Dive Site Review: Shark and Yolanda Reef

Shark and Yolanda Reef, located in the Ras Mohammed National Park in Egypt, is one of the most renowned dive sites in the Red Sea. This unique site features a dramatic underwater landscape that includes a wall dive at Shark Reef, which plunges steeply into the blue abyss, teeming with vibrant marine life such as schools of unicorn fish, batfish, and a summer bloom of snappers in the blue water. Shark Reef is home to some of the best soft coral walls and bommies to be found in the whole of the Red Sea, teeming with incredible swarms of bright orange anthias.

Just a short swim away lies Yolanda Reef, named after the wreck of the cargo ship Jolanda that sank in 1980 (the ship was spelled with a J but the reef is spelled with a Y). The wreck's scattered cargo, including a BMW, bathtubs, toilets, and pipes, creates an intriguing underwater museum, adding to the site's allure. Divers can also explore the coral garden between the two reefs, which is rich with colorful corals, anemones, and a variety of fish species.

The combination of dramatic drop-offs, abundant marine life, and historical wreckage makes the Shark and Yolanda Reef a must-visit for divers in the Red Sea. The dive is either conducted starting at Yolanda and drifting over to Shark Reef, or starting on the corner of Shark Reef and drifting to the Yolanda wreck. This is dependent on the tide and which way the current runs.

Unique Features and Topography

The Jolanda was a cargo ship; after originally sitting on top of reef, the wreck slipped down the slope in a a storm in 1986, leaving behind some cargo containers filled with toilets. These have since eroded leaving a huge area covered in porcelain toilets on the seabed.

The wall of Shark Reef is deep and vertical. Combined with the endless visibility, the topography is quite the sight. The wall is adorned with corals of all colors and filled with fish life.

Marine Life

In the summer months (June and July), Shark Reef becomes home to a very large school of snappers. There are hundreds of them, and they cruise in the blue water, playing with the current. They are a major draw to the site in those months, but be aware not to be drawn too far into the blue as you will miss the incredible life that is on the wall all year round. The school of batfish is on the dive site all year round and is a particular highlight.

Diving Conditions and Accessibility

The depth of Yolanda is around 45 feet (14m), and I recommend that despite the endless depth of the wall at Shark Reef, there is little value in going below a depth of 50 to 65 feet (15 to 20m) as the marine life is so stunning in the top 50 feet (15m) and keeps getting better and better the more shallow you go. The visibility is usually excellent, at 130 ft plus (40 meters), some of the best you will ever see in the ocean. This comes from the stunning clear water brought in on the ocean current. The current here can be from 0 on a slack tide to a raging current on a large tidal movement. Always though, the boat will plan it to be a live drop, so you won’t need to fight the current. You can expect to encounter some strong water movement though and need to be prepared for that; you will not be able to use a reef hook.

Why You Should Dive Here

Shark and Yolanda Reef is one of the most exciting and beautiful dive sites in all of the Red Sea and one that makes you want to go back time and time again. You can do countless dives on this site and still see something new every time. The marine life is so abundant and offers stunning dive conditions close to Europe all year around, the Red Sea is Europe’s Caribbean when it comes to diving.

Tips for a Great Dive

1. Timing Your Dive: For the ultimate snapper experience, head to this dive site in late June and July.

2. Equipment Check: Do a buddy check on the surface and have an SMB with you. Likely, you will need to do a negative entry and a blue water ascent.

3. Entry Point: From a liveaboard, it’s usually a jump off the back of the boat and an immediate descent.

How to Get There

From the UK and mainland Europe, many airlines offer direct flights to Hurghada, where you can go straight onto a liveaboard. To dive this site, choose the itinerary “Northern Wrecks and Reefs.” For people traveling from the US, a transfer in Europe will likely be the best route.

Local Operator

Master Liveaboards offers two boats that run 7-day trips to the Red Sea every week.

Scuba Travel offers a full selection of different liveaboards, including the excellent Ghazala Explorer.

Conclusion

Shark and Yolanda Reef offer a spectacular diving experience with their dramatic underwater landscapes, abundant marine life, and intriguing historical wreckage. With excellent visibility and vibrant coral gardens, these dive sites are a must-visit for any diving enthusiast exploring the Red Sea.