Merlo Reef – Angarosh & Offshore Pinnacles Dive Site

30m Max

25-40m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Merlo Reef is a beautiful drift dive on a sloping plateau with manta rays, devil rays, parrotfish, big-eye trevally, and excellent coral cover in a less current-exposed offshore location ideal for relaxed diving dive site in the Angarosh & Offshore Pinnacles region of Sudan's Red Sea, situated among the pristine offshore reef systems that make this one of the world's most exclusive and untouched diving destinations. The site features depths from 8 to 30 meters with an average depth of 18 meters, offering an extraordinary underwater experience showcasing the exceptional coral health and dramatic geological formations that Sudan's Red Sea is celebrated for among experienced divers worldwide. Renowned for its exceptional encounters with Reef Manta Ray, Devil Ray, Bumphead Parrotfish and other remarkable marine species, Merlo Reef attracts divers seeking thrilling underwater adventures in one of the planet's last great frontier diving destinations. The Sudanese Red Sea creates a stunning underwater landscape of sheer coral walls, isolated seamounts, pristine lagoons, and historic wrecks that provide habitat for incredibly diverse marine communities in waters virtually untouched by mass tourism. The Red Sea's unique geology with its deep rift valley creates dramatic underwater topography with walls descending thousands of metres and pinnacles rising from abyssal depths. These conditions bring nutrient-rich water supporting abundant marine life including schooling hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, manta rays, and vast coral gardens found in few other places on Earth. Visibility typically ranges between 20 and 40 metres with consistently excellent conditions throughout the diving season. Water temperatures range from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius depending on season making a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit standard equipment. Merlo Reef consistently ranks among the top dive sites in the Angarosh & Offshore Pinnacles region, drawing dedicated liveaboard divers who seek exceptional diving experiences in one of the Red Sea's most pristine and thrilling marine environments combining dramatic underwater landscapes with extraordinary wildlife encounters.

Dive Briefing

"A typical dive at Merlo Reef begins with entry from the liveaboard vessel, descending to the main reef formation at approximately 18 meters while orienting yourself and equalizing before exploring the remarkable Sudanese Red Sea underwater landscape. Once established on the main formation, divers should swim along the reef wall or plateau exploring diverse habitats, moving between coral bommies, overhangs, and sandy channels while maintaining excellent buoyancy control to protect the pristine reef ecosystem below. The most productive depth zone is between 8 and 25 meters where the highest concentration of reef fish species and photographic opportunities are abundant. Navigate along the reef edge watching for pelagic species in the deep blue, and check the overhangs and ledges where grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and larger reef fish shelter from the current. The Red Sea environment requires careful current awareness at exposed pinnacles and reef points, as conditions can change rapidly with tidal shifts. Monitor depth and NDL particularly near 30 meters on the deep walls, and always maintain a conservative approach to dive planning given the remote location and distances to hyperbaric facilities. Scan the blue water for approaching pelagic species including hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, and tuna that patrol the reef edges. Conclude the dive with a slow ascent and a generous safety stop at 5 meters, deploying your DSMB before surfacing and signaling the liveaboard crew for pickup."