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Map of Marsa Abu Dabbab (Abu Dabbab 1 / Turtle Bay)
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Marsa Abu Dabbab (Abu Dabbab 1 / Turtle Bay)

Red Sea Governorate, EgyptDirections
Open Water suggestedHeavy snorkeler/boat traffic2–18 m (7–59 ft) depthBoth entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Marsa Abu Dabbab (Abu Dabbab 1 / Turtle Bay) at a glance

Marsa Abu Dabbab (Abu Dabbab 1 / Turtle Bay) is a beginner both dive site in Red Sea Governorate, Egypt with depths of 2–18 m (7–59 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 2 years of archive data. Recent reports put the water around 27°C (81°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 7:00–19:00 · favorable · sunset 18:03

Forecast for this hour · 1:00 · run 5 h ago
0.3 m (0.9 ft)waves — under half a meter expected (waves — under a foot expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 27°C · seasonal avg 28°C ( · Forecast 81°F · seasonal avg 82°F)

Site hazards: Heavy snorkeler/boat traffic · Shallow seagrass swim · Do-not-touch wildlife rules

All 3 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Smallest waves: Sun
Tue7:00–19:00 favorable

0.4 m waves · 5 kn wind (1.1 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Wed7:00–19:00 favorable

0.4 m waves · 7 kn wind (1.2 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Thu7:00–19:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.0 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Fri7:00–19:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.5 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Sat7:00–19:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 7 kn wind (2.1 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Sun7:00–19:00 favorable

0.3 m waves · 5 kn wind (0.9 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

MonNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:22 · Sunrise 6:45 · Sunset 18:03 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 14 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 20:27 EEST

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Marsa Abu Dabbab (Abu Dabbab 1 / Turtle Bay)

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Best time: November to April for clearer water; year round

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 74% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  2. February, 61% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  3. March, 87% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  4. April, 85% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  5. May, 79% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  6. June, 93% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (85°F), waves have typically been 0.5 m (1.8 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 94% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (87°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  9. September, 85% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (85°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  10. October, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (82°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  11. November, 95% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  12. December, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots

July has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 1 year of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

  • Kuhl's Maskray recorded here Jul (2 records)

    Neotrygon kuhliimost recent 2013

  • Orangefin Anemonefish recorded here Jan, Jul (2 records)

    Amphiprion chrysopterusmost recent 2019

  • Bluespotted Cornetfish recorded here Jul (1 record)

    Fistularia commersoniimost recent 2013

  • Dugong dugon recorded here Nov (1 record)

    most recent 2004

  • Green Turtle recorded here Nov (1 record)

    Chelonia mydasmost recent 2014

  • Hubb Octopus recorded here Jul (1 record)

    Octopus hubbsorummost recent 2013

  • Jewel enope squid recorded here Jul (1 record)

    Pyroteuthis margaritiferamost recent 2013

  • Picasso fish recorded here Jul (1 record)

    Rhinecanthus aculeatusmost recent 2013

Newest record here: 2019. Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

Marsa Abu Dabbab is the famous sandy turtle-and-dugong bay about 30 km north of Marsa Alam, bounded by north and south reefs with a wide seagrass meadow between them. It is one of the few places in the Red Sea where divers regularly meet large green turtles grazing the seagrass and, with luck, the resident dugong. Shallow, current-free and easy from shore, it is ideal for beginners, snorkelers and photographers.

shore

Heavy snorkeler/boat traffic

Shallow seagrass swim

Do-not-touch wildlife rules

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