Scuba Diving in Marsa Alam
The Ultimate Guide
Once a sleepy fishing village on Egypt’s southern Red Sea coast, Marsa Alam is now synonymous with pristine reefs, encounters with sharks and dolphins, and long, deep walls far from the crowds. Stretching from El Quseir in the north to Wadi Lahami in the far south, the region encompasses famous offshore pinnacles such as Elphinstone and Daedalus, seagrass meadows where dugongs graze, and shallow bays sheltering green turtles. Compared to Hurghada and Sharm, the reef systems here are relatively untouched and the crowds thin, making Marsa Alam ideal for divers seeking pelagics, dramatic drop‑offs and a taste of the desert wilderness.
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperature
22-30°C
Visibility
20-40m
Diving Highlights
Best Months to Dive
Getting to Marsa Alam for Diving
✈️Transportation
Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF) receives direct flights from several European and Middle Eastern cities. Divers can also fly via Cairo or Luxor and then take a domestic flight or overland transfer.
Another option is to fly into Hurghada and travel south by taxi or minibus — about 4 hours to Marsa Alam town and 2.5 hours to the resort hub of Port Ghalib.
Many dive resorts arrange transfers, and liveaboards departing from Port Ghalib or Hamata include airport pickup in their packages.
Country
Egypt
Currency
Egyptian Pound
Electricity
220V, 50Hz, Euro Plug
Cost of a Dive Trip in Marsa Alam
Day Trip
Dive Resort
Liveaboard
Meal
Accommodation
Best Dive Sites in Marsa Alam
🐠Elphinstone Reef
A slender, cigar‑shaped reef rising from the abyss about 12 km offshore. Its north and south plateaus drop steeply into blue water, attracting oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads and even occasional tiger sharks. The walls are covered in soft corals, gorgonians and anthias; at shallower depths you’ll find shoals of fusiliers, barracudas and Napoleon wrasse.
🐢Daedalus Reef
Located 80 km offshore, this circular reef is famous for its schooling scalloped hammerheads that patrol the deep drop‑off on the northern point. Anemone City on the eastern wall is home to hundreds of clownfish and their host anemones, while turtles and Napoleon wrasse cruise along the plateau.
🦈Brothers Islands
The Brothers — Big Brother and Little Brother — are twin pinnacles rising from deep water. Their walls are adorned with hard and soft corals and sweep down to wrecks like the Numidia and Aida, which lie between 30 and 80 m. Strong currents draw in thresher sharks, oceanic whitetips and manta rays, while shallower terraces host schools of anthias and surgeonfish.
🐙Shaab Samadai (Dolphin House)
A horseshoe‑shaped reef enclosing a lagoon that serves as a resting place for spinner dolphins. Outside the lagoon walls you’ll find gardens of staghorn coral and soft corals inhabited by turtles and reef fish. Snorkelling with the resident pod of dolphins is tightly regulated to protect them.
🐚Abu Dabbab
This shallow bay north of Marsa Alam town features seagrass meadows where endangered dugongs graze alongside green turtles. Dive around the edges for pinnacles covered in hard corals, octopus, crocodilefish and giant pufferfish, or wander over the sand to spot guitar rays and blue‑spotted stingrays.
🦑Marsa Shagra House Reef
Adjacent to one of the region’s oldest eco‑dive camps, this extensive house reef has shallow seagrass beds, coral pinnacles and a drop‑off. Resident turtles, stonefish, lionfish and a resident guitar ray make it an ideal warm‑up or night dive. Unlimited shore diving is a highlight of the eco‑camp experience.
What Divers Say About Diving in Marsa Alam
Marcus Rodriguez
DivemasterMarsa Alam feels like the wild frontier of the Egyptian Red Sea. From the moment you drop over the sheer walls of Elphinstone Reef and hover in the blue as oceanic whitetips cruise past, you realise why this region is famous among shark lovers. At Daedalus Reef schools of hammerheads gather over the deep plateau while anemone gardens and clouds of anthias cover the shallows. Between big‑animal dives you can relax in sheltered bays like Abu Dabbab, watching dugongs munch on seagrass and giant turtles cruising lazily by. The combination of dramatic offshore pinnacles, remote house reefs and encounters with dolphins at Samadai makes Marsa Alam a destination worth the extra travel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diving in Marsa Alam
When is the best time to dive in Marsa Alam?
Conditions are best from October through May when water temperatures hover between 22 and 28 °C, visibility often exceeds 30 m and winds are calmer. Summer months have warmer water but stronger winds and higher air temperatures.
What marine life can I expect to see?
The region is renowned for pelagics — oceanic whitetip, hammerhead and thresher sharks on the offshore reefs, plus spinner and bottlenose dolphins at Shaab Samadai. Closer to shore you’ll find dugongs, green turtles, reef sharks, eagle rays and a vibrant array of reef fish.
Do I need to be an experienced diver to dive here?
Many of the offshore reefs such as Elphinstone, Daedalus and the Brothers have strong currents, deep drop‑offs and boat entries, so advanced certification and drift‑diving experience are recommended. However, sheltered bays like Abu Dabbab and Marsa Shagra offer easy conditions suitable for beginners.
How many dive sites are there in Marsa Alam?
Dozens of sites line the coast and offshore reefs. The most famous include Elphinstone, Daedalus, the Brothers Islands, Abu Dabbab, Shaab Samadai and many lesser‑known shore dives around Port Ghalib and Marsa Shagra.
Can I dive with dolphins?
Yes, Shaab Samadai (also known as Dolphin House) is a horseshoe‑shaped reef where a resident pod of spinner dolphins often rests. Diving and snorkelling rules here restrict the number of visitors to protect the pod.
What is the water temperature and visibility like?
Water temperature ranges from 22 °C in winter to 30 °C in August. Visibility is generally excellent, averaging 20–40 m and often more at offshore sites. Winter can bring cooler upwellings and some plankton but still offers clear water.
Are there liveaboards in Marsa Alam?
Yes, liveaboards are popular for visiting remote reefs like Daedalus, Brothers and St John’s. They offer 3–4 dives a day, including night dives, and typically depart from Port Ghalib or Hamata. Land‑based resorts also run day trips to local sites.