You are here
Diving in Tiran
 
The four reefs of Tiran are reached after just ten minutes boat ride from the Sinai Blues jetty and they bear the names of the cartographers who mapped the area over 40 years ago. In order of appearance they are; Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse and Jackson reefs. The narrowest strait is the Grafton Passage which is the strip of water between the reefs and Tiran Island itself. It is well indicated on the charts and has lighthouses marking its position.
Â
The four reefs of Tiran are reached after just ten minutes boat ride from the Sinai Blues jetty and they bear the names of the cartographers who mapped the area over 40 years ago. In order of appearance they are; Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse and Jackson reefs. The narrowest strait is the Grafton Passage which is the strip of water between the reefs and Tiran Island itself. It is well indicated on the charts and has lighthouses marking its position.Â
The wider side of the straits lies between the Sinai Coast opposite the town of Nabq and is called the Enterprise Passage. Tiran is the gateway to Jordan and the port of Elait via the Gulf of Aquaba. Hundreds of big ships pass through these straits without incident every year but occasionally it can all go horribly wrong!
Â
Â
The most prominent shipwrecks in Tiran are those almost out of the water resulting in such landmarks as the Louilla wreck on top of Gordon and the Lara wreck at the far end of Jackson reef. These two rusting hulks have become affectionate gatekeepers of the first and last reefs but it was in the 80’s that they came to grief. Currents can be strong in some parts of the Tiran reefs, but where there are currents there’s always good marine life and coral.Â
It’s the water movement that provides a food source and attracts the fish. There are many ways to dive each of these reefs, which between them have sandy plateaus, drifts, walls, coral gardens, canyons, drop-off’s and wrecks. We also dive parts of the Island itself where it’s quiet and sheltered: Ideal for new divers or swimmers just wanting to have a look at the colourful reefs. Favourites are Jackson reef with an amazing coral garden full of small life and frequent turtle sightings.Â
Nearby along the Laguna reef is a shipwreck suitable for any level of diver. On a calm sea this wreck is ideal at only 6 meters deep. A beautiful cascading wall of interlocking stag coral allows deeper diving with a direct ascent to the ship wreck of the Zingara, an 83m long, broken up vessel that dates from the early 60’s.