Liveaboard Diving in Straits Of Tiran

What to Expect on A Straits of Tiran Liveaboard

Various Egypt Liveaboard itineraries will offer dive cruises to the well known area of Straits of Tiran. Separating the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea The Straits of Tiran are a small passage of water only 13 nautical miles wide. They were named for their proximity to Tiran island to the west of the straits and provide a very important shipping channel providing a connection between Egypt and its neighbours Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

There are areas of the straits that have very deep water, several hundred meters in some places which are perfect for shipping. There are also huge areas of shallows and reefs which is good news for diving!

Four of these reefs lie across the channel with the two deepest passages Enterprise and Grafton on either side. They are marked above the surface by numerous lighthouses and the wreck of the Loullia which ran aground and remains sticking out on top of the reef. The wreck is not diveable, but does lend a dramatic feeling to the sweeping reefs.

The other dive sites in the area are located around the North and South Laguna close to Tiran Island. These sites are within reach of Sharm el Sheikh and with their fantastic corals, great visibility and the chance to see sharks they have become one of the most popular dive sites in the area. Liveaboard diving in the Straits of Tiran has long been a favourite amongst Red Sea divers.

The straits also have plenty to offer technical divers with canyons and wrecks going down to 100 meters/328 ft. In particular, the wreck of the Lara off Gordon Reef is very popular as it sits at 90 meters/295 ft.

Daily Schedule (example)

Morning - Liveaboards will start the day early at The Straits of Tiran to get the first few dives in before any day diving and snorkelling boats arrive from Sharm el Sheikh. This usually means a 6 am before breakfast briefing with a snack and a coffee before heading to the dive deck for the first dive. Be sure to take note of the currents and conditions, The Straits can have very strong even whirling currents in some areas. Also some specific areas of the reefs are good for seeing sharks and so making a note of this on your slates could increase your chances of seeing the big stuff.

Afternoon - After a proper breakfast there will be a second and third dive, some liveaboards offer three afternoon dives and a night dive as well. With up to five dives a day this is definitely eat, sleep and dive territory. Liveaboards will try to take shelter on a fixed mooring on one of the sheltered areas of the reefs such as the South end of Jackson.

The night dives start after dinner at sunset, Gordon and Jackson reef have good plateaus which make for more comfortable night diving. The conditions and current can still be quite difficult here so this is not for inexperienced divers.

The Straits of Tiran Underwater

The Straits of Tiran are an environment rich in sea life and healthy corals. The visibility can be from 20-30 meters/ 65-98 ft although it can be more than 40 meters-13 at times. In the North Jackson Reef is a small round island with steep drop-offs all around. This is mostly a wall dive with beautiful hard and soft corals and an eel garden to the South where divers can find some shelter from currents. Red anemone and fire corals and huge numbers of colourful reef fish are the attraction on the Southern side.

To the East divers can catch some drift on increasing currents along a spectacular wall. The North on the other hand is a sandy rock bottom but with a gem of a plateau where divers can see Grey and Whitetip Reef sharks and even Scalloped Hammerheads.

Jackson Reef connects to Woodhouse Reef by a saddle, although the current here can be very severe. Woodhouse is long in shape with a canyon along the sides before a deep drop-off. The dive site is around 30 meters/100 ft. with very strong currents making this a very enjoyable drift dive, with turtles and a small wreck towards the Northern end. Thomas Reef to the South of Woodhouse is also a drift dive with beautiful archways, caves and swimthroughs as well as fantastic corals.

Gordon Reef is probably the most distinctive above the water with the wreck of the Loullia sitting on top of the reef. Underwater the dive site is over a large plateau with steep drop-offs. There are fantastic corals and bigger fish such as tuna, eagle rays and to the North Whitetip reef sharks and Scalloped Hammerheads.

Top Tips for The Straits of Tiran

  • These reefs are best suited to more experienced divers; new divers might find the currents quite strong.
  • An alarm on your computer is a good safety measure as the drop-offs and good visibility can be deceptive.
  • An SMB is recommended as currents can be unpredictable and there are a great number of boats in the areas around the dive sites.
  • Some of the reefs are home to fire corals so wearing adequate protection on your body and hands is wise.

