Marsa Alam, Red Sea, Egypt

Marsa Abu Dabbab

Abu Dabbab is a wide sandy bay 25 km north of Marsa Alam, internationally famous as the most reliable site in Egypt to encounter dugongs (Dugong dugon). The bay is dominated by a dense, shallow seagrass meadow (Halophila stipulacea) extending from 4 to 12 metres, with two reef walls (Abu Dabbab I and II) flanking the lagoon. Resident dugongs — at least one habituated adult known to guides — are sighted on most days, grazing on the seagrass. Green turtles are abundant, often more than ten on a single dive. Resident species include guitar sharks (Glaucostegus halavi) sleeping in the sand, blue-spotted ribbontail rays, peacock flounders and the giant pufferfish. The reef walls support hard coral cover with anthias and butterflyfish. Currents are very mild. Visibility 12–20 metres, often dropping when sand is stirred. Dive operators rotate divers in pairs to limit pressure on the dugong; touching is forbidden. Inside the Wadi El Gemal protected area.