North Lagoona Reef
28.0132°N 34.4853°E · reef
North Lagoona Reef is the northern section of the Lagoona Reef system on the western side of Tiran Island in the Straits of Tiran, located between the Sinai Peninsula and Saudi Arabia. A transverse hard coral wall divides the lagoon into North Laguna and South Laguna (Marsa Shabir), each marked by a navigation beacon — North Laguna’s beacon is green and white. The site is part of one of Egypt’s most dived reef systems, regularly visited on day trips and liveaboards from Sharm El Sheikh.
Overview
The lagoon interior at North Laguna averages 10–12 metres in depth, with the outer reef wall extending to 20–25 metres. Large colonies of table corals (Acropora species) dominate the plateau, alongside extensive fire coral formations. The outer reef wall is the most diverse diving zone, offering a mix of hard and soft coral structures. Afternoon dives are recommended as tidal currents through the Straits of Tiran generally ease later in the day.
Marine Life
Anemones, gorgonian fans, soft corals, and table corals provide structure for a rich reef community. The fish life typical of the northern Red Sea is well represented: butterflyfish, angelfish, wrasse, damsels, and anthias are abundant. Tidal currents through the straits support pelagic visitors including barracuda, trevally, and occasional reef sharks. Napoleon wrasse are regularly seen in this part of the Tiran reef system.
Dive Profile
The sheltered lagoon at 10–12 metres suits all experience levels. The outer reef wall with its richer coral cover is the primary dive objective, accessible via a short swim from the lagoon mooring. Dive direction is current-dependent; tidal flows can be strong and determine whether dives are made north-to-south or south-to-north. Strong currents make this site most appropriate for divers comfortable with current diving.
Entry / Exit
Boat only. Day trips from Sharm El Sheikh take approximately 45–60 minutes. Liveaboards routinely stop at Tiran on northern Red Sea itineraries.
Site Information
- Location: Western side of Tiran Island, Straits of Tiran
- Entry Type: Shore entry
- Site Type: Reef
- Maximum Depth: 25 metres (lagoon 10–12 m)
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Best Dive Time: Afternoon (easier current)
Additional Resources
- Last Updated: 2026-05-17
Sources: Red Sea Diving — Lagoona Reef, Dive the World — Straits of Tiran, Divers Guide — Laguna Reef. Last updated 2026-05-17.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
164 verified species observations (73 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1968 and 2023, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Grampus griseus · Risso's dolphin
- Stenella attenuata · Pantropical spotted dolphin
- Tursiops truncatus · Common bottlenose dolphin
- Stenella longirostris · Spinner dolphin
- Tursiops · Bottlenose dolphins
- Tursiops aduncus · Indian ocean bottlenose dolphin
- Bathygobius fuscus
- Istigobius decoratus
- Stenella · Spinner dolphins
- Rhincodon typus · Whale Shark
- Meiacanthus nigrolineatus
- Trimma avidori
Scientific survey records skew toward sampled taxa (molluscs, corals) and do not reflect what you are guaranteed to see on a dive.
Source: OBIS (obis.org), aggregated Darwin Core occurrence records.
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