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15 km away as the crow flies
Sharm El Sheikh · Egypt · Red Sea
Max. depth · 700 mShark Observatory, Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohammed Wall Dive
Descend into the profound blue of Ras Mohammed, where the wall of Shark Observatory drops away into the abyss, offering encounters with resident megafauna and seasonal pelagics.
What makes this site special
- Dramatic, sheer wall dive in Ras Mohammed
- Encounters with turtles (Chelonioidea)
- Sightings of giant moray eels (Gymnothorax javanicus)
- Regular presence of Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)
- Summer sightings of longnose parrotfish (Hipposcarus harid)
- Seasonal masked pufferfish (Arothron diadematus) aggregations
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Shark Observatory about the site
Diving Shark Observatory is an immersion into the dramatic topography characteristic of Ras Mohammed. Whether accessed from shore or boat, you immediately confront a virtually bottomless wall, a sheer drop that plunges into the deep. The sensation of the wall falling away beneath you is immediate, guiding your eye along a vibrant coral tapestry that clings tenuously to the vertical face. This is not a gently sloping reef, but a definitive edge to the underwater world, offering a distinct sense of exposure to the open ocean.
As you begin your drift along the face of this impressive wall, your attention will be drawn to the interplay of light and shadow, the colours shifting with depth. This environment is home to a robust community of reef inhabitants. Keep a keen eye out for the regular patrol of turtles, often seen gliding effortlessly along the reef crest or pausing for a breath at the surface. Giant moray eels, their powerful bodies coiled within crevices, are a constant presence, their watchful eyes following your progress.
The resident fauna at Shark Observatory offers consistent engagement throughout the dive. Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), instantly recognisable by their size and distinctive hump, are frequent visitors, often approaching divers with an inquisitive nature. While not guaranteed, these encounters add a special dimension to the drift, reminding you that this is a living, breathing ecosystem within the protected waters of Ras Mohammed. The current, which can vary from gentle to strong, often dictates your pace along the wall, enhancing the feeling of a dynamic underwater journey.
During the summer months, the site takes on another character, with an influx of schooling species that briefly transform the reef. Longnose parrotfish, with their distinctive elongated snouts, appear in numbers, often seen grazing on the corals. Alongside them, masked pufferfish (Arothron diadematus) become more prevalent, their often-curious gaze a highlight for those diving during this season. This seasonal variation means that while the core experience of wall diving remains, there are specific times of the year that offer a richer tapestry of transient marine life.
Diving Shark Observatory: the marine life you’ll meet
Hawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataUnicornfishNasoBigeye trevallyCaranxGrey reef sharkCarcharhinus amblyrhynchosWhitetip reef sharkTriaenodon obesusBatfishPlataxTunaThunnusFusilierCaesioScorpionfishScorpaenidaeReef sharkCarcharhinusEagle rayAetobatusJackCarangidae
See 4 more species
Diving conditions
This site is accessible to divers holding a DIVER LEVEL 2 certification. The wall descends into the deep, offering profound depths for exploration. While the current here is not specified, currents in the region can range from weak to very strong depending on the specific site, which is important to consider for dive planning. The summer months offer the best opportunity to observe specific schooling fish species, enhancing the seasonal appeal of Shark Observatory.
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Frequently asked questions about Shark Observatory
When should you dive Shark Observatory for seasonal marine life?
Summer offers an opportunity to observe schooling longnose parrotfish and more prevalent masked pufferfish aggregations. These seasonal sightings add variety to the site’s wall-dive experience, while the core reef community remains present throughout the dive, including turtles, giant moray eels, and Napoleon wrasse.
What certification level do you need to dive Shark Observatory?
You need a DIVER LEVEL 2 certification to dive Shark Observatory. The site combines a sheer wall with profound depths, so your certification level is part of the access requirements. You may reach the site from shore or by boat before beginning the immersion along the vertical reef face.
How deep does Shark Observatory go?
Shark Observatory ranges from ten to seven hundred metres in depth. Its sheer wall descends into the deep rather than following a gentle slope, creating a pronounced drop beneath you. As you move along the face, changing light and colours accompany the descent through the vertical underwater environment.
What currents and marine life should you expect at Shark Observatory?
Currents at Shark Observatory can range from gentle to strong and may determine your pace along the wall. During the dive, you may encounter turtles, giant moray eels, and Napoleon wrasse. In summer, longnose parrotfish and masked pufferfish aggregations become more prevalent around the reef.
