Snorkelling Trip with Dugongs and Turtles in Marsa Alam

By Khaled

Snorkelling Trip with Dugongs and Turtles in Marsa Alam, photo 3

Snorkelling Trip with Dugongs and Turtles in Marsa Alam, photo 4

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Snorkelling Trip with Dugongs and Turtles in Marsa Alam, photo 5

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Activity Highlights:

South of Marsa Alam, Marsa Mubarak is well known among snorkellers for its resident dugong population, alongside regular sightings of green turtles and reef fish. This full day boat trip covers hotel pickup, two guided snorkel stops and a lunch served on board.

📋 Key Details

Duration: Around 7 hours including transfers
Group size: Shared boat trip, maximum 15 guests
Minimum age: No set minimum; check suitability for very young children when booking
Difficulty: Easy, suitable for confident swimmers of most abilities
Weather: Mildly affected by conditions, so timing can shift with the sea state

🎯 What to Expect

After hotel pickup and a transfer to the marina, the boat heads south along the coast towards Marsa Mubarak, one of the few bays in the Red Sea where dugongs graze on seagrass close to shore. Guides point out what to look for before the first snorkel stop, keeping close to the group throughout.

Two separate snorkel stops give time in the water at different sites, with a hot lunch served on board between them. The second stop moves to a different reef area, rounding off the day before the boat returns to the marina for the transfer back to the hotel.

📍 Location

Marsa Mubarak is a sheltered bay south of Marsa Alam where seagrass meadows just off the beach attract dugongs and green turtles into shallow, easy to reach water. Calm conditions for most of the year keep visibility good and make it a manageable swim even for snorkellers who are not especially strong.

Quieter and less developed than the resorts further north around Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, the wider Marsa Alam coastline has long stretches of reef running close to shore rather than out at open water dive sites. That combination is one of the main reasons the area has built a reputation among snorkellers looking for marine life beyond standard reef fish.

✅ Prerequisites

Confident swimming ability in open water matters here, since some sections involve swimming a short distance from the boat to the reef edge. Snorkelling equipment is provided and fitted before entering the water.

Guides stay close to the group throughout both stops, and a life jacket is available for anyone who would prefer extra buoyancy while still being able to see everything at the surface.

⭐ Why Choose Us

Two separate snorkel stops rather than one long swim give guests a proper chance to see both the seagrass area favoured by dugongs and a separate reef site, rather than rushing everything into a single stop.

A hot lunch on board means the day does not need to be cut short to get back for food, and bottled water throughout keeps everyone comfortable across a full day on the water.

FAQs:

Will I definitely see a dugong?

Marsa Mubarak is one of the more reliable spots in the Red Sea for dugong sightings, since the bay has a resident population that feeds on the seagrass close to shore, but sightings can never be guaranteed on any wildlife trip. Guides know the areas the dugongs favour and plan the snorkel stop accordingly, and turtles and reef fish are seen on the vast majority of trips even on days when the dugong stays out of sight.

Do I need to be an experienced snorkeller?

You should be a comfortable, confident swimmer, but you do not need previous snorkelling experience. Equipment is fitted before you get in the water, and your guide gives a quick refresher on breathing through the snorkel and clearing your mask if needed. The water at both stops is generally calm, and guides stay close to the group throughout, so nervous swimmers are welcome as long as they are happy putting their face in the water and swimming without support.

What should I bring with me?

Wear your swimming costume under your clothes and bring a towel, sun cream and a hat for the boat ride, since these are the essentials. Reef safe sun cream is worth using given the marine environment, and a rash vest or light top is useful for extra sun protection while snorkelling. Bring a dry bag or waterproof pouch for your phone if you want to take photographs on board, and any personal medication you might need, since it is a full day out away from shore.

Is there anywhere to change on board?

The boat has space to change out of wet swimwear, though facilities are basic rather than private cabins, so many guests choose to wear their swimming costume under their clothes for the day. Bring your own towel, as one is not always provided. A sheltered seating area on deck gives some protection from sun and wind between snorkel stops, which is useful if you want to warm up after being in the water.

What is included in the lunch?

The crew serves a hot lunch on board between the two snorkel stops, typically a simple selection of grilled or cooked dishes suited to a day at sea. Bottled water is provided throughout the trip to keep everyone hydrated in the sun. If you have specific dietary requirements, mention them when booking so the crew can plan accordingly, since options on board are more limited than a shore based restaurant.

Is this trip suitable for young children?

There is no set minimum age, but a full day on a boat with two open water snorkel stops suits older children who can swim confidently more than very young ones. Life jackets are available for anyone who wants extra support in the water. If you are travelling with young children, it is worth getting in touch before booking to check the day's plan suits their swimming ability and confidence around open water.

What happens if the sea is too rough to snorkel?

The Marsa Alam coastline is sheltered for most of the year, so trips run as planned on the large majority of dates. Conditions are checked by the boat crew before departure and at each stop. On the rare day when conditions are genuinely unsafe for snorkelling, activities may be rearranged or paused rather than pushing ahead regardless.

How much swimming is actually involved?

You will swim a short distance from the boat to the snorkel area at each of the two stops, generally over calm, shallow water rather than long open crossings. Guides accompany the group and keep an eye on slower swimmers throughout. You can take breaks at any point by returning to the boat, and a life jacket is available if you would prefer extra buoyancy while still being able to see everything at the surface.

Can I bring my own snorkelling gear?

Mask, snorkel and fins are provided as part of the trip, but you are welcome to bring your own if you have a mask that fits you particularly well or prefer your own fins. Just let the crew know when boarding so they can check the fit is suitable. A spare set is kept on board in case anything is left behind or a piece of equipment does not fit properly once you are in the water.

How do transfers to and from the boat work?

Your driver collects you from your hotel in Marsa Alam in the morning for the short transfer to the marina, with the same run in reverse at the end of the day once the boat returns. Exact pickup times are confirmed once your booking is made, and it is worth being ready a little before the stated time in case the driver's route includes other pickups on the way to the marina.

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