Fanous East and Fanous West are a pair of fringing reefs 35 minutes north of the marina, sitting roughly 200 metres apart. Both are easy diving · max 22 m, no current, healthy hard coral, friendly fish life. Less famous than El Fanadir (15 minutes further north) but closer to the marina, so we run them on shorter days when wind cuts the boat schedule. Open Water and above.
- Depth
- 5-22 m
- Visibility
- 15–22 m
- Season
- Jan - Dec
- Boat ride
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- Open Water+
Fanous East & West
The plan of the reef
On the chart
Fanous East & West
35 min from the marina
Topography and dive profile
Two parallel reefs running north-south. Fanous East has the deeper outer wall facing the open sea (drops to 22 m). Fanous West is the shallower sheltered side (max 15 m), used as the second dive of the day for the gentler profile. We typically dive Fanous East in the morning then move 200 m across to Fanous West for the afternoon dive · same boat, no return to the marina between dives.
What you'll see
- ◇Schools of fusiliers
- ◇Trumpetfish
- ◇Octopus
- ◇Resident moray
- ◇Stingrays
Who it suits
All certification levels. Fanous West (sheltered, max 15 m) is fine for Open Water beginners and refresher dives. Fanous East (outer wall, max 22 m) suits Open Water and above.
When the captain runs this site
When the captain runs the close-to-marina rotation (typically half-days when wind cuts the longer trips), Fanous East and West are the standard pair. Standard 2-tank day rate. Often used as backup when conditions push us off El Fanadir.