Abu Dabbab Bay, Marsa Alam: Snorkelling with Turtles (and Maybe a Dugong)

If there's one place on the Red Sea where you're almost certain to swim with a sea turtle, it's Abu Dabbab. In this wide, sandy bay north of Marsa Alam, green turtles graze on meadows of seagrass just a few metres below the surface, often only a short swim from the beach. For many visitors to Marsa Alam, it's the highlight of the whole holiday.

This guide explains how the bay works, where to swim, the best time of day, what it costs, how to behave around turtles and dugongs, and how to get there.

Abu Dabbab at a glance

How the bay works

Abu Dabbab is a sheltered, sandy bay inside the Abu Dabbab marine protected area. The middle of the bay is covered in seagrass meadows – food for the turtles. Coral reefs border both ends of the bay, often called the north and south house reefs, with fish, moray eels and lionfish.

You enter the water from the sandy beach. Swim straight out from the middle of the beach to reach the seagrass and the turtles; swim towards the ends of the bay for the reefs. In the turtle area, the water is usually 2–4 metres deep and very clear on calm days.

Snorkelling with turtles

Green turtles spend most of the day calmly grazing on the seagrass, surfacing every few minutes to breathe. Float quietly above, watch them tear at the grass, and wait for the moment one drifts up past you for a breath. It's a slow, peaceful encounter – which is exactly why it must stay that way.

Rules for turtles (and dugongs):

• Keep at least a few metres away; never touch, chase or ride a turtle.
• Never block a turtle's way to the surface – they need to breathe.
• Don't stand on the seagrass or stir up the sand.
• Don't crowd around an animal; give it space and move on after a few minutes.
• Follow the instructions of the beach guards and snorkel guides.

Dugongs: a rare bonus

Abu Dabbab became famous in the 2000s for a resident dugong, a gentle sea cow that grazed in the bay. Sightings have become rare in recent years, and the dugong population of the Red Sea is small and vulnerable. If you're lucky enough to see one, keep calm, stay back and never swim over or in front of it. Other bays around Marsa Alam, such as Marsa Mubarak, also report occasional sightings.

Best time to go

• Early morning (before 10:00) and late afternoon are the calmest and least crowded times – before and after the tour buses and boats.
• Calm days give the best visibility; strong wind stirs up the water.
• Water temperature ranges from about 22–23°C in winter to 29–30°C in late summer; a rash vest or shorty wetsuit is useful in winter.

Hotels at Abu Dabbab

Several hotels sit directly on the bay, including Malikia Resort Abu Dabbab and the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort. Staying there means free access to the bay and the chance to snorkel early before day visitors arrive. More hotels lie along the coast a short drive north and south.

For an overview of the area, hotels and nearby beaches, see the Abu Dabbab area guide on Marsa Alam Voyage, an independent encyclopedia of the Marsa Alam coast.

Getting there

Abu Dabbab is about 30–40 minutes by car from Marsa Alam International Airport and about 30 km from Marsa Alam town. There's no public transport, so you'll need a taxi, a hotel shuttle, an organised trip or a pre-booked transfer.

• From your hotel: many Marsa Alam hotels sell half-day trips to Abu Dabbab with transport, entry and a guide.
• Independently: take a taxi, agree the fare (including waiting time) in advance and pay the beach fee at the entrance.
• From the airport: if you're staying at Abu Dabbab, book a private transfer so a driver waits for you outside arrivals.

You can book a fixed-price transfer from Marsa Alam Airport to Abu Dabbab online.

What to bring

• Mask, snorkel and fins (also available to rent on the beach)
• Reef shoes for walking in over sand and rock
• Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a rash vest
• Cash in euros or Egyptian pounds for the beach fee and drinks
• An underwater camera – but no flash

Planning more of your trip? Our Marsa Alam travel guide covers the ten best experiences on the coast, our Port Ghalib guide explains the marina near the airport, and Hurghada vs Marsa Alam vs Sharm el-Sheikh helps you compare resorts.