RED SEA REEFS
Thomas Reef
This
site is on a generally steep sloping
reef, which includes some
plateau sections and a very deep
canyon running along the reef's southern
section. It is the smallest of the
four Tiran reefs, and its position
in the chain leaves it exposed to
some fairly vigorous currents.
The reef's upper section is a riot
of color, encompassing some of the
finest soft coral growth in the Sinai
region. Huge, densely packed fields
of Dendronephthya of every imaginable
hue are spread across the reef, along
with antler corals, fine Stylophora,
some Acropora and many other stony
coral forms.
Fish life is also rich, with the
greatest concentration in the shallows.
Lyretail cod and other groupers grow
to great size, and many varieties
of rabbitfish and wrasse congregate
along the reef face, accompanied
by box and pufferfish.
The only reason to go much deeper
than 20m at Thomas Reef is to explore
the canyon; an option for only very
experienced deep divers. You should
not even consider this hazardous
option without consulting your dive
guide.
|