Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Lionfish
These have poisonous spikes like stonefish. Calamine lotion, antihistamines
and analgesics may reduce the reaction and relieve pain. Some swear by the application of
urine!
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Jellyfish
Sometimes occurring in enormous groups, jellyfish can be something of a
scourge of warm waters. Depending on the species, their sting can be very painful. The
best remedy is to douse the rash with vinegar.
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Sharks
In this part of the Gulf of Aqaba, you're most likely to encounter white- or
black-tipped reef sharks. Tiger sharks, and the enormous, plankton-eating whale sharks,
are generally found only in deeper waters. Attacks from these apex predators are ex-
tremely rare in this area but obvious common sense applies if you have a bad cut or bleed-
ing wound.
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Coral
The cuts from coral are notoriously slow to heal. Make sure you clean wounds
thoroughly to avoid infection. Unlike the cold waters of northern seas, subtropical seawa-
ter is full of troublesome organisms that can cause serious infection.
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Crown of Thorns Starfish
Known as COTS, these invasive starfish feed on and kill
local coral. Divers should notify their divemaster if they spot them.
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Other Creatures to Avoid
Moray eels, sea urchins, fire coral, blowfish, triggerfish
and turkeyfish are also better left alone.
