9 photos from this story
St. John’s is a hub for marine life, offering divers an incredible underwater experience. The dive sites in St. John’s are mostly made up of ‘gotas’ or ‘habilis,’ reef systems that break the surface or have peaks below the water. These sites are perfect for diving with steep walls, offering breathtaking underwater views and diverse marine life. The average dive depth is around 20 meters, with the maximum depth not exceeding 30 meters, making St. John’s an accessible destination for all divers.
One of the most popular dive sites in St. John’s is Habili Ali, known for its great depths and is a favorite among deep divers. Another popular site is St. John’s Caves, famous for its photogenic underwater caves. The site is shallow, making it ideal for divers of all levels. Dangerous Reef, also known as Gota Gibli, is another site that is a must-visit for divers visiting St. John’s.
Marine Life at St.john's
St. John’s is home to various species, including colorful reef fish, moray eels, and sea turtles. It’s common to encounter predatory marine animals such as sharks and manta rays at St. John’s, making it a top destination for those looking for an adrenaline-fueled dive.
Liveaboard trips to St.john's Reefs
St. John’s is a remote and secluded dive destination that liveaboard can only access. It is a popular destination for liveaboard diving, and many liveaboards offer diving trips to St. John’s. These trips can range from a few days to a week or more, providing an immersive diving experience in this stunning location.
Dive Sites At St. John's In Southern Egypt's Red Sea
Dangerous ReefA little bit to the south is Dangerous Reef that bottoms out on sand at a depth of almost 30 metres. This is a horseshoe-shaped reef with lots of life around it.
St. John's CavesSt. John's Caves is a dive site where you can get some great photo opportunities of the lighting and topography, without having to depend on marine life.
Paradise ReefParadise Reef is located central north and a popular dive site.
White RockFinally, to the north White Rock is slightly deeper than average and exposed. You may see sharks here on a good day.
Habili AliHabili Ali is 70 metres deep in places and nearly every liveaboard will try to include a dive here if conditions allow. It's in the middle of the archipelago.
Habili GaffarHabili Gafar has several different spellings of its name, but is an excellent submerged reef in the middle of St. John's. Pelagic sharks visit, but there's plenty more to see if you're not lucky with seeing them.
Gota KebirGota Kebir is on the eastern side of the central area and is a shallow reef that breaks the surface. It has two plateaus, at depths of 15 metres and 30+ metres.
Gota SorayaGota Soraya is also quite central and breaks the surface. It's slightly deeper than its sister.
Umm AroukUmm Arouk Dive Site, meaning "Mother of Coral Towers," is a captivating and unique dive spot located in the heart of St. John's reefs.
Where is St. Johns?

St. John's is the southernmost area of Egypt's territory in The Red Sea. It's very close to the border with Sudan. Most islands and dive sites are less than 50 kilometers from the coast.
Frequently Asked Questions for St. Johns
Preguntas frecuentes
What can divers expect to see at St. John's Reefs?
When is the best time to dive at St. John’s Reefs?
What is the water temperature like at St. John’s Reefs?
How many dive sites are there in St. John's Reefs?
What dive levels are recommended for diving at St. John's Reefs?
St. John's Reefs
Red Sea, Egypt
