Reef Sud 8 Patates

Reef Sud 8 Patates is a coral reef dive site in the deep southern Red Sea of Egypt, with coordinates (23.67°N, 35.80°E) placing it in the St. John’s Reef / Ras Banas region — one of the southernmost accessible diving areas in Egyptian waters, close to the Sudanese border. The name “8 Patates” is French in origin, likely a francophone liveaboard crew designation for a cluster of reef formations (“potatoes” being a common colloquial term for coral bommies or rounded reef patches in French diving culture). “Sud” (south) indicates the southern section of this reef.

Overview

The St. John’s Reef area — in which this site is located — is characterised by some of the healthiest coral reefs in Egypt, benefiting from low dive traffic and the remote southern location. The area features tunnels, drop-offs, and complex reef topography. Conditions are generally mild to moderate, with some exposure to open-water swells and current on the reef’s exposed faces.

Marine Life

The southern Red Sea around St. John’s Reef is noted for excellent shark encounters — hammerhead sharks and bottlenose dolphins are frequently sighted. The coral systems are among Egypt’s best preserved, with dense hard coral coverage and rich invertebrate communities. Groupers, Napoleon wrasse, barracuda, and schooling reef fish populate the reef structures. The remote location means the fish life is largely undisturbed.

Dive Profile

Liveaboard access only due to the remote location. The “Sud” (south) designation suggests this is the southern face of the reef system, likely with different exposure characteristics from northern sections. Depths run from shallow reef tops to approximately 30 metres on the drop-off sides.

Entry / Exit

Liveaboard only; departure from Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib, or Hamata on southern Red Sea itineraries. The distance from any port makes day trips impractical.

Site Information

• Location: St. John’s Reef area, deep southern Red Sea, approximately 160 km south of Marsa Alam
• Entry Type: Shore entry
• Site Type: Reef
• Maximum Depth: 30 metres
• Difficulty: Intermediate

Additional Resources

• Last Updated: 2026-05-17

The exact name “Reef Sud 8 Patates” was not found in major English-language dive databases. This appears to be a French-language liveaboard designation for a reef patch cluster in the St. John’s area. Coordinates confirm placement in the St. John’s/Ras Banas reef zone. General regional context from: Dive the World — Southern Red Sea Egypt, Dive the World — St. John’s. Last updated 2026-05-17.