Scuba diving in Shaab Abu Dabbab
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10Dive centers nearby
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4Liveaboards offers dives on Shaab Abu Dabbab
- Diving from USD 27
- Liveaboards from USD 1060
Abu Dabbab, located 30km/19mi north of Marsa Alam, is one of the most famous dive sites in the Red Sea. It is a special place due to the strong presence of sea turtles and rare dugongs. The site has 6 reefs lying just below the water's surface, and each reef is one of the 6 ’Father's stepping stones’, which is the meaning of Abu Dabbab in English. The site has reefs, tunnels, caves, pinnacles, and even a small wreck. The most popular and more enjoyable sites are Ithnain and Thalata. The current runs from south to north and can be strong at times, so Abu Dabbab is sometimes a drift diving site. This site is perfect for snorkelers and divers of all levels. Macro lovers and underwater photographers will be also pleased with this spot.
When to go
Diving is available year-round. In the summer months the water temperature is about 30C/86F, and in January it drops down to 22C/71F.
What to see
The shallow waters are full of corals, seagrass, colorful fish, and even harmless guitar sharks. Divers are likely to get up close and personal with huge green turtles and see rare dugongs, which are frequent visitors to the site. Divers can also spot schools of goatfish, butterflyfish, scorpionfish, and rays of all sizes, as well as superb macro subjects like hairy pygmy pipehorses, slender ghost pipefish, and even thorny seahorses. Diving is possible here all year round.