Best Dive Sites in Marsa Alam, Red Sea — The Complete 2026 Guide

Marsa Alam isn't just another Red Sea diving destination. It's where the legendary Elphinstone Reef drops into the abyss, where spinner dolphins dance at Dolphin House (Samadai), and where dugongs graze the seagrass at Abu Dabbab. Whether you're chasing oceanic whitetips or floating above pristine coral gardens, Marsa Alam delivers world-class diving that rivals anything in Egypt.

In this guide, we cover every must-dive site in Marsa Alam — from the famous to the hidden gems only locals know about — and how to dive them with a PADI 5-Star center.

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Why Marsa Alam?

Marsa Alam sits on Egypt's southern Red Sea coast, far from the crowded resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. The result? Healthier reefs, more pelagic action, and fewer divers on every site.

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1. Elphinstone Reef — The Crown Jewel

Depth: 20–70m+ | Level: Advanced | Type: Offshore pinnacle

If you dive one site in Marsa Alam, make it Elphinstone. This offshore reef is a sheer-walled pinnacle rising from 100m+ depths, attracting oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads, and barracuda in massive numbers.

What you'll see:

• Oceanic whitetip sharks (Oct–Dec peak season)
• Hammerhead schools in early morning
• Soft coral walls on the north and south plateaus
• Turtles, Napoleon wrasses, tuna

Diver tip: The north plateau (25–30m) is the best spot for shark action. Drift along the east wall for pristine soft corals. Due to strong currents and depth, Elphinstone requires Advanced Open Water certification minimum.

Dive Elphinstone with Scuba World Divers — We run daily boats to Elphinstone from Marsa Alam. Book your Elphinstone dive →

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2. Dolphin House (Samadai Reef) — Swim with Spinners

Depth: 5–40m | Level: All levels | Type: Lagoon + offshore reef

Samadai Reef, known as Dolphin House Marsa Alam, is a horseshoe-shaped lagoon where a resident pod of spinner dolphins rests during the day. You can snorkel or dive inside the lagoon while dolphins circle around you — a genuinely magical experience.

What you'll see:

• Spinner dolphins (95% sighting rate)
• Coral gardens in the outer reef
• Turtles and reef fish inside the lagoon

Diver tip: Morning boats arrive before the dolphins leave the lagoon to feed (arrive by 8 AM). The outer reef walls offer excellent drift dives for certified divers while snorkelers stay in the lagoon.

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3. Abu Dabbab — Dugongs & Turtles

Depth: 5–25m | Level: Beginner to advanced | Type: Bay + seagrass

Abu Dabbab is Marsa Alam's most famous shore dive — and for good reason. This shallow bay hosts dugongs (sea cows) and giant green turtles that graze the seagrass beds daily. It's one of the few places in the world where dugong sightings are nearly guaranteed.

What you'll see:

• Dugongs (resident pair — Dennis & Dougal)
• Giant green and hawksbill turtles
• Guitar sharks in the sandy areas
• Cuttlefish and seahorses

Diver tip: Abu Dabbab is an easy shore entry — perfect for beginners and Try Dives. Stay shallow (10–15m) for the best dugong encounters. Go early morning before the day boats arrive.

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4. Salem Express Wreck — The Ghost Ship

Depth: 12–30m | Level: All levels | Type: Wreck

The Salem Express is one of the Red Sea's most haunting wrecks. This passenger ferry sank in 1991 and now rests on its starboard side at 12–30 meters. The wreck is intact — luggage still sits in the holds, bicycles remain strapped to the deck, and the ship's name is still visible on the bow.

What you'll see:

• Intact wreck with cargo and personal items
• Schools of batfish around the propeller
• Coral-encrusted superstructure
• Penetration into the cargo hold (guided only)

⚠️ Respect the site: The Salem Express is a grave site. Do not remove any items, and dive with reverence.

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5. Marsa Mubarak — Turtle Sanctuary

Depth: 5–20m | Level: Beginner to advanced | Type: Bay

Marsa Mubarak (also called Marsa Mubarak Bay) is a sheltered lagoon south of Port Ghalib. Like Abu Dabbab, it features extensive seagrass beds attracting dugongs and turtles. The site is less crowded than Abu Dabbab and offers excellent coral patches at the outer edge.

What you'll see:

• Dugongs (occasional)
• Green turtles (daily)
• Juvenile reef fish in the coral patches
• Cuttlefish and octopus

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6. Marsa Egla — House Reef Perfection

Depth: 5–30m | Level: All levels | Type: Shore + house reef

Marsa Egla is the house reef at Scuba World Divers' Solymar base. It's a shore-accessible reef with a sloping sandy bottom, coral blocks, and consistent marine life. Perfect for check dives, night dives, and macro photography.

What you'll see:

• Frogfish and stonefish (macro lovers' paradise)
• Blue-spotted stingrays
• Lionfish hunting at dusk
• Octopus on night dives

Diver tip: The northern coral blocks (12–18m) hold the best macro life. Bring a torch for the overhangs.

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7. Marsa Shouna — Coral Garden Bay

Depth: 5–25m | Level: Beginner to advanced | Type: Bay

Marsa Shouna offers a protected bay with healthy coral gardens and easy conditions — ideal for beginners and photography dives. The outer reef drops to 25m with good coral coverage.

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8. Abu Hashish — Secret Sand Flat

Depth: 5–20m | Level: All levels | Type: Shore

A lesser-known shore dive north of Marsa Alam town, Abu Hashish features a wide sandy slope dotted with coral outcrops. Excellent for spotting blue-spotted stingrays, ghost pipefish, and the occasional guitar shark.

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9. Tobia Arbaa — The Hidden Gem

Depth: 8–25m | Level: Intermediate | Type: Offshore reef

Tobia Arbaa (Seven Pinnacles) is exactly what it sounds like — seven coral pinnacles rising from the deep, connected by sandy channels. Each pinnacle has its own character: one covered in anthias, another patrolled by barracuda, a third home to a resident turtle.

What you'll see:

• Pinnacle-to-pinnacle drift dives
• Barracuda and trevally hunting
• Soft coral-covered walls
• Eagle rays (seasonal)

This site gets almost zero attention from guidebooks — making it a true hidden gem.

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10. Abu Ramada — Aquarium Reef

Depth: 5–25m | Level: All levels | Type: Offshore reef

Known locally as "The Aquarium," Abu Ramada is a shallow reef north of Marsa Alam with exceptional fish density. Glassfish clouds surround the coral heads while lionfish, scorpionfish, and moray eels hide in every crevice. Perfect for underwater photographers.

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Planning Your Marsa Alam Dive Trip

For maps, conditions, and full site descriptions, check our Marsa Alam Diving Guide or browse all Marsa Alam dive sites.

Best Dive Sites by Certification Level

Best Season

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Dive with Scuba World Divers

All these sites are accessible from our PADI 5-Star dive centers in Marsa Alam. We operate daily boat trips to Elphinstone, Dolphin House, and offshore sites, plus guided shore dives with free Nitrox and transfers.

Book your Marsa Alam diving →

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Written by the Scuba World Divers team — PADI 5-Star | 14,000+ divers | TripAdvisor 4.9