If you have dived in Marsa Alam before, please share your experiences: Dive spots you would recommend, which Dive Center you used, Fishes & Diving, Visibility, Currents, etc. Please post your comments in the section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next trip
Marsa Alam offers two quite different diving holidays: relaxed days around a suitable house reef, and boat trips to exposed offshore reefs such as Elphinstone. Choose the base and programme to match your experience rather than assuming every local dive is either beginner-friendly or advanced.
The southern Red Sea’s coral scenery, turtles and chance encounters with larger animals are part of the appeal. Dolphins, dugongs and sharks are wild animals; build the trip around the reefs you want to explore, with sightings as a bonus.
In this page you will find more detailed information about scuba diving in Marsa Alam.
Table of contents
Best Dive Review
Which Marsa Alam sites fit your trip?
| Site or area | Why consider it? | Planning point |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dabbab Bay | Sandy shore access, seagrass and coral reefs; turtles and occasional dugongs. | Check the beach package and guided dive or snorkel arrangement separately. Avoid disturbing feeding animals. |
| Elphinstone | Offshore walls, plateaus and the possibility of pelagic encounters. | Experienced divers, current assessment and weather-dependent boat access; operator qualifications apply. |
| Sha’ab Samadai | Reef diving and regulated snorkelling around a dolphin resting habitat. | Respect the protected zones and briefing. A dolphin encounter is not guaranteed. |
| Marsa Shagra and other house reefs | Repeated reef dives from one base, with time to get to know the site. | Orientation, buddy rules, certification and access conditions still apply. |
| Fury Shoals | Reef gardens and varied southern sites. | Check the actual departure base; Hamata and Wadi Lahami are farther south, not a short local transfer from every Marsa Alam hotel. |
| Hamada wreck, Abu Ghusun | A wreck-focused excursion south of town. | Confirm road access, sea conditions and the intended dive profile with the operator; do not assume wreck penetration is included. |
The reefs offer plenty for underwater photographers. Wide-angle reef scenes and turtles can be rewarding, while slowing down on a familiar house reef leaves time to notice smaller subjects. Keep buoyancy and animal space ahead of getting the shot.
Photo: Andrew A. Shenouda — Carnelia Beach, Marsa Alam, CC BY 2.0.
Three Marsa Alam reef areas
This orientation map separates Abu Dabbab, Elphinstone and Samadai. The Abu Dabbab point is a rounded bay reference; offshore positions follow CDWS. These are not navigation or dive-entry instructions.
1. Abu Dabbab bay · 2. Elphinstone · 3. Sha’ab Samadai
Marsa Alam on film: an operator’s 2014 view
This Emperor Divers film combines an earlier view of its Marsa Alam diving operation with underwater scenes. Published in May 2014, it is an archive promotional film: boats, facilities, excursions and wildlife shown should not be treated as current booking inclusions or guaranteed encounters.
Film and preview: Emperor Divers · Marsa Alam on Vimeo.
How to dive Marsa Alam?
House reef, day boat or liveaboard?
A shore-based stay gives flexibility for mixed groups and allows you to combine diving with beach time. Compare the actual diving package, not simply the hotel’s star rating. Some house-reef packages allow unguided buddy diving after orientation; that is different from a fully guided daily programme.
Day trips can add Elphinstone or Samadai when conditions, experience and minimum numbers permit. Ask which departures are included and which are charged on top of the base package.
A liveaboard is the way to consider more remote routes involving Brothers, Daedalus, Rocky, Zabargad or St John’s. Routes vary, and the more demanding offshore itineraries are not interchangeable with a sheltered shore-diving week. Check embarkation, logged-dive requirements, certification, insurance and mandatory fees for the named boat and departure.
I usually compare Red Sea liveaboards on LiveAboard.com; I like the straightforward booking system. This is an affiliate link. Compare the full trip cost and cancellation terms before booking.
