Diving atAnemone City - Ras Mohammed (Egypt)
Anemone City in Ras Mohammed truly lives up to its name, presenting a vibrant underwater metropolis brimming with thousands of Heteractis sea anemones. These swaying hosts shelter a permanent population of Red Sea anemonefish, fiercely territorial and constantly active. Divers navigate through this bustling reef shoulder, situated just north of Shark Reef, where the prolific marine life creates a dynamic, cosmopolitan feel. It’s a site celebrated for its dense concentration of life, offering continuous visual engagement.
As evening covers Anemone City - Ras Mohammed, the local air temperature is measured at 25.5°C. The current wave height at the surface is recorded at 0.5 m. These late-day readings characterize the surface conditions for the night.
Dive Site Location & Key Facts
Everything you need to know about this dive site.
Dive Site Overview
Imagine descending into a vibrant underwater cityscape, where every 'building' pulsates with life. Anemone City, an expansive shoulder of reef in Ras Mohammed, offers just such an experience.
This site, typically approached as a drift dive, is a coral garden and reef dive often serving as the initial point for journeys towards Shark Reef. Depths here range from a shallow 5 m (16 ft) plateau, sloping down to 25 m (82 ft) before dropping into deeper waters, making it suitable for Advanced Open Water Divers or equivalent. Its prominent feature, as the name suggests, is the sheer abundance of Heteractis sea anemones, each hosting dozens of territorial Red Sea anemonefish.
Beyond the anemones, divers will encounter impressive table corals and extensive carpets of broccoli coral, creating a rich tapestry of textures and colors. A distinctive, often humorous, element in the shallower sections is the scattered cargo from a British wreck, including several intact toilets lining the seabed—a curious sight for photographers.
While many use Anemone City as a starting point to drift into the open blue towards Shark Reef, the site merits a dedicated exploration for its intricate ecosystem and busy fish traffic. The currents can be considerable, influencing the dive profile and how quickly one transitions towards the next major feature.
Anemone City - Ras Mohammed
Conditions are Good
Best Dive Window
Optimal conditions expected
Current conditions near Anemone City - Ras Mohammed show 26° air, 27° sea temperature, 0.6 m waves, and 36 km/h wind. Forecast data is refreshed regularly to ensure accuracy.
Best Time to Dive
Choosing the optimal time for Anemone City often depends on desired conditions and marine activity. Mornings are frequently recommended, as the site truly comes alive with 'rush hour' fish traffic, reflecting its namesake metropolis. Throughout the year, the dive score remains consistently good, indicating favorable conditions generally prevail. Air temperatures vary significantly, ranging from cooler averages of 19-22°C (66-72°F) during January-March to warmer highs of 32-35°C (90-95°F) from June-August, making summer months quite hot on the surface. Wave heights are generally manageable, averaging between 0.7-0.8 m (2.3-2.6 ft), though wind speeds, particularly from March-May, can reach up to 28 km/h (17 mph), potentially influencing surface conditions. Rainfall is negligible year-round, with most months reporting trace amounts or none at all, ensuring clear skies. While specific water temperatures aren't consistently reported for this precise location, the Red Sea typically offers warm diving conditions, especially outside of the cooler winter months. Planning a dive during less windy periods may enhance comfort for boat-based entries and exits.
PEAK SEASON SCORE
Scores combine air & water temps, waves, wind & rainfall for overall conditions.
BEST MONTHS TO DIVE
Monthly records compiled from satellite and marine observation nodes over the last 3 years. Data provided by Open-Meteo and MET Norway.
Dive Experience & Conditions
Navigating Anemone City primarily involves understanding its current dynamics, which can fluctuate in strength and direction. It's classified as a drift dive, and divers might find themselves carried quite swiftly, particularly if the current originates from Shark Reef. Site topography, an underwater terrace on a vertical wall, ranges from a relatively shallow 5 m (16 ft) to deeper sections at 25 m (82 ft), and beyond. An Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent is recommended due to these potentially strong and unpredictable currents. When currents are present, moving slowly near the bottom or reef wall can help manage the drift, requiring careful attention to guide signals. A broad shoulder of reef presents prolific hard and soft corals, with numerous crevices and cornices along the walls that create diverse habitats. Surrounding blue water often holds surprises, with pelagic fish shoaling along the wall and occasional sightings of larger marine life such as turtles or leopard sharks. Visibility typically remains excellent, a hallmark of Red Sea diving.
