Destinations
Loading...Abu Dabbab is one of the most famous dive sites in the Red Sea and of all of Egypt. It is one of the few places in the world where you can dive with the very rare and endangered Dugong aka the Sea Cow. In fact, there are two resident Dugongs in the Abu Dabbab bay named Dennis and Dougal. This dive site also features friendly giant Green Sea Turtles that you can swim with up close and personal. In the shallow water, it is not rare to spot the bizarre looking but completely harmless Guitar Shark.
In addition to the big stuff, there are also superb macro subjects such as the ornate Ghost Pipefish, the rare thorny seahorse and the delicate Hairy Pygmy Pipehorse!
All this Exceptional and Rare marine life makes Abu Dabbab a very special spot and a must dive for anyone visiting Marsa Alam.
The dive site is very easy. It is located in a sandy bay with no current and shallow depth (maximum around 18 m deep) making it suitable even for beginner divers. Underwater photographers will be delighted to take pictures easily of such rare animals. It makes a great snorkelling spot too.
However the visibility is often quite low due to the sand and be aware that the Abu Dabbab can get quite crowded as it is a very popular dive site!
Access
Abu Dabbab is located about 30 km North of Marsa Alam and day trips are organized by the dive operators of Marsa Alam to go there almost everyday.
You can dive Abu Dabbab all year long. Access: from the Shore. See the map of Abu Dabbab on the right for the exact location.
Fishes you may spot while diving Abu Dabbab
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Guitar Shark
... and more fishes & sea life, Dugong, Green Sea Turtle
Photos
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Clown fishes waiting in front of their blue anemone housePhoto by Jihye Lee -
Blacktip Shark patrolling the crystal clear water... EPIC photo!Photo by Yann Hubert -
Huge Hammerhead Shark patrolling the reef in French PolynesiaPhoto by Yann Hubert -
Beautiful & Colorful Mandarin FishPhoto by Rich Guest -
Yellow Seahorse in Lembeh StraitPhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Lion Fish swimming in crystal clear waterPhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Surreal LifePhoto by Jihye Lee -
Crab On Coral ReefPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Orange Yellow NudibranchPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Giant ClamsPhoto by Jihye Lee
Diving Reviews for this region
Marsa Alam
Excellent Scuba Diving with great chances of spotting Dolphins, Dugongs, Oceanic Whitetip Sharks and Hammerhead Sharks. Access to famous dive sites of Elphinstone Reef and Abu Dabbab! Very Good Visibility.
Liveaboard Reviews in Marsa Alam
MV Seawolf Dominator
The Red Sea is a well-known diving desti
MV Red Sea Aggressor
Internationally renowned liveaboard oper
I was in Marsa Alam in May 2006 only for snorkeling. Good visibility but not very warm water; for me was sufficient a 2 mm shorty.
I stayed in Karamana resort (very good) but for all the week long there was a terrible wind with very very bad sea. Fortunately I prevented this booking Karamana that is 10 min. bus (free of charge) from Abu Dabab and this place had for all the week the north side with very calm waters and south side terribly beaten by the waves. Fantastic snorkeling along the shallow waters reef! I want to return to this place.