It all happens in a fraction of a second, the blink of an eye that passes between entering the water, with the hand protecting the mask and regulator from the impact with the water, obstructing the view, and the moment when the eyes open wide to the wonder, leaving you breathless.
It's an epiphany.
In the Mediterranean, the diver is like an ascetic, a wanderer crossing a desert of turquoise waters, where the cold nips at the skin and marine life is rare and precious, a hidden treasure among the folds of the rocks. The waters of the Mediterranean hide their creatures like jealously guarded secrets. An octopus camouflaging among the rocks, a school of sardines darting away quickly, a starfish clinging tenaciously to its rock.
The Red Sea seems to belong to an alien world, unveiling a teeming world of life under the surface to the childlike euphoria of its new visitor.
Beneath the surface, a breathtaking world unfolds, a kaleidoscope of wonders. The corals, with their bizarre shapes and vibrant colors, stand like underwater cathedrals, studded with a thousand living jewels. The hard corals, with their branching and imposing structures, create intricate labyrinths where marine life finds refuge. The soft corals, on the other hand, sway gently, almost dancing to the rhythm of the currents. Their colors range from bright red to deep purple, passing through all shades of orange and pink. These underwater gardens, pulsating with life, seem to come straight from a divine artist's palette.
The fish, in a seemingly infinite variety, dart among the coral formations like notes in a symphony of colors. Every movement is a dance, every glance a discovery. Butterflyfish, with their yellow and black livery, move in pairs, performing intricate ballets among the coral branches. Angelfish, with their floating fins and vibrant colors, soar through the water like celestial spirits. Clownfish, with their orange and white stripes, hide among the tentacles of anemones, protected by their stinging hosts. The anemones sway sinuously, creating a safe and at the same time dangerous refuge, their soft and flexible arms embracing the clownfish with an almost maternal hug. Moray eels peer out with their seemingly threatening demeanor in unknown quantities and sizes in our sea. Under a rock, a blue-spotted stingray darts away, stirring up sand particles that sparkle in the turquoise water pierced by the sun's rays.
A pufferfish waddles along the bottom with its somewhat silly smile, but only for a few meters; it can calmly rest on the sandy seabed in full view, aware of the lethality of its poison.
You linger a moment to admire the mimetic marvel of a scorpionfish, almost imperceptible as it lounges on a stone blending in with the colors and shapes of the corals, when the expert eye of the guide spots a stonefish, whose sullen mask blends in with the surrounding rocks; its presence betrayed only by a slight pulsation of the gills.
A serene-looking octopus emerges from a crack in a rock, slithering sinuously and almost posing for the camera, but its gaze betrays another intent, it is not performing, it is judging you harshly.
Every second brings a new thrill in your chest, you don't have time to marvel at the sight of a snake eel slithering among the corals finding unimaginable paths when someone tugs at your arm to show you a small pod of dolphins quickly passing through the blue wall.
The first day slips away between a dive full of emotions and a boat break caressed by the warm wind of Egypt, until the afternoon comes and it's time to board the cruise.
Below, a video edited without frills, color grading, lights, and bells, just to give a neo-realistic impression of the diving experience. I know you're used to the sugar-coated videos of Instagram and TikTok, but I don't have too much time to waste.
To be continued...
Operational notes
The dives in Hurghada were conducted in October 2022 with Dive UK Hurghada, a highly recommended and professional dive club.
The water temperature in the Red Sea in October averaged 30 degrees Celsius, with no thermocline, so even at a depth of 30 meters, the water temperature remained constant; for the dives, I recommend a 5mm wetsuit.
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