Swim with turtles
Grazing metres away.
Julien Willem — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wusel007 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wusel007 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Derek Keats — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Roland Unger — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Roland Unger — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wusel007 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Derek Keats — CC BY-SA 2.0
A calm sandy bay north of Marsa Alam and one of the best-known snorkelling spots on the Red Sea, because its floor is carpeted with seagrass meadows where green sea turtles graze a few metres from the beach, so you swim beside them as they feed. The bay has also been one of the few places in the world to see a dugong, or sea cow, in the wild, and one still appears now and then for the lucky. Coral reefs at both ends of the bay hold colourful fish and rays, with deeper dive sites beyond. The bay is protected, and swimmers go in with guides and strict rules: do not touch or chase the turtles, keep your distance and do not stand on the seagrass. The beach has facilities, snorkel gear rental, shades and a restaurant. A beach day pass costs about twenty euros according to 2026 guides, facilities included, while organised trips vary in price. Early morning is best for the turtles, before the beach fills up.
Grazing metres away.
A sea cow, with luck.
Fish and rays.
Marsa Abu Dabbab, about thirty kilometres north of Marsa Alam
On most days, since they feed on the bay's seagrass; the dugong is rare and never guaranteed.