Marsa Alam for divers: reefs, season and training prices

Elphinstone draws divers from all over the world to Marsa Alam.

Marsa Alam in southern Egypt sits apart from the busy hotels of Hurghada. Coral reefs start right at the shore, and the water stays between 24 and 30 °C year-round (as of 10/2026, aegypten.de). In the morning you dive a wall with sharks, in the afternoon you head to a quiet bay with turtles and a dugong.

Below we'll break down the dive sites, the best season, and training prices.

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What makes Marsa Alam special for divers

💡 In short:

• Water 24-30 °C year-round, visibility 20-30 m.
• Most comfortable from March to May; sharks at Elphinstone are seen more often from October to December.
• Beginners are well suited to the bays of Abu Dabbab and Marsa Mubarak, while experienced divers will find the Elphinstone wall interesting.
• Sharks and season at Elphinstone: 10/2026, according to aegypten.de, page about Elphinstone Reef.

Marsa Alam occupies the southern stretch of Egypt's Red Sea coast. Reefs are a half-hour boat ride away, and some sites are accessible directly from the shore. There are fewer hotels here than in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, and the tourist flow is lighter.

The main reasons to come here:

• Elphinstone, a major offshore reef known to divers worldwide.
• House reefs at hotels, where you can dive twice a day without heading out to sea.
• Dugongs and green turtles in calm bays.
• Excellent visibility almost all year round.

Dives are organized by local schools and dive centers. They pick you up from your hotel, provide equipment, and take you out to sea with a guide.

Dive school in Marsa Alam: Deep South Divers

Courses and boat trips in Marsa Alam are run by local centers. One of them is Deep South Divers, an SSI-affiliated school. The company offers diving in Marsa Alam as day trips and multi-day courses.

What you should know about their offering (according to the company's website, checked 10/2026):

• Day trips: from €35 for one dive and €65 for two.
• Courses: SSI Open Water Diver €400, Advanced Open Water €320, Enriched Air (Nitrox) €200.
• Multi-day packages: up to 12 dives for €310.
• Equipment rental: full set €25, computer €8.
• Special trips: Elphinstone by speedboat €50, Dolphin House €45.

An additional €10 per person is added to each day. This covers the national park fee, transfer, and coast guard permit. All prices include 14% VAT, and the school states there are no hidden charges. Before booking, check Deep South Divers prices and courses on their website: they depend on the season and occupancy.

Elphinstone: a reef for experienced divers

Elphinstone stretches as a long plateau in the open sea, reached by boat. The walls drop into the depths, and on top lies a plateau with soft corals. There is current here, so the site is not suitable for first dives.

Many come here for the sharks. Oceanic whitetip sharks are seen more often from October to December. Hammerhead sharks are spotted in early summer, usually early in the morning at the northern plateau.

• Who it's for: divers with an Advanced certification and experience in current.
• Not for: beginners and those returning to the water after a long break.
• The catch: current and open sea; trips are rescheduled in strong wind.
• How to get there: only by boat from Marsa Alam.

Book two dives in a day: in the morning at the wall you have a better chance of sharks, and save the second for the plateau.

Abu Dabbab and Marsa Mubarak: turtles and dugong

For relaxed dives, head to the bays north of town. At Abu Dabbab you enter the water from the shore, and the bottom is covered with seagrass (as of 10/2026, aegypten.de, page about Abu Dabbab Bay). This terrain works well for both snorkeling and first dives.

Here you'll see green sea turtles and, with luck, a dugong. Seagrass is the dugong's main food source, which is why the bay is considered one of the reliable places in the Red Sea to encounter one.

The second bay is called Marsa Mubarak, also known as "Dugong Bay." The bottom is sandy with patches of coral, and reef fish swim along them. The current is weak, so dives are comfortable for beginners.

• Who it's for: beginners, snorkelers, families with children.
• Not for: those looking for deep walls and strong current.
• The catch: the dugong is not guaranteed; the encounter depends on luck.
• How to get there: from town by car or boat, usually with a hotel transfer.

Don't touch the corals and don't get too close to the turtles and dugong: the animals are shy, and corals take decades to grow.

When to go: season, water, and visibility

Marsa Alam welcomes divers year-round. The water stays warm, and visibility is usually good.

Plan around your goals:

• In spring the sea is calmer and the air is milder.
• In summer the water is warmer, but it's hot on the surface.
• In autumn the chances of sharks at Elphinstone increase.

Plan a backup day: trips to Elphinstone are canceled in strong wind.

Practical tips for divers

• Choose your wetsuit by season: thicker in winter, a shorty is enough in summer.
• Bring your own dive computer and mask; everything else is available for rent.
• Cash in euros comes in handy for the park fee and small expenses.
• Take seasickness medication in advance; the ride to Elphinstone is long.

For connectivity and navigation during your trip, a local eSIM is useful: check eSIM options.

How to get there and where to stay

You fly to Marsa Alam via Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF). From there you reach coastal hotels by transfer, so book a car in advance: available ones usually only wait for pre-booked passengers.

Choose accommodation by bay. Areas north of town are closer to Abu Dabbab and boat departures; the center is more convenient for evening walks.

Compare transfers by price and travel time: the drive from the airport to different coastal areas takes different amounts of time.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is Marsa Alam worth visiting for a beginner?

Yes. For first dives there are the protected bays of Abu Dabbab and Marsa Mubarak: shore entry, weak current, shallow depth. Any local school runs a beginner course, and Elphinstone is left for later. For a beginner, an instructor and calm water matter more than the number of reefs per day.

What is the best season for diving?

Most comfortable from March to May: warm water and calm sea. In summer the water is warmer and visibility is higher, but it's hot on the surface. From October to December the chances of seeing sharks at Elphinstone increase. Year-round, the water temperature never drops below 24 °C.

Is diving at Elphinstone dangerous?

The site is considered challenging due to depth and current, so beginners are not taken there. With an experienced guide and calm seas, the dive goes according to plan. Trips are canceled in strong wind, so leave a backup day in your itinerary.

Where do divers stay in Marsa Alam?

Closer to the bays north of town: from there the drive to Abu Dabbab and boat departures is shorter. There are no hotels right at Elphinstone; the reef stands in the open sea. Transfers from RMF airport should be booked in advance.

What should I bring for diving?

Your own dive computer and mask if you have them; everything else is available for rent. The wetsuit is chosen by season: thicker in winter, a shorty is enough in summer. Bring cash in euros for the park fee and seasickness medication for the long ride to Elphinstone.

In short: what to book

Marsa Alam covers different needs: a beginner learns in warm water, an experienced diver heads to the Elphinstone wall, and a nature lover dives with turtles and a dugong.

If you have little experience, book a course and the bays of Abu Dabbab and Marsa Mubarak. If you have Advanced certification and current experience, plan Elphinstone for October to December. If you're traveling with family, combine snorkeling with a Dolphin House trip.

Start with accommodation: see hotels in Marsa Alam on Trip.com. Book your transfer and first boat trip in advance so you don't lose a day on arrival.