You can find Egypt’s coral diving paradise in the Ras Mohammed National Park

Whale sharks swimming through the waters of Ras Mohammed National Park. — Ocean Image Bank/The Ocean Agency

The stonefish rests on a slope 28m deep, unimpressed by the divers who float down from above like astronauts. Only when one produces his camera does it stir and turn its back on him, sending sediment trickling to the seabed.

Fish and other sea creatures seem quite indifferent to the many humans who plop into the Red Sea day after day with their clunky equipment – in stark contrast to the delighted gesticulations of the tourists as they explore Egypt’s underwater realms.