Kormoran

Kormoran is a reef dive site in the northern Red Sea positioned near the Tiran Island reef complex, close to Jackson Reef and the wider Strait of Tiran dive area. The coordinates place it at approximately 28.03°N, 34.49°E — in the waters between Sharm el-Sheikh and the Tiran Islands, making it accessible from the main Sharm el-Sheikh liveaboard and day boat departure points.

Overview

The site sits in the productive waters of the Strait of Tiran, an area famous for clear water, strong currents, and dense marine life. Kormoran offers an intermediate reef experience in a region where the combination of tidal flow and nutrient-rich water from the Gulf of Aqaba creates some of the Red Sea’s most productive reef ecosystems. The reef structure here includes both coral garden sections and harder-edged reef formations that channel current and concentrate fish life. Maximum depth is approximately 20 meters, keeping the dive within recreational limits with manageable NDL windows.

Site Information

• Location: Strait of Tiran area, northern Red Sea, Egypt
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 20-35 meters (65-115 feet)
• Current: Moderate to strong tidal currents; variable by dive time
• Best Time: September to May

Marine Life

The Tiran area’s productive, current-swept waters support excellent marine diversity. humphead wrasse are reliably sighted in this part of the Red Sea — large, characterful fish that often approach divers with curiosity. Grey reef sharks patrol the reef edges, and schools of barracuda and jack are common at sites influenced by tidal flow. The reef surface itself hosts dense populations of anthias, chromis, and butterflyfish, with moray eels in virtually every sizeable crevice. Spotted eagle rays pass through at irregular intervals, and sea turtles are occasionally encountered resting on sandy sections between coral formations.

Dive Profile

Plan the dive to align with current direction — in the Tiran area, current-assisted drift diving is both practical and enjoyable. Descend to 15-20 meters on the reef edge and let the current carry you along the reef face, ascending gradually as you work through your bottom time. Most interesting reef features occur between 8-18 meters. Ascend with adequate reserve and surface with a deployed SMB for boat pickup in the current.

Entry and Exit

Day boats from Sharm el-Sheikh reach the Tiran area in approximately 30-60 minutes depending on conditions. Entry via giant stride or back roll. Given the current potential, the boat typically deploys a drift pickup rather than maintaining a fixed anchor. Follow the dive guide’s pre-dive briefing on current management.

Tips and Recommendations

• Dive the site on a tidal assist rather than fighting current — check tide tables before departure
• Carry a reef hook if available; holding position in current without touching coral is a useful technique in this area
• Combine with adjacent Tiran reefs (Jackson, Thomas, Woodhouse) for a full-day trip
• A 5mm wetsuit is comfortable for most of the year; 7mm in winter months

Safety Considerations

Current is the primary safety consideration at Tiran area sites. Divers must be comfortable with drift diving technique: descent in controlled conditions, no fighting of current mid-dive, and early SMB deployment for surface pickup. Blue water open-ocean conditions are possible if separated from the reef — carry an audible signal device. Fire coral is abundant on the reef surface; full exposure protection is recommended.

Photography

The combination of clear blue water, colorful reef, and large resident fish makes Kormoran and the wider Tiran area very photogenic. Wide-angle reef scenes with natural light work best in the 8-15 meter range. humphead wrasse close-up portraits are a classic Tiran shot. Pelagic subjects like barracuda schools require shooting into the blue water with a fast shutter speed.

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