This reef comes with several names: Torfa El Fanous (meaning "reef with a beacon"), Dolphin Reef or Dolphin's Playground. Whatever name you give it, it's a narrow strip of reef surrounding a large lagoon to the north-west of Giftun Kebir. On its east end a wide channel splits the reef from the mainland and on its slopes are a coral garden and three colourful pinnacles. It takes 45 minutes to an hour to get there.

Sea Conditions: Inside the lagoon is always calm though the north side of the reef is exposed to the weather. The current splits on the outer (north) reef and runs east and west,so you could drop in at the beacon and drift easily back through the channel.

Dive Plan: Head out at about 15m taking in Erg 'A' (see illustration), the coral garden and Erg "B" (the glassfish erg). Take in the gorgonians on the corner before turning back.

Marine Life: It is not uncommon to see a pod of 5 or 6 dolphins here even when diving. Turtles, bluespotted rays, eagle rays, jacks and barracuda also reside here. What makes the dive site particularly interesting though are the rarities such as pegasus living on the sand, an occasional frogfish and an even more rare stargazer.