Tiran Island Snorkeling, Sharm El Sheikh

About this trip

Tiran Island sits in the Strait of Tiran between Sinai and Saudi Arabia. The four reefs (Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, Gordon) line up like stepping stones across the strait, each forming a current-rich feeding zone. Tiran is the easier alternative to Ras Mohamed when north winds make the southern crossing rough.

Four reefs, one strait

Tiran Island sits in the Strait of Tiran, the narrow passage between the Sinai coast and Saudi Arabia. Four reefs, Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas and Gordon, line up across the strait like stepping stones. That arrangement is what makes the site. The reefs sit in the path of water being funnelled through a narrow gap, so each one is a feeding station where current delivers food and the fish gather to meet it. You are not looking at four versions of the same reef; you are looking at four separate structures with different exposure and different life. A day here usually takes in two or three of them depending on conditions, with the captain choosing based on where the current is manageable that morning.

Current is the whole story

The strait funnels water, and the current is why the reefs are as rich as they are. It is also the thing that shapes how the day is run. On arrival the captain picks the lee side of each reef, the sheltered flank where the flow is weakest, and briefs the entry and exit points before anyone gets in. On stronger days the snorkel zone is rope-towed so nobody drifts off the back of it. If that sounds cautious, consider that the alternative in a strait is being carried somewhere you cannot swim back from. Follow the briefed direction. The single most common mistake here is swimming out around the corner of a reef to see what is there, and discovering the current on the far side is not the current you started in.

The wreck you can see from the surface

At Gordon Reef there is a wreck on the Saudi side that is visible from the surface, sitting up on the reef where it grounded. You do not need to dive for it, which is unusual: most Red Sea wrecks are a diver's story that snorkelers only hear about. Around the reefs themselves there are resident green turtles, shoals of fusiliers moving in tight formation through the current, and eagle rays passing along the deeper edges. The fusiliers are the sight most people underestimate: thousands of fish holding position in flowing water is a stranger thing to watch than any single large animal. As at Ras Mohamed, these are wall snorkels with mandatory vests and no shallow area to stand in.

Trip highlights

• Two snorkel stops on Tiran reefs
• Lunch & soft drinks on board
• Hotel pickup included

What you will see underwater

Resident green turtles, shoals of fusiliers, eagle rays, and a Saudi-side wreck visible from the surface at Gordon Reef.

What's included

• Hotel pickup & drop-off
• Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, vest)
• Buffet lunch on board
• Soft drinks, tea & water
• Certified captain & crew
• Underwater camera (extra)
• Tip for captain & crew (optional)

Daily itinerary

Approximate. Subject to weather and sea conditions.

1. 1
   Hotel pickup

   We collect you from your hotel reception in an air-conditioned shuttle.

2. 2
   Boarding & welcome

   Meet your captain, gear fitting, safety briefing and first cup of tea.

3. 3
   First snorkeling stop

   About 45 minutes in the water at a vibrant coral wall.

4. 4
   Second snorkel stop

   Different reef, different fish. Turtles often spotted here.

5. 5
   Buffet lunch on board

   Fresh salads, grilled chicken, pasta, rice, fruit. Vegetarian options on request.

6. 6
   Free time on the island

   Swim, sunbathe, take photos. Beach umbrellas provided.

7. 7
   Sail back to marina

   Sunset on deck, music, snacks. Drop-off at your hotel ~18:00.

Trip-specific questions