Guide to the Dive Sites of the Ghoubet

The Ghoubet, also known as the "Bay of Demons," is a geological and biological wonder that forms part of the Rift Valley. Here, the meeting of the African and Arabian tectonic plates has created deep canyons and submerged fault lines that offer divers breathtaking scenery.

Diving in the Ghoubet combines the magic of the Rift Valley with rich marine biodiversity. Underwater canyons, volcanic faults, and exhilarating currents make for a unique experience — perfect for those seeking adventure and extraordinary landscapes beneath the surface.

Best period: October to February, when the waters offer optimal visibility. Experience required: Intermediate and advanced divers, given the presence of currents and complex underwater terrain. Snorkelling: Limited, as many of the sites are deep or affected by currents.

La Passé du Ghoubet

An exciting drift dive along a powerful current, ideal for experienced divers. The shoal of the Passé features a plateau at 16 metres covered in soft and black corals, with frequent sightings of pelagic fish such as jacks and barracuda.

• Depth: 16–40 m
• Difficulty: High (drift dive)
• Best time to visit: October to January
• Snorkelling: Not suitable
• Marine life: Soft corals, black corals, jacks, barracuda, tuna
• Currents: Strong and constant — dive on an incoming current (tide table required)
• Level required: Expert; use of a surface marker buoy (SMB) mandatory

La Faille (The Fault)

A unique geological fissure descending to 30 metres. You pass through narrow channels between walls rich in black coral and gorgonians. Suitable for intermediate divers; visibility may be reduced by plankton, but the biodiversity more than makes up for it.

• Depth: 10–30 m
• Difficulty: Medium
• Best time to visit: October to January
• Snorkelling: Limited (shallow sections)
• Marine life: Black coral, gorgonians, snappers, sea bream, fusiliers
• Currents: Weak, though visibility is sometimes reduced by plankton
• Level required: Medium; basic experience sufficient

Musha and Maskali Islands — The Faon Wreck

A large 80-metre cargo ship broken in two, sunk near the Lagon Bleu. The depth ranges from 9 to 26 metres, making it accessible to all levels. The wreck is covered in coral concretions and populated by abundant marine life.

• Depth: 9–26 m
• Difficulty: Low
• Best time to visit: October to January
• Snorkelling: Suitable (upper part of the wreck)
• Marine life: Coral concretions, Napoleon wrasse, jacks, rays
• Currents: Weak
• Level required: Beginner

Musha and Maskali Islands — The Nagfa and Rimbaud Tugboats

Two wrecks resting on a seabed at 30 metres. Their superstructures lie at 15 metres, ideal for undemanding exploration. Perfect for novice divers, they offer an excellent introduction to wreck diving.

• Depth: 15–30 m
• Difficulty: Medium
• Best time to visit: October to January
• Snorkelling: Not suitable
• Marine life: Corals, reef fish, groupers, jacks
• Currents: Moderate
• Level required: Beginner with sufficient experience at greater depths

Tombant Point and Tombant Nord

Vertical walls reaching down to 35 metres. Here you'll encounter rays, jacks, and a variety of hard and soft corals. These sites offer a spectacular experience thanks to their biodiversity and excellent visibility.

• Depth: 15–35 m (over 30 m for Tombant Nord)
• Difficulty: Medium
• Best time to visit: October to January
• Snorkelling: Limited (shallow areas only)
• Marine life: Rays, jacks, hard and soft corals
• Currents: Moderate
• Level required: Medium; suitable for divers with good depth management

L'Aquarium

A site that lives up to its name. From 2 to 15 metres, divers of all levels can observe shoals of butterflyfish, rays, groupers, and occasionally small reef sharks.

• Depth: 2–15 m
• Difficulty: Low
• Best time to visit: October to January
• Snorkelling: Excellent
• Marine life: Butterflyfish, rays, small reef sharks, groupers
• Currents: Weak
• Level required: Beginner

Les Patates Air France

A curious name for an area rich in large groupers, Napoleon wrasse, and whitetip reef sharks. Depths range from 10 to 25 metres, with distinctive coral formations.

• Depth: 10–25 m
• Difficulty: Medium
• Best time to visit: October to January
• Snorkelling: Limited
• Marine life: Napoleon wrasse, large groupers, stingrays, whitetip reef sharks
• Currents: Moderate
• Level required: Intermediate

Dankall Bank

A shoal known for its abundance of blacktip and whitetip sharks, as well as rays and jacks. Perfect for intermediate divers.

• Depth: 15–30 m
• Difficulty: Medium
• Best time to visit: October to January
• Snorkelling: Not suitable
• Marine life: Blacktip and whitetip sharks, rays, jacks
• Currents: Moderate
• Level required: Intermediate; ideal for those seeking encounters with pelagic wildlife