Snorkeling In Abu Dabbab Marsa Alam With Turtles And Dugong

Are you traveling to Marsa Alam? Then, don’t miss out on snorkeling in Abu Dabbab, where you can swim alongside giant sea turtles and maybe even dugongs!

This beautiful sandy bay has vibrant coral reefs and extensive seagrass meadows that attract many marine creatures into the area. By visiting this spot, you can observe not only the ordinary sea life of the Red Sea but also encounter species that are exclusive to this region. Whether you want to spend your vacation here or visit it on a day tour, we share all the information you need to know about the Abu Dabbab snorkeling site in this post.

About The Abu Dabbab Site

The U-shaped bay of Abu Dabbab is one of the largest sandy bottom beaches on the entire Marsa Alam coastline. The middle part of it has extensive seagrass fields, while its northern and southern ends are fringed by coral reefs (North Reef and South Reef). You can snorkel in the entire bay and even on the reef drop-off outside the bay if the conditions allow it.

The sea bottom gradually deepens towards the open sea. The water is about 2-8 m (6.5-26 ft) deep around the North Reef (this is the most beginner-friendly part of the bay), a bit deeper on the South Reef (5-12 m/16.4-40 ft), and approx. 6-16 m (20-52.5 ft) in the central. Outside the bay, a steep drop-off starts at 18-20 m (59-65.6 ft) and deepens up to 30-40 m (98.5-130 ft).

What makes Abu Dabbab one of the most popular snorkeling sites in Marsa Alam (besides its rich marine life) is that it is protected from strong wind and big waves thanks to the reef on its sides; therefore, it is possible to snorkel inside the bay even if the sea is rough outside the bay (however, such conditions might affect the visibility).

The water entrance to Abu Dabbab Bay is simple and straightforward; you can enter from the sandy beach and swim in the direction you want, either to the reef areas or towards the central seagrass fields.

The Malikia Resort has jetty access too (see on the Abu Dabbab snorkeling map). If you stay in this resort and enter the water via the jetty, you can first discover another snorkeling site, the Abu Dabbab Garden (shallow reef system with lagoons, caves, and canyons), then swim along the reef towards the bay.

What To See Underwater In Abu Dabbab?

Abu Dabbab is famous for its rich sea life. Thanks to the shallow waters, sandy, seagrass-covered bottom, and connection to deeper waters, you will find here some of the most preserved coral reefs of the Red Sea and a galore of marine creatures, including reef fish, sea turtles, rays, and the occasional dugongs.

Abu Dabbab Marine Life Sightings:

Dugong

The dugong (also referred to as “sea cow”) is a vulnerable marine mammal that only lives in a few places in the world. In Egypt, it can only be seen at a few places in the Marsa Alam region and Abu Dabbab is one of them, alongside the nearby Marsa Mubarak Bay, where sightings are the most frequent.

The bay has several resident dugongs, but local dive guides say they identified two that visit the site the most often. They name them Dennis and Dougal. Of course, they are not always “at home” but if you are lucky, you might bump into one of them when they come here to feed on seagrass.

Despite their size, dugongs are harmless and enjoy being around humans. Although, you should not chase or touch them.

Sea Turtles

Abu Dabbab is one of those few places to snorkel in Egypt where you are almost guaranteed to encounter sea turtles. According to the Red Sea Project non-profit organization, the bay has more than 100 resident turtles.

You will find here two common Red Sea turtle species, Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. Green turtles come to feed on the central seagrass meadows, while hawksbills are usually seen around the reef as they eat coral and sponges.

The Abu Dabbab turtles got used to the presence of divers and snorkelers; they are not shy and don’t swim away. However, they will allow you to approach them, respect their habitat. Observe them and the accompanying remora fish from a safe distance.

Leopard Ray, Cowtail Ray, And Guitarfish

The sandy sea bottom makes the bay ideal for stingrays who regularly rest and feed in the central part of the bay. Besides the common ray species (blue spotted ribbontail and eagle rays), you can see in Abu Dabbab Leopard ray, Cowtail ray, and also guitarfish, which is, however, called a fish (or sometimes even guitar shark), in fact it is a ray.

Reef Fish

The bay hosts a variety of reef fish species. You can see butterflyfish, surgeonfish, lionfish, titan triggerfish, barracudas, anemonefish, angelfish, damselfish, and parrotfish, to mention a few species.

If you like looking for camouflage species, you can find scorpion fish and stonefish too. Moreover, moray eels, ghost pipefish, and seahorses can also be seen in the bay.

Where Is Abu Dabbab?

The Abu Dabbab Bay lies about 35 km (22 miles) north of Marsa Alam town and 30 km (18 miles) south of Marsa Alam International Airport. If you are coming from Hurghada, expect a 3-hour transfer to Abu Dabbab as the distance is 250 km (155 miles) between them.

Is It Free To Visit The Beach?

Guests staying in the bay’s hotels can access the beach for free. Non-hotel guests can enter the beach through the paid section. The entrance fee is around 10 EUR (12 USD). Here, you find a selection of snack bars and bazaars, and there are cabanas/sunbeds to rent for daily visitors to have comfort.

Snorkeling Tours

Excursions to Abu Dabbab are offered from Marsa Alam and also from Hurghada. Tours can be booked through local tour operators and online; we prefer this option as there is a wider selection available online, so we choose one that fits our schedule and budget the most. Tour prices start from 40-45 EUR (45-50 USD), depending on your pick-up location and what the tour includes.

As mentioned, it is also possible to visit the bay individually, arrange your transfers, pay the entrance fee, and enjoy this fantastic snorkeling site.

Hotels

The best way to experience the stunning sea life of Abu Dabbab is by staying at one of the onsite hotels. You have the following three choices:

Malikia Resort Abu Dabbab (Former Sol Y Mar)

The Malikia Resort has the best location for snorkeling in Abu Dabbab, as you can enter the water directly from the shore and through a jetty. This hotel is excellent for family vacations; kids can have fun in the waterslide park or enjoy activities organized by the animation team, while adults can relax on the sandy beach, which is just a short walk from the rooms. The hotel staff is polite, helpful, and always there to ensure you have a great time.

Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort

This pretty Nubian-style resort is situated on the north side of the Abu Dabbab. It provides direct access to the bay; you can get to the beach through a well-maintained garden.

Whether you just want to relax, enjoy the breathtaking view, or stay active with snorkeling, diving, or playing volleyball, the Hilton Nubian Resort will provide everything you need for a perfect holiday. The name, Hilton, guarantees a high service level. Choose this resort if you seek a luxurious all-inclusive resort in Marsa Alam!

Abu Dabbab Lodge

The Abu Dabbab Lodge is the best option for those who seek budget-friendly accommodation or don’t like resort-style hotels. Its bungalow-style rooms are simple, but spacious and clean. The Abu Dabbab Lodge is a typical “come as the guest leave as a friend” place. An excellent choice for divers too!

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