Marsa Alam, Red Sea, Egypt

Marsa Mubarak

Marsa Mubarak is a wide sandy bay south of Marsa Alam, similar in profile to Abu Dabbab and likewise famous for resident dugongs and green turtles. The bay floor is a dense seagrass meadow from 4 to 12 metres, flanked by two reef walls dropping to 25 metres. Dugong sightings, while less reliable than at Abu Dabbab, occur regularly, and dozens of green turtles graze the seagrass on most dives. Resident guitar sharks (Glaucostegus halavi) sleep in the sand, and blue-spotted ribbontail rays, peacock flounders, octopus and cuttlefish are reliable. The reef walls support hard coral cover with anthias clouds and butterflyfish. Currents are very mild. Visibility 12–18 metres. Used as a shore dive from local resorts and as a snorkel site. Inside the Wadi El Gemal protected area.