panorama Reef North

Panorama Reef North is the northern tip of the Panorama Reef complex, one of the most popular offshore reef systems accessible from Hurghada in Egypt’s northern Red Sea. The northern point acts as a current junction where water from multiple directions converges, producing the productivity and marine diversity the site is known for.

Overview

The northern tip of Panorama Reef is characterized by a pronounced reef point where the reef narrows before dropping away on both sides. Coral cover here includes dense hard coral gardens on the reef top transitioning to steeper walls below 10 meters, dropping to sand at 25 meters. The converging currents at this tip carry plankton and nutrients that sustain large populations of reef fish and attract regular visits from larger pelagic species. Visibility typically sits between 20-35 meters.

Site Information

• Location: Red Sea, Egypt (south of Hurghada)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 25 meters
• Typical Visibility: 20-35 meters (65-115 feet)
• Current: Moderate, can strengthen at the tip
• Best Time: September to May

Marine Life

The northern tip is particularly productive for fish watching. Large schools of snapper and fusiliers orbit the point, pursued by trevally and barracuda. humphead wrasse are habituated to divers at this site and sometimes approach closely. Whitetip reef sharks rest on the sandy bottom between 18-25 meters. Turtles, both hawksbill and green, are frequent visitors to the reef top. The coral heads in the shallows support clownfish, butterflyfish, and dense anthias shoals.

Dive Profile

Anchor on the northern mooring and descend to the reef top. Follow the point eastward or westward depending on current direction, descending gradually to 20-25 meters before working back toward shallower water. The tip itself, where the two faces meet, is the most productive zone — spend time hovering here if the current is manageable. Ascend along the reef top and complete your safety stop at 5 meters.

Entry and Exit

Boat access from Hurghada or day trips from El Gouna. Giant stride entry with descent on the mooring. Deploy SMB before ascending from your safety stop depth for boat pickup.

Tips and Recommendations

• The tip of the north point is best dived when there is some gentle current to attract schools and pelagics
• Check both sides of the point for whitetip reef sharks resting on sandy patches
• humphead wrasse at this site are often friendly — respect their space but enjoy the encounter
• Start your dive at the point and drift back along whichever face offers better conditions

Safety Considerations

Current strength at the point can be variable and increases with tidal cycles. If current becomes too strong, signal your buddy and abort to the protected face of the reef. Always carry an SMB for drift ascent situations. Maintain situational awareness of your position relative to the boat mooring.

Photography

The reef point is ideal for wide-angle fish portraits — humphead wrasse will often pose for photographs. The dense school aggregations at the tip create impressive wide-angle opportunities. Coral heads in the shallows have good color and detail for reef macro and close-focus wide-angle work. Shoot toward the blue water off the point for silhouette schooling fish images.

Sources: Divezone - Red Sea, Dive the World - Egypt Red Sea, Red Sea Scuba Diving, PADI - Diving in Egypt. Last updated 2026-04-04.