Thomas Reef

Current: W in the morning, W at midday, E in the afternoon
Visibility: J, F, M, A: 30 m; M, J, J, A: 25 m; S, O, N, D: 35 m
Temperatures: J, F, M: 24°C; A, M, J: 26°C; J, A, S: 28°C; O, N, D: 26°C
Depth: 2 m to 80 m

Overview

Thomas Reef is one of the best diving spots in the north of Egypt, but very challenging with strong currents. With speeds of up to 12 km/h at the edges, there is hardly enough time to say hello to all the reef inhabitants! Thomas Reef" has no mooring so for the sake of the corals, "drift diving" is the best choice. Attention: Down currents!

Description

If you are into cave diving, you will have a great time at "Thomas Reef", which convinces with its vertical steep walls, many gorges and the spectacular canyon. However, the dive is only for experienced divers: Especially on the side that faces "Woodhouse Reef", the currents change immensely depending on the tides and are not only fast, but also create down currents.
Those who dare should not hesitate and book the tour immediately. The "Thomas Reef" is simply a brilliant and unique dive site. The canyon may rightly brag with its three rock bridges, gorgonian fields and black corals are always showing off for their visitors and again lionfish, reef sharks, barracudas, moray eels or family members of the other 1,200 fish species in the Red Sea come by for a visit. Pure fish cinema!

Hotspots

Canyon: Dive sites like the canyon in "Thomas Reef" give us the necessary motivation to push our diving skills further and further. A very demanding dive, but rewarded with an underwater world that is rarely found. Sport divers take the first section shallow diving and then cross the first archway.
At the southern corner of "Thomas Reef" we find the home of countless gorgonians, also called horn corals or sea fans. We can enjoy this magnificent sight at a depth of about 30 to 35 meters.
West side: Also at the western steep wall of the "Thomas Reef" we find many gorgonians and soft corals. A very special highlight is the cave at about 25 meters, which not only we divers love, but also the one or other white tip reef shark.

Dive Plans

1.Classic tour 2.Drift dive

Classic tour

Starting point is the southern corner of the reef. From the boat, head north down to the sandy plateau at a depth of about 25 to 30 meters. Slightly sloping, this area leads directly to the canyon, which opens its gates at a depth of 35 meters. The classic dive path outside and above the canyon continues northwest to the west side. A highlight on the east side is the cave at a depth of 5 meters.

Drift dive

A great tour, if the current allows it: We simply drift down the west side, encountering large predators, turtles and schooling fish in the blue water again and again until we come across the cave in the first third at a depth of 25 meters.