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Torfi, Wadi Gamal

Torfi, in the Wadi Gamal Protectorate, isn't always on the standard Marsa Alam itinerary, and that's precisely why we love it. This is a site where you slow down, properly look, and let the reef reveal its nuances. Our favourite time to dive here is early morning, when the light plays beautifully through the water and the reef feels quieter, more intimate. The topography itself is intriguing; a series of coral bommies and small pinnacles rise from a sandy bottom, creating perfect little hideouts. We’ve spent whole dives just combing the sandy patches for the smaller stuff – the smooth mouthed topshells and rough ridged tellins that blend in so perfectly. Keep an eye out in the seagrass beds for elusive creatures; we’ve had luck spotting the Snowball Chama and the shy Lamellose Wentletrap here. The Hairy Scorpionfish are masters of disguise amongst the corals, often taking a moment to actually discern them from their surroundings. While whale sharks and dolphins are recorded here, those are lucky encounters. We come to Torfi for the macro, for the satisfaction of finding that delicate Feathered Cone, or the surprisingly vibrant Carnelian Cowry tucked away. This is a dive for the patient observer, for those who appreciate the smaller details over the big pelagic theatre. It’s a photographer’s dream if you’re into nudibranchs and crustaceans, offering a more reflective, less rushed experience than some of the region’s busier sites.