Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti
    Haramous

    Banc Ousal

    Best months: Dec–Mar

    Protected Area

    Haramous

    Why dive here

    With 197+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, dugongs, hammerhead sharks and sea turtles - Banc Ousal offers some of Gulf of Tadjoura's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-32°C, warmest June, September, October.

    Best timeDec–Mar
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlacktip Reef Sharks, Blue-Spotted Stingrays, Dugongs, Hammerhead Sharks and Sea Turtles · 197+ species recorded
    Water27-32°C · warmest June, September, October
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Banc Ousal is a standout for us in the Gulf of Tadjoura, a site where the coral really puts on a show. We’ve drifted over some truly impressive staghorn formations here, stretching out like underwater forests. Look closely, and you’ll spot those cheeky crested sabretooth blennies darting in and out, or maybe an African eel blenny peering from its crevice. It’s not just about the big picture either; the variety in the corals, from delicate table corals to robust starry cup corals, is fantastic. We’d suggest hitting this one early in the morning, before the thermocline deepens too much, when the light really makes the coral colours pop. We love Banc Ousal for its healthy, thriving reef, a real testament to Djibouti’s underwater appeal. It’s perfect for divers who appreciate intricate reef structures and the smaller, more unusual reef fish that call them home.

    Today05:5717:5211h 56m daylightGolden hour 17:24

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Banc Ousal

    Banc Ousal Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Banc Ousal, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (11.95, 43.3) (19km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    32°C

    89°F · Range: 29.6–33.4°C

    Air Temperature

    30°C

    86°F

    Wind Speed

    4.2 m/s

    8.2 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1010.7 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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