ABU DABBAB

Abu Dabbab Bay has one of the best sandy beaches in the Marsa Alam region but is deservedly better known as being one of the few places in the world where you can sometimes dive and swim with the endangered dugong “sea cow.”

There are two semi-permanent residents who are known by the nicknames of Dennis and Dougal. Two of only seven currently known to exist along the entire Egyptian Red Sea Coast.

And as if that wasn’t enough the bay is also host to hawksbill and giant green sea turtles (the latter typically 70-190kg), for whom the shallow waters and white sandy beaches serve as an invaluable nesting site, as well as the harmless guitar shark, amazingly colourful reefs, a myriad of beautiful fish, a small shipwreck and a swim-through canyon with underwater caves.

YouTube player
A fascinating snorkelling guide to Abu Dabbab Bay
May 2020 – 4.32 mins – 97+ likes – 2,900+ views
You can just wade-in to the main bay and also explore the fringing reefs directly from the beach which makes it equally suitable to snorkelers and divers of all skill levels. The offshore reefs however are more suitable to divers and should only be visited with a professional guide.

Abu Dabbab beach is close to most of Marsa Alam’s hotels and located on a branch road off the main coastal road, between the Malikia and the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian resorts, 34km north of the town of Marsa Alam and about 35km south of the airport and for those who like GPS coordinates you will find it at latitude 25’20’N and 34’45’ East.

You can usually find the entrance hidden behind a row of parked coaches and minibuses and behind it you will see the beach, often crowded with sun worshipers and snorkelers. But don’t let that put you off. It might not seem like the sort of wild place to find endangered exotic marine animals but fortunately and, despite the occasional crowds, it still is.