Early days of the Red Sea brought to life

A new publication by one of the Red Sea tourism industry’s founding fathers brings the early years of the region to life in vivid detail.

The paperback edition of Treasures, Shipwrecks, and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving by Howard Rosenstein has just gone on sale from Dived Up Publications.

The Red Sea, Straits of Tiran and Gulf of Aqaba have been busy shipping routes for centuries, which is why they are peppered with lost antiquities and wrecks from long ago.

Rosenstein was one of the first to see the potential of scuba diving tourism for the Sinai and northern Red Sea area, after a passage on a ship in the late 1960s. Back then, the area was largely desert with a few Bedouin settlements at best, not to mention some disputed territory.

Nevertheless the lush coral reefs and marine life clearly enthralled young Howard, who began his long journey to help develop the area into the huge draw for scuba divers and snorkellers that we know today.

His acclaimed memoir, Treasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving, is a visual feast, showcasing over 200 stunning images above and below water by legendary photographer David Doubilet, the author and others.

This book explains how a makeshift diving school in a train carriage has morphed into world class resorts at the forefront of global dive tourism.

Rosenstein’s narrative weaves together thrilling underwater adventures, historical discoveries (from Roman coins to unmapped reefs), and encounters with a fascinating cast of characters, including underwater legends and world leaders.

Witness how his passion for the underwater world not only shaped a generation of divers but also subtly influenced the delicate peace process of the region. This is a story of adventure, discovery, and the enduring allure of the Red Sea.

Treasures, Shipwrecks, and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving by Howard Rosenstein is available now from Dived Up, with a British Diver review to follow shortly.