A seawater inlet within the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea straddles Egypt’s eastern coast, travelling down past Sudan and Eritrea; all the way to the north tip of Djibouti, separating North East Africa from the Middle East.
Roughly 2250km long and 355km at it’s widest point, it has a maximum depth of 3,040 m (9970 ft), but is also noted for it’s extensive shallow shelves, which are renowned for their spectacular coral reefs.
Made up of over 200 coral species, these reefs extend along the red sea coastline for 2000km; being made up largely of stoney Acropora and Porites coral that are up to 7000 years old.
These ancient coral reefs of the red sea are known for their remarkable heat tolerance and resilience to climate change.
As a result, much of the reef here is in spectacular condition. This gives way to epic marine biodiversity.
With over 1200 species of fish…10% of which are found nowhere else; the red sea is a truly unique place to go scuba diving.
Bluespotted stingrays and crocodile fish are everywhere, whilst lionfish to, float through the water in abundance. Plus, there’s many nudibranchs, flatworms and pipefish to thrill critter seekers.
It is also home to over ten shark species, including Hammerhead Sharks, Whale Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Tiger Sharks and Leopard Sharks.
Manta Rays are frequently spotted by divers in addition to Green Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles as well as the rarer Leatherback Turtles and Olive-Ridley turtles.
Divers also have a good chance of spotting Dolphins, of which 8 species are regularly seen in a variety the sites described further below.
There is even a small population of Dugong in the Red Sea, of which a few individuals can be sighted off the coast off Abu Dabbab.