Dive Site

St.Johns Gota Soraya

  • Current: J, F, M, A, M, J: S/W in the morning, S/E at midday, S/E in the afternoon --- J, A, S, O, N, D: N/W in the morning, N/E at midday, S/E in the afternoon
  • Visibility: J, F, M, A: 25–35 m; M, J, J, A: 30–40 m; S, O, N, D: 30–50 m
  • Temperatures: J, F, M: 24°C; A, M, J: 24–27°C; J, A, S: 27-31°C; O, N, D: 27–24°C
  • Depth: 100 m

Overview

This small reef is located between Habili Soraya and Gota Kebir. It is a drop off. Because of its location, the most spectacular sightings are possible here: manta rays, but also deep sea sharks like oceanic whitetip sharks and silky sharks.

Description

The reef reaches well over 100m in depth and has a chimney in the south at 9m water depth, which is covered with black coral.
The west side is a wall with deep notches and bulges. There you will find a block that seems to have grown out of the reef, reaching from 22m to 9m below the surface. In the depth a few gray reef sharks pass by from time to time.

In the north, St. John`s Gota Soraya has a reef spur after a steep wall of 15m, which runs down with a slope well over 70m. It is covered all over with gorgonians and delicate sea whips as well as huge soft coral fields. Gray-black snappers and reef sharks are common there.

On the east side you will find schools of snappers and barbels in the wide niches. Often you also get a manta ray visit, because there the current meets the reef.

Hotspots

  • On the south side, gorgonian fields invite you to search for longnose hawkfish.

map Dive Plans

Southwest in the morning

To the south at about 9m is the entrance to the chimney, shielded by an overhang covered with huge black corals. The current is mostly from the south and/or west. With the reef to your right shoulder a huge block rises out of the reef. On the way back, reef left shoulder, stay at 5m and look into the blue again from time to time: Possibly there is a oceanic white tip shark or silky shark to spot.

Southwest in the morning

Drop off

Northeast at noon

With the Zodiac you can be dropped off in the north at the plateau and dive 30m to the gorgonians.

Northeast at noon

With the Zodiac you drop off in the north at the plateau and dive to 30m to the gorgonians. Continue east, reef right or left shoulder - whichever is more comfortable. Diving the upper coral garden in the southeast is highly recommended, because there are still one or two lionfish and scorpionfish waiting for you.