Gordon Reef

Gordon Reef is a large, roughly circular coral reef noted primarily for the wreck of the Panamanian cargo ship Loullia, which ran aground on the reef's northern end in September 1981. The reef top is a wide, shallow plateau that slopes gradually from about 8–12 m out to 20–24 m, with steep walls beyond, and it is widely regarded as one of the most popular dive sites in the Ras Mohammed/Tiran area. Most dives start from a boat using the fixed mooring on the southern plateau at roughly 8 m. Typical diving follows the reef edge with profile depths from the plateau (8–24 m) down to the wall and a common dive maximum around 30 m. Currents are usually moderate but can become strong, particularly near the southwestern navigation beacon and at the northern tip, so many dives are drift-oriented with a pickup at the far end. Conditions are typically clear with warm water year-round. The site is open-water only, has no overhead environment, and is generally suitable for intermediate open-water divers on a boat-led itinerary; divers should take care around metal debris. The Loullia is a corroded, skeletal 3,461-ton Panamanian cargo vessel that grounded on the reef in September 1981 and now lies on the reef flat with much of the hull gone. There are scattered metal cargo drums on the eastern side at roughly 10–18 m and the wreck offers no enclosed spaces for penetration.