Marsa Alam, Egypt - Dugong photos

[SimonJ]

Just got back from a week in Marsa Alam in Southern Egypt...did not get all that much time for photos as I was doing the resuce diver course. I did though come across this amazing animal...

Dugongs are part of the same family of sea cows as the Manatee, but they are found in the Red Sea and across the Indo-Pacific region.

I have a short video clip of it feeding as well... http://www.simonandmerith.com/marsaalam2004/dugong/dugong.wmv

Not really had the time to edit the photos as I would like, but will post a few more over the next few days from other dives :10:

 

[justleesa]

Cool!!!! Looks like he's been ding'd a'couple a times. I bet that was a special moment

 

[SimonJ]

Yeah...he was certainly not lacking in scars. I guess they have trouble with boats and the like. Shame they are fantastic creatures.

 

[Jason B]

Thanks for sharing.
I have had some wonderful dives with manatees, they are such docile creatures (and they love a belly rub!).

 

[Dee]

Very cool. So much like the manatees here. Looks like they have the same problem with boats, too.

 

[Scubapauly]

Wow in all the times I've been to the Red Sea I didn't know you could find Dugongs there. Never even heard any of the guides talking about them. Wicked pics and video well done.

 

[Gilligan]

Great pics Simon and a great encounter as well.

 

[alcina]

Excellent encounter!

We get dugongs here, but they are seldom happy enough to let anyone in the water with them. Any photos at all are good photos of these creatures!

 

[Azotomix]

I was there also on 11th June. It was the last day of the cruise and could no dive as next day we were taking the flight. We snorkel but could not see the Dugongo. We saw however a huge 100 years old Sea Turtle (1.5-2 m house). Did you see it. I did not have with me the camera but was very nice...

Lucky you for the Dugongo

 

[SimonJ]

Hi Azo...did not see the turtle as I was doing my rescue diver that day as well. The others went out on a second dive and I understand saw a huge turtle as well. Sounds like the same one.