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A pair of beautiful diagonal butterflyfish pose over the reef during sunset. These fish are endemic to the Red Sea
 

With the Red Sea being surrounded by desert on all sides, anyone unfamiliar with the Indian Ocean inlet might assume it would follow suit. However, those in the know—or those who have visited, of course—understand the Red Sea to be among the world’s premier diving destinations. The region offers an exceptional combination of vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life, both large and small, and some of the best underwater visibility on the planet. 

That combination is a siren song for underwater photographers. Healthy soft corals, massive schools of spawning fish, and colorful clouds of buzzing anthias create endless opportunities for striking wide-angle images. At the same time, macro lovers will find the region equally as productive. Subjects such as blue-belly blennies, lemon gobies, frogfish, and the uber-venomous stonefish are all world-class macro subjects. Slowing down on the reef can be just as rewarding as photographing the expansive reefscapes. The greatest photographic challenge is often not finding subjects, but simplifying compositions amid the incredible abundance of life or choosing the right lens before the dive! 

Beyond its reefs and critters, the Red Sea is home to some of the world's most iconic shipwrecks, the legendary SS Thistlegorm being chief among them. Its remarkably preserved wartime cargo offers a unique opportunity to combine history with underwater photography, and the motorbikes and trucks in the holds have become famous in the underwater community. 

Whether the goal is shooting dramatic reefscapes, capturing compelling marine life images, or exploring historic wrecks, the Egyptian Red Sea offers an extraordinary range of photographic opportunities. With healthy reefs, approachable marine life, and generally easy dive conditions, it’s easy to see why this spot has earned its reputation as a bucket-list destination for divers and underwater photographers alike.
 

A hawksbill turtle munching its way up a healthy coral and sponge-encrusted wall
 

Dive sites like Shark & Yolanda Reef are famous for giant schools of fish like these spadefish
 

A spectacular reef, dripping with sea fans, sponges and anthias, is a common sight in the Red Sea
 

While the Red Sea is known for its soft corals, the hard corals are nothing to sneeze at and are well worth photographing
 

A lionfish patiently hunts a reef wall, waiting to slurp up some some tasty anthias
 

A monster school of Bohar snapper dwarfs an underwater photographer
 

A diver explores the stern of the SS Thistlegorm, perhaps the most famous wreck in the entire Red Sea
 

One of the famous motorbikes on the much-loved Thistlegorm wreck
 

A tightly-formed school of glass swirl en masse in a small cavern on the wreck
 

A damselfish illuminated by sunrays cutting into a rocky swimthrough
 

The Red Sea is also home to some wonderful macro subjects like the charismatic (and shockingly venomous) reef stonefish
 

A classic macro subject, the Red Sea anemonefish contrasts wonderfully against the bright blue tropical water
 

A classic Red Sea scene: a colorful school of anthias milling about a stunning soft coral
 

Two diagonal butterflyfish shelter beneath an overhanging table coral
 

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