beginner
    (65)

    Towartit Reef – Port Sudan & Nearshore Dive Site

    20m Max
    15-30m Vis
    boat

    Site Overview

    Towartit Reef is a accessible reef close to Port Sudan town with shallow coral gardens, excellent night diving with nudibranchs and turtles, and diverse reef fish communities thriving in surprisingly healthy coral formations dive site in the Port Sudan & Nearshore 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 3 to 20 meters with an average depth of 10 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 Green Turtle, Nudibranch, Moray Eel and other remarkable marine species, Towartit 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. Towartit Reef consistently ranks among the top dive sites in the Port Sudan & Nearshore 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 Towartit Reef begins with entry from the liveaboard vessel, descending to the main reef formation at approximately 10 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 5 and 15 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 20 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."

    Signature Marine Life

    Green Turtle

    high

    Chelonia mydas

    Best: November, December, January

    Nudibranch

    high

    Chromodoris sp.

    Best: November, December, January

    Moray Eel

    very high

    Gymnothorax sp.

    Best: November, December, January

    Bannerfish

    very high

    Heniochus sp.

    Best: November, December, January

    Soft Coral

    very high

    Dendronephthya sp.

    Best: November, December, January

    Lionfish

    very high

    Pterois miles

    Best: November, December, January

    Octopus

    high

    Octopus cyanea

    Best: November, December, January

    Batfish

    high

    Platax orbicularis

    Best: November, December, January

    Safety & Hazards

    • Strong currents at offshore pinnacles and reef points requiring DSMB deployment and drift diving experience
    • Remote offshore locations with limited emergency medical facilities and extended evacuation times to nearest hyperbaric chamber
    • Large predatory sharks including oceanic whitetips and silvertips requiring respectful behaviour and adherence to operator briefings
    • Deep wall diving with depths exceeding 40 metres requiring careful depth management and conservative dive planning
    • Liveaboard-only access to most sites requiring comfort with extended boat living and open ocean conditions
    Nearest Chamber
    Port Sudan Naval Hospital Hyperbaric Unit
    8km away

    Traveler Notes

    Who is this for?

    Towartit Reef is suitable for Open Water certified divers comfortable with the depth profile and conditions at this Sudanese Red Sea location. The site rewards beginners with abundant coral reef life, manageable conditions, and excellent opportunities for building confidence in a pristine marine environment accessed by liveaboard. Underwater photographers will find outstanding opportunities with diverse marine species and spectacular coral formations in the shallower sections. The relatively sheltered environment makes this an ideal introduction to Red Sea diving for newly certified divers, with the conditions providing a comfortable and confidence-building experience in one of the world's premier diving destinations.

    sudan
    red-sea
    reef
    night-dive
    port-sudan

    Quick Stats

    Difficultybeginner
    CertificationOpen Water
    Currentlight
    Water Temp24-30°C
    Best TimeNovember - April

    Dive Logistics

    Operators
    • Red Sea Diving Safari
    • Sudan Red Sea Divers
    • Diving Dolphin Sudan
    Pricing Guide
    $60 - $120
    Per 2-tank boat dive

    Photography Info

    Recommended Gear
    16-35mm
    60mm macro
    100mm macro

    Best for: wide_angle, macro, close_up

    Nearby Stay

    Coral Port Sudan Hotel

    Port Sudan2km away

    Check Availability

    Red Sea Palace Hotel

    Port Sudan3km away

    Check Availability