Quick answer
The Straits of Tiran reefs are four coral reefs, Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse and Jackson, strung across the narrow channel between Sinai and Tiran Island at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. About an hour by boat from Sharm el-Sheikh, they offer strong-current drift dives, steep walls and, in calm weather, excellent snorkelling on their sheltered sides.
Where are the Tiran reefs?
The four reefs sit in a line down the middle of the Strait of Tiran, the channel only a few kilometres wide that links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aqaba, between the Sinai coast and Tiran Island. Because all the water entering and leaving the gulf funnels through here, currents are strong and the reefs are richly fed, with big hard-coral structures, sea fans and schools of pelagic fish.
Tiran Island itself, a bare desert island, was transferred from Egypt to Saudi Arabia under an agreement ratified in 2017, and you do not land on it. Day boats continue to visit the reefs at the time of writing. Each reef has a distinct character, so most trips pick two or three according to the current and the group.
The four reefs, one by one
Gordon is the most varied, Thomas the smallest and deepest, Woodhouse a long drift and Jackson the most dramatic.
Gordon Reef
The southernmost reef has the rusting wreck of the cargo ship Loullia stranded on top, a landmark from any boat. Its southern side has a sandy plateau known as the Shark Pool, with coral blocks and turtles, and good snorkelling in calm conditions.
Thomas Reef
Small but spectacular, with walls covered in soft corals and sea fans. A deep canyon cuts the seabed off its southern edge, but it lies far beyond recreational limits and is strictly for technical divers.
Woodhouse Reef
Long and narrow, it is usually dived as a drift along its eastern wall, with a saddle and canyon towards the northern end. Moorings are limited, so it is typically a dive from a moving boat.
Jackson Reef
The northernmost reef carries the wreck of the Lara on top. Its walls are covered in fans and soft corals, and in summer scalloped hammerhead sharks are sometimes seen in the blue off its northern tip, usually by deeper, experienced divers.
Diving or snorkelling?
Divers get the most from Tiran, but snorkellers enjoy the shallow reef tops on the sheltered southern sides of Gordon and Jackson when the sea is calm. Boats moor in the lee of the reefs, and snorkellers stay close to the mooring with a guide; the exposed northern ends are no place to swim on the surface when the current is running.
Divers should expect drift dives and negative entries on some sites. Newly certified divers are welcome on the gentler sites if they dive with a guide; operators may ask for Advanced Open Water or a minimum number of logged dives for the current-swept walls. Our scuba diving in Egypt guide covers certification and choosing a dive centre, and the snorkelling in the Red Sea guide covers snorkel trips.
How do Tiran boat trips work?
Day boats leave the Sharm marinas around 8–9am, reach the strait in about an hour, and return in mid to late afternoon after two or three stops with lunch on board. Hotel transfers are usually included.
- Snorkel boats: larger boats with sun decks; good value, but busier.
- Dive boats: smaller groups, briefings at each site and dive guides in the water.
- Private boats: worth it for families or couples, and lets you avoid the busiest moorings.
Bring a passport, which is checked by the coastguard, plus a towel, sun protection and a layer for the ride home. Trips are cancelled when the wind is too strong.
When to go and what you might see
The reefs are dived year-round; water is warmest from June to October, while summer brings the best chance of hammerheads and spring and autumn the most comfortable all-round conditions. Expect turtles, Napoleon wrasse, moray eels, schools of snapper and fusiliers, and, with luck, eagle rays or reef sharks. Our Red Sea marine life guide helps with identification.
Afternoon winds roughen the strait, so mornings are usually calmer. The strait is also a busy shipping lane to the ports of Aqaba and Eilat, which explains the wrecks stranded on Gordon and Jackson: you will often see cargo ships passing close by between dives.
Rules and responsible visiting
The reefs are protected: touching coral, collecting anything, feeding fish and anchoring on the reef are all forbidden, and boats must use fixed moorings. Choose an operator that respects the moorings and keeps group sizes reasonable, apply reef-safe sunscreen or wear a rash vest, and keep fins well off the coral. See our reef-safe travel guide. Travel advice for South Sinai can change, so check Smartraveller or SafeTravel before booking.
Straits of Tiran Reefs: FAQs
Can you snorkel at Tiran Island?
Yes, on the sheltered southern sides of the reefs in calm weather, with a guide. You do not land on Tiran Island itself.
Which Tiran reef is best?
Jackson is the most dramatic for divers, Gordon the most varied and the best for snorkelling, and Thomas the most colourful small reef.
Are there hammerhead sharks at Tiran?
Scalloped hammerheads are sometimes seen off Jackson Reef in summer, usually in deeper water. Sightings are never guaranteed.
How long is the boat ride?
About an hour from the Sharm el-Sheikh marinas, depending on which reef is visited first.