Egypt
Panorama Reef is also known as Abu Alama, "Father of the Mast", after the concrete pillar that marked the north end of the reef and was replaced by a modern automatic beacon. This still-active beacon is a 9 m hourglass-shaped fiberglass tower, yellow with a black band at the top, mounted on a stone pier and showing a quick-flashing white light.
The north plateau, which requires calm weather, is known for its pristine hard coral gardens and vibrant soft corals. There are great mountain corals, large table corals and thousands of anthias, as well as tables of acropora and gorgonians. Along the edge of the plateau grow forests of gorgonian fans and black corals.
Black jacks, tuna and barracudas are frequent on the north side. Schools of fusiliers and unicorn surgeon fish also appear, and turtles pass by the plateau. Reef sharks are regularly encountered on the north and south plateaus, and encounters with dolphins are no rarity.
Information on this page, including technical data such as depth, current, visibility, access, and recommended level, is informational and may vary. Confirm actual conditions with a local operator before the dive.
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Reviews are from other divers — personal experiences, not guarantees.