Colorful corals and millions of fish, endless turtles and, with a bit of luck, the chance of meeting a manatee - diving in Abu Dabbab is one of the most beautiful underwater experiences in the southern Red Sea in Egypt. The Blue Ocean Dive Center is located in the middle of the bay's wide beach and therefore offers the best starting point for all dives. I was traveling with the diving center and looked at the beauty of the underwater world while diving in Abu Dabbab. In my review I would like to share my – quite positive – experiences with the Blue Ocean Dive Center Abu Dabbab with you.
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While we float almost silently over the seabed of Abu Dabbab Bay, there is a lot going on on the surface of the water. Snorkelers line up with snorkelers winding their way along the reef to catch a glimpse of the colorful corals and thousands of fish. The Diving there is something sublime and exclusive about this moment. My buddy Ibrahim and I glide weightlessly through the underwater world.
I observe, try to take in everything carefully and discover the hidden treasures of the reef, while Ibrahim, who belongs to the Blue Ocean Dive Center and is responsible for online marketing there, has an eye for the perfect photos with his underwater camera.
Together we will go on a discovery tour and see what this unique bay north of Marsa Alam, which is part of a nature reserve, has to offer. And that's really a lot.
Video – Diving in Abu Dabbab is so beautiful
Below I have picked out a video for you to show you how beautiful diving is in Abu Dabbab and with Blue Ocean. I also shot my own videos on site - but I still have to edit them and upload them to YouTube.
My first impression of diving in Abu Dabbab
My first impression of diving in Abu Dabbab is that it is a wonderful place to dive. My first dive on the Abu Dabbab house reef amazed me. Because everything is full of intact corals, full of fish and full of life. There are many beautiful diving spots on the Red Sea in Egypt. But the Marsa Alam region is, probably because it is much more natural and untouched, a place with a particularly healthy and diverse underwater world.
You have endless turtles. You will come across one or more of these fascinating animals on every dive. Manatees also live in the region and visit the bay regularly. A few years ago I was able to snorkel with the manatee at Abu Dabbab.
You also have the opportunity to go on 1 to 5 wonderful dives on the offshore reefs with the creative names Shaab Abu Dabbab, where you can easily encounter eagle rays, reef sharks and impressive underwater canyons. Located approximately three kilometers from shore, these reef formations are suitable for both beginners and advanced surfers.
And the world-class diving site Elphinstone is just a stone's throw away - in just 20 minutes you can take a speedboat from Abu Dabbab to this unique outer reef, where you can meet the Longimanus - the oceanic whitetip shark - and hammerhead sharks.
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My experience with Blue Ocean Abu Dabbab
We have a total of three weeks vacation Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort - and during this time I did a few dives with Blue Ocean Abu Dabbab. I felt completely at home in the diving center from the start. You have super friendly guides who will immediately take you under their wing and tell you which dive sites you absolutely have to see. Here you are really dealing with passionate divers who go into raptures when they see a special sea creature underwater. In this dive center you will immediately be warmly welcomed and you will feel at home from the first moment.
The dive center is large and spacious and consists of several buildings. It is significantly larger than most dive centers. There is a main building with an office, training rooms and equipment rental, a separate building with the compressor and tanks and a spacious area where the boxes are located. The device is also assembled there before it is placed a few meters away Beach either goes directly into the water, onto the small zodiac or the large speedboat.
Casual diving, ideal for relaxing holidays
You can dive as you please. The atmosphere in the dive center is totally relaxed. You stop by, look on the large board to see what dives are planned and sign up for the tours that interest you. If you don't know where to dive, you can also ask the guides.
This is ideal for relaxed holiday divers who want to combine diving with a beach holiday. Theoretically, you can also do three to four dives per day. The first at 8:30 a.m., the second at 11 a.m., the third at 14 p.m. and a night dive – if you feel like it. The base also offers a plan that offers unlimited house reef diving.
Most tours by speedboat
The diving center also offers excursions with day boats from Port Ghalib. However, most tours take place on one of the four speed boats. With good reason, as these fast ships can reach most of the beautiful reefs in the area in just a few minutes.
You can get to Elphinstone or Umm Hall Hall in 20 minutes and to Shaabs - i.e. Shaab Abu Dabbab 1 to 5 - in five to ten minutes. If you want to make it even easier, assemble your device, walk a few meters across the beach and you're there straight away on the magnificent reef of Abu Dabbab. Diving really couldn't be easier.
