The Red Sea ecosystem is made up of a number of mammals, such as dolphins, pilot whales and sea cows; fishes ranging from whale sharks to the tiny anthias; and invertebrates covering the crustaceans, corals, slugs and shells. Turtles and several species of sea snakes represent the reptiles; plankton suspended in the water completes the food chain.

Many marine life forms have developed symbiotic relationships; these can entail a division of chores as with the blenny and the blind shrimp where the former guards the home and the latter cleans house. Or they can be plain parasitic as with the remora that attaches itself to a shark's underside, feeding on shreds slipping from the shark's mouth but not offering the host anything in return. The clown fish and anemone, the moray eel and barber fish, the list goes on of different species depending on each other for food, shelter, "personal hygiene" or safety.

The Coast:
There are five basic coast configurations in the Red Sea:
- "Dahar" meaning the back in Arabic refers to a straight line of shallow reef table ending with a sheer drop off, this is the most difficult type of shore to dive from and is almost inaccessible during low tide.
- "Sharm", meaning a crack or cut in Arabic is a V-shaped opening in the reef table with the widest part pointing out to the sea. Sharms usually open up to a somewhat deep sandy bottom. In many cases a tunnel runs under and along the axis of the sharm with an "man-hole" opening at the apex. When it is wide enough for a diver to swim through, this tunnel provides a convenient entry point.

- "Marsa" or resting-place is a wide sheltered bay with a shallow sandy bottom that slopes gradually down into the sea. Marsas are natural anchoring sites for boats; they provide the easiest type of access for divers both from a boat or from the shore.

- "Ras", meaning head in Arabic is a foreland or simply a cape. Diving is usually done from the lee side of a ras.

- The last and rarest type of shore outline is called "Bir" (pronounced "beer") and meaning a well in Arabic. A Bir is a deep vertical pool in the reef table that is usually connected to other similar ones and eventually leading out to the open sea. A system of Birs can be very complex but provides for exceptional diving due to the clarity of the water and the almost total lack of current (except when crossing between one pool and another!).

Offshore reefs and islands:
Islands abound in the Red Sea; understandably, many have wrecks around them as with the famous Abou Nahas reef and the Brothers' Islands (Al Akhawein).
Offshore reefs are simply submerged islands, when lying close to the coast these are named after the overland natural landmarks they are facing. One such example is Elphinstone reef called "Sho'ab Shagra" in Arabic. In this case, a mountain called "Gabal Shagra" several kilometers inland is dominating "Wadi Shagra" which was formed over the millennia by flood water pouring down from the mountain and into the sea. Where the rainwater reaches the sea, a sandy bay was formed, named "Marsa Shagra". The mountain, wadi, marsa and offshore reef are all lying in a straight line.

Around the islands and offshore reefs of the Red Sea marine life is remarkably rich and varied; local "dwellers" mix with pelagic "passing-by" species. This is where you are likely to sight schools of Hammerheads, dolphins and Manta rays together with turtles, Moray eels and the lurching Stonefish.
Many islands are listed as "protected areas" where diving requires special permits; very strict rules apply in such cases mostly on boat specifications, duration of stay and number of boats using the site at the same time. Several anchoring buoys have been installed, preventing damage to the reef caused by traditional anchors.

Scuba diving in the Red Sea is a truly unforgettable experience; warm weather, crystal clear waters and the richness of the ecosystem make it a choice destination for divers from around the world. The bulk of marine life is found at relatively shallow depths, allowing for longer, warmer, clearer and safer dives.

It's the end of the day; the captain has found a sheltered bay on the lee side of one of the islands and anchored the boat for the night. The humming of the diesels is now replaced by the gentle clapping of wavelets on the hull, the wind has dropped to a bare whisper and the boat is rocking softly.
You are relaxing on the deck with other divers sharing your experiences of the day, someone suggests a night dive, and the cook is preparing a freshly caught barracuda for dinner.

There are some good moments in life.