Dissei Island Reef

Dissei Island is one of the most significant sea turtle nesting beaches in the entire Red Sea, and the reef that encircles it is equally remarkable. Hawksbill and green turtles nest on the island beaches from April through August, and the same individuals that emerge onto the sand are found resting and feeding on the adjacent reef throughout the year. The reef structure is a classic Red Sea fringing system: a shallow back reef terrace gives way to a steep front slope dense with coral down to 20 m. Because Dissei sits within the Dahlak Archipelago marine area and receives almost no recreational diving pressure, the turtles here are completely unafraid of divers and extraordinary close encounters are routine. Dolphins regularly patrol the outer reef edge and whale sharks have been documented passing through seasonally.