Woodhouse Reef - Woodhouse-Riff

The Woodhouse Reef (English: Woodhouse Reef, Arabic:سلسلة صخور وودهاوس المرجانية‎, Silsilat Ṣuchūr Wūdhāus al-Marǧānīya, „Woodhouse coral rock chain“) Is the second northernmost of four egyptian Reefs in the Strait of Tīrān at the interface between the Red sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular one Diving area in the northwest of Sharm esch-Sheikh.

background

The Woodhouse Reef is located in the Strait of Tīrān and forms the second northernmost reef in a chain of four reefs that divide the Strait of Tīrān into two waterways. It is located south of the Jackson Reef. The steep, narrow reef is about 1.3 kilometers long. The top of the reef is about half a meter below the surface of the water.

getting there

Divers usually travel on a day trip boat from the jetty jetty) in the south of the Naʿama Bay of Sharm esch-Sheikh.

Tourist Attractions

The reef does not have the wealth of coral gardens as the neighboring reefs. But it offers an impressive canyon landscape. Dives on Woodhouse Reef are among the most difficult dives. The current runs from north to south. Difficult flow conditions are to be expected, especially at the northern tip.

There are no anchorages on the reef. Dives are carried out as drift dives on the east side from south to north. In the middle of the reef you jump from the dive boat. There is a satellite reef at a depth of about 30 meters. An underwater canyon opens above it, but leads to great depths for scuba divers. The sand plateau rises to the north to a depth of 14 meters.

The most interesting coral formations are sea fans. Turtles can be encountered especially in the winter months. Other animals living here are the gray reef shark, the white tip reef shark, the leopard shark, the hammerhead shark and rays.

There is a saddle between Woodhouse and Jackson Reefs. It can only be crossed with optimal flow conditions. If the sea is rough, the dive should be ended beforehand. The currents are otherwise extremely dangerous. The downward currents in the circle gave this place its name Washing machine a.

Kitchen and accommodation

Meals are provided on the day boats. Accommodation can be found in Sharm esch-Sheikh or Dahab.

trips

The reef visit can be compared to other reefs in the Strait of Tīrān or other local diving areas of Sharm esch-Sheikh connect.

literature

• Siliotti, Alberto: Sinai Diving Guide: Part 1; German edition. Verona: Geodia, 2005, ISBN 978-88-87177-66-4 . Dive site 4.