Of the over a thousand species of fish in the Red Sea, nearly 800 can be found in the Gulf of Aqaba. It begins at the Strait of Tiran, extending leisurely over 177 km, measuring between 19 and 27 kilometers in width, and reaching depths of up to 1835 meters. Here, one encounters colorful fish of all sizes, from the yellowmouth moray to the majestic Napoleon wrasse, barracudas, clownfish, and the peculiar anglerfish. Also, poisonous inhabitants like the lionfish, stonefish, and well-camouflaged scorpionfish call this place home. For fans of macroorganisms, there is a festival of colors with many colorful nudibranchs, including the elegant Spanish dancer or the pajama nudibranch.

At the reefs off Dahab, you can encounter two species of turtles: the loggerhead sea turtle and the green sea turtle. Off the coast, dolphins are regularly seen, including the common dolphin and spinner dolphin, as well as eagle rays and bluespotted stingrays, which tend to stay in shallower areas. The coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba are unique—they withstand the challenges of water warming, carbon dioxide emissions, and ocean acidification with remarkable resilience, attracting the interest of scientists worldwide. There is hope that our corals near Dahab can contribute to preserving and restoring this diversity and uniqueness of coral reefs worldwide.

Coral-lined steep slopes in every imaginable shape and color, providing shelter and food for fish—the Gulf of Aqaba has undoubtedly become one of the best diving spots in the world. To protect and preserve this unique underwater world, the motto is:

“Leave nothing but bubbles, take nothing but photos (and trash)!”