On Egypt’s African coast is the El Quseir el Qadim Marine Reserve. The former harbour of an ancient city, it contains one of the richest coral reefs in the Red Sea.

Since 1995 it has provided eco tourists with the possibility to dive on a natural coral reef. Unlike other regions in the Red Sea, the reef has so far escaped the damage that diving tourism usually brings and today provides a habitat for a large variety of rare species.

Particularly in the evening, large shoals of coral fish leave their hiding places and take advantage of the last rays of sunlight to forage for food as the twilight offers them protection. Just before sunset, the light in the caves and crevices of the reef is ideal for taking photographs. Diving in this underwater maze is permitted only with a local guide.

Yellow Fin Tuna hunt in the deep water off the outer edge of the reef and as quickly as they appear, they disappear again into the blue.

For the study of fluorescence as well as ecological tourism, this is the ideal place to be. As a strictly-controlled conservation area, El Quseir el Qadim Bay should have a secure future.