At the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba, Ras Hamid is an exciting dive not only for its plenitude of marine life and startlingly clear waters but also for its undersea antiquity. In 2020, divers discovered a number of coral-covered clay jars lying on the seabed just 14m below the surface. The jars, which were miraculously intact, have been tentatively dated between 2,000 and 2,500 years old and are believed to hail from the Mediterranean, offering an intriguing insight into the Red Sea’s historic trade network. One of the jars contained what archaeologists suspect were ballast stones, which provided stability for merchant vessels.

If the possibility of discovering another piece of ancient seafaring history doesn’t fire up the imagination, Ras Hamid’s outstanding marine life certainly will. Descend just a few metres to discover a stunning landscape of beautifully coloured hard and soft coral formations that buzz with activity. Whether it’s a titan triggerfish tearing at the coral, a lionfish going about its business, or a clownfish playing hide-and-seek in sea anemone (Actiniaria), it’s a rich ecosystem full of diversity and colour. There’s already lots to see even at the 10m coral garden, but be mindful of the current, which becomes especially strong at low tide, around noon.

Reef sharks are nearly always spotted at Ras Hamid, though keep an eye out for the lesser-known zebra shark. While pups have stripes covering their bodies, in adulthood their markings transform into small black dots. These distinctive sharks tend to be fairly docile creatures that prefer to rest on the ocean floor, facing the current.