Dive Difficulty & Safety Guidelines
Diving Anemone City presents specific challenges requiring attentiveness and appropriate preparedness. Currents at this site can reach considerable strength and their directions are often unpredictable, necessitating vigilance and close communication with your dive guide. If encountering a strong current, maintaining proximity to the reef wall or seabed helps conserve energy. Divers should always carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and know how to deploy it, as being carried away from the reef is a possibility, and boat traffic around the reefs is common. Ascending near the reef wall is advised to minimize exposure to open water vessel screws. Careful depth monitoring is crucial, especially when diving 'in the blue' without direct reef reference, to remain within no-decompression limits. Additionally, be aware of fire coral in shallower areas, particularly if diving in a shorty wetsuit, as contact can cause stinging sensations. An Advanced Open Water Diver certification is recommended to safely manage these conditions.
Recommended Equipment
Current and surface separation risk. Local briefing strongly recommended.
- Dive Computer
- DSMB
- Reel / Spool
This gear list is based on verified equipment signals for Anemone City - Ras Mohammed, Egypt. Always confirm final gear choices with your dive operator, guide, or liveaboard.
Recommended Dive Suit
2-3mm shorty or light wetsuit is widely used for recreational dives in waters of this temperature. Those diving at Anemone City - Ras Mohammed today will likely encounter water temperatures in the region of 27°C (80°F). Surface air temperatures are resting at 26°C (78°F).
Forecasts suggest rising temperatures later this week. A warming trend is expected over the next few days.
Water temperatures can occasionally shift throughout the day depending on currents and depth layers.
Emergency & Medical Support
Essential information to help you plan your dive trip to Anemone City - Ras Mohammed.
Hyperbaric chambers are a critical part of dive safety infrastructure. Availability varies significantly by region, and not all dive areas have immediate access.
Before diving, it's recommended to:
- confirm nearest medical facilities
- check emergency procedures with local dive operators
- ensure dive insurance covers evacuation if required
Divers Alert Network
Diving emergency assistance available through DAN Europe.
+39 0642115685- 24/7 emergency hotline
- Diving medical assistance
- Evacuation coordination
Emergency contacts are provided for reference. Always verify local emergency services before diving.
Marine Life at Anemone City - Ras Mohammed
The site truly shines through its marine inhabitants, dominated by literally thousands of Heteractis sea anemones. These anemones host a bustling population of Red Sea anemonefish, which are notably territorial and provide constant activity within the reef. Beyond the central attraction, the coral gardens themselves are home to reef fish typical of the Ras Mohammed area. Divers also have opportunities to spot larger species; leopard sharks and turtles are not uncommon. The surrounding blue water around Anemone City occasionally brings surprising encounters, with reports of pelagic fish, manta rays, eagle rays, and even rare whale or tiger shark sightings, adding an element of unpredictability to each dive.
Dive Sites Near Anemone City - Ras Mohammed
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Dive Centers Near Anemone City - Ras Mohammed
Working Hours
Today: 08:00 - 19:00
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Reef Oasis Dive Club
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Sinai Dive Club
Scuba Diving Sharm
Nearest Airports
Nearest airports to help plan travel to this dive area.
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Search Flights on ExpediaFrequently Asked Questions
What is Anemone City known for?
It's named for its dense concentrations of Heteractis sea anemones, which host numerous Red Sea anemonefish. It's often bustling with diverse reef fish, creating a vibrant underwater scene.
What is the maximum depth at Anemone City?
The dive site begins around 5 m (16 ft) and slopes down to 25 m (82 ft), before dropping into the deep blue beyond. Recreational dives generally remain within the 30 m (100 ft) range.
Is Anemone City suitable for beginner divers?
Anemone City is classified as an Advanced dive due to potentially strong and unpredictable currents. An Advanced Open Water Diver certification or equivalent is highly recommended.
Are there any unique features at Anemone City?
Yes, in its shallower sections, you can find scattered cargo from a British wreck, including several toilets. This provides a unique and often humorous photographic opportunity.
What kind of marine life can I expect to see?
Besides the prolific anemones and their resident anemonefish, divers can expect various reef fish, table and broccoli corals. There's also a chance to spot turtles, leopard sharks, and occasionally pelagic species like manta or eagle rays in the blue.
How are the currents at Anemone City?
Currents can range from mild to strong and are often unpredictable in direction. It's typically a drift dive, and divers should be prepared to move with the current, or sometimes against it near the reef.
Is Anemone City part of a larger dive?
Anemone City is often used as the starting point for a drift dive that transitions into Shark Reef. However, it also deserves exploration as a standalone dive to fully appreciate its unique ecosystem.
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Anemone City - Ras Mohammed
Conditions are Good
Best Dive Window
Optimal conditions expected
Current conditions near Anemone City - Ras Mohammed show 26° air, 27° sea temperature, 0.6 m waves, and 36 km/h wind. Forecast data is refreshed regularly to ensure accuracy.