The Zahhab Region is the final main stage unlocked in Endless Ocean 2. Though the player briefly swims through the Echoing Terrace during the en-medias-res intro, the stage is not open to be explored until near the end of the main story. Regarded as a diver's paradise, it is the home of many tropical fish and lots of large animals, such as whale sharks and gray whales.
Although the Zahhab Region's default music is shared with Gatama Atoll and Ciceros Strait, "One World" by Celtic Woman will play in the background after opening the Echoing Terrace during the main story, both underwater and aboard the boat.
In-Game[]
Loading Description[]
"This area off Egypt's east coast sports a breathtaking coral reef. Divers come from far and wide to explore its shallows and depths, while others gather here to watch whales all year round."
Notebook Description[]
“About six hours south of the Egyptian port city of Hurghada by boat, access to this area is extremely limited. It is close to Luxor and filled with ancient ruins. The word “Zahhab” means “gold” in Arabic.
The region boasts beautiful, nearly translucent waters, but it is right next to the open sea, making it a treacherous place for divers who don’t take proper precautions."
Dive Points[]
Coral Valley.
The locations from which the player can enter the water from the boat in this area are:
- Coral Valley (B7)
- Twin Crevasses (E4)
- Long Fissure (D2)
- Super Drop-Off (G2)
Spots[]
Coral Valley[]
This spot in the southern Zahhab Region covers a huge area, and is home to many of Zahhab's tropical fish. It gets its name because of a small gorge that goes through it, only a few feet deeper, and the gorge floor is covered in sand. There is a small rocky "island" in the middle of the gorge.
Twin Crevasses[]
These huge gorges in the central Zahhab Region get between 550 and 600 feet deep. They are guarded by a pod of gray whales (replaced by a lone sperm whale at night), and all of the coins needed to complete the Voyages of the Argo quest are in this area. Entering either crevasse leads to the Zahhab Region Depths.
Aquarius Corner[]
Aquarius Corner.
Though this spot consists only of a few barrel sponges, a very large group of tropical fish inhabit the area, including miniata groupers, sea goldies, and many others. There are also many zoom spots here.
Long Fissure[]
This huge crack in the ocean floor in the northern Zahhab Region is largely populated by green sea turtles. Great white and tiger sharks appear in this area, exclusively during portions of the "Save the Aquarium" sidequest. If you peek into the fissure, you can see a huge cave below...
Stone Castle[]
This bedrock formation gets its name from its hollowed-out appearance and the array of coral decorating it. King and emperor angelfish make their homes around here alongside leopard whiprays, while the Caiman Relic can be found resting inside.
Super Drop-off[]
This huge cliff runs from the northern end of the Zahhab Region map to the southern end. A sandy ramp gently leads down toward it, until it abruptly stops and drops downward 30,000 feet. The legendary white whale Leviathan can be seen patrolling this vast cliff, replaced by a regular sperm whale at night.
Open Sea[]
Venturing out beyond the Super Drop-off leads to the Open Sea. Within this vast, empty expanse, you'll encounter some striped marlins; and farther than that, you'll eventually find a pod of orcas, including one befriendable specimen. After collecting all of the zodiac coins, the legendary and mysterious Cameroceras will appear out-of-bounds in the southeastern corner of the stage.
Landmarks[]
Echoing Terrace[]
This cave-like landmark is cut out of the side of the Super Drop-off. At the back of the terrace, there used to be a bronze door, until L&L (R&R) Diving Service blew up the door and revealed what was behind: the Stone Cavern Entrance, and therefore, the Cavern of the Gods. The area is heavily populated with whales and dolphins when it is first discovered, though none of them are permanent residents.
Cavern of the Sun[]
Cavern of the Sun.
This small cave in the side of the Super Drop-off is guarded by a lone zebra shark, as well as a bartail flathead, and contains the skeletal remains of a sea turtle. After the player has found the Solar Coin, they will be able to find the Turtle Shell, a special diving tank, in the back of the cave; this completes the quest "Guidance of Apollo". This cave is also the resting place of the Bedouin Treasure.
Mushroom Rock[]
Located near Long Fissure, this landmark is named after a large, mushroom-shaped protrusion in the surrounding bedrock, surrounded by coral. A huge whale shark patrols the area accompanied by several remoras, pilotfish, and golden trevallies, but only after the completion of a certain Special Request.
Animal and Event Scenes[]
When diving in this stage with Hayako Sakurai, the player has the option to replay previously viewed scenes by talking her. The scenes available for the Zahhab Region are as follows:
Animal[]
- Whale shark
- Gray whale
- Sperm whale
Event[]
- Marguerite formation: Unlocked by bringing the orca partner back to its pod to the southeast of the map. It is the only part of the game where juvenile sperm whales are encountered.
- Sea turtle egg laying: Viewed as part of the "Save the Aquarium" quest.
- Sea turtles hatching: Viewed as part of the "Save the Aquarium" quest.
Story Significance[]
The Zahhab Region itself serves little purpose to the story, mainly existing as a way to access the stage's two sub-stages, which are more relevant to the story. The region is initially travelled to in order to recover the third lapis lazuli pendant from the wreck of the HD-9 submersible, lying within the Zahhab Region Depths. After it has been obtained, and Jean-Eric can finally come to terms with the death of his son, L&L Diving Service return to Nineball Island to examine the three pendants together.
The Stone Cavern Entrance.
After fitting them together to form the Dragon Flute, Hayako will attempt to analyze it. The topographical information inscribed on the flute matches that of the map of the circular earth found in Valka Castle, and seems to point towards Long Fissure, a large crevasse in the Zahhab Region.
Upon investigating Long Fissure, there is a cave underneath it visible, with seemingly no way to reach it. Heading to the Echoing Terrace will provide a clue, however: though it is blocked off, using the Multisensor on it indicates that there may be bronze in the bedrock, and a "bronze door" is rumored to be guarding the Pacifica Treasure. With this lead, Oceana Louvier brings some underwater explosives down to be placed around the terrace, at which point the player must return to the boat so the explosives can be activated. After doing so, the same scenario as depicted in the en-medias-res intro plays, with L&L having uncovered the Stone Cavern Entrance - the entrance to Cavern of the Gods.
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- Whenever the player dives in this region, the creatures they can find on the loading screens include striped marlin and blackfin barracuda.
- This region is one of only two in the game to house more than one species of rideable whale, the other being the Weddell Sea. Unlike that area, though, the whales found here vary by time of day. Rideable whales of all types can be found in the open sea at the beginning of Chapter 6, although none of these can be interacted with.
- It also has the largest number of rideable creatures out of any map in the game, at a total of four.
- The Zahhab Region is the only map in the game to have more than one dive spot available to the player from the start.
Dive Points:
Super Drop-Off • Coral Valley • Twin Crevasses • Long Fissure
Spots:
Coral Valley • Twin Crevasses • Aquarius Corner • Long Fissure • Stone Castle • Cavern of the Gods • Super Drop-Off • Open Sea • Northern Crevasse • Southern Crevasse • Stone Cavern Entrance
Landmarks:
Mushroom Rock • Cavern of the Sun • Echoing Terrace
Spots:
Secret Passage • Chimney Forest • Osiris's Courtyard • Northern Crevasse • Southern Crevasse
Landmarks:
Giant's Lair • Northern Cavern • Southern Cavern • Twin Caves
Spots:
Pillars of Light • Pillars of Shadow • Celestial Mausoleum • Stone Cavern Exit
Landmarks:
Altar of Isis • Altar of Horus • Altar of Osiris • Altar of Nephthys • Subterranean Reception Room