Thomas reef - Thomas-Riff

The Thomas Reef (English: Thomas Reef, Arabic:سلسلة صخور توماس المرجانية‎, Silsilat Ṣuchūr Tūmās al-Marǧānīya, „Coral rock chain Thomas“) Is the third northernmost of four egyptian Reefs in the Strait of Tīrān at the interface between the Red sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular one Diving area in the northwest of Sharm esch-Sheikh and probably the most imposing reef in this chain of reefs.

background

The Thomas Reef is located in the Strait of Tīrān and forms the third-northernmost reef in a chain of four reefs that divide the Strait of Tīrān into two waterways. It is located south of the Woodhouse Reef and north of the Gordon Reef. The roughly elliptical reef with a length of 470 meters is the smallest of the reefs in this reef chain. The top of the reef is about half a meter below the surface of the water.

getting there

Divers usually travel on a day trip boat from the jetty jetty) in the south of the Naʿama Bay of Sharm esch-Sheikh.

Tourist Attractions

Dives on Thomas Reef are difficult dives due to the strong currents, especially in the north. The current runs from south to north.

There are no anchorages on the reef. Dives are conducted as drift dives along the east side from south to north. At about the southern tip of the reef you jump from the dive boat.

At the foot of the reef there is a sand plateau sloping to the north, which is already about 30 meters deep in the south. There are several sea fans in the south. Further north, an underwater canyon opens parallel to the reef. Due to its depth, it is not accessible to recreational divers.

Circumnavigating the reef is possible under favorable flow conditions. In the north there are countercurrents, but they can be overcome in a short time. On the west side, the current runs south.

Animals native to this area include turtles, surgeon fish, barracudas, and angelfish, as well as the occasional white tip reef shark.

Kitchen and accommodation

Meals are provided on the day boats. Accommodation can be found in Sharm esch-Sheikh or Dahab.

trips

The reef visit can be compared to other reefs in the Strait of Tīrān or other local diving areas of Sharm esch-Sheikh connect.

literature

• Siliotti, Alberto: Sinai Diving Guide: Part 1; German edition. Verona: Geodia, 2005, ISBN 978-88-87177-66-4 . Dive site 5.