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.
Highlights
Hundreds of anemones and clownfishCoral-encrusted anchorGateway to Shark Reef driftTransition to deep blue waterLarge pelagic sightings possible
Dive site facts: Anemone City
- Depth
- 5–700 m
- Current
- Moderate
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Advanced
- Dive type
- Reef, Drift, Reef, Wall
- Region / port
- Egypt
- Coordinates
- 27.8020° N, 34.2850° E
Conditions & Currents
Anemone City is characterized by very strong currents, especially as it acts as the starting point for a prominent drift dive. These currents are influenced by the convergence of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba with the open Red Sea, which also delivers nutrient-rich water. Dive entry is typically from a live boat, requiring a negative entry to quickly descend and manage the strong flow. Due to the significant currents and the subsequent blue-water crossing, divers must maintain excellent buoyancy control and stay within the dive plan to avoid being carried off-course. Visibility is generally excellent, often reaching 25 meters, but the strong currents mean that advanced certification and experience with drift diving are recommended.
Why dive Anemone City from a liveaboard?
Anemone City is one of Egypt's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.
Below are the liveaboards that include Anemone City on their Egypt itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Anemone City
These liveaboards may visit Anemone City on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
DUNE Longara
Egypt
30 guests
$150/day
JP Marine
Egypt
28 guests
$109/day
Snefro Pearl
Egypt
12 guests
$150/day
Snefro Love
Egypt
20 guests
$154/day
Sindalahs
Egypt
26 guests38 m
$155/day
Hammerhead II
Egypt
20 guests
$173/day
Blue Liveaboard
Egypt
24 guests43 m
$173/day
Odyssey
Egypt
26 guests40 m
$185/day
Discovery I
Egypt
20 guests
$104/day
Star Jet
Egypt
28 guests35 m
$145/day
SS Serena Dreams
Egypt
18 guests33 m
$159/day
Amelie
Egypt
12 guests23 m
$115/day
Dive sites similar to Anemone City
Same character, same waters — six more sites divers love for the exact same reasons.Compare seasons, access and liveaboard routes — then pick the site that fits your trip best.
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Carless Reef
Egypt
Carless Reef is a renowned advanced dive site near Hurghada, notable for its two prominent coral pinnacles that rise from a sandy bottom at 30 meters.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Dayboat
- Depth
- 15–40 m
- Theme
- Reef / Drift
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Gordon Reef
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Gordon Reef is the southernmost of the four prominent coral formations situated in the narrow Straits of Tiran, which separate the Gulf of Aqaba from the main Red Sea.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 2–300 m
- Theme
- Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Far Garden
Egypt
Far Garden is a prominent dive site located in Sharm El Sheikh, serving as the northern headland of the adjacent Middle Garden site.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Shore / dayboat
- Depth
- 1–45 m
- Theme
- Reef / Drift
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Tobia Arbaa
Egypt
Tobia Arbaa, also widely recognized as the "Seven Pillars," is a highly regarded dive site situated in Egypt, easily accessible via a short speedboat ride from Safaga or Soma Bay.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 10–16 m
- Theme
- Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Alexandria
Egypt
Alexandria offers a truly unique diving experience in Egypt, differing significantly from the vibrant coral reefs of the Red Sea.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 5–8 m
- Theme
- Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Big Brother
Egypt
Big Brother Island, a prominent pinnacle in the southern Red Sea, rises from significant depths approximately 60 miles off the Egyptian coast near El-Quseir.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 8–85 m
- Theme
- Drift / Wreck