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
Shark Observatory
Also known as: Ras Mohammed Wall
Gorgonian-draped wall dive beneath Ras Mohammed's fossil cliff, dropping past overhangs and cave systems beyond 100 m into open blue.
Last updated April 2026
The dive
Beneath the fossil coral cliff, just past the second viewing balcony, the wall plunges away. The sweet spot sits between 15 and 18 m, where an undulating face of soft corals opens into inlets, gullies, and small cave systems. Sunlight filters through the fringing plate above. South-facing sections are dressed in reds, purples, yellows, and greens where nutrient-rich currents feed the growth. Turn to a north-facing stretch and the palette shifts to hard corals, overhangs, ledges. Starfish cling to the rock here.
Follow the wall to the right with one eye on the blue. Hawksbill turtles glide past, feeding on purple and pink corals. Schools of jacks add bursts of movement. After the wall makes a sharp turn below the main observatory balcony, a large fan coral rests on a ledge. Look carefully among its branches for a long-nose hawkfish.
What makes it special
The gorgonian fans set this site apart from every other dive in Ras Mohammed. Multiple operators single them out as the feature that makes the underwater landscape here different. While the adjacent Shark Reef and Yolanda complex is about pelagic spectacle and current-driven drift, Shark Observatory is about the wall itself: its texture, its overhangs, the way light moves through fissures and cave systems.
The wall drops beyond 100 m. Tech divers come for the drop-off. Recreational divers come for the 15-18 m zone where gorgonians, soft corals, and hawksbill turtles occupy the same stretch of wall. Few sites in the park connect the underwater world so directly to the visible geology above, with the cliff-top observation platforms right overhead.
Know before you go
Currents range from manageable to strong. A counter-current at the NE corner of the reef can catch divers off guard. Carry an SMB and deploy it before surfacing, as boat traffic is constant. The maximum dive time is 60 minutes or until 60 bar, whichever comes first. A torch is useful for exploring the fissures and inlets along the wall. Ras Mohammed National Park hours run from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM year-round.
Why Dive Shark Observatory
What makes this dive site stand out.
- Gorgonian fan formations
Rows of gorgonians unique within Ras Mohammed create a distinctive underwater landscape
- 100 m wall drop
Sheer vertical wall plunges beyond 100 m, drawing tech divers alongside recreational visitors
- Overhangs and cave systems
Small open caves, fissures, and inlets allow sunlight to filter through the coral plate above
- Hawksbill turtle habitat
Hawksbills commonly seen feeding on soft corals growing along the wall
Depth & Profile
5m
Min depth
100m
Max depth
15–20m
Typical range
WallReefDriftCoralRock
Location
27.7322°N, 34.2608°E
Conditions & difficulty
Temperature
19°C – 29°C
Visibility
15–30m
Current
Variable
ModerateMin cert: Advanced Open WaterNitrox recommended
Summary
Moderate at the 15-20 m sweet spot. Advanced at deeper sections due to wall drop and occasional strong currents.
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: Strong currents possible, especially near points and the NE corner of the reefMonitor conditions, stay aware of current direction
- Surface and boat traffic: Active boat traffic above the dive siteDeploy SMB before surfacing
- Depth: Wall drops rapidly beyond recreational limitsMonitor depth computer closely along the wall
Liveaboards visiting this site
View allMulti-day safari boats with this site on their itinerary.
Long Island
Red Sea Explorers' largest liveaboard: 37.5m, 28 guests across 14 cabins, running the same GUE-leaning offshore and deep-south Egypt route catalogue.
Liveaboard28 guestsHurghada
MV Tala
Red Sea Explorers' tech flagship: a 37m, 22-guest steel liveaboard with a full trimix/CCR fill station and scooters for offshore and deep-south Egypt safaris.
Liveaboard22 guestsHurghada
Regulations
Marine reservePermit required
Ras Mohammed National Park, designated 1983. Park fee applies; a rise to $15 USD/day was announced for June 2026 - confirm the current rate. 60 minutes or until 60 bar air pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What certification do I need for Shark Observatory?▾
Open Water divers can enjoy the wall comfortably at 15-18 m, the site's sweet spot. Advanced Open Water is recommended to explore the full wall down to 30 m, where gorgonian fans and overhangs are most impressive. Tech certification is needed for the deep wall beyond 30 m.
How does Shark Observatory compare to Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef?▾
They are neighbouring Ras Mohammed sites with different characters. Shark Reef and Yolanda is a current-driven drift dive with wreck cargo and pelagic action. Shark Observatory is a wall dive focused on gorgonian fans, cave systems, and the interplay of light through overhangs. The two complement each other well on a day trip.
Are there actually sharks at Shark Observatory?▾
The site was named after the cliff-top observation platforms where visitors once spotted sharks in the waters below. While sharks are now only occasionally seen, hawksbill turtles, large schools of jacks, and gorgonian-covered walls make the dive rewarding regardless.
What is the best depth to dive Shark Observatory?▾
The sweet spot is between 15 and 18 m, where the wall's gorgonian fans, soft corals, and overhangs are concentrated. South-facing sections carry colourful soft corals while north-facing walls feature hard corals and ledge-dwelling starfish.
Can I shore dive Shark Observatory?▾
Shore entry is possible through Ras Mohammed National Park, but boat access from Sharm El Sheikh (about 50 minutes) is the standard approach. If shore diving, be cautious of currents that could prevent return to your exit point.
What marine life will I see at Shark Observatory?▾
Hawksbill turtles feeding on wall corals, schools of jacks and fusiliers in the blue, nudibranchs on overhangs, and long-nose hawkfish tucked among gorgonian branches. The gorgonian fan formations themselves are the primary visual attraction.
Do I need to pay a fee to dive in Ras Mohammed?▾
Yes. Ras Mohammed National Park charges a per-person daily fee. A rise to $15 USD per day was announced for June 2026, so confirm the current rate; your dive centre will typically handle the permit logistics.
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