- 27°59.097′ N – 34°27.250′ E
- Gordon Reef is known and easily identified by
- the wreck of the Panamanian cargo ship Loullia (3,461 tonnes), which ran aground on the northern end in September 1981. The fact that there is a fixed mooring on the southern side and a wide and rather shallow (10-24 meters) plateau that fans out in a south-westerly direction, makes this dive site safer than the preceding ones. A red and white beacon lies on the south-western corner. The first dive (A) starts off from the mooring point and winds in an
- easterly direction and then northwards along the eastern side of the reef. Halfway along this side, you can see many metal drums scattered at a depth of TO to 20 meters. From here you can either double
- back to the starting point or make a drift dive and proceed north (dive B); in this case, you will come across a rather small sandy plateau on which some Garden eels (Gorgasia sillneri) live. On the third dive (C) you
- can explore the vast plateau that extends in a southerly direction. After reaching the sand-filled depression with a vaguely circular shape (known as the ‘Amphitheater’ or ‘Shark Pool’) you will pass by a mass of cables and metal bars. From here you can go back to the starting point either by heading towards the reef or, after crossing a zone filled with fire corals (Millepora dichotoma), by drift diving along the western side.
Look out for
- Comments • Beware of the current at the south-western corner of the reef, near the beacon, as it could make it hard to return to your boat or even prevent you from doing so.
- Features • The opportunity to observe various species of coral, small nudibranchs hidden in the crevices of the madrepores and, with a bit of luck, Whitetip reef sharks, Hammerhead sharks and Spotted eagle rays. • This site is suitable for snorkelling. • Safe mooring sheltered from the wind.
- Chromodoris Whitetip reef Hammerhead
