Panorama Reef (also called Abu Alama, “Father of the Mast”) is one of the largest and most famous offshore reefs in the Safaga area and the northernmost of the Panorama–Middle–Abu Kafan chain. It is an elongated, oval reef lying on a northwest–southeast axis with sheer walls and two key plateaus: a dramatic north plateau and a slightly more sheltered south plateau. The reef rises from depths greater than 400 m to just below the surface and offers panoramic views of vertical walls, coral‑covered slopes, and open blue water that regularly attracts pelagic fish and sharks. Because of the depth, exposure, and often strong currents, Panorama Reef is recognised by operators as one of the Red Sea’s classic advanced–expert sites rather than a beginner‑friendly reef.
The crossing to Panorama typically takes 60–90 minutes and can be very rough, as boats often take wind and waves on the beam on the way out. Once there, moorings on the southwest/south side give some shelter, but the reef itself is fully exposed to open‑sea conditions. The current comes from the north most of the time (around 90–95%), can be very strong on the north plateau, and then splits, rushing down either side of the reef; up‑ and down‑currents are possible at the plateau edges. Visibility is generally excellent (20–30 m), but sea state and current strength can make entry, exits, and drifts demanding, which is why this site is recommended only in suitable weather and for experienced teams.
A classic advanced dive is the north‑plateau drift. You start from a live‑drop or zodiac drop up‑current of the north plateau, descend to about 20–30 m, and explore the plateau with its coral heads before letting the current carry you along the east or west wall. After the plateau, you follow the sheer wall past gorgonians and soft corals, keeping one eye on the blue for pelagics as you progressively shallow up toward 10–15 m and then into the 5–10 m zone near the southwest “anemone city” for your safety stop. The south plateau can be dived from the moorings, starting around 18–20 m and extending down to roughly 30–35 m where it drops into the abyss, with several pinnacles and a chimney area decorated with huge gorgonians and a famous anemone field; from there, you return along the wall back to the boat. All dives are planned as one‑way multilevel drifts with careful gas and no‑deco management, and both plateaus are only attempted when current and sea state are within safe limits
The north plateau is renowned for big‑fish encounters: schools of surgeonfish and unicornfish, large barracuda, giant trevallies, and frequent sightings of whitetip and grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and sometimes silvertips or oceanic whitetips, plus visiting dolphins; turtles are seen all around the reef. The south plateau hosts resident Napoleon wrasse, moray eels, crocodilefish, scorpionfish, blue‑spotted rays, and a dense “anemone city” of 50–60 anemones with their clownfish. Along the eastern wall and plateaus, divers encounter forests of giant gorgonian fans and rich soft‑coral growth, with clouds of anthias and fusiliers providing the classic Red Sea wide‑angle scenery. The combination of dramatic topography, strong current, and pelagic traffic is what makes Panorama Reef one of the standout advanced–expert dives in the Safaga region.
The reef tops about 2–6 m. The north and south plateaus are roughly 15–35 m
Advanced–expert. Strong currents, blue‑water descents, and deep plateaus require solid experience
Most northerly of the Safaga offshore reef chain, about an hour by boat from Safaga/Soma Bay
Approx. 22–24 °C in winter, 23–25 °C in spring, 27–29 °C in summer, 26–28 °C in autumn (Safaga offshore averages)
From coast: Around 60–90 minutes by boat, weather‑dependent; it is not a 20‑minute local site.
