Yolanda Reef
Overview
Yolanda Reef forms the southern tip of the Ras Mohammed peninsula and is usually dived in combination with Shark Reef in one of the Red Sea's most iconic drift dives. Named after the MV Yolanda, a Cypriot freighter that ran aground in 1980 and eventually sank off the reef edge, the site is famous for the bizarre cargo scattered across the reef slope. Containers of bathroom fixtures — toilets, bathtubs, and sinks — lie among the corals at 20–30 meters, creating one of the most photographed and surreal scenes in diving. The reef itself is spectacular independent of the wreck cargo. A steep wall drops into deep blue, adorned with sea fans and soft corals. Napoleon wrasse are ever-present and notoriously bold. Massive swirling schools of jackfish and snapper are a constant feature, and barracuda patrols are common in the blue. The drift from Shark Reef to Yolanda follows the peninsula's edge, beginning at the dramatic vertical wall of Shark Reef and transitioning to the slightly more gradual slope of Yolanda. The current carries divers along effortlessly, and the scenery shifts from wall diving to coral garden to wreck debris. The shallow reef top at 5–8 meters is a coral garden of exceptional quality, with dense schools of butterflyfish, angelfish, and anthias. Dive boats pick up divers at the end of the drift.
Marine life
Dive profile
DEPTH PROFILE
DEPTH PROGRESSION & WAYPOINTS: Yolanda Reef
Location
Frequently asked questions
What certification do I need for Yolanda Reef?
Advanced Open Water certification is recommended. The dive involves wall diving with potential currents at depths of 15–35 meters. Yolanda Reef is typically dived as part of a combined drift dive with Shark Reef in Ras Mohammed National Park.
When is the best time to dive Yolanda Reef?
March to November offers the best conditions with warm water (24–29 °C) and clear visibility. The site is within Ras Mohammed National Park, and summer months tend to provide calmer currents.
What is the wreck cargo on Yolanda Reef?
The Yolanda was a cargo ship that ran aground in 1980 and eventually slid off the reef. Its cargo of bathroom fixtures — toilets, bathtubs, and sinks — is scattered across the reef slope at 20–30 meters, creating one of the most surreal underwater scenes in the Red Sea.
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Data Provenance
This profile is compiled from 3 operator submissions and 142 community logs. Key facts (depth, entry) are verified against official hydrographic charts.