Thomas Reef
A vibrant Red Sea dive site known for its stunning corals, abundant marine life, and thrilling drift dives. A must-visit for divers and snorkelers.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best light for photos
Thomas Reef
Best Time
Best light for photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant Red Sea dive site known for its stunning corals, abundant marine life, and thrilling drift dives. A must-visit for divers and snorkelers.
"Beautiful corals and fantastic marine creatures. A great spot also for those who do only snorkeling along the coral edge."
🎯 Go Early for Serenity
Arrive early to experience Thomas Reef with fewer crowds and better visibility for snorkeling and diving.
🤿 Drift Dive Ready
Be prepared for drift dives; currents can guide you along the reef. Keep an eye on your depth and follow your guide.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Coral Gardens
Sloping reef wall
Vibrant gorgonians and diverse coral formations create a stunning underwater landscape.
Marine Life Spectacle
Throughout the reef
Encounter shoals of unicornfish, triggerfish, moray eels, and potentially turtles.
The Canyon
30 meters from the main reef
A deeper dive option for experienced divers, offering a glimpse into the reef's dramatic topography.
Drift Dive Experience
Northward current
Enjoy a comfortable drift dive along the reef wall, guided by the gentle Red Sea currents.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Dive into the Depths
Best Time for Visibility
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Go Early for Serenity
Arrive early to experience Thomas Reef with fewer crowds and better visibility for snorkeling and diving.
🤿 Drift Dive Ready
Be prepared for drift dives; currents can guide you along the reef. Keep an eye on your depth and follow your guide.
📸 Capture the Colors
Mornings offer the best natural light for underwater photography, making the corals and marine life pop.
🤿 Technical Dive Options
Experienced technical divers can explore deeper canyons, with some reaching depths of 90+ meters.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Go Early for Serenity
Arrive early to experience Thomas Reef with fewer crowds and better visibility for snorkeling and diving.
🤿 Drift Dive Ready
Be prepared for drift dives; currents can guide you along the reef. Keep an eye on your depth and follow your guide.
📸 Capture the Colors
Mornings offer the best natural light for underwater photography, making the corals and marine life pop.
🤿 Technical Dive Options
Experienced technical divers can explore deeper canyons, with some reaching depths of 90+ meters.
🐢 Turtle Sightings
Keep an eye out for turtles; they are often spotted in this vibrant Red Sea ecosystem.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Thomas Reef is highly praised for its spectacular coral formations and abundant marine life, making it a top spot for both snorkeling and diving. Divers particularly enjoy the drift dive experience and the chance to see a variety of fish and even turtles. Some technical divers also explore its deeper canyons. While generally loved, managing the currents is key to a successful dive.
"Great place to dive, corals are fantastic and life is abundant."
J.
"Best place for snorkeling.. must try."
varsha kamat
"Very pleasant place to do a drift dive. Beautiful corals and fantastic marine creatures. A great spot also for those who do only snorkeling along the coral edge. Be there as early as you can because the area is pretty buzzy."
Ionut Pampu
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Thomas Reef is typically accessed by boat from Sharm El Sheikh. Dive centers and liveaboard tours offer excursions to this popular site. 
Yes, Thomas Reef is a common stop on boat trips and liveaboard itineraries in the Tiran Strait, offering excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities.
Boat tours departing from Sharm El Sheikh are the primary way to access Tiran Island and its renowned dive sites like Thomas Reef.
Direct boat services are usually part of organized dive tours or liveaboard packages, rather than individual public transport.
Travel time by boat from Sharm El Sheikh to Thomas Reef can vary, typically ranging from 1 to 2 hours depending on sea conditions and the specific departure point.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to Thomas Reef is typically included in the price of dive tours or liveaboard packages. You won't usually buy a separate entry ticket.
Thomas Reef is accessible during daylight hours for diving and snorkeling tours. Specific tour operating hours will vary.
Snorkeling is usually part of boat trip packages, and the cost is bundled. Individual fees for snorkeling access are uncommon.
You can book dive trips to Thomas Reef through local dive centers in Sharm El Sheikh or reputable online tour operators.
While not always explicitly stated, many dive operators contribute to marine conservation efforts, which indirectly supports sites like Thomas Reef.
🎫 🤿 Onsite Experience
Thomas Reef is best experienced through diving or snorkeling. It's known for drift dives, vibrant corals, and abundant marine life.
Yes, snorkelers can enjoy the coral edge and observe marine life from the surface, though diving offers a more immersive experience.
Expect to see shoals of unicornfish, triggerfish, moray eels, anemones, and possibly turtles. The coral formations are also a major draw.
The reef wall slopes down to considerable depths, with recreational diving often reaching 25-30 meters. Technical dives can go much deeper.
Yes, Thomas Reef is known for its currents, making it an excellent drift dive site. Divers should be comfortable with drift diving.
📸 📸 Photography
Mornings provide the best natural light, illuminating the vibrant corals and marine life for stunning underwater photos.
A good underwater camera with wide-angle capabilities and strobes is recommended to capture the reef's colors and marine life.
Look for the gorgonian sea fan forests, colorful anthias curtains, and opportunities to photograph triggerfish and other reef inhabitants.
Yes, turtles are sometimes spotted at Thomas Reef, offering fantastic opportunities for wildlife photography.
Managing currents and ensuring proper lighting in deeper sections can be challenging for photographers.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
When choosing a tour, look for operators that are family-friendly and can accommodate different skill levels. Ensure the boat has amenities for children, and consider bringing along kid-friendly snorkeling gear if possible. The sheer beauty of the Red Sea and the chance to see colorful fish can be a magical experience for young ones.
🐠 Scuba Divers
Technical divers will find Thomas Reef particularly appealing due to its deeper canyons and challenging depths. Sites like the canyon offer opportunities for advanced dives, pushing limits with trimix and rebreather configurations. Reputable dive centers in Sharm El Sheikh cater to both recreational and technical diving needs, ensuring a safe and exhilarating experience.
📸 Underwater Photographers
Be prepared for currents, as they can add a dynamic element to your shots but also require careful buoyancy control. The diverse topography, from the gorgonian sea fan forests to the anthias curtains, provides endless subjects. Don't forget to look out for turtles and other larger marine animals for those show-stopping images.
+1Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Diving Thomas Reef: A Technical and Recreational Haven
+1For the more adventurous and technically trained divers, Thomas Reef presents deeper challenges. Videos showcase dives exploring canyons and reaching depths of 90 meters or more, utilizing specialized equipment like rebreathers and trimix. These deeper sections offer a glimpse into a different realm of the Red Sea's underwater world, attracting a dedicated community of technical divers.
Whether you're a recreational diver seeking colorful reefs or a technical diver pushing depth limits, Thomas Reef offers a memorable experience. The currents, while requiring attention, contribute to a dynamic drift dive, bringing you past diverse coral formations and a plethora of fish species. It's a must-visit for serious divers exploring the wonders of Sharm El Sheikh.
Marine Life Encounters at Thomas Reef
+1Beyond the schooling fish, keep an eye out for triggerfish, which are commonly seen here, often swimming parallel to the reef. Moray eels can be spotted weaving between coral formations, and the presence of anemones close to the sandy plateau adds to the reef's biodiversity. Many visitors also express delight at spotting turtles, making for a truly special encounter.
The combination of healthy coral structures and the nutrient-rich waters of the Tiran Strait creates an ideal habitat for this diverse array of marine creatures. The clarity of the Red Sea further enhances the viewing experience, allowing for detailed observation and photography of the underwater inhabitants.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit