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Sanganeb Reef

Remote Red Sea reef demanding advanced skills. Pristine drop-offs and pelagic action year-round.

⭐ Best for advanced divers chasing chasing pelagics.

updated 4 months ago
Dificultad
Avanzado
Profundidad
10–40 m
AdvancedOnlyBoatOnlyPelagic hotspotMPA
+2 más
CurrentVariesSeasonal

De un vistazo

Actividad
dive
Dificultad
advanced
Profundidad
10–40 m

Mapa

Este spot Aeropuerto Spots cercanos
© OpenStreetMap · CARTO
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Condiciones hoy

Condiciones

Open-Meteo
Viento
4.7 kn
Olas
0.26 m
Agua
31.8°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: N (37%)
Now: WSW (258°)
Marea (7 días)
amplitud: 0.22m

Próxima: Baja a las 06:00 (+0.06m)

+0.3 m+0.1 m
▼ 06:00 · +0.06m ▲ 16:00 · +0.16m ▼ 20:00 · +0.13m ▼ 01:00 · +0.12m
Sáb 19Dom 20Lun 21Mar 22Mié 23Jue 24Vie 25
UV7.85 · high Aire PM2.512 · moderate 05:18 17:29
Día Viento Olas UV Lluvia
09-19 14.1 0.58 8 0mm
09-20 13.2 0.72 7 0mm
09-21 11.7 0.7 8 0mm
09-22 8.5 0.44 8 0mm
09-23 8.7 0.26 8 0mm
09-24 11.4 0.44 8 0mm
09-25 12.1 0.58 8 0mm

About this spot

Sanganeb Reef sits in Sudan's Red Sea as one of the region's most isolated and untamed dive destinations. The site features dramatic wall dives starting at 10 meters and plunging to 40 meters, making it strictly for advanced divers comfortable with deep water and strong currents. The reef's offshore position means it remains largely undeveloped—there are no resorts or permanent dive operations anchored here, which keeps the marine ecosystem relatively undisturbed. Diving Sanganeb demands logistics. Access typically involves multi-day liveaboard trips or coordination with local operators in Port Sudan. The reef's isolation is its greatest appeal: you'll encounter pristine coral formations and pelagic species that rarely see human traffic. Drop-offs are steep and the submarine topography rewards careful buoyancy control and solid navigation. Conditions are generally diveable year-round, though planning around Red Sea weather patterns remains essential. Current can be variable, and the site's remote nature means weather windows matter more than at developed destinations. This is not a casual weekend dive—it's a commitment for divers seeking raw reef exploration without the infrastructure of mainstream tourism. Sanganeb is part of Sudan's UNESCO World Heritage designation in the Red Sea, reflecting its conservation value. The lack of commercial development and absence of the typical dive shop network means you need serious planning and self-sufficiency.

Tipos de buceo

ParedPelágicoBarco

Esenciales del viaje

Todo lo que necesitas antes de hacer la maleta — checklist, sol, logística.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Información de sostenibilidad
🌍 CO2 footprint MAD ↔ 4511km · ~1038kg · €19

Preguntas frecuentes

When is the best time to dive Sanganeb Reef?

Sanganeb is diveable year-round, but Red Sea weather—especially winter winds and summer heat—affects conditions. Plan around operational windows with liveaboard operators and check local forecasts. Many divers prefer cooler months (November–March) for comfort and sea state.

What depths and difficulty level suit Sanganeb?

Depths range from 10 to 40 meters. This is an advanced-only dive site. You need solid deep-diving experience, strong buoyancy control, and comfort with currents and navigation. Beginners and intermediate divers should not attempt this reef.

What marine life can you see at Sanganeb Reef?

The reef's isolation and pristine condition attract pelagic fish, groupers, snappers, and healthy coral ecosystems. Exact species checklists vary by season and dive, but the site is known for robust fish populations and minimal fishing pressure.

How do you access Sanganeb Reef and are permits required?

Sanganeb is accessed via liveaboard or charter boat from Port Sudan—there are no land-based resorts. You'll need a Sudan tourist visa and should coordinate with operators familiar with the region. The reef sits outside Sudan's marine protected areas, but political and security conditions in Sudan require careful research and official travel guidance.

Observaciones verificadas de especies marinas

35 registros · 29 especies · fuentes: OBIS, GBIF

Grapsus tenuicrustatus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Última observación:
22 ago 2025
×1registros

Octopus cyanea

Cephalopoda · Octopodidae
GBIF
Última observación:
19 abr 2024
×1registros

Ocypode saratan

Malacostraca · Ocypodidae
GBIF
Última observación:
6 abr 2024
×1registros

Grapsus tenuicrustatus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Última observación:
5 abr 2024
×1registros

Taeniura lymma

Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
GBIF
Última observación:
25 feb 2020
×1registros

Aetobatus ocellatus

Elasmobranchii · Myliobatidae
GBIF
Última observación:
8 dic 2017
×1registros

Diadema setosum

Echinoidea · Diadematidae
GBIF
Última observación:
8 dic 2017
×1registros

Taeniura lymma

Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
GBIF
Última observación:
7 dic 2017
×1registros

Acanthaster benziei

Asteroidea · Acanthasteridae
GBIF
Última observación:
5 dic 2017
×1registros

Monanchora quadrangulata

Demospongiae · Crambeidae
GBIF
Última observación:
4 may 2017
×1registros

Galaxea fascicularis

Anthozoa · Euphylliidae
GBIF
Última observación:
4 may 2017
×1registros

Radianthus magnifica

Anthozoa · Stichodactylidae
GBIF
Última observación:
3 may 2017
×2registros

Datos: 187.991 observaciones de OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) y GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving Red Sea Sudan 3_7 sanganeb Reef - Parete

Marco Baldella

Red Sea Coral Reef - Shannab Reef - Sudan, Port Sudan

Thalassic

Discovering Sudan. Sanganeb reef

Виктор Озаренко

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