Dive Site: Abu Dabbab

About Abu Dabbab

Abu Dabbab stands out as one of the Red Sea's most celebrated dive destinations, particularly notable for being a rare location where divers can encounter the endangered dugong. The bay is home to at least two resident dugongs, affectionately known as Dennis and Dougal, providing a unique wildlife interaction opportunity. Beyond these gentle giants, friendly giant green sea turtles are a common sight, often allowing for close, personal encounters. The site itself is characterized by a sandy bay with minimal current and shallow depths, typically not exceeding 18 meters. This makes it an ideal spot for divers of all experience levels, including beginners. While the primary draw is the large marine life, Abu Dabbab also offers excellent macro subjects, such as the ornate ghost pipefish, rare thorny seahorse, and the delicate hairy pygmy pipehorse, enriching the dive experience for photographers and keen observers alike. The bizarre-looking but harmless guitar shark can also be spotted in the shallower areas. Despite sometimes having lower visibility due to the sandy bottom and popularity, the abundant and approachable marine life makes Abu Dabbab a captivating and special location. It's a must-dive for anyone visiting Marsa Alam, offering rewarding experiences for both scuba divers and snorkelers. The ease of access from shore further enhances its appeal, allowing for flexible dive planning.

Dive site facts: Abu Dabbab

Depth

0–18 m

Typical dive

12–18 m, 50–60 min

Current

None

Visibility

10–20 m

Water temperature

21–30°C

Entry

Shore

Level

All levels

Dive type

Reef, sand, macro, large pelagics

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Marsa Alam, Red Sea

Coordinates

25.334, 34.736

Conditions & Currents

Abu Dabbab is celebrated for its exceptionally calm conditions, as it is situated within a sandy bay that experiences no significant current. This makes it an ideal site for all levels of divers, including beginners, who can enjoy a relaxed and easy dive without concerns about being swept away. Entry is typically from the shore, further simplifying the dive logistics. While visibility can sometimes be reduced due to sand stirred up by diver activity or natural movement, the absence of strong currents ensures a stable underwater environment. There are no notable thermoclines or surge to contend with, allowing for comfortable and extended bottom times. Divers should be mindful of boat traffic when surfacing, although the bay's sheltered nature generally keeps this to a minimum.

Marine life & sighting chances

Dugong

occasional

Green Sea Turtle

common

Guitar Shark

occasional

Ornate Ghost Pipefish

occasional

Thorny Seahorse

rare

Hairy Pygmy Pipehorse

occasional

Napoleon Wrasse

occasional

Moray Eel

common

Lionfish

common

Clownfish

common

Blue Spotted Ribbontail Ray

common

Spinner Dolphin

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Abu Dabbab typically begin with an easy shore entry, either directly wading in or from a small boat directly into the sandy bay. The dive route usually follows the gentle slope of the sandy bottom, which gradually descends to a maximum depth of around 18 meters. Divers will explore the seagrass beds where dugongs and green sea turtles are frequently observed foraging. The dive proceeds along the bay, focusing on areas with coral patches and bommies that host a variety of reef fish and macro life. Given the absence of strong currents, divers can leisurely explore, allowing ample time for observation and photography. The turn point is determined by air consumption and dive time, with a slow ascent back towards the shallower areas of the bay. The safety stop is comfortably conducted in the calm, shallow waters, often providing opportunities to spot guitar sharks or additional turtle encounters before exiting back to shore.

Underwater photography

Abu Dabbab is an exceptional site for underwater photography, particularly for wide-angle shots of large marine animals and macro subjects. For capturing the dugongs and green sea turtles, a wide-angle lens is ideal, allowing you to encompass these majestic creatures and their environment. Given their accustomed nature to divers, opportunities for close-up encounters are frequent. For macro enthusiasts, the coral patches and seagrass beds are rich with ghost pipefish, seahorses, and pipehorses, necessitating a macro lens. The shallow depth and calm conditions make it easy to control buoyancy for sharp shots. While visibility can sometimes be moderate due to sand, the clear, warm Red Sea light still provides good illumination. External strobes are highly recommended to bring out the vibrant colors of the reef and marine life, especially for macro subjects, and to reduce backscatter in sandy areas.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Samadai Reef (Dolphin House)

  Known for resident dolphin pods.

• Elphinstone Reef

  Famous for pelagic encounters, including sharks.

• Daedalus Reef

  Remote offshore reef with strong currents and hammerheads.

• Fury Shoals

  Extensive reef system with pristine corals and varied marine life.

• St. Johns Reef

  Far offshore reefs offering pristine diving and pelagic encounters.

Getting there & logistics

Abu Dabbab is readily accessible via day trips organized by dive operators primarily from Marsa Alam, which is approximately 30 km to the south. The nearest international airport is Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF), offering direct flights or connections. Divers typically stay in resorts in Marsa Alam, and dive centers arrange daily excursions to Abu Dabbab. No specific permits beyond standard diving regulations are usually required for this site, as it is a well-established and frequently visited location. Trips are generally single-day excursions, often including two dives and surface intervals at the bay. The site can also be part of broader Red Sea liveaboard itineraries, particularly those focusing on the southern routes, providing a unique contrast to deeper, current-swept reefs.

Safety & environment

While Abu Dabbab is an easy and shallow dive site, standard dive safety protocols are essential. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Marsa Alam, so a comprehensive dive insurance policy covering emergency evacuation and treatment is highly recommended. Divers should maintain excellent buoyancy control to avoid stirring up the sandy bottom, which can reduce visibility for themselves and others, and to protect the seagrass beds. Given the popularity of the site, awareness of other divers and snorkelers is important. Always dive with a buddy and follow your guide's instructions, especially regarding interactions with the marine life, such as dugongs and turtles, to ensure their well-being and a safe, respectful encounter for all. Surface marker buoys (SMBs) are advisable for any open water surfacing.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Abu Dabbab FAQ

Liveaboards diving Abu Dabbab

These liveaboards may visit Abu Dabbab on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

DUNE Longara

Egypt

30 guests

$150/day

JP Marine

Egypt

28 guests

$109/day

Snefro Pearl

Egypt

12 guests

$150/day

Snefro Love

Egypt

20 guests

$154/day

Sindalahs

Egypt

26 guests38 m

$155/day

Hammerhead II

Egypt

20 guests

$172/day

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m

$172/day

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m

$185/day

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests

$104/day

Star Jet

Egypt

28 guests35 m

$145/day

SS Serena Dreams

Egypt

18 guests33 m

$159/day

Amelie

Egypt

12 guests23 m

$115/day