Marsa Alam is my favorite region in Egypt - and it is home to the picturesque yet lively Bay of Abu Dabbab. The real treasure is underwater: a magnificent fringing reef that begins at the northern and southern edges of the beach. But sun worshipers and active holidaymakers will also get their money's worth on land. At the same time, the bay is also considered very touristy. What is there to discover locally? What should you take into account during your visit? I have put together helpful tips and my personal experiences for you in my travel report about Abu Dabbab.
The sun shines in Abu Dabbab in the south Egypt relentlessly from the sky – about 350 days a year. Even on this windless December day, the bay lies calm and leisurely before us. I look at the Abu Dabbab View Point, a small elevation on the edge of the area, and get an overview.
Behind me is the handsome, white one Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort in the style of a Nubian village and in front of me the bay stretches out with its countless parasols, the two bars, the Bedouin tent, the shops - and above all the large diving center Blue Ocean Abu Dabbab.
Lively and beautiful at the same time
I knew about the bay from hearsay long before we decided to spend our well-deserved vacation here. We spent three weeks in this nature reserve - for example Diving, snorkeling and sunbathing. I had heard a lot about Abu Dabbab.
Some reported about the beautiful reefs, which are located in a nature reserve and are particularly intact. While the others point out that the bay is very touristy. At first glance from my view point it becomes clear to me: Abu Dabbab is rather lively. And beautiful. Both are true.
Video – Impressions from Abu Dabbab
Below I have selected a video for you that shows Abu Dabbab very nicely. The small bay is very lively and beautiful at the same time - especially underwater. The nature reserve has magnificent corals, colorful fish and countless turtles. Sometimes a manatee that lives in the region even stops by.
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Three weeks in Abu Dabbab
We chose Abu Dabbab because of the beautiful Hilton Hotel - and because of the coral reefs that line the bay to the left and right. For me, the Marsa Alam region, in which Abu Dabbab is located, is one of the most beautiful areas in Egypt because overall it is much quieter and less touristy than further north around Hurghada. We spent a total of three weeks in Abu Dabbab - and we never got bored during this time.
We actually always had a program: we went diving a few times, snorkeled once or several times a day and also went to our spa more often Hotels. Quite the opposite: sometimes the sheer number of appointments even caused leisure stress. What can you do in Dabbab? And is a vacation on the bay worth it? In my travel report about Abu Dabbab I have put together everything you need to know about the popular travel destination.
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My experiences in Abu Dabbab
Yes, the bay is touristy. And yes, she is very lively. But as I always say: Wherever it is beautiful, sooner or later many people will come there. And so it is with Abu Dabbab. This bay is beautiful for diving and snorkeling. Also wonderfully suitable for a longer coastal hike. We walked several kilometers every day along the coast in the nature reserve, where there was hardly anyone else. And there it looked partly like the Caribbean.
Most people are in the middle of the bay
The largest concentrations of people in Abu Dabbab are usually at the entrance to the northern reef. Otherwise it goes in all directions. I can't say what it's like in the high season, but in the low season November and December it was pretty quiet. Most of the snorkelers were hotel guests and there were only a few buses with day guests. I can't say there were too many snorkelers in the water either. That was also the case.
Strict attention is paid to nature conservation
And what I noticed was very positive: the beach boys and life guards from Abu Dabbab watch with eagle eyes to ensure that no one steps on the reef, which I really noticed very positively during the three weeks. In addition, someone is always driving around in a Zodiac to pick up any tired snorkelers. Contrary to many reports to the contrary, the nature conservation aspect is very important in Abu Dabbab.
Who is Abu Dabbab suitable for?
After three weeks of vacation at the Hilton in Abu Dabbab, I can say that the vacation in the bay is particularly suitable for beach vacationers, beach vacationers and of course snorkelers and divers. If you are a diver, Abu Dabbab is a great starting point to get to the Elphinstone or do exciting dives at the Shaabs and Umm Hal Hall.
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Activities in Abu Dabbab – What can you do?
Especially when vacationing in Egypt, the big question always arises: What can I do there and what activities can I pursue? Since you can't move around there quite as freely as in other travel destinations, you have to get a little creative. For example, in Egypt it is still unusual to rent a car.
But this will happen more and more in the next few years. As a diver, you immediately know what to do on your vacation in Abu Dabbab: do as many dives as possible - for example with unlimited house reef diving.
Things look different when you're on land. Some people are happy when they can spend three weeks on the beach lounger on a well-deserved vacation. That's completely okay too. It's not my thing. I always need something to do. So what can you do in Abu Dabbab?
1. Diving
Probably the most beautiful and worthwhile activity in Abu Dabbab is diving. I was on site with the Blue Ocean diving school, which is located directly in the bay, and did a few wonderful dives. You can do easy shore dives and drift dives right in the bay on the beautifully vegetated reefs in the north and south of the bay.
Or visit the outer reefs Shaab Abu Dabbab 1 to 5 and Umm Hal Hal by speedboat. The infamous Elphinstone is also not far from Abu Dabbab. With a bit of luck you can dive with pelagic sharks there.
2. Snorkeling
Snorkeling is the number 1 daily activity for many holidaymakers in Abu Dabbab who do not yet have a diving license. You can dive left shoulder on the north side of the bay or right shoulder on the south side along this beautifully overgrown fringing reef.
Or you can try your luck on the seagrass meadow in the middle of the bay - lots of turtles and blue spotted rays await you there. And sometimes, with a bit of luck, the famous manatee of Abu Dabbab.
3. Swimming and bathing
Abu Dabbab Bay is very clear and the water is very shallow. This is ideal for swimming and bathing. You can easily go into the water there and splash around. In the middle of the bay there are countless loungers where you can sit down.