 

Getting to The Straits of Tiran

The Straights of Tiran are accessible by diving liveaboard. Most liveaboards will depart from either Hurghada or Sharm. Both of these ports have their own international airports with regular flights from mainland Europe and connecting flights further afield.

Itineraries departing from Hurghada will normally take in a number of the wreck and reefs between the port and Tiran, such as Sha'ab El Erg and the Thistlegorm before moving on to the straits. Some of our Egyptian Liveaboard itineraries departing from Sharm el Sheikh may visit the Thistlegorm and Ras Mohammed National Park and end at The Straits of Tiran.

Liveaboards will normally anchor further out from the reefs and the divers will be dropped off and picked up by smaller tenders directly at the dive site. Day boats leave from Sharm el Sheikh early in the morning around 6 am and arriving around 8 am depending on the boat. Day boats drop divers directly and normally offer two dives in the straits before returning late afternoon to Sharm.


Straits Of Tiran Diving Reviews

  • 9.2 Superb
  • 90 Verified Reviews
  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Chelane P
  • United States United States

Red sea anemone's at 100ft with the best color I've ever seen.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in February on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Zachary R
  • United States United States

Really good. I like some islands better than others and would have rather done more at the better reefs than hit them all.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in May on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • John V
  • United States United States

A little murky with wind and rough seas.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in March on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • James O
  • United States United States

Very good, corals in full color, good currents in right direction.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in October on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Philip P
  • United States United States

A lot of good drift dives.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in November on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 9.2 Superb
  • David H
  • United States United States

Days of Gordon- Jackson - Thomas - Yolanda reef diving beautiful, but pretty strong currents for many in group

Diving Straits Of Tiran in August on the Blue Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Jennifer S
  • United States United States

A wonderful surprise of diversity under water and amazing landscapes from the top side.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in April on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Sarah R
  • United States United States

Good, mostly drift diving though.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in November on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Adrian R
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Diverse. Every reef has its own wonders. Comparable to Ra Mohammed.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in February on the Snefro Pearl

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Mark S
  • Norway Norway

Vis could have been better due to unusual weather.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in March on the Snefro Love

  • 7.2 Good
  • Jason B
  • Ireland Ireland

Not great, but only because I find wall diving incredibly dull! The above water setting was great & the dive guides were excellent at briefing everyone on drift diving, pickups etc.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in June on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • David H
  • Switzerland Switzerland

The diving was great and the reefs are full with small fish.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in June on the Snefro Spirit

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Luca M
  • Italy Italy

The red anemone at Woodhouse reef alone is worth the trip!

Diving Straits Of Tiran in June on the South Moon

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Anu I
  • Finland Finland

Incredible colorfull coralls, so beautiful

Diving Straits Of Tiran in July on the Red Sea Blue Force 2

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Anushree A
  • India India

We spotted white tip sharks, barracudas and turtles. The coral reefs in the Strait of Tiran are unreal. However the currents can affect your diving a bit.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in November on the Red Sea Blue Force 2

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Ross P
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Great, lots of marine life

Diving Straits Of Tiran in November on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Pierrot G
  • Canada Canada

Excellent, more dives there would be nice.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in November on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Nora I
  • Spain Spain

Good, no luck with sharks so I have a good reason to come back.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in November on the Red Sea Blue Force 2

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jesse Z
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Beautiful reefs with impressive walls

Diving Straits Of Tiran in February on the Snefro Love

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Fabrizio D
  • Switzerland Switzerland

We saw turtles but unfortunately no sharks

Diving Straits Of Tiran in February on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Eduardo S
  • Spain Spain

One of the best reefs that I know

Diving Straits Of Tiran in March on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Tatiana K
  • Russia Russia

A lot of marine life, beautiful reefs

Diving Straits Of Tiran in October on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Bartosz R
  • Poland Poland

Good dive sites in Tiran, plenty marine life.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in September on the Blue Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Coen E
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Beautiful stuff to see on all reefs, mainly doing drift dives with rather strong currents. Seas can get choppy here!