A dated diving-cost example
Marsa Shagra’s foreign/non-resident tariff for 1 November 2026–30 April 2027, checked 30 October 2026, lists five days of house-reef diving at €347 per diver staying in the village or €433 for a diver staying elsewhere. The compulsory chamber-support contribution adds €7 per diver; this is not comprehensive medical or evacuation insurance. Accommodation, transfers, rental and excursions are separate. Village guests also need to budget for the mandatory €10 environmental fee per person per stay.
Samadai/Dolphin House adds €48 for the excursion and €19 for the park fee: a €67 supplement per diver, on top of the house-reef package or diving-day rate. It is not the complete price of a day’s diving. Minimum numbers apply, and excursions are reconfirmed on site; ask for the full total for your chosen programme.
Where to stay?
I usually use this website to book in advance my hotels in Marsa Alam as they usually have the lowest rates I find. I like it because it's free to cancel and change the dates.
Best time to dive in Marsa Alam
Diving is offered throughout the year, but water temperature, wind and the sea crossing shape the day. Summer generally offers warmer water and hotter surface intervals; winter calls for more exposure protection and can bring uncomfortable boat conditions. A flexible itinerary helps when an offshore site is cancelled.
Ask about recent sightings if a particular animal interests you, but do not treat a shark or manta season as a promise. Plan suitable alternative reefs so that the trip remains worthwhile without a specific encounter. Spring and autumn can work well for combining diving with time on land.
Top liveaboards in Marsa Alam according to divers reviews
Dive courses
Beginners can learn at suitable local sites with an instructor; offshore Elphinstone is a different proposition. Red Sea Diving Safari’s Elphinstone workshop requirements specify Advanced Open Water or CMAS two-star certification and at least 50 logged dives. Confirm the requirements for your own operator and departure; meeting a numerical minimum does not replace an assessment of recent skills.
Bring certification and evidence of recent dives. The Marsa Shagra tariff requires a paid ReActivate after a gap of more than 12 months, with other assessment conditions also listed. Ask what course materials, certification fees, equipment and medical clearance are included in your quote. Nitrox needs the appropriate training and correct gas analysis; it does not extend a diver’s qualification or remove depth limits.
Scuba Diving conditions
Current and entry: a sheltered bay and an offshore wall can feel like different destinations. Wind, tide and local conditions affect entries, exits and pickups. Follow the briefing and your qualification limits, with a plan for separation and surface signalling where appropriate.
Visibility: clear water is one attraction, but plankton, suspended sand, weather and site choice can change it. The day’s site briefing is more useful than a fixed visibility promise.
Temperature: choose your suit for the travel dates, repeated dives and your own cold tolerance. Ask the centre for recent water readings rather than treating one January temperature as a minimum for the whole coast.
Check insurance for the planned depths and activities, and ask about oxygen, communications and evacuation arrangements. Leave appropriate no-fly and altitude intervals after the final dive.
Snorkelling in Marsa Alam
Non-divers can join a purpose-built snorkelling outing or choose a suitable beach base. Blue Ocean’s Abu Dabbab Beach Day-Use lists €65 per adult for more than eight hours, including beach facilities, lunch with soft drinks during lunch, snorkel equipment and a one-hour guided speedboat reef tour. Hotel transfers are extra; confirm the dated quote, child and swimming requirements before booking. The travel guide details the published transfer supplements.
HEPCA describes Samadai as a spinner-dolphin resting area. Its management plan separates a no-entry dolphin zone, a snorkelling zone and other activity areas, with lifejackets required for snorkellers. Follow current ranger and guide instructions. A boat trip to “Dolphin House” should identify the exact reef: Samadai and Sataya are different places.
For a day at sea, the Samadai reef guide details a dedicated snorkelling offer, including the published fare and equipment exclusions. This helps mixed groups compare a companion’s outing with the diver’s package.
Photo: charlo.be — DSC_7338, CC BY 2.0.
Fishes and Coral
Seagrass bays, coral gardens and offshore walls support different communities. Give turtles room to surface and feeding dugongs a clear route; never chase, touch or crowd them. HEPCA’s wildlife guidelines include dugong, turtle and dolphin encounters. Good buoyancy, careful finning and staying off the reef protect the habitat you came to see.
Diving Safety
If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Marsa Alam, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.
