Banc de la Pointe Noire - Gulf of Tadjoura

Halsskov Rev is a bit of a local secret, and we think it deserves more attention. Diving off Bornholm generally means something rugged, and this site is no exception. We’re talking about a proper rock and boulder reef, not your typical tropical coral, but it’s got a surprising amount of life hunkered down among the crevices. You’ll weave through impressive stacks of granite, some as big as small cars, all encrusted with various anemones and barnacles. The visibility can be temperamental, sometimes a crisp 10-15 metres, other days a bit milkier, but that just adds to the adventure. Our favourite time to dive here is late summer, when the water has warmed up a touch and the light penetrates deeper. Keep an eye out for the resident cod, they’re often curious, and we’ve spotted some surprisingly large butterfish tucked away. The four-bearded rocklings are a common sight, twitching their barbels from beneath rocky overhangs. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the subtle beauty of a temperate reef, where the drama comes from the geology and the unexpected encounter rather than flashy colours. If you’re into macro, the nooks and crannies hold all sorts of bristleworms and tiny molluscs. It’s not a drift dive, more of a slow exploration, best suited for divers who enjoy a relaxed pace and hunting for the smaller stuff.

Location: Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates: 11.596945, 43.078056
Type: reef

Marine Protected Area: Haramous

Best Time to Dive in Gulf of Tadjoura

The warmest water temperatures in Gulf of Tadjoura occur in January, averaging 26.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 26.9°C (air: 24.8°C)
February: 26.9°C (air: 25.3°C)
March: 26.9°C (air: 26.9°C)
April: 26.9°C (air: 28.9°C)
May: 26.9°C (air: 32.5°C)
June: 26.9°C (air: 35.7°C)
July: 26.9°C (air: 36.4°C)
August: 26.9°C (air: 34.9°C)
September: 26.9°C (air: 34.5°C)
October: 26.9°C (air: 30.2°C)
November: 26.9°C (air: 27.2°C)
December: 26.9°C (air: 25.5°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Gulf of Tadjoura

Marine Life in Gulf of Tadjoura

Home to 205 recorded species including 95 hard corals, 75 reef fish, 8 sharks & rays, 6 crabs & lobsters, 5 sea cucumbers, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus) - Reef Fish
Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) - Sharks & Rays
Halfspotted Hind (Cephalopholis hemistiktos) - Reef Fish
Longfin Bannerfish (Heniochus acuminatus) - Reef Fish
Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) - Sharks & Rays
Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) - Reef Fish
Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) - Reef Fish
Bottleneck Sea Cucumber (Holothuria (Thymiosycia) impatiens) - Sea Cucumbers
Ehrenberg's snapper (Lutjanus ehrenbergii) - Reef Fish
Sea Scorpion (Scorpaena porcus) - Reef Fish
Sand-dusted Cone (Conus arenatus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Brown-spotted Grouper (Epinephelus chlorostigma) - Reef Fish
Staghorn coral (Acropora donei) - Hard Corals
Blue-dashed Rockskipper (Blenniella periophthalmus) - Reef Fish
Edgeblack Grouper (Epinephelus summana) - Reef Fish
Black triggerfish (Odonus niger) - Reef Fish
Small-eyed Squirrelfish (Myripristis murdjan) - Reef Fish
Coral hind (Cephalopholis miniata) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Banc de la Pointe Noire

Based on average water temperature of 26.9°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories