REEF ECOLOGY DIVES

Dahab’s coral reefs host one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, a full underwater community teeming with life. As divers, we are privileged to be able to observe the unique behavioral nuances of the aquatic world firsthand. But oftentimes – when it comes to corals, fish, and other forms of marine life – divers lack the knowledge and understanding as to what exactly they are witnessing beneath the surface.

That’s where our Reef Ecology Dives come in.

Reef Ecology is the study of relationships between living organisms found on coral reefs and their interactions with the natural and human environment. Using coral reef ecology as a foundation, we designed a series of marine education-focused dives for certified divers looking to enrich their dive experience and discover more about the fascinating behaviorisms of marine inhabitants.

Whether you’re interested in exploring the mannerisms of nocturnal marine species, being able to identify different types of coral, learning about the venomous adaptations of certain aquatic species, or want to delve into the behavioral habits of symbiotic species; we’ve created a variety of ecological topics for all divers – no matter your experience level or interests.

Each Reef Ecology Dive session includes one classroom presentation followed by one ecological dive where we seek out the species/interactions discussed. We conduct a maximum of 2 Reef Ecology dives per day. Drop us an email with your requested dates and the dive topics you are interested in signing up for and we will do our best to accommodate you. You can browse our topics on offer below:

1. The -isms: Symbiotic Relationships

Much like the cities we live in, coral reef habitats host entire communities of species living and working together. Sometimes they play nice – sometimes not so much. This ecology dive explores the complex relationships between various local marine organisms and shows the perils and benefits of the 3 -isms; mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism.

2. Creatures of the Night

As the sun sleeps and the moon awakens, so does a new kind of underwater world. One less familiar, more colorful, and enticingly mysterious. Grasp a better understanding of the marine species that come out to play after dark and then explore the nocturnal realm for yourself on our Creatures of the Night ecological dive!

3. Coral Biology 101

What exactly is a coral? How do reefs form? What are the different kinds of corals? Why are they important? This ecological dive serves as the perfect introduction to corals, the ecosystems they build, and why it’s imperative we protect them.

4. Ichthyology 101

There are plenty of fish in the sea isn’t just a metaphor for your dating life. Over 33,000 species are found worldwide, making fish identification quite the feat. This session makes it easy by teaching you the basics of fish taxonomy. Learn the characteristics of common fish families found here in the Red Sea and further afield so you can classify any fish, anywhere.

5. Meadows of the Sea

Often overlooked for coral-rich reef plates, seagrass meadows are the underdog of ocean habitats. This ecological dive aims to change that. Seagrass substrates are home to some of the sea’s most compelling (and downright delightful!) creatures – from the elusive seahorse to slithering snake eels, the camouflaged pipefish to peculiar sea cucumbers and of course everyone’s favorite sighting – the green sea turtle. Join us as we seek out all these and more!