NIKOLAOS K - Gulf of Tadjoura
The Nikolaos K is a proper hulk, a 170-meter bulk carrier that ran aground in the Gulf of Tadjoura back in '81. What we love about this wreck is how much of it is still so accessible, spread out in just six metres of water. It's less a deep penetration dive and more an archaeological stroll, perfect for divers who appreciate history and macro life. You'll spend your time exploring vast sections of the hull, now encrusted in corals that range from soft, waving leathers to hard, plate-like formations. Look closely, and you'll spot nudibranchs, small crabs scuttling between the metal plates, and schools of damselfish flitting through the superstructure. Our favourite part is navigating the shallow, sunlit spaces, watching the light play through the rusted metalwork and illuminate the colourful growth. It’s a great spot for photographers, especially early morning when the light is softer and the resident fish are more active.
- Location
- Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti, Red Sea & Middle East
- Coordinates
- 11.705000, 43.236668
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 6m
Marine Protected Area: Iles Musha et Maskhali
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
- AL SAID - 29m (wreck)
- ARCHON RAPHAEL - 18m (wreck)
- Arta Beach - 5-20m
- Banc de La Clocheterie (reef)
- Banc de la Pointe Noire (reef)
- Banc des Salines (reef)
- Banc du Héron (reef)
- Banc du Pingouin (reef)
- Banc Gutta Tella (reef)
- Banc Moidubis Kebir (reef)
- Banc Moidubis Seghir (reef)
- Banc Ousal (reef)
- FONTAINEBLEU - 0m (wreck)
- GHINDA (POSSIBLY) - 0m (wreck)
- Ghoubet al-Kharab
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 NIKOLAOS K
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