Abu Helal

Also known as: Ras Abu Helal · Small Canyon · Little Canyon

Ras Abu Helal, whose name means headland of the crescent moon, lies some 3 km south of the Canyon, and divers enter from shore into a semicircular sandy lagoon at about 7 to 12 m. Keeping the reef on the left, they explore a broad ridge whose garden of hard and soft corals is the main attraction and is in pristine condition because the site is visited far less than its neighbours. Lionfish, groupers, triggerfish, unicornfish and big pufferfish are common, schools of young barracuda and Napoleon wrasse appear, and turtles come to feed on the corals. Further out the reef slopes into the blue to a narrow, winding crack at about 30 m, the Small Canyon, which has few exits and is left to technical divers, while recreational divers stay in the garden and circle back to the lagoon. Diving is only possible at high tide and in calm weather, and a strong northerly current can build while the tide is falling.