I enjoyed the underwater world
During my diving tours with Blue Ocean I was able to visit some of the beautiful dive sites. I particularly liked the house reefs in Abu Dabbab Bay. The reef in the north of the bay near the Hilton is a little nicer than the one in the south. But I had the feeling that you see more turtles in the south. And the Shaab Abu Dabbab reefs are also incredibly beautiful. There, in addition to colorful corals and underwater canyons, with a bit of luck you will also encounter sharks and eagle rays.
I didn't go to the Elphinstone at my own request because the dive is rather demanding and the encounter with the Longimanus (deep-sea whitetip shark) can certainly be a thrill. I hadn't been diving for a while and just wanted to have a relaxing holiday dive. Also highly recommended is a trip to Umm Hal Hal, a beautiful outer reef where sharks and eagle rays can also be spotted. I have already been diving there in previous years.
Who is the Blue Ocean diving center and diving in Abu Dabbab suitable for?
I used to be a hardcore diver who would get in the water three or four times a day. Now I'm just a relaxed holiday diver. And as far as I have seen and can judge on site, many divers who visit the diving center are rather young. There are many AOWDs.
But the base is also suitable for experienced divers. In particular, the trip to Elphinstone is for experienced divers with at least 50 dives. And special features are also possible: My buddy Ibrahim, for example, is a sidemount diver (side tank diver) who uses two diving tanks and carries them on the left and right on the side.
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The diving center – Blue Ocean Abu Dabbab
I found the Blue Ocean diving center in Abu Dabbab because they are located right next to the Hilton Resort Marsa Alam where we spent our vacation. The diving center has already made a good impression on the Internet and has been rated very positively by divers. That's why I wanted to take a closer look at the diving center and do a few dives together at the wonderful diving spots in the region. The Egyptian diving center manager Gigi and his team are very hospitable and helpful - ideal conditions for a few relaxed dives.
The Blue Ocean Dive Center is a PADI 5* certified dive center and offers an excellent point of contact for diving enthusiasts. With a central location right on Abu Dabbab Beach, the center allows divers comfortable and easy access to some of the region's best diving spots.
Renovation and modern facilities
In 2017, the center was extensively renovated and upgraded. It has since featured state-of-the-art changing rooms, toilets, lockers, staff rooms, a dive shop and extensive storage and storage facilities. Particularly noteworthy are the three modern training rooms, which are equipped with the latest projectors, air conditioning and professional training equipment to create an optimal learning environment.
Facilities and equipment
The center has 85 high-quality 12l aluminum bottles with DIN connections (INT adapters are available) and also various 15l aluminum bottles, which are filled by a low-noise Coltri compressor. Nitrox is also available for certified divers. The center also offers an extensive range of well-maintained rental equipment, including 52 masks, 160 fins, 36 regulators, 42 BCDs, 7 dive computers, 75 suits and 69 shorties.
Boat fleet and diving trips
The company's own fleet of boats, consisting of four speedboats, two zodiacs and larger boats in Port Ghalib for mini safaris, enables a variety of diving trips. What is particularly attractive is the proximity to the famous Elphinstone Reef, which can be reached in just 20 minutes by speedboat. Other diving destinations include Marsa Shoona, Marsa Mubarak and the Dolphin House, where with a bit of luck you can spot spinner dolphins in the morning. There are many interesting diving spots along the coast of Abu Dabbab Bay, where with a bit of luck you can even spot guitar sharks.
Security and support
Diver safety is Blue Ocean's top priority. These include 14 first aid kits and 14 emergency oxygen kits. The experienced and well-trained staff ensure a safe and enjoyable diving experience.
Non-limit house reef diving
A special feature is the non-limit diving on the house reef from 08 a.m. to 00 p.m. Here divers have the opportunity to observe turtles and, with a bit of luck, manatees in their natural habitat.
Diving training
The center offers a full range of PADI diving courses, from Open Water Diver to Divemaster, led by experienced and certified instructors. These courses are suitable for both beginners and advanced divers.
The Blue Ocean Dive Center is a fully equipped, professionally managed diving center that offers divers of all levels unforgettable underwater experiences in some of the most beautiful waters in the world.
