Whitetip Reef Shark
Triaenodon obesus
The most commonly encountered reef shark in Hurghada. Slender, shy, and a thrill to spot resting under an overhang.
- Size
- 100–180 cm
- Depth
- 8–40 m
- Sighting odds
- occasional
- IUCN status
- VU
About this species
Whitetip reef sharks are slender, light-grey reef sharks with distinctive white tips on their first dorsal and upper tail fins. They're famously placid — daytime resters who tuck themselves under coral overhangs and wrecks, becoming active only at night. Easily distinguished from the more pelagic oceanic whitetip by their smaller size and reef-bound habits.
Fun facts
- Can pump water over their gills while resting (most sharks must keep swimming)
- Hunt cooperatively at night
- Live up to 25 years
Best sites for this species
Abu Hashish South
The southern wall of the Abu Hashish system. A vibrant drop-off that descends past 30 m, with reef sharks patrolling the blue and dramatic soft-coral overhangs.
Erg Abu Ramada
An iconic offshore pinnacle rising from 30 m to within 4 m of the surface. Three towers connected by saddles, festooned in soft coral and patrolled by big fish.
Gota Abu Makadi
An exposed offshore pinnacle south of Makadi Bay — current-fed, fish-rich, and a reliable spot for pelagics in the blue.
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