Diving Straits Of Tiran in October on the Snefro Target

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Tatiana K
  • Russia Russia

strong currents, very healthy reef, several whitetip sharks turtles and other animals

Diving Straits Of Tiran in October on the Snefro Target

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Benjamin B
  • France France

Great spot for drift diving

Diving Straits Of Tiran in November on the South Moon

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Jean-Sebastien S
  • Belgium Belgium

Beautiful corrals, gorgonians, anemone, missing some bug stuff this time

Diving Straits Of Tiran in November on the Red Sea Blue Force 2

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Michael M
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Nice Coral, Courant to play with, color full

Diving Straits Of Tiran in November on the Red Sea Blue Force 2

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Adil G
  • United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates

Best coral I have ever seen

Diving Straits Of Tiran in November on the Blue Melody

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Alex D
  • Italy Italy

They were ok and interesting dives. Nice to see them once but not sure if I would do them again.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in December on the Snefro Target

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Christoph W
  • Germany Germany

Best drift dive ever @ woodhouse reef

Diving Straits Of Tiran in March on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Ingemar H
  • Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia

Clear water, healthy corals

Diving Straits Of Tiran in March on the South Moon

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Marc G
  • France France

Various, cristal water, incredible

Diving Straits Of Tiran in March on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Helle V
  • Denmark Denmark

Flotte koraller Mange fisk

Diving Straits Of Tiran in April on the Snefro Love

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Kobus M
  • South Africa South Africa

Best dives of the trip. Perfect visibility, fabulous corals and exciting canyons and walls

Diving Straits Of Tiran in April on the Red Sea Blue Force 2

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Markus M
  • Germany Germany

good alternative to Dealdalus and Borthers in Winter/Spring/Summer but in autum for Shark season I still prefere Brothers - Deadalus - Elphionesone routing.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in April on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 8.0 Very good
  • MARK E
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Good. The coral and fish life has improved over the covid years.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in April on the Blue Melody

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Steliana S
  • Romania Romania

Straits and Ras Mohammed were two fantastic places to dive. The marine life is fabulous and corals are beautiful.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in May on the Freedom III

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Martin H
  • Germany Germany

Sehr schöne Riffe in gutem Zustand

Diving Straits Of Tiran in June on the Blue Pearl

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Benjamin G
  • Israel Israel

Great reefs lots of sea life

Diving Straits Of Tiran in August on the Red Sea Blue Force 2

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Wolfgang F
  • Germany Germany

Intakt and healthy Sea Life

Diving Straits Of Tiran in August on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Robert B
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Excellent, coral in very good condition. Turtles, large fish (we didnt see any sharks though) and good visibility.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in August on the Freedom III

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Linda G
  • Germany Germany

Great dives and impressive reefs

Diving Straits Of Tiran in October on the South Moon

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Melissa F
  • Canada Canada

Amazing! Reef were rich with life.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in December on the Red Sea Aggressor II

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Shaun H
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Very good but missing the larger fish

Diving Straits Of Tiran in March on the Snefro Love

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • George D
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Fantastic, a bit choppy on the surface but fine down below. Some strong currents.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in March on the Snefro Pearl

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Jordan N
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Be prepared for strong current drift diving here; enjoyable and diverse.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in April on the Discovery II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Oscar V
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Coral was in great health, amazing marine life

Diving Straits Of Tiran in May on the Snefro Love

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Marc V
  • Canada Canada

Great visibility, nice drift dives, lots to see.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in May on the Snefro Love

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Claire S
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Saw a family of 3 turtles, stingrays and a large wrass. Wonderful

Diving Straits Of Tiran in May on the Freedom III

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Pauliina N
  • Finland Finland

Oukei, we saw moray, lionfish and many other fish

Diving Straits Of Tiran in May on the Snefro Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Marleen B
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Provides the opportunity to dive at 4 different reefs very close to each other. Can become crowded with dive operators, liveaboards as well as day trips.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in May on the Snefro Pearl

  • 9.2 Superb
  • David R
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Awesome reefs, abundance of fish species

Diving Straits Of Tiran in June on the Freedom III

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Gregory V
  • Canada Canada

Diving was nice but swimming with a pod of wild dolphins was out of this world amazing.

Diving Straits Of Tiran in July on the Red Sea Aggressor II