Dive Site: Anemone City

About Anemone City

Anemone City is a renowned dive site situated at the northern end of Ras Mohammed National Park, near Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. It forms the initial segment of the classic drift dive that culminates at Shark and Yolanda Reef, making it a critical starting point for one of the world's most acclaimed dives. This site is celebrated for its vibrant and densely populated coral plateau, which gives way to the deeper blue waters that connect to the dramatic wall of Shark Reef. The topography primarily features a shallow coral plateau covered with anemones, with depths ranging from a few meters down to 700 meters as it slopes into the open blue. Divers typically begin their immersion here to explore the anemone colonies and a large, coral-encrusted anchor. The dive then transitions into blue water, where the massive wall of Shark Reef eventually appears. The area between the two reefs boasts coral-covered rocks and a contrasting white, sandy bottom. The site is famously home to hundreds of anemones, each guarded by clownfish, providing constant visual interest. While primarily known for its resident reef fish, the transition into open water allows for potential sightings of larger pelagic species such as barracuda, tuna, snapper, blacktip reef sharks, eagle rays, and even turtles. Although shark sightings are never guaranteed, the deeper blue off the wall is a known cruising ground. Diving Anemone City is almost always done via boat as part of a guided drift dive that often continues to Shark Reef. It functions as a current-managed drift start, requiring divers to maintain good buoyancy, especially around the shallow anemones, and to stick to the planned route to avoid drifting off into the deep blue.