7 Pinnacles

7 Pinnacles is a coral pinnacle dive site in the Strait of Tiran, near Sharm el Sheikh, northern Red Sea, Egypt.

Overview

7 Pinnacles sits within the Strait of Tiran, one of the most celebrated diving corridors in the Red Sea. As its name suggests, the site features a series of seven distinct coral pinnacles rising from a sandy seabed, each encrusted with hard corals and festooned with soft corals, sea fans, and reef fish. The Tiran Strait channels nutrient-rich upwellings from the Gulf of Aqaba, supporting prolific marine life at every pinnacle. Strong currents are common in the strait, making this site best suited to divers comfortable with current diving.

Site Information

• Location: Strait of Tiran, Sharm el Sheikh, Red Sea, Egypt
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 25–40 meters
• Current: Moderate to strong; tidal-driven
• Best Time: October to May

Marine Life

The pinnacles attract dense aggregations of schooling fish — glassfish, fusiliers, and anthias swarm the structures in spectacular numbers. Large grouper and snapper patrol the bases, and humphead wrasse are regularly spotted. Reef sharks occasionally cruise the deeper sections between pinnacles. The nutrient-rich current draws planktivores in abundance, which in turn attracts larger predators. Turtles are sometimes seen resting on the coral heads.

Dive Profile

Divers typically navigate between multiple pinnacles using the current to assist movement. Descend onto the first pinnacle at around 10–15 m, then follow the reef structure down toward the sandy bottom at 18–20 m. Drift between pinnacles, exploring each one before beginning a gradual ascent. Complete your safety stop in the blue water or on the last pinnacle before surfacing.

Entry and Exit

Access is exclusively by dive boat from Sharm el Sheikh or Na’ama Bay. Day-trip and liveaboard operators both visit this site. Entry is typically via back roll or giant stride. Coordinate with the boat captain for pickup, as surface drift is possible in current.

Tips and Recommendations

• Time your dive with the current to move efficiently between all seven pinnacles
• Look beneath overhangs on each pinnacle for resting lionfish, scorpionfish, and glassfish concentrations
• A reef hook can be useful if you want to station yourself at a pinnacle and observe pelagic traffic
• Bring an SMB — drifting in the Tiran Strait demands reliable surface marking
• The site pairs well with Gordon Reef or Thomas Reef for a full Tiran day trip

Safety Considerations

Currents in the Strait of Tiran can be powerful and shift direction with the tide. Always carry an SMB and dive whistle. Discuss current plans and abort signals with your buddy before descending. Boat traffic in the strait can be heavy — surface carefully and use your SMB conspicuously.

Photography

Multiple pinnacles covered in sea fans and soft corals offer rich wide-angle opportunities, particularly when schooling fish fill the frame. Macro subjects including nudibranchs and featherstars are found in crevices between coral heads. Shoot early in the morning for the best light angles.

Sources: Divezone - Red Sea, Dive the World - Egypt Red Sea, Red Sea Scuba Diving, PADI - Diving in Egypt. Last updated 2026-04-04.