Dive with Dugongs and Turtles | Abu Dabbab | Marsa Alam | 2 Dives

Look for the sea cow. Abu Dabbab offers two guided underwater sessions among coral blocks, colorful fish, giant turtles, and the occasional dugong. I like the careful safety briefing and the friendly team, especially instructors such as Ahmed and Ramy. I also like that the outing suits a range of abilities and includes transport, equipment support, snacks, and a hot shower afterward.

The main consideration is simple: a dugong sighting is never guaranteed. The schedule also begins at 8:00 am and requires about five hours, so you will want a free morning and realistic expectations about wildlife.

Abu Dabbab in five useful points

• Two underwater sessions at 10 to 15 meters: The route is suited to exploring coral blocks and marine life without going to extreme depth.
• A real chance to seek dugongs: The famous sea cow is the star attraction, but nature decides if it appears.
• Friendly, safety-minded instruction: The team combines clear guidance with an easygoing manner, according to the experience described by past participants.
• Transport from Scuba World: A minibus carries you from the Scuba World center at JAZ Costa Mares to Abu Dabbab.
• A small maximum group of 24: This is not an enormous boat crowd, though the actual group size can vary.
• Useful comforts afterward: You return to the center for a hot shower and snacks, a welcome finish after several hours in the water.

Why Abu Dabbab is special

Abu Dabbab is one of those Red Sea sites where the wildlife gives the outing its character. The appeal is not only the clear water or coral. It is the possibility of seeing large animals at close range, especially giant sea turtles and the dugong known locally as the sea cow.

The reef area includes colorful coral blocks and many kinds of fish. Dolphins may also appear, though they are an occasional sighting rather than part of a promise. I would book this outing for the chance to see a varied underwater setting, not for one guaranteed animal.

That distinction matters. If the dugong stays out of sight, you still have two sessions over coral and a good chance of seeing turtles. If the sea cow does appear, it can turn a pleasant morning into a memorable one. The staff’s effort to help people find it is useful, but no instructor can control a wild animal’s movements.

Starting at 8:00 am at Scuba World

Your morning begins at the Scuba World center at JAZ Costa Mares, located at KM 79 Qusseir, Marsa Alam, Red Sea Governorate. The listed start time is 8:00 am, and pickup is offered as part of the arrangements.

At the center, you meet the instructor, organize your equipment, and receive a safety briefing. This first stage is more important than it sounds. A clear briefing lets you understand the site, review basic procedures, and ask questions before entering the water.

The staff’s style seems to be one of the strongest parts of the outing. Ahmed is specifically praised for being friendly, as are the captain and photographer associated with one trip. Ramy is also described as warm, funny, and detailed when explaining skills during training. Those qualities matter on a morning when you may be handling unfamiliar equipment or hoping to make the most of limited underwater time.

The center has also been described as clean and well organized. That may not sound exciting, but clean gear, a tidy base, and clear preparation make the entire morning easier. Scuba World also offers instruction in German for some courses, along with Advanced Open Water and Nitrox training, so the team appears accustomed to working with different levels of experience.

The minibus ride to the reef

After preparation, you travel by minibus from the center to Abu Dabbab. The ride is a practical link between the hotel area and the shore site, rather than a separate sightseeing stop.

Because the full outing lasts about five hours, the morning is fairly focused. You are not spending the day on a long boat cruise or moving between several distant sites. Instead, you prepare, ride to Abu Dabbab, complete the two underwater sessions, and return to the center.

That format suits you if you want a dedicated marine-life outing without giving up your entire day. It also makes the timing easier to manage around other plans in Marsa Alam. Still, the 8:00 am start means you should be ready early and avoid scheduling something immediately afterward.

First descent: coral blocks and open water

At Abu Dabbab, the underwater route reaches approximately 10 to 15 meters. This depth gives you access to coral blocks and marine life while keeping the session within a moderate range for qualified participants.

The coral is the setting rather than a quick backdrop. You should have time to look closely at the reef, watch the fish, and scan the area for larger animals. The staff aim to allow enough time to explore the site properly, rather than rush you through a short circuit.

I like this kind of format because it gives the reef room to reveal itself. A turtle may be resting near the bottom, while a dugong could be farther away and easy to miss if you only look straight ahead. Slow observation is part of the pleasure here.

The first session also lets you settle into the conditions. You can check your comfort, get used to the visibility, and become more familiar with the guide’s instructions. If you are less experienced, that steady approach is helpful. If you already have plenty of underwater time, you can focus more on photography and animal spotting.

The second session and the search for turtles

The second underwater session gives you another chance to explore Abu Dabbab rather than treating the reef as a quick single stop. It also gives you another opportunity to look for turtles or the elusive dugong.

