Abu Dabbab Bay Marsa Alam guide for British travellers. Wild sea turtles, dugongs, calm shallow water. Pay on arrival with South Coast Egypt since 1998.
What Makes Abu Dabbab Extraordinary
Abu Dabbab Bay sits approximately forty kilometres north of Marsa Alam town on Egypt’s southern Red Sea coast. It is a sheltered, shallow bay with a seagrass-covered floor — and that seagrass is the reason for everything that makes this place remarkable. Seagrass is the primary food source for both sea turtles and dugongs, and Abu Dabbab contains one of the densest seagrass meadows on the Egyptian Red Sea coast.
The result is one of the most reliable wild sea turtle encounters in the world. Green turtles and hawksbill turtles feed here throughout the day. The water is shallow enough — typically one to three metres at the snorkelling sites — that even non-confident swimmers can observe them without difficulty. The bay is wind-protected and calm, with visibility regularly exceeding ten metres.
The Dugong: Egypt’s Rarest Marine Encounter
Dugongs are large marine mammals — relatives of the manatee — that feed exclusively on seagrass. They are critically endangered globally, and Abu Dabbab is one of a tiny number of places in the world where encounters with wild dugongs are possible for ordinary snorkellers. Sightings are less predictable than turtle encounters, but they occur regularly throughout the year.
If you are snorkelling at Abu Dabbab and a dugong appears, the correct response is to stop moving, float still, and observe. They are slow, gentle creatures and will often continue feeding within a few metres of quiet human observers. Experienced guides will position the group appropriately to maximise the likelihood of an encounter without disturbing the animal.
Getting to Abu Dabbab from Hurghada
Abu Dabbab is located south of Hurghada — approximately three hours by road. This means it is most naturally visited as a day trip from Marsa Alam itself, or as a full-day excursion for travellers staying in Hurghada who want to combine the journey with other Marsa Alam highlights.
Day trips from Hurghada to Abu Dabbab typically depart very early — around five or six in the morning — to allow sufficient time at the bay before the return journey. This is a long day, but for the experience of swimming with wild sea turtles, the consistent verdict from British travellers is that it is entirely worth it.
The Marine Reserve Rules at Abu Dabbab
Abu Dabbab is protected under Egyptian national park regulations. Several rules apply to all visitors and are enforced by the national park rangers who are present on site. No touching of turtles or dugongs — or any marine life — under any circumstances. No standing on the seagrass. Reef-safe sunscreen only. No feeding of any animals.
These rules are not bureaucratic formalities — they are the reason Abu Dabbab remains in the condition it is. The turtles here are habituated to human presence because they have never been harmed by it. Operators who brief their groups properly on these rules, and guides who enforce them in the water, are doing something genuinely valuable for the ecosystem. Choose your operator accordingly.
What to Expect on the Day
Arrival at Abu Dabbab is typically mid-morning after the drive from your base. The national park entrance fee is included in most excursion packages. Your guide leads the group to the snorkelling entry point — a shallow sandy area where turtles are usually visible within minutes of entering the water.
The snorkelling session typically lasts sixty to ninety minutes, after which lunch is served — either on the beach or at one of the small restaurants adjacent to the bay. A second snorkelling session in the afternoon is often possible before the return journey. The total time at Abu Dabbab is usually three to four hours.
Combining Abu Dabbab with Other Marsa Alam Experiences
Marsa Alam offers several other exceptional marine experiences that can be combined with an Abu Dabbab visit or booked as separate day trips. Satayah Dolphin Reef is a coral atoll approximately fifty kilometres south of Abu Dabbab where resident pods of sixty to eighty spinner dolphins can be encountered while snorkelling — a different and equally extraordinary experience to Dolphin House in Hurghada. Hamata Islands, further south still, offer pristine reef snorkelling in completely undeveloped surroundings.
For divers, Marsa Alam has some of the finest dive sites in the world. Elphinstone Reef — a pinnacle site accessible from Marsa Alam — regularly hosts oceanic whitetip sharks and is considered one of the top ten dive sites globally.
Booking Abu Dabbab with South Coast Egypt
We operate Abu Dabbab day trips from both Hurghada and Marsa Alam. WhatsApp us with your hotel name, arrival date, and group composition. We confirm availability, send you clear pricing, and arrange collection from your hotel. You pay on the day of the trip only. No deposit required.
We have been operating Marsa Alam excursions since 1998. Our word is contract.
Our word is contract. WhatsApp us: wa.me/201100163333 | southcoastegypt.com
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