Hurghada, Egypt
    شعاب البحر الأحمر

    Gota Iris

    Best months: Nov–Jan

    Protected Area

    شعاب البحر الأحمر

    Why dive here

    With 42+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, seahorses, spinner dolphins and whale sharks - Gota Iris offers some of Hurghada's richest diving. Water ranges 21-29°C, warmest July, August, September.

    Best timeNov–Jan
    WetsuitA 3mm full wetsuit
    Marine lifeDolphins, Humpback Whales, Seahorses, Spinner Dolphins and Whale Sharks · 42+ species recorded
    Water21-29°C · warmest July, August, September
    StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

    Gota Iris is a site we’ve always enjoyed. It sits as the final, detached block of the Shaab Iris system, out in the Abu Nugar area. Don't let the 13m max depth fool you; there’s a lot to take in. We love the way sunlight filters through the water here, illuminating the soft corals that ripple on the top of the block. It’s a gentle drift, often, with visibility around the 20-meter mark, making it perfect for lingering. We’ve spent entire dives just exploring the nooks and crannies. Look for the resident octopus, they’re pretty good at camouflage, tucked into the coral. We often spot groups of Candelamoa Parrotfish munching away, their colours vivid against the blues. The schools of glass fish here can be immense, swirling around the coral heads, and if you hover patiently, a Dusky Wrasse might just swim right past your mask. This site really shines in the mid-morning when the light is best. It's a wonderful, relaxed dive, ideal for photographers and those who prefer to slow down and really observe. You'll see a good mix of squirrelfish, parrotfish, and wrasse, with plenty of healthy staghorn coral providing shelter.

    Today05:4317:2211h 39m daylightGolden hour 16:50

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Gota Iris

    Gota Iris Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Gota Iris, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (27.25, 33.89) (1km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    27°C

    80°F · Range: 25.2–28°C

    Current Speed

    29.43 cm/s

    Direction: S (170.2°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.069 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    38.69 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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