Snorkeling With Turtles at Abu Dabbab: A Practical Guide

There's a moment at Abu Dabbab that turns first-time snorkellers into lifelong sea-lovers: you're floating quietly, and a large green turtle rises from the seagrass below, drifts up for a breath beside you, and sinks back down to graze, utterly unbothered. This shallow bay near Marsa Alam is one of the easiest, most reliable places anywhere to share the water with wild turtles — and doing it right is simple once you know how.

The short answer: Abu Dabbab is a calm, shallow bay where green turtles graze the seagrass close to shore. Snorkel gently with a mask, keep your distance, and you've a great chance of a magical, respectful turtle encounter — no diving needed.

Why Abu Dabbab is so good for turtles

The secret is the seagrass. Abu Dabbab's wide, shallow bay has broad meadows of seagrass right in the middle — and that's exactly what green turtles come to eat. Because the bay is sheltered, calm, and shallow, the turtles feed close to shore in water you can simply float above. You don't need to be a diver or a strong swimmer; a mask, a snorkel, and a gentle approach are all it takes.

Getting there

Abu Dabbab lies roughly half an hour north of Marsa Alam, easily reached as a day trip from most Marsa Alam resorts, or you can stay at one of the lodges built right on the bay. Entry to the beach usually involves a small fee, and snorkel gear is available to rent on site if you don't bring your own. It's a straightforward, accessible outing.

What to expect

The bay is wide and shallow with a sandy bottom and seagrass meadows. Green turtles are the stars — often several feeding at once, surfacing every few minutes to breathe. You may also spot harmless, shy guitar sharks resting on the sand, remoras, and reef fish along the coral edges. The bay's rarest resident, the dugong, occasionally appears, but sightings are uncommon — treat one as pure luck. The water is calm and clear, ideal for relaxed, unhurried snorkelling.

How to do it without harming the turtles

This is the most important part. The golden rule is distance:

• Don't chase, touch, or surround the turtles. Let them come and go on their own terms.
• Keep a respectful gap — crowding stresses them and, over time, drives them out of the bay.
• Stay off the seagrass and coral. Keep your fins up and your buoyancy controlled; the seagrass is their food source.
• Don't block a turtle's path to the surface — they need to breathe.
• Wear reef-safe sunscreen and follow your guide's instructions on entry and exit.

Behave well and the turtles stay relaxed, giving everyone a better, longer encounter — the careful way is also the rewarding way.

Practical tips

Go early for the calmest water and fewest crowds. Bring a well-fitting mask, a rash guard, and reef-safe sunscreen, plus water and shade since the bay is exposed. Use a flotation vest if you're a nervous swimmer. Keep valuables minimal. Manage expectations on busy days when several groups share the water — early starts really pay off. And bring a camera if you like, but never prioritise a photo over the turtle's wellbeing.

Abu Dabbab rewards patience and good manners more than anything else. Slow down, keep your distance, and let the bay reveal its turtles in their own time — and you'll come away with one of the gentlest, most memorable wildlife experiences the Red Sea offers.

Ready to meet the turtles? Plan your Abu Dabbab snorkelling trip alongside your Marsa Alam stay on packnplan, and give yourself the early start that makes the encounter unforgettable.