Why dive in Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam offers some of the Red Sea's healthiest coral reefs, reliable megafauna encounters, and far fewer divers than Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh. The coastline stretches over 200 km south of Hurghada, with offshore reefs, protected bays, and house reefs accessible directly from shore.
You can expect year-round visibility of 20-40 m, water temperatures between 22 °C in winter and 29 °C in summer, and encounters with dugongs, green sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and — seasonally — oceanic whitetip sharks. Whether you are completing your PADI Open Water or chasing advanced drift dives at Elphinstone Reef, the region delivers.
Compare & book Marsa Alam dive trips
Red Sea Quest connects you with verified local suppliers offering day trips, multi-day packages, and liveaboard itineraries departing from Port Ghalib Marina and coastal jetties along the Marsa Alam hotel strip. All listings include transparent pricing, free cancellation policies where stated, and reviews from past divers.
Browse Marsa Alam dive tripsBest dive sites in Marsa Alam
Elphinstone Reef
The Red Sea's most celebrated wall dive. Elphinstone is an offshore reef roughly 20 km from the coast, reached in about 20 minutes by fast RIB from the nearest jetty. Sheer drop-offs descend beyond 100 m on both sides of a 375 m-long reef plateau, and oceanic whitetip sharks patrol the northern and southern tips between October and January. PADI ranks it among the world's top ten dive sites. This is an advanced site — strong currents and open-water conditions make it unsuitable for beginners.
Abu Dabbab Bay
Located approximately 34 km north of Marsa Alam town, Abu Dabbab is one of the most reliable spots in the world to encounter dugongs in shallow water (4-10 m). The sandy bay also hosts green sea turtles and guitar sharks. It is ideal for intro dives, snorkellers, and Dugong watching excursions.
Marsa Mubarak
A sheltered bay just south of Abu Dabbab, Marsa Mubarak offers seagrass beds where dugongs and turtles feed. Shore entry is easy, making it popular for Open Water students and snorkellers joining Dugong watching boat trips.
Dolphin House
A horseshoe-shaped reef enclosing a lagoon where pods of spinner dolphins rest during the day. The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency limits daily visitor numbers and prohibits diving inside the inner lagoon — snorkelling only in the resting zone. Boat trips depart from Port Ghalib Marina.
Fury Shoals & Sataya Reef
A chain of reefs and lagoons south of Marsa Alam, best accessed by full-day boat or liveaboard. Sataya Reef (the "Dolphin Reef") hosts a resident pod of 50-100 spinner dolphins. Fury Shoals offers pristine coral gardens, swim-throughs, and excellent macro life.
Shaab Marsa Alam & house reefs
Many resorts between Port Ghalib and Hamata have direct house reef access. Shore diving from these coral-fringed beaches is included in most dive-centre packages and suits all levels.
Best time to dive: seasons, visibility & marine life
Marsa Alam is a year-round diving destination. The table below summarises seasonal highlights:
| Season | Water temp | Visibility | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar–May | 23–26 °C | 25–40 m | Hammerhead sharks at Elphinstone, manta rays, calm seas |
| Jun–Aug | 27–29 °C | 20–30 m | Warm water, turtle nesting, coral spawning |
| Sep–Nov | 25–28 °C | 30–40 m | Oceanic whitetip sharks arrive, peak visibility |
| Dec–Feb | 22–24 °C | 20–30 m | Fewer crowds, whale shark sightings possible, cooler winds |
Dugongs and green sea turtles are present year-round at Abu Dabbab and Marsa Mubarak. Oceanic whitetips are most reliably seen at Elphinstone from October through January.
Day diving vs liveaboards: which is right for you?
| Factor | Day trips from shore/boat | Liveaboard (5–7 nights) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Beginners, mixed groups, short stays | Advanced divers, remote sites |
| Sites reached | Abu Dabbab, Marsa Mubarak, Elphinstone, Dolphin House | Fury Shoals, Sataya, St. Johns, Hamata Islands, Deep South |
| Dives per day | 2 (typical boat trip) | 3–4 |
| Typical price | $45–$90 per person for a guided 2-dive boat trip | $700–$1,500+ per person for 5–7 nights |
| Logistics | Hotel pickup, return same day | Departs Port Ghalib or Hamata; all meals included |
Day trips suit most visitors. Liveaboards unlock the Deep South reefs that are too far for a day boat — Fury Shoals, Sataya, St. Johns, and the Hamata Islands.
Prices, trip lengths & what's included
Guided 2-dive day trips from Marsa Alam typically cost $45–$90 per person, including boat transfer, guide, tanks, weights, and lunch. Equipment rental (BCD, regulator, wetsuit) adds roughly $20–$25 per day if you do not bring your own.
Liveaboard itineraries in the Marsa Alam / Deep South region run 5–7 nights and start from approximately $700–$1,500+ per person depending on vessel class and season. Most liveaboards include full board, 3–4 dives daily, tanks, weights, and guide. Nitrox and equipment rental are usually extra.
Multi-day shore-based dive packages (3–5 days) offer volume discounts and are available through local dive centres along the coast.
Browse Marsa Alam dive tripsPractical tips: experience level, transfers, equipment & rules
- Certification required: Most boat dives require PADI Open Water or equivalent. Intro dives (Discover Scuba) are available at Abu Dabbab and resort house reefs for uncertified divers.
- Transfers: Marsa Alam International Airport is roughly 60 km north of Marsa Alam town. Port Ghalib Marina is about 5 km from the airport. Most Marsa Alam dive trips include hotel pickup from resorts between Port Ghalib and Hamata (up to 90 minutes south).
- Equipment: Dive centres supply full rental gear. Bringing your own mask, computer, and wetsuit improves comfort.
- Marine park rules: Sha'ab Samadai (Dolphin House) has a daily visitor cap and zoning rules enforced by the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency. Touching coral or marine life is prohibited at all sites.
- Currents: Elphinstone and Fury Shoals feature strong drift currents. A minimum of 30–50 logged dives is recommended for these sites.
