Emperor Superior
13-cabin, 26-guest wooden liveaboard running Emperor's northern Red Sea wreck-and-reef weeks from Hurghada, plus offshore Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone.
Liveaboard26 guestsHurghada
Ras Ghozlani
Also known as: Ras Gaslani, Ras Ghaslani, Ras Ghazlani, Ras Ghoslani
Pristine hard coral garden in Ras Mohammed reopened after years of closure for turtle nesting, with extraordinary table corals and glassfish-covered pinnacles.
Last updated April 2026
The dive
A reef wall drops from the surface to 14 metres, where it opens onto a sandy plateau studded with coral pinnacles. Each pinnacle is its own small world. Glassfish swarm the surfaces in such density that the rock beneath disappears. Beyond this plateau, the main drop-off at 20 metres tips into deeper blue past 40 metres.
Most groups drift along one side of the reef, left or right. The sandy slope from 6 metres hosts the table corals that define this site. Large Acropora formations rise from the sand in shapes that look engineered, their surfaces healthy and intact. Between them, crocodilefish lie motionless on sand patches, and blue-spotted stingrays shuffle away from approaching fins.
The overall impression is one of health. Where Sharm's busier reefs show the wear of decades of daily diving, this one looks like a reef that has been left alone. It has.
What makes it special
Ras Mohammed is a park of wall dives and current channels. Ras Ghozlani offers something else entirely: a protected coral garden where the reef was accidentally restored by its own closure. The turtle nesting beach nearby kept divers away for years, and the hard corals responded. The Acropora coverage here is described by local operators as extraordinary within the park.
An experienced ScubaBoard member ranked this site third in their personal Sharm top 10, behind only Shark and Yolanda Reef and Jackfish Alley. That a reef-only site without a wreck, wall drama, or big pelagics holds that position says something about the coral quality.
It is also one of the few Ras Mohammed sites where Open Water divers and snorkellers can fully enjoy the experience. The sheltered bay and gentle conditions make it accessible in ways that the park's headline dives are not.
Know before you go
Green and red markers on the reef indicate open and restricted zones. The inner bay near the turtle nesting beach remains closed. Stay in the permitted areas.
Buoyancy control matters more here than at most Sharm sites. The table corals are fragile, and the reef's condition exists precisely because it has not been damaged by diver contact. Treat it accordingly.
Conditions are generally calm, though occasional currents can develop. The site is diveable year-round, with summer surface temperatures around 27-29C and winter around 20-23C. A 3mm suit works in summer; 5mm in winter.
Why Dive Ras Ghozlani
What makes this dive site stand out.
- Extraordinary table corals
Large Acropora formations in exceptional health, the site's defining visual feature
- Glassfish-covered pinnacles
Coral pinnacles swarming with dense glassfish schools across the sandy plateau
- Protected reef recovery
Years of closure for turtle nesting left this reef in pristine condition
- Beginner-friendly in Ras Mohammed
Sheltered bay with gentle currents and a 15m average depth suits Open Water divers
Depth & Profile
7m
Min depth
30m
Max depth
7–25m
Typical range
ReefSandCoral
Location
27.7920°N, 34.2610°E
Conditions & difficulty
Temperature
19°C – 29°C
Visibility
10–30m
Current
Mild
EasyMin cert: Open Water
Summary
Sheltered bay with gentle currents and a 15m average depth. Deeper areas near the drop-off at 20-30m suit more experienced divers.
Safety considerations
What can go wrong here, and what divers do about it. Conditions change - take the briefing from the operator on the day.
- Current: Occasional variable currentsStay aware of current direction; the site is generally mild
- Marine life: Pristine coral formations easily damaged by contactMaintain good buoyancy control; no touching corals
Marine Life
Liveaboards visiting this site
View allMulti-day safari boats with this site on their itinerary.
Regulations
Marine reservePermit required
Ras Mohammed National Park. Park entry fee applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Ras Ghozlani different from other Ras Mohammed dive sites?▾
Where most Ras Mohammed sites are wall dives or current-swept channels, Ras Ghozlani is a calm, sheltered coral garden. Years of closure for turtle nesting left the reef in unusually pristine condition. The table corals and hard coral diversity here are considered some of the best in the park.
Is Ras Ghozlani suitable for beginner divers?▾
Yes. The sheltered bay, gentle currents, and 15m average depth make it accessible to Open Water divers. Shallow areas from 6-15m also work well for snorkellers. More experienced divers can explore the drop-off beyond 20m.
Why was Ras Ghozlani closed to divers?▾
The site was closed for an extended period to protect a nearby turtle nesting beach. The closure dates are not precisely documented. Since reopening, access is restricted to the outer sides of the bay, with the inner areas closest to the nesting beach still off-limits.
Can I see turtles at Ras Ghozlani?▾
The nearby turtle nesting beach makes sightings plausible, and both green and hawksbill turtles inhabit the Ras Mohammed area. However, turtle encounters at this specific site are not guaranteed or regularly documented.
How does Ras Ghozlani rank among Sharm El Sheikh dive sites?▾
Experienced divers have ranked it among their top three Sharm sites, alongside Shark and Yolanda Reef and Jackfish Alley. It earns that reputation through sheer coral quality rather than big-blue encounters or wreck drama.
What marine life will I see at Ras Ghozlani?▾
The site is defined by its hard corals, especially large Acropora table corals. Glassfish swarm the pinnacles. Common sightings include marble groupers, batfish, blue-spotted stingrays, crocodilefish, clownfish, anthias, and nudibranchs. Gorgonian fans add colour to the reef.
How do I get to Ras Ghozlani?▾
By boat from Sharm El Sheikh, typically a 20-40 minute ride from Sharm el Mina marina. The site sits at the northern tip of Marsa Bareika bay within Ras Mohammed National Park. A park entry fee applies.
Photos
DDIVECODEXLOG
Every dive has a story. Share yours.
Log your dives - notes, photos, conditions and the marine life you saw - and share them as one public diver profile. What you share helps the next diver, too.
Log every detail
Depth, duration, conditions, gear, buddy, notes — all in one place. Import from Suunto and other dive computers.
Track marine life
Record species sightings on each dive. Build a personal catalogue of everything you've seen underwater.
Your public dive profile
Share your dive history, stats, and experiences with a profile page you control. Show the world where you've been.