Ras Abu Helal

Ras Abu Helal, whose name translates as "Cape of the Growing Moon," is a shore dive located approximately 3 kilometres south of the Canyon site in Dahab, on Egypt's Red Sea coast. It is also known as "Little Canyon" or "Small Canyon," a nickname earned by a straight split in the reef wall that drops to around 30 metres on the western side. The site features a semi-circular sandy lagoon at 7–12 metres depth, flanked by compact reefs, which opens into a coral garden of vibrant hard and soft corals before the reef slopes into deeper water. At the technical level, the canyon proper begins at around 45 metres and continues to 60 metres or beyond, running parallel to the shore with chambers, vertical drops, and swim-throughs that give an almost cave-like atmosphere.

The coral garden surrounding the lagoon holds Lionfish, Groupers, Triggerfish, Unicornfish, and Butterflyfish, with Turtles appearing occasionally. The reef extends into a second immersed bay with a sandy seabed where the dive typically ends; the deeper canyon section, while dramatic, is considered less rewarding than the coral garden above it.

Entry is from shore, descending directly into the shallow lagoon and keeping the reef to the left as you head out to the reef. The site demands high tide for entry and especially for exit, and calm, wind-dependent surface conditions are essential. Visibility can reach 30–40 metres in good conditions. A strong north current is present, and the site is significantly less visited than neighbouring sites partly because suitable conditions are infrequent.