Turtle reef

Turtle Reef is a reef dive site in the northern Gulf of Suez (coordinates 29.631°N, 32.387°E), near the Egyptian Sinai coast. The site is named for the sea turtles that feed on the soft corals growing in the coral garden. The Gulf of Suez is shallower than the main Red Sea and experiences different current patterns, with the reef providing a sheltered habitat for resident reef species.

Overview

At approximately 29.6°N in the Gulf of Suez, this reef sits in one of the more northern diving areas along the Egyptian coast. The Gulf of Suez is narrower and shallower than the Red Sea proper, with an average depth of around 80 metres. Reef diving here tends to be gentler and more sheltered than at the exposed Tiran or Daedalus sites. The “Turtle Reef” name reflects the site’s most notable attraction — resident sea turtles that graze on soft corals in the reef’s coral garden sections.

The surrounding coral garden supports the typical Gulf of Suez reef fish assemblage: parrotfish, surgeonfish, wrasse, butterflyfish, and anthias. Eagle rays and occasionally dolphins pass through the area. The site is accessible as a shore dive, with a sandy bottom on approach and coral heads rising from 5 metres down to approximately 25 metres.

Dive Profile

• Depth range: 5–25 m
• Entry: Shore dive
• Currents: Mild — Gulf of Suez generally has gentler currents than the open Red Sea
• Visibility: 10–20 m (Gulf of Suez visibility is typically lower than the southern Red Sea due to higher plankton concentrations)

Marine Life

Sea turtles (resident, feeding on soft corals), eagle rays (occasional), parrotfish, surgeonfish, wrasse, butterflyfish, anthias, chromis, lionfish on the coral structure, and blue-spotted stingrays on sandy patches. Dolphins are occasional visitors to the Gulf of Suez area.

Site Information

• Location: Northern Gulf of Suez, Sinai coast
• Entry Type: Shore entry
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 25 metres