Marsa Alam diving questions
Is Marsa Alam suitable for beginners?
Yes, with an instructor and suitable local conditions. Advanced offshore reefs should be treated as a separate programme.
Can I dive Elphinstone from land?
Operators run boat trips from coastal bases when conditions permit. Confirm certification, logged dives, recent experience and the full excursion price.
Are dugongs or dolphins guaranteed?
No. Choose a reef experience you will enjoy even without seeing them, and follow wildlife-protection rules.
Does a house-reef package include Samadai?
Not necessarily. Excursions, park fees, equipment and guiding may be separate.
Should I choose Marsa Alam or Hamata?
Compare the actual reef programme and transfer. Hamata is farther south and is a distinct base for Fury Shoals outings.
Operator information checked 24 October 2026.
Photos Marsa Alam
Travel Guide
Now that you know all about the underwater world, you might want to start planning your scuba holiday! Check out our Marsa Alam Travel Review for information about how to get there, activities and excursions, where to stay, and more.
Diving Reviews for this region
Dive spots reviews in Marsa Alam
Liveaboard Reviews in Marsa Alam
MY Emperor Elite
Emperor Elite offers a broad Red Sea programme, from northern wrecks to the southern reefs and offshore walls. Its thirteen-cabin layout includes conventional twins and two substantially larger suites, making it useful for couples who want a double bed
MV Seawolf Dominator
A shaded dive deck, room to relax outside and a choice of northern and southern programmes make Dominator an appealing base for a week devoted to diving. Choose the route first: a Tiran week and a marine-park week ask different things of a diver.
MV Blue Melody
Blue Melody suits divers who enjoy the rhythm of a shared diving holiday: breakfast after the first dive, a long conversation over lunch, then time outside before the next briefing. The outdoor bistro and shaded seating are part of the attraction, with
MV Miss Nouran
No dated departure was available online for the earlier MV Miss Nouran when checked on 5 November 2026. This boat is distinct from Glorious Miss Nouran. Its original review described twin cabins, two sun decks and a southern Red Sea programme; the conf
Hammerhead I
Hammerhead I combines a 20-guest capacity with broad dining-room windows and open-air lounging spaces. Her ten en-suite cabins make this 32-metre Egyptian liveaboard worth considering if you prefer a smaller group than on the fleet’s larger Hammerhead
MV Red Sea Aggressor I — Historical Boat Profile
The original Red Sea Aggressor is no longer operating. The vessel was lost following a fire off Port Ghalib on 1 November 2019, in which one passenger died. This page preserves its cabin photographs, life aboard and former Egyptian itineraries. It is n
MV Red Sea Aggressor I — Historical Boat Profile Liveaboard Review
MY Heaven Freedom
No current boat-specific departure has been verified. The specialist Heaven Freedom listing checked on 2 November 2026 describes the boat as unavailable. That does not by itself prove retirement.
MY Blue Seas
Blue Seas combines a twenty-four-guest layout with northern wreck weeks, offshore marine parks and longer southern expeditions. The two partly shaded sun decks give you a choice of places to relax, while the spacious dive deck keeps the diving routine
MV Heaven Saphir
Heaven Saphir is a 36-metre Egyptian Red Sea liveaboard with standard twin cabins, upper-deck Honeymoon suites and an Executive suite on the main deck. Its dated programmes span southern reefs, offshore marine parks and northern wrecks.
MY Golden Dolphin III
Golden Dolphin III is not a current booking option. DIVE Magazine reported that the boat was destroyed by fire while moored off Hurghada on 21 January 2026, quoting the operator’s confirmation of the loss. There were no passengers aboard and no reporte
Wonderful. I stayed at Gorgonia beach hotel near Marsa Alam and “La Pensée” in el Koseir,for 750 € a week, all inclusive from Paris, with the best possible luxury rooms and buffets.
The outer reef is unspoiled, three hundred meters away from the beach (and 150 yards further than where most of the tourists and sunbathers would stop…
Hours of leisurely snorkeling and diving, in crystal clear waters and thousand of fishes.
