Depth : 3 - 20+ m
Difficulty : Beginner
Type : Reef
minimum requirements : Seagrass, Macro, Wreck, Shallow Dive, Photography
Marine Life : Seahorses, ghost pipefish, blue-spotted rays, crocodile fish, nudibranchs.
A Site of Unique Diversity: Seagrass, Reef, and Wreck
Marsa Abu Galawa is one of the most ecologically diverse and fascinating dive sites accessible from El Gouna. This sheltered bay, or "Marsa," offers a rare combination of three distinct underwater environments in one location: a vibrant coral reef, a mysterious shipwreck, and a delicate seagrass meadow. This variety makes it a treasure trove for photographers, a playground for new divers, and a fascinating study for any marine life enthusiast.
The Dive Plan and Experience
At Marsa Abu Galawa, you can choose your own adventure. The most unique dive plan focuses on the shallow seagrass meadow. This vital ecosystem is a nursery for juvenile fish and a hotspot for rare macro-life. Hovering gently over the grass requires excellent buoyancy, making it a great place to practice the skills learned in the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course. Our guides are experts at spotting the camouflaged critters that live here, including the elusive seahorse and ornate ghost pipefish.
For those who prefer classic reefs, the outer wall offers beautiful coral blocks teeming with life. And for certified wreck divers, Marsa Abu Galawa is the gateway to the Kimon M wreck, a cargo ship that sank in 1978 and now lies on its side, waiting to be explored by those with a PADI Wreck Diver certification.
Why We Recommend This Dive for All Divers
This site is a perfect example of Red Sea biodiversity beyond the reef. It’s a chance to see rare creatures you won’t find on many other sites and to appreciate the importance of different marine habitats. Its calm, shallow areas are perfect for training and check-dives, while the combination of reef, wreck, and seagrass offers something new on every single dive. It's a fantastic location for divers keen on the PADI Fish Identification specialty.