Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt

Laguna Reef

Laguna Reef sits at the southern entrance of the Strait of Tiran, just south of Gordon Reef, and is a shallow coral plateau that drops to a sandy bottom around 25 metres. Currents are usually mild and the reef is sheltered from the strong tidal flow that animates the four main Tiran reefs, making it a popular site for training, check-out dives, night dives and macro photography. The shallow plateau supports excellent hard coral cover, with anthias clouds, butterflyfish, parrotfish, masked pufferfish and the occasional torpedo ray on the sand. Octopuses are common at dusk, and Spanish dancers (Hexabranchus sanguineus) emerge on night dives. Visibility 20–25 metres. Inside the Ras Mohammed and Tiran protected area.