Then I went to Redang Malaysia where all the coral is dead or dying …
Marsa Alam is my best diving spot in the world, so far …
Sounds good! Did you also dive the Elphinstone Reef? Marsa Alam really stands out in the Red Sea! I hope it will stay that way for many years ;-).
Estuvimos en marsa shagra village el pasado octubre viaje via cairo hurgada coche a marsa palizon.
Arrecife y vida espectacular mala comuda y ni longimanus ni martillos ni dugongos ni delfines.
Estuvimos en dolphin reef y nada de delfines.
En elphinstone tres veces y no vimos ni martillos ni longimanus.
Me gustaria saber si en diciembre hay posibilidad d ver algun tipo d tiburon corrientes y vientos y viajes un poco mas cortos y economivos con buenos guias y comida aceptable.
Gracias ya m contestareis
We dived at Marsa Alam last week: Abu dabab, dolphin house, elphinstone and house reef at duck divers. All the reefs look healthy and bursting with live! At Elphinstone where the current was gruesome we saw a grey reef shark, oceanic white tip and hammer head. Good visibility and what an awesome dive. The reef at Dolphin house is beautiful too, we saw 20 dolphins! Abu Dabab reef is also pretty and we spotted 7 sea turtles in relaxed state. The house reef at Ducks divers is pretty with a cave on the south side, but the dives deeper were more interesting. Great diving here! Enjoy while you can and DO NOT cut off coral like some Russians do
Marsa alam is the best place to be. Not to much safari boats close at the beach so the shore dives are very quiet and easy to reach. Diving on Elphinstone you must do before the safari boats. Try the fast rib from Brayka Beach at 6u30 all alone on the reef with sometimes the hammerheads at -45m. My last experiences where all at Hurghada,El Gouna,Sharm el sjeik, Taba, Dahab …After 15 times Egypt the top is still Marsa Alam. Port Ghalib is not a good starting place because all the day boattrips go to all the same places. For the moment I feel they care more about the snorklers than the divers. Les work more profit and that’s my opnion of course sertainly in Sharm el sjeik it was the case!
Hotel recommandations of course Brayka beach, Tulip hotel, the new Hilton(hotel is very good!!)for diving to far on the beach bad visibility i a sandy bay…A safari boat is of course the best option sleeping eating and diving and always first on the reef.
Bye David(700 logged dives)
Hallochen, wir waren 2 Wochen in der Riff-Villa Samak direkt in Marsa Alam, unglaublich freundliches, kleines Gasthaus mit integriertem Tauchcenter, tolle Spots und professionelle Betreuung. Am Besten neben dem Tauchen war die super leckere Küche von Hanni, wir sehen uns wieder
My first diving experience is one to never forget, thanks to Sea Secrets Divers. The way they prepare and comfort you for your first dive is really great. I thought the theory lessons would be boring, but it was very interesting because of the short movies, clear explanations and some quizzes. The professional instructors give you a safe feeling so you can relax and enjoy the beautiful environment immediatly. It’s like a huge aquarium with marvellous coral and colourful fishes. After diving they make sometimes barbecue or Bedouin coffee at the beach. They are really nice people who like good atmosphere. Now it will be the 5th time I go back to Marsa Alam, back to Sea Secrets Divers.
hey,
I am visiting marsa alam next week and I am wondering whether anyone has dived with sea world divers or emperor divers or has any recommendations on picking a diving center. Also whether it is necessary to pre-book in order to visit the dolphin reef etc main “attraction” dives?
I Am wanting to dive marsa alam over Christmas,But I read that the water can be rough because of wind.
Is it still worth while or should I look at going somewhere else?
As a divinginstructor i had The chance tot Dive in many hotels over The last 6 years. Marsa alam is by far The best and most interesting place tot Dive from The shore. Forget boat diving from port galib or even elphistone and dolphin house all tot commercial and nothing beter than The Reef or shoredives. The time you lose on a boat trip is a day lost in tour all inn hotel.
I Recomment Tulip Orca diving,sea beach,brayka bay,sentido.so remembera good housereef is better thans boat trips. Off course a weeksafari is The best because you are always first on The best reefs or The short zodiac dives is sometimes a good option if you have The experience.
