A lionfish at Abu Dabbab Bay, near Marsa Alam, where we stayed for a week. All photos were taken at Abu Dabbab, unless noted otherwise
Lionfish are common at Abu Dabbab, but only in the afternoons when they come out from hiding
Green turtles are also very common at Abu Dabbab. They seem virtually oblivious of people
A school of unicornfish swim by in the background
The sohal surgeonfish is not shy and can be aggressive when protecting its turf
A blue spotted stingray and a lionfish
Turtles feed on the sea grass in Abu Dabbab Bay
Red Sea clownfish
Indo-Pacific sergeants. They hang about in large schools and are quite friendly
More Indo-Pacific sergeants
We took a small boat to the next bay to snorkel with this local dugong
A well-camouflaged tassled scorpionfish (centre, left) and a lionfish (seafloor) while diving at Marsa Shouni Kebir
A well-camouflaged and very venomous stonefish (centre) while diving at Marsa Shouni Kebir
Fine corals (diving at Marsa Shouni Kebir)
This titan triggerfish swam beside me for a minute or so
If only these bannerfish had behaved for the camera (they never do)
Unlike bannerfish, freckled hawkfish are easy to photograph - they just sit still on the coral
A bluetail boxfish - the only one I saw
A cornetfish and beautiful coral
Finally, after many attempts, a decent photo of the rather shy coral trout
Cassie swimming with a green turtle
Giant clams, including a baby
A giant clam and a pipefish (centre), close relative of the seahorse
Fish soup
Remoras, or suckerfish, cling to turtles using a suction plate and feed on their parasites and waste
Swimming with this turtle was a special way to end a great week at Abu Dabbab
