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IntermediateBoat entry

Zabargad Turtle Bay

Egypt
Open Water suggested5–25 m (16–82 ft) depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Zabargad Turtle Bay at a glance

Zabargad Turtle Bay is an intermediate boat dive site in Egypt with depths of 5–25 m (16–82 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Green turtle, Octopus, and Bluespotted stingray. Recent reports put the water around 29°C (84°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 7:00–18:00 · favorable & moderate

Forecast for this hour · 20:00 · run under 1 h ago
0.7 m (2.3 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about two feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 29°C · seasonal avg 29°C ( · Forecast 84°F · seasonal avg 85°F)

Site hazards: Remote location, boat traffic, current outside sheltered areas, night-dive task loading, heat, dehydration, and wildlife disturbance risk around turtles and resting animals.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Wed
MonNo window

0.8 m waves · 10 kn wind (2.6 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Tue7:00–8:00 moderate, 8:00–18:00 favorable

0.8 m waves · 10 kn wind (2.7 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Wed7:00–18:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 8 kn wind (1.6 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Thu7:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 16 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 16 kn wind)

Fri7:00–18:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 17 kn wind (3.7 ft waves · 17 kn wind)

Sat7:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 16 kn wind (3.2 ft waves · 16 kn wind)

Sun7:00–18:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 13 kn wind (2.4 ft waves · 13 kn wind)

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 6:14 · Sunrise 6:37 · Sunset 18:00 · all windows sit within daylight

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.7 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 20:22 EEST

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Zabargad 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

Known for: Green turtle, Octopus, Bluespotted stingray
Best time: Plan around liveaboard/operator itinerary, wind, sea state, permissions, and conservation guidance; do not treat the calendar alone as dive clearance.

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, 71% 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 17 knots
  2. February, 54% 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 19 knots
  3. March, 76% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  4. April, 76% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  5. May, 76% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  6. June, 88% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.2 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  7. July, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (88°F), waves have typically been 0.4 m (1.3 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 87% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 32°C (89°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.3 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  9. September, 76% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (87°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  10. October, 73% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (85°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  11. November, 82% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (82°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  12. December, 76% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (79°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 17 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 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

The underwater calendar

When these animals are most recorded around Red Sea — from open sighting data, not a promise.

Watch the whole year animate on the Migrations map

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Featured southern Red Sea guide

Zabargad Turtle Bay Red Sea dive guide

Zabargad Turtle Bay is a southern Egyptian Red Sea page with liveaboard and safari-style search intent. This guide explains the island context, sheltered bay profile, turtle-sensitive planning, and why a calm-looking lagoon still deserves local briefing and conservation care.

Open mapCheck conditionsCompare nearby sitesRead reviews

PickADive guides and forecast windows are planning context, not a safety clearance. Confirm current conditions, rules, training limits, and operator guidance before diving — the decision is yours.

Planning focus
Southern Red Sea bay
Access
Boat/liveaboard context
Best for
Relaxed reef and turtles
Planning note
Confirm permissions
Difficulty
Intermediate
Suggested context: Open Water Plus Liveaboard/operator Briefing; Remote Southern Red Sea Logistics And Conservation Rules Matter Even On Sheltered Bay Profiles.
Depth
5-25m
Confirm your plan against current conditions and training.

Why dive Zabargad Turtle Bay

The query "zabargad diving safari" points to destination planning rather than casual local diving. Zabargad sits in the southern Red Sea context where divers often compare remote island routes, reefs, and liveaboard itineraries. Turtle Bay is the more accessible way to understand that cluster without overpromising advanced open-ocean encounters.

How to dive it

Plan it through a Red Sea operator or liveaboard itinerary that can confirm permissions, route, mooring, wind shelter, night-dive rules, and current local conservation guidance. Treat the bay as a wildlife-sensitive site, especially around turtles and nesting-season context.

Marine life and site character

The sheltered bay is associated with reef fish, sandy patches, rays, octopus, cuttlefish, crocodilefish, and turtles when present. Wildlife should be watched from distance. Do not chase, block, touch, or light-stress turtles or resting animals.

Best season and conditions

Remote southern Red Sea planning is driven by itinerary, wind, sea state, operator judgment, and conservation restrictions. Use the calendar only as a starting point; the boat briefing decides whether the bay is a good fit that day.

Hazards and diver readiness

Remote logistics, boat traffic, night-dive task loading, current outside sheltered areas, heat, dehydration, and wildlife disturbance are the main concerns. A sheltered bay is not a substitute for briefing, buddy discipline, and operator rules.

Local tips

If your trip uses Zabargad as part of a Rocky Island or St. John's style route, ask where Turtle Bay fits in the sequence. It can be a relaxed contrast to more exposed reef dives when conditions and rules allow.

Remote island context matters

Zabargad planning is different from a shore-resort house reef. It is usually part of a wider southern Red Sea route where weather, permissions, and boat logistics shape the dive.

  • Confirm current access and conservation rules with the operator.
  • Ask whether the route is day dive, night dive, or both.
  • Treat wildlife encounters as a privilege, not the dive objective.

Common questions about Zabargad Turtle Bay

Is Zabargad Turtle Bay a liveaboard dive?

It is commonly planned in the southern Red Sea safari/liveaboard context, though exact access depends on operator itinerary, permissions, and conditions.

Can I expect turtles at Turtle Bay?

Turtles are part of the site reputation, but no wildlife encounter is guaranteed. Keep distance and follow operator conservation guidance.

Is Turtle Bay suitable for a night dive?

Some itineraries may use sheltered bays for night-diving style plans, but this depends on the operator, rules, weather, and diver experience.

Why not promote every Zabargad page?

PickADive should promote the clearest, best-supported page first. Turtle Bay has stronger existing context than thinner Zabargad listings that still need verification.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

Turtle Bay on Zabargad Island is a sheltered, sandy-bottomed lagoon known for its abundance of reef fish, cuttlefish, octopus, bluespotted rays and crocodilefish. It is a turtle nesting ground, with green turtles especially present around August. The calm, shallow terrain makes it a relaxed dive and a popular night-dive site.

Remote location, boat traffic, current outside sheltered areas, night-dive task loading, heat, dehydration, and wildlife disturbance risk around turtles and resting animals.

Reviews

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