The Red Sea – Day 5: The Lighthouse
THE RED SEA
Day 5: The Lighthouse
June 26, 2024
Another day, another three dives at Daedalus Reef. It was practically more of the same – in the best possible way.
We dropped in beside those same dramatic walls, drifting past soft corals, gorgonians and clouds of anthias while constantly scanning the blue for something big. By now, Daedalus had become this strange mix of familiarity and suspense. Every shadow in the distance could’ve been a shark, a manta, or maybe something else we wouldn’t even expect.
And then, finally, there it was: a grey reef shark cruising in the distance, sleek and effortless, making an appearance after having eluded us thus far. It wasn’t as dramatic as the longimanus coming right up to us, but there was something so elegant about the way it moved. Also, it looked so, so smooth. Kinda like a 3D render coming to life!
I guess that’s what made Daedalus so special. It wasn’t just about ticking off the stuff we had wanted to see – it was about the other things we didn’t even know we could encounter!
Daedalus - From Above
As much as we were loving the dives, we were equally thrilled when Aladin told us we’d be going on a short land excursion.
The small landing area on the reef led to Daedalus Lighthouse, which was first established in the 19th century and later rebuilt and refurbished over the years. The lighthouse still operates today, guiding ships through this remote section of the Red Sea.
Our climb to the top rewarded us with a stunning panoramic view of the reef’s turquoise shallows and the endless deep blue beyond – a completely different perspective after spending the previous few days observing it from below. From up there, the reef looked impossibly small – just this tiny ring of coral in the middle of endless blue – and yet beneath it was an entire world we had barely begun to understand. If that’s not privilege, I don’t know that is!
Underwater Vision Lives On
After this, Amelia and I performed our usual tradition – a photoshoot donning our finest Underwater Vision divemaster T-shirts. Then came more sunbathing, beer-guzzling and yet another fantastic sunset as we all chatted away on deck.
Leaving Kurt, Karl and Amelia singing I Am from Austria by Rainhard Fendrich to their hearts’ content, I found myself indulging in a conversation with Frieda, who told me all about her plans to go and work in Antarctica as a friggin’ dive guide. Sometimes, I genuinely find myself thinking that I’m leading such a boring life compared to other people. And saying this sounds completely bonkers, because I know I have a super interesting life.
So many things to do, so many things to be – in such little time. While emergency medicine is as interesting as a job can be, I’d still occasionally find myself thinking about all the other things I’d be missing out on. I’d probably never get to explore outer space. I’d never get to the deepest point in the ocean. So many nevers… But that’s life, huh? One can’t really have it all. And that’s okay, I guess. After this, Amelia and I performed our usual tradition – a photoshoot donning our finest Underwater Vision divemaster T-shirts. Then came more sunbathing, beer-guzzling and yet another fantastic sunset as we all chatted away on deck.