reef

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Rainbow reef

Alright, Dahab. We’re often asked about sites beyond the Canyon or Blue Hole, and Rainbow Reef usually comes up. Forget the Fiji namesake, this Egyptian Rainbow is a quiet stunner. Entry is a mellow shore stroll, usually from the Bedouin Camp just north of town, which we always appreciate when gearing up. Drop down and you're greeted by sprawling fields of hard corals, mostly stony acropora and brain corals, reaching up towards the light. The reef here feels ancient, a mature ecosystem. We’ve had some cracking encounters with Rusty parrotfish, their teeth scraping the coral audibly as they feed. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too, like the Arabian Blenny poking its head out from tiny crevices, or a shy Klunzinger’s wrasse darting between the branches. We particularly love the late afternoon light here, when the sun angles just right and paints the reef in soft, warm hues. It’s a gentle drift, perfect for long bottom times and really soaking in the details, rather than rushing from one thing to the next. This site is a solid pick for divers who appreciate healthy, extensive coral gardens and a relaxed pace. Expect to see plenty of common reef fish and the occasional surprise, like a patrolling bottlenose dolphin if you’re lucky, though we generally manage to miss them.