Shark and Yolanda Reef

Shark and Yolanda Reef (Ras Mohammed)

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure at Shark and Yolanda Reef, widely celebrated as one of the Red Sea's premier dive sites. Located at the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula, within the protected Ras Mohammed National Park, this dive site offers a thrilling combination of wall, reef, wreck, drift, and drop-off diving.

We classify this as an advanced dive, primarily due to the consistently strong currents that characterize the area. Divers will find themselves embarking on an exhilarating drift dive, typically starting at Shark Reef's impressive vertical wall and traversing the saddle between the two pinnacles.

Diving Conditions and Depth

The dive site consists of two submerged pinnacles, Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, which rise dramatically from depths of 700 to 900 meters. Recreational divers will explore a plateau area between 12 to 20 meters, with the wall itself offering opportunities to descend to around 30 to 40 meters, depending on certification. Water temperatures are generally warm, peaking between 25°C and 28°C in mid-August, though they can drop to 14°C to 15°C in early March. Due to the challenging conditions, an Advanced Open Water certification is required to dive here.

The MV Jolanda Wreck

A highlight of the dive is the infamous MV Jolanda wreck. This Cypriot cargo freighter ran aground on April 1, 1980, and eventually slipped into the deep in 1986. While the main hull of the wreck lies at depths inaccessible to recreational divers (around 90 to 205 meters), its unique cargo is scattered across a shallow plateau between 10 and 25 meters. Divers will find an unusual underwater museum featuring bathtubs, sinks, pipes, and a large collection of porcelain toilet bowls, all now encrusted with vibrant corals. You might even spot the captain's BMW 320 car amidst the debris!

Abundant Marine Life

Shark and Yolanda Reef is a vibrant hub of marine activity, fueled by nutrient-rich currents. Along Shark Reef's walls, divers will be greeted by a mesmerizing carpet of soft corals in brilliant purples and greens, teeming with swarms of bright orange anthias. We frequently encounter large pelagic species here, including the Whitetip Reef Shark and Grey Reef Shark. During the summer months, especially July and August, the site becomes a spectacle of mass gatherings, with hundreds of schooling Bigeye Barracuda, Bigeye Trevally (Jackfish), and Batfish creating a "fish soup" effect. Keep an eye out for the majestic Humphead Wrasse (Napoleon), Snappers, Emperor Fish, Fusiliers, and turtles enjoying their coral meals. Closer to the reef, divers can spot camouflaged critters like Stonefish and Crocodile Fish, as well as Lionfish, Blue-spotted Stingrays, and Moray Eels.

This dive site promises a thrilling and visually spectacular experience, making it a must-visit for experienced divers exploring the Red Sea.