Snorkeling in Marsa Alam at a glance
You can snorkel in three ways here. From a beach with a house reef, from a bay with a day pass such as Abu Dabbab, or on a boat trip to an outer reef. Each has different rules and different costs. A house reef is not guaranteed to be open all year, and wind can change the entry, so ask your hotel or beach operator on the day.
Organized open-water snorkeling is limited to 12 guests per snorkeling guide, counted against the passenger list before departure. Rougher conditions can mean smaller groups. A briefing about the environment comes before the boat trip and before you enter the water.
Our picks: snorkeling trips
A Sataya reef day, a Marsa Mubarak seagrass bay trip and a half day at Abu Dabbab. Sataya is the full day with lunch; Marsa Mubarak and Abu Dabbab are built around the seagrass bays.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sataya reef full-day snorkel trip with lunch
- Two guided snorkel stops
- Lunch, soft and hot drinks
- Mask, snorkel, fins, life vest
A long day on the water to the Dolphin House reef at Sataya. The reserve fee is paid in cash on board and comes on top, and a dolphin sighting is not promised.
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Abu Dabbab bay: snorkeling or intro dive
- Guide or dive instructor
- Choice of snorkel or dive
- Hotel transfer in Marsa Alam
A half day in the seagrass bay. The bay entry is paid in cash on site and snorkel gear is not included. Sightings of dugongs or turtles are not guaranteed.
Check availability →
Marsa Mubarak bay: turtle and dugong snorkeling
- Certified snorkel guides
- Buffet lunch on board
- Mask, fins and life jacket
Two guided sessions in the seagrass bay where turtles and dugongs feed. Nobody can promise a sighting; keep your distance and never touch the animals.
Check availability →Marsa Alam snorkeling trips
Boat snorkeling days to the reefs, bay visits and trips with turtles and dugong habitat, with live prices and availability.
Where to snorkel
Prices are 2026 starting points for boat days. Check the current price when you book.
| Place | How you get there | Price in 2026 | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dabbab | Beach day with a day pass | – | Seagrass meadows and coral; turtles and dugongs use the bay |
| Marsa Mubarak | Boat or organized trip | From about €50 | Also written Marsa Mobarak or Um el Rouse; a place to look for dugongs |
| Samadai | Full-day boat trip, boat about 30 minutes | From about €60 | Dolphin reef with zones |
| Hamata Island | Boat excursion | From about €70 | Island landings are not a given |
| Sataya | Road transfer of 2 to 2.5 hours, then about 1.5 hours by boat | From about €80 | Dolphin reef with management zones; about 13 hours in total |
For most visitors, a first snorkeling day at a bay or house reef, followed by one boat trip, makes a good mix. The longer days to Sataya suit people who want to spend most of the day on the water.
Reef rules for snorkelers
The rules are simple, and they protect the reef you came to see.
- Do not touch or stand on corals. That includes standing with shoes. Fins are no permission to walk on the reef, and fin strokes must not damage the coral.
- Take nothing home. Corals and shells stay where they are.
- Boats use moorings instead of dropping anchors on the reef.
- Listen to the briefing. It covers the boat, the entry and the reef rules for the day.
- Follow the daily instructions of your boat crew or beach operator, since wind and sea state change from day to day.
Check the details on beaches if you plan a day on the shore.
Abu Dabbab and Marsa Mubarak
Abu Dabbab is the best-known snorkeling bay. The bay has seagrass meadows and coral habitats that dugongs and turtles use. That tells you what lives in the bay, not what you will see on one visit. Entry works with a day pass and a digital ticket with a QR code. Booking ahead is strongly recommended in 2026 because daily capacity is limited.
- Facilities: loungers and parasols, lifeguards, showers and toilets, lockers.
- Children: under 6 free, ages 6 to 11 pay a children's rate, 12 and over pay the adult rate.
- Food and drink: items from outside are not allowed.
Marsa Mubarak is one place with several spellings. Do not count Marsa Mobarak and Um el Rouse as separate bays. Details on the bay are on Abu Dabbab Bay.
Snorkeling with turtles and dugongs
Habitat, not a promise.
Sea turtles
Green turtles and hawksbill turtles use the Egyptian Red Sea coast. They graze and feed on seagrass and reefs. Do not touch, grab, lean on, circle or feed them, and keep your distance. No fixed distance in meters is given, so stay well back and let the animal decide.
Sea turtles →Dugongs
Dugongs graze on seagrass in shallow water. The rules ask for distance, a low noise level, slow movement and a free escape route for the animal. Never touch or feed one, and never approach a sick or injured animal.
Dugong →Dolphins
At the Dolphin House reefs you need fins, mask, snorkel and a life vest. Enter quietly, swim alongside, and never chase, touch or feed.
Dolphin House →Plan the rest of your trip
Where snorkeling fits.
Marsa Alam snorkeling: frequently asked questions
Where should I snorkel in Marsa Alam?
That depends on whether you want a calm bay, a house reef or a boat trip. The table above compares the usual places. It is not a ranking, because conditions change from day to day.
How many people are in a snorkeling group?
Organized open-water snorkeling is limited to 12 guests per snorkeling guide. Rougher conditions can require smaller groups.
Will I see turtles or dugongs?
They live in the area, but nobody can guarantee a sighting on your day. Keep your distance if you do meet one. See sea turtles and dugongs.
Can I snorkel without a guide?
On a beach with a house reef, yes, if the operator allows it that day. On organized trips, a guide leads the group. Follow the operator's instructions, since wind and sea state can limit access.
Do I need fins?
Fins help, but they are no permission to stand on the reef. At the Dolphin House reefs, fins, mask, snorkel and a life vest are required.