Beginner’s Guide to Diving in Marsa Alam: What New Divers Should Know

Marsa Alam has earned its stellar reputation from the world-class, advanced sites in its Deep South, such as Elphinstone and Daedalus. However, a beautifully kept secret is that the long, sweeping coastline of Marsa Alam is arguably one of the best places on Earth for a beginner diver to learn and gain confidence.

While the region offers thrilling challenges for the experienced, its numerous sheltered bays, warm water, and pristine shore-entry house reefs create the perfect, safe environment for your first breaths underwater. If you’ve been considering getting certified or trying diving for the first time, this essential guide is for you.

 Why Marsa Alam is Perfect for Beginners

The unique geography and dive culture of Marsa Alam make it far more accessible and comfortable for new divers than many other global destinations:

  • Sheltered Bays (Marsas): Unlike open-ocean sites, many of Marsa Alam’s most famous locations are natural, well-protected marsas (bays), such as Abu Dabbab and Marsa Mubarak. These bays offer calm, wave-free conditions with gently sloping sandy bottoms—perfect for practicing skills and controlling buoyancy.
  • Shore Diving Culture: Many resorts and eco-lodges offer incredible house reefs accessible directly from the beach or a jetty. This eliminates long, sometimes choppy boat rides, reducing the likelihood of seasickness and making gear setup far easier.
  • Warm Water and Visibility: With water temperatures rarely dipping below 22∘C (72∘F) and visibility consistently reaching 20 to 30 meters (65 to 100 feet), the conditions are physically comfortable and visually inspiring for new divers.

 Your First Steps: Courses and Try Dives

You do not need a certification to start exploring Marsa Alam’s underwater world. Local dive centres offer a range of introductory options:

1. Discover Scuba Diving (DSD)

  • Who it’s for: Travelers who want to try diving without committing to a full course.
  • What you do: A short theory session, basic skill practice in shallow water (or a pool), followed by one or two guided open water dives.
  • Depth: Maximum depth is 12 meters (40 feet), always under the direct supervision of an instructor.
  • Prerequisites: Minimum age 10 years, no prior experience required.

2. Open Water Diver (OWD) Certification

  • Who it’s for: Those ready to earn the world’s most recognized diving license, allowing them to dive independently with a buddy.
  • What you do: A 3-4 day course combining classroom theory, confined water (shallow) skill training, and four open water dives.
  • Depth: Certified to dive to 18 meters (60 feet).

Marsa Alam is the perfect classroom. Most dive centers take students directly to the house reefs or protected bays for the open water dives, meaning you’ll be seeing turtles and clownfish during your training.

 Top 3 Beginner-Friendly Dive Sites in Marsa Alam

New divers get to bypass the advanced reefs and head straight to the sheltered bays famous for encounters with the gentle giants of the Red Sea:

1. Abu Dabbab

Why it’s great: A large, sheltered bay with a shallow, sandy bottom covered in seagrass meadows.

What you’ll see: This is the most famous site for guaranteed encounters with Green Sea Turtles and the extremely rare Dugong (Sea Cow). The calm conditions and shallow depth make it ideal for new divers to practice buoyancy while watching these majestic animals graze.

Access: Mostly shore-accessible from local resorts or short boat trips.

2. Marsa Mubarak

  • Why it’s great: Another pristine, protected bay near Port Ghalib with soft coral patches and healthy seagrass.
  • What you’ll see: Excellent chance for sea turtle sightings, bright reef fish, and beautiful coral formations along the edges of the bay. The conditions are calm and safe for beginners.
  • Access: Usually accessed by short boat trip.

3. House Reefs (Coraya Bay or Marsa Shagra)

  • Why it’s great: These reefs are right off your hotel or lodge beach, offering immediate access to the underwater world. They are typically calm and constantly supervised by dive staff.
  • What you’ll see: The biodiversity here is staggering: anemones with resident clownfish, moray eels, pufferfish, and schools of colorful fusiliers. They are perfect for repeating dives to build comfort and skills.

 Essential Tips for New Divers in Marsa Alam

  1. Start with the House Reef: Dive the house reef immediately upon arrival. This lets you check your gear and refresh your skills in a safe, stress-free environment before taking a boat trip.
  2. Respect the Marine Life: Marsa Alam is famous for its large animals. Maintain a respectful distance of at least 3-5 meters from turtles and dugongs. Never chase, touch, or feed them—it’s crucial for their protection and is illegal.
  3. Use a Rash Guard/3mm Suit: While the water is warm, a thin wetsuit or rash guard protects you from sun exposure and provides a light barrier against minor scrapes and stings.
  4. Listen to Your Guide: Marsa Alam dive guides are experts in the local conditions. They will always prioritize your safety and choose sites suitable for your skill level, ensuring your first experiences are positive and memorable.

Your journey into the world of scuba diving deserves a spectacular start, and the sheltered bays and vibrant reefs of Marsa Alam provide just that.