Gordon Reef is the southernmost of the four reefs that rise from the floor of the Strait of Tiran, and it is the one most boats use to begin the day. A wide sandy lagoon sits inside the reef, sheltered and shallow, which makes it an easy entry and a comfortable place to find your weighting before moving to the more demanding reefs to the north.

The wreck of the Loullia, a cargo ship that grounded on the reef in 1981, sits broken on the northern rim and marks the site from the surface. Below it, the reef slopes into deeper water where whitetip reef sharks rest on the sand and turtles move through the coral. The drop-off on the eastern side catches current and brings the chance of a grey reef shark cruising the blue.

Gordon is the gentlest of the four, but the channel still moves water. Watch the drop-off, stay with the reef on your shoulder, and keep an eye on your computer when you follow the wall down.