My last experience on The boat trips in sharm el sjeik was that snorklers get more benefits, more money tot earn for less effort or responsability.
750 divings of experience bye from belgium
My experience with this diving center is not good. The staff is unpolite and arrogant. The manager runs after every women in the hotel. You should be careful with the prices, because they rip you of. The only good thing was the equipment. That is because it is a new diving center that has Italian investors. But the Egyptian manager and staff are worthless. They won’t see me ever again.
the comment is about the Sea Secrets Diving Center at the Elphistone hotel Resort in Marsa Alam. They try to give you a good feeling, but in the same time they rip you of. So be careful, if you decide to go there.
This area has some amazing coral diving for both shore and boat diving. Snorkelling with a dugong was also a magor highlight of my time here, although I’d like to see more procedures put in place to protect the animal from over zealous snorkellers getting too close. I did one day of diving with the Aquarias company who were great. Small groups of divers (4-5 divers per group including guide while I was with them), a tasty lunch and soda and water included in the price. We had more snorkellers than divers on the boat so underwater was quite free of other divers. I also did one day of diving with Coraya-dive. This was truly the most unpleasant experience I have ever had with a dive company. The local Egyptian guides were friendly enough, but infortunately I found the foreign staff to be quite rude and seriously lacking in any customer service skills. I also lost my dive computer due to their procedures, of which I had not been informed. As I was soaking my dive gear I had a coffee in. the main area, less than 10m from the soaking box and wihin sight. After only about 15 minutes I went to collect my gear to find it had all been removed. Upon making queries I was treated appallingly with little concern for helping to find where my gear had been taken. Eventually I managed to get everything back except my computer, it had all been taken out by a staff member. A simple shout out to customers could have prevented a whole lot of hassle. When given this feedback, the staff treated me with contempt and lectured me about looking after my own stuff. Time on our first dive was also wasted doing basic skills tests, skills that everyone does during their openwater course. With over 250+ dives, and being a Divemaster, I found this a little ridiculous. My advice to all divers would be to find a different dive company.
Hello guys,
I am planning a trip next month and i am bit short on schedule (i am planning for 2 or 3 dives only) can someone please recommend a dive center that is both good and not overly priced?
940 logged dives and many in Marsa alam. Tulip hotel Nice housereef for starters but a very long peer(800m).do not take a boat trip erop port galib because you lose a complete day. Most of these hotels are doing every morning 2 shoredives af thé same day. you are in time for lunch and you can enjoy thé rest of thé day. That is thé most interesting way of diving! Alsof check out your transportations fees. Sometimes you have to pay for each dive and at elphinstone resort( very good hotel)they charge you 16 euro extra for 2dives so beware.there on thé housereef it was ok, but going out you pay for thé taxi!!
Equinix beach absolute favourite,short peer for thé zodiac,close to thé beach also beautifull vieuw over thé read sea
Fantasia,iGorgonia ,happy life,sentindo all very good and reasonable transportation fees. Actually thé more South you go thé better reefs they are out there. 22 years of experience in Marsa Alam and still enjoying it.
Dugong lately,longimanus shark on elphinstone reef,many blue dotted rays many parrot fishes, some murenas and lionfisches….to many to say
But stay in marsa alam no boat trips only fast zodiacs to go out in the morning.
It cannot be better (I think!) I did dive in Marsa Alam during 3 separate stays since 2017 till 2021, I made around 25 dives in total in Marsa Alam, all dives were just great and wonderful with no exception. Accommodation was also excellent. Very professional diving centers, friendly and professional staff.
Mostly divers will be lucky enough to see many turtles, Dugong, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, maybe white tip sharks, Parracuda, Murray eels, eagle ray, etc…
Best of luck to whoever will plan to visit Marsa Alam.
200 logged dives in Marsa Alam. I did a lot of different hotels from Tulip hotel to Gorgonia and Fantasia hotel.
The best shore reefs and boat dives from the coast and far better then Sharm and Hurghada together.
I’m now visiting in september equinox hotel wit the Sinai divers.