Impressions from diving in Abu Dabbab
Below I have put together some photos from diving in Abu Dabbab. This gives you a nice impression of what it looks like underwater and what it's like to go diving with the Blue Ocean diving center.
Table – The most important key data for Blue Ocean Abu Dabbab
Below I have put together the most important facts and information about Blue Ocean Abu Dabbab as a table. This gives you a direct overview of what the diving center has to offer.
Category | Details |
---|---|
address and contact | Abu Dabbab Beach, Marsa Alam, Red Sea Governorate 84721, Egypt Website: blueocean-eg.com Tel: 20 10 11491773 |
Reviews | |
Locations and access | – Main location: On Abu Dabbab beach – Second location: Shoony Bay, near Abu Dabbab Diving Lodge – Access to various dive sites and reefs |
facilities | – Comprehensive renovation: New changing areas, toilets, lockers, staff rooms – Extensions: Dive shop, stowage and storage rooms – Training rooms: 3 modern rooms with projectors, air conditioning, training equipment |
Diving equipment and tanks | – 85 12l aluminum bottles with DIN connections, INT adapter available – Bottle filling: Coltri compressor, compressor room away to minimize noise – Nitrox available for certified divers |
Rental equipment | – 52 masks, 160 fins, 36 regulators, 42 jackets, 7 dive computers, 75 suits, 69 shorties – Well maintained and available for guests |
Boats and trips | – Own fleet: 4 speed boats, 2 zodiacs, 4 larger boats for mini safaris – Various diving trips, e.g. to Elphinstone Reef, Marsa Shoona, Marsa Mubarak, Dolphin House |
Safety measures | – 14 first aid kits – 14x emergency oxygen supplies – High safety standards and emergency equipment |
Diving opportunities | – Non-limit diving on the house reef: Daily 08:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m – Observations of turtles and manatees possible – Beach diving and house reef diving at various spots |
Diving training | – PADI certified courses: From Open Water Diver to Divemaster – Professional instructors and a wide range of course offerings |
special offers | – 2-day mini safaris – Quick access to Elphinstone Reef: 20 minutes by speedboat from Abu Dabbab Bay |
Hotels to choose from
If you want to go diving in Abu Dabbab and use the Blue Ocean diving center directly on site, you can stay in three different hotels on site, from which the diving center is within walking distance.
You can stay at Abu Dabbab Lodge, Hilton Resort Marsa Alam and Malikia Resort. The Malikia Resort didn't make a very good impression on me, so I haven't listed it below.
Abu Dabbab Lodge
The small, cozy Abu Dabbab Lodge with just 60 rooms is the ideal choice for those who want to spend most of their time diving during their stay. This small, cozy resort with wooden bungalows offers spacious rooms, pretty gardens and an inviting pool. The resort made a very positive impression on me. If you really just want diving and snorkeling and don't need excessive luxury, this resort is for you.
Inform here: abudabbab.com/accommodation/abu-dabbab-lodge/
Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort
The Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort was our holiday choice. We spent our vacation there while diving with Blue Ocean. The hotel is an upscale five-star property in the style of a Nubian village with small buildings and beautiful gardens. The food is very good and the location on the northern edge of Abu Dabbab Bay is ideal.
Inform here: holidaycheck.de/hi/hilton-marsa-alam-nubian-resort/*
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Diving in Abu Dabbab – my Blue Ocean Dive Center experiences
My conclusion
The Bay of Abu Dabbab is quite rightly a magnet for divers. Snorkelers sometimes drive for hours to get to this bay. The surrounding diving schools come here specifically to dive the fringing reef in the north and south of the bay as well as the seagrass meadow in the middle.
Of course, Blue Ocean Abu Dabbab has a big advantage: the diving center is located directly on the long sandy beach. Here the divers can prepare themselves and are in the water after a few meters when they do a shore dive from the beach. Or you can take a dinghy around the corner for a drift dive. Then you can dive a larger piece of the fringing reef.
Particularly noteworthy is the proximity to world-famous diving sites such as Elphinstone and Daedalus, which can be reached quite quickly. Blue Ocean visits Elphinstone several times a week by speedboat.
Have you already been diving in the Marsa Alam region? What experiences did you have in Abu Dabbab? Or are you currently planning your vacation locally? Share your experiences in the comments.
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