Gordon Reef
Position : 27° 59.200 N /34° 27.000 E
Access : 105 min.
Short Briefing :
  • Difficulty : 2 to 3
  • Current : 1 to 3
  • The opportunity to observe various species of coral, small Nudibranchia mollusks and, with a bit of luck, Whitetip reef sharks, Hammerhead Sharks and Spotted eagle rays.
  • This site is suitable for snorkeling.
  • Safe mooring sheltered from the wind.
  • Beware of the current at the southwestern 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.
Map :
( Zoom )
 
Description : Gordon Reef is known for the wreck of the Lovilla (also named Lullia), which ran aground on the northern end in September 1981. The fact that there is a fixed mooring (shamandura) on the southern side and a wide and rather shallow (10-24m) plateau that fans out in a south-westerly direction, makes this diving 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 10 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 south-westerly direction. After reaching the sand-filled depression with a vaguely circular shape that is known as the Amphitheatre 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 of the reef.