eagle rays and even the hammerhead can be spotted here.

WHAT TRIPS BRING YOU THERE?

These dives can be done by Liveaboard, where you combine the best dive sites in a weeks diving. The following trips offer it as part of their program: