General Information Paradise Reef lies just 600 m away from Umm Chararim and forms the southern end of the long group of reefs. It is also known to the Egyptians as “Orabi“, named after local fishermen. The 120 m wide reef measures 930 m from north to south and provides safe moorings, which, though suitable, are seldom used for overnight stays and night dives. Altogether, few boats come here, since most of them head further north to Umm Chararim making it seldom crowded. Because of its shallow depth and generally weak currents, the reef offers easy dives.
The diving takes place at the southern side of the reef directly below the moorings 1. The long western and eastern sides feature few corals and are unspectacular, whereas the rugged southern side features recesses, overhangs and small arouks, as well as a lagoon with a splendid coral garden A. The southernmost tip of the reef has caverns A and small caves, visible even from the boats, which lead a short distance into the reef and cannot be compared to the more complex deep caverns of Umm Chararim. A coral garden A grows next to the recesses nearby. To the east, past a few short curves of the reef wall, the corals gradually become sparse before forming another final cluster A and then thinning out completely. The surrounding seabed lies at a depth of 16 to 18 m and features the usual coral rocks A, some beautifully encrusted, where, as along the reef walls, damselfish, butterflyfish, and sometimes even turtles swim about
