Red Sea Coral Reef Project

The Red Sea is one of the most important repositories of marine biodiversity in the world representing the highest diversity in any section of the Indian Ocean. The unique geological and climatic characteristics of the Red Sea provide ideal conditions for coral growth. The warm water and absence of fresh water runoffs provide suitable conditions for coral reef formation adjacent to the coastlines.

In the northern Red Sea, the coast is fringed by an almost continuous band of coral reefs, which physically protects the shoreline. Further south the shelf becomes much broader and shallower and the fringing reefs gradually disappear and are replaced with shallow, muddy shorelines. Coral reefs become more numerous in the offshore parts of this coast.

Coral reefs are perhaps the Red Sea’s most distinct and sensitive habitat, by far supporting the greatest biodiversity in the area. The coral reefs of the Red Sea are composed of more than 200 species of scleractinian corals. Over 600 species of fish in the Red Sea live and depend on the coral reef, as well as many other pelagic species during migration seasons. Coral reefs in the Red Sea also seem to be more resistant to climate change in comparison to other coral reefs worldwide making their study even more essential nowadays.


The goals of Red Sea Coral Reef Project are:

• To introduce you to the coral reefs ecosystem and diversity, their ecology, different reef types and structures.
• To raise awareness on the threats they face and their conservation status as well as on the code of conduct and best practices for diving and water sports.
• To recognize the importance of coral reefs and their conservation. As well as to provide you with opportunities to participate in coral reef monitoring and citizen science programs.