Thomas Reef

The four central reefs of the Strait of Tiran, Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas and Gordon, are named after the 19th-century English cartographers who drew the first nautical chart of the region. Thomas Reef owes its reputation to a canyon that opens parallel to the reef, beyond a double line of gorgonians, and is crossed by three arches. The plateau is covered in large Dendronephthya, gorgonians and whip corals, along with black coral and the spiral Cirrhipathes. Whitetip reef sharks are seen on most dives. In summer, passing pelagics tend to show up, among them very large tuna.