The giant turtles are among the most reliable reasons to choose this site, but they are still wild animals. You may see one resting, feeding, or moving through the area. Keep your distance and let the guide manage the approach. The goal is to watch the animal without crowding it.

Dolphins are also possible, though the supplied details describe them as an occasional sighting. I would treat them as a bonus, not a central reason to book. The same goes for the dugong. The experience is strongest when you enjoy the coral and fish while keeping your eyes open for something rare.

The two-session structure adds value here. If the first visit produces only reef fish and coral, the second gives you more time in the same general area. It cannot guarantee a sea cow, but it improves your overall chance of a satisfying morning.

What the guides add to the experience

Good underwater instruction is not just about safety. It changes how much you notice and how relaxed you feel.

The team is repeatedly described as friendly, helpful, funny, and professional. Those traits work well together. A formal briefing helps you understand the risks, while a warm instructor can make the process less stiff and intimidating. The best balance is serious about safety without making the morning feel like a military exercise.

Ahmed is named as a particularly friendly guide. Ramy is praised for explaining things in detail during Advanced Open Water and Nitrox training. The information does not assign either person specifically to every Abu Dabbab outing, so you should not assume you will have one particular instructor. Still, these names give you a sense of the staff culture.

The center also has a photographer on some outings. Photography can be a pleasant extra, especially if you want a record of the reef or a turtle encounter. The available details do not specify whether photos are included in the $105.17 price, so ask before booking if images matter to you.

Is $105.17 good value?

At $105.17 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a structured half-day marine outing with two underwater sessions and organized support. The value comes from the combination: instruction, safety preparation, minibus transport, access to Abu Dabbab, two sessions at a moderate depth, and the use of the center afterward.

You are not simply paying for a ride to the beach. The staff help prepare you, guide the underwater route, and look for notable marine life. A hot shower and snacks after returning are small touches, but they make a difference after several hours of equipment, salt water, and early-morning activity.

The price is less compelling if you are mainly hoping for a guaranteed dugong. No responsible operator can promise that. If you would be disappointed by a morning of coral, fish, and turtles without a sea cow, you may want to think carefully before booking.

For families, the destination has appeal because Abu Dabbab offers courses and programs for children. This particular two-session outing still requires you to confirm that each child meets the operator’s participation requirements. The supplied information says most people can take part, but it does not list specific age, certification, or medical rules.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it to certified scuba participants who want a manageable morning near Marsa Alam, especially those excited by turtles and the possibility of a dugong. It also fits people who value a friendly team and clear guidance more than a large boat-based production.

It may suit mixed-ability groups, since the staff are used to different levels and the route reaches about 10 to 15 meters. Still, your own certification, recent experience, and comfort in the water matter. Ask the center directly if you have been out of the water for a long time or need a particular level of support.

Families should look into the children’s programs separately. Abu Dabbab is described as family-friendly, but the two-session format may not be right for every child. The operator can give the most accurate advice about participation.

I would skip it if you want a guaranteed encounter with a specific animal, dislike early starts, or prefer a full-day boat trip with several different sites. This is a focused shore-based experience built around one well-known location.

Practical details before you go

Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting point is Scuba World at JAZ Costa Mares. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking, especially if you are staying away from the hotel area.

The group maximum is 24 people. That keeps the outing from becoming an enormous group, but it does not mean the group will feel private. If personal attention is important to you, ask how many people are expected on your date.

Confirmation is provided at booking. The activity depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment causes cancellation, you can receive another date or experience, or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. That is worth noting if your Marsa Alam plans are still shifting.

Should you book Abu Dabbab?

Book this outing if you want two well-supported underwater sessions, a good coral setting, and a real chance to see turtles or a dugong. The friendly instruction, clean center, organized transport, and post-session shower make the $105.17 price easier to justify.

Go in with the right promise to yourself: you are booking access to a special habitat, not a guaranteed sea-cow encounter. If you can enjoy the reef even when the rare animal stays away, Abu Dabbab offers a strong, practical morning near Marsa Alam.

FAQ

Where does the experience start?

It starts at Scuba World Divers at JAZ Costa Mares, KM 79 Qusseir, Marsa Alam, Red Sea Governorate 84721, Egypt.

What time does the outing begin?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately five hours.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The experience includes two scuba sessions at Abu Dabbab.

How deep do the sessions go?

The stated depth is approximately 10 to 15 meters.

What animals might I see?

You may see colorful fish, coral, giant sea turtles, dolphins, and possibly a dugong. Dugong sightings are not guaranteed.

Is transportation included?

A minibus takes participants from the Scuba World center to Abu Dabbab, and pickup is offered.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 24 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in an alternative date or a full refund.