Merlo Reef
Elongated reef about 2 km SW of Angarosh rising from around 450 m, with cracked east and west walls, caverns and a northern plateau with three levels; hammerheads pass through the deeper channel and grey reef sharks patrol the bommies at 25–30 m. On the west wall lie the remains of Freedom, a Sudanese liveaboard that ran aground in 1999 (only hull and a cut-off bow remain after salvage). Mantas are sometimes seen.
Facts
- Region: Sudan Red Sea (Port Sudan & north)
- Area: Northern reefs
- Depth: 5–50 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: moderate
- Type: reef, wall, wreck
- Coordinates: 20.8486, 37.42 (approximate)
- Highlights: grey reef shark, hammerhead, giant moray, napoleon wrasse, manta, anemonefish, wreck of Freedom
- Tips: Current is common but usually weaker than at Abington; the deep level is beyond recreational limits. Permit/fees: no separate dive permit from an official Sudanese source could be found. Operators collect a combined government/port/marine-park charge in cash on arrival (DUNE lists EUR 187 per 7-night trip; Blue Force listed EUR 220 + 70 service tax, now historical), so ask the operator what is included.