At least for Hilton hotel guests they are free. For external visitors, I don't know. From there you will definitely be in this wonderful water after just a few meters.
4. Soak up the sun
When we spent the three weeks of vacation in Abu Dabbab, we of course took a lot of time to soak up the sun. We had a lounger on the beach at our hotel that our beach boy prepared for us every day. That was also the starting point for all activities.
If I did a dive at 10 a.m., I sunbathed on the lounger and drank my coffee. And after diving I took a nap before going on the next dive at 14 p.m.
The process for snorkelers is similar. There's a lot of sunshine and in between you go to cool off and snorkel - usually for 30 to 60 minutes.
5. Relax
You can relax on the beach to your heart's content. You can do yoga, meditate and completely relax. Accordingly, Abu Dabbab is of course also ideal for Digital detox.
Sometimes it can be a bit noisy on the beach, but the area is so spacious that you are guaranteed to find a quiet corner.
6. Go for a walk
You might be wondering why I mention going for a walk. In Egypt it is often not so easy and not welcome if you go for a walk outside the hotel complex on the coast or in the desert. In Abu Dabbab this is not a problem. You can basically walk the entire coast north and south of the bay.
You then just have to cross the private beach of the hotel complex. You can walk from the Equinox Hotel in the south via Malikia, Abu Dabbab Bay, Hilton Beach to Three Corners Happy Life Beach Resort. That's probably around eight kilometers in total, which is suitable for wonderful walks right by the sea. The beaches there in the nature reserve are really very beautiful and untouched because you are not allowed to swim there. It looks like the Caribbean – absolutely wonderful!
7. Camel riding
Of course, there are a few camels on the beach at Abu Dabbab that you can take a ride on if necessary. Every now and then they are driven across the beach to entice visitors to take a tour.
But mostly they just sit there. If you've never done a camel tour before, you definitely have the opportunity in Abu Dabbab.
8. Quad Tour
And of course the quad tour is also part of the beach's repertoire. You can explore the desert on a quad bike for around 30 euros per hour.
The provider Hamed lived in Germany and speaks German very well. You can also plan a completely individual tour with him. Since I
9. Excursions
In Abu Dabbab you can book excursions in a variety of ways - for example through your tour operator, who often has tours to Luxor or Cairo in their program. I searched in vain for a tour to the relatively nearby Wadi El Gemal National Park.
What you can do is a tour to a valley in the desert where trees grow and which is very scenic. A provider of such tours is Bay Valley Safari. You can ask about the tours at the Blue Ocean diving school.
Travel pictures Abu Dabbab – some impressions from the beautiful bay
Below I have put together a picture gallery with our most beautiful pictures from Abu Dabbab so that you can get an impression of this travel destination when planning your trip.
Our diving center – Blue Ocean Abu Dabbab
I picked out the Blue Ocean Dive Center Abu Dabbab before the trip because I wanted to do a lot of diving on my vacation there. The provider had a lot of positive reviews - and so I thought to myself: I'll take a look. It was worth it. We did some wonderful dives together.
Unfortunately not as many as I wanted because I caught a cold. But enough to say: Abu Dabbab offers an incredibly impressive underwater world with colorful corals, countless fish and turtles. The chance to see a manatee makes it especially exciting.
The diving center is ideally located directly on the beach of the bay and offers perfect conditions for diving. My diving partner Ibraghim and I explored the hidden treasures of the reef and he took stunning underwater photos with his camera.
My first dives were very, very beautiful - the reef is intact and alive with corals, fish and diverse marine life. I encountered turtles on almost every dive. Unfortunately, the manatee did not show up on our “Search for Dugong” tour. Shaab Abu Dabbab dive sites offer great experiences with eagle rays, reef sharks and impressive underwater canyons. The nearby diving site Elphinstone, known for its sharks, can also be reached quickly by speedboat.
I immediately felt at home at the Blue Ocean Dive Center. The team were friendly and enthusiastic and were happy to share their knowledge of the best diving spots with me. The diving center is large and modernly equipped, with a relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for holiday divers.
You can do up to four dives a day, with most trips taking place on speedboats. The house reef dives were particularly impressive and I enjoyed the dive sites in both the north and south of Abu Dabbab Bay.
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 |
Our accommodation – the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort
We also did a lot of research for our hotel before our vacation. Located on the northern edge of Abu Dabbab Bay, the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort offers stunning surroundings of pristine desert landscape and intact reefs. One of the highlights was the spacious balcony of our room, which was perfect for relaxing mornings. The hotel complex itself is beautiful, designed like a Nubian village with snow-white, one to two-story buildings.
The Hilton's private beach is a little distance from Abu Dabbab beach as the hotel is located in a nature reserve. You are not allowed to go into the water directly on Hilton Beach. Despite this limitation, snorkeling in the bay is excellent because of the rich marine life and the chance of seeing turtles or even a manatee.
The resort offers an all-inclusive option which I would recommend. The food is good overall, with a selection of a la carte restaurants included in the all-inclusive package. The resort's strengths outweigh its weaknesses, which mainly lie in the area of the beach bar and the varied food in the main restaurant.
The resort is ideal for divers, snorkelers and beachgoers, but may not offer the highest level of dining for gourmets. The location on Abu Dabbab Bay is a big advantage as it is a popular spot for snorkeling. Other amenities include several restaurants and bars, a beautiful pool area and a spa area.
Overall, I would recommend the Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort for a relaxing holiday in Egypt, especially for lovers of sun, beach and sea. The overall package of the hotel is excellent. We plan to vacation there again.
Table – hotel information at a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort | Address: Al Qusair – Marsa Allam Road, km 97, Marsa Alam, Red Sea Governorate 84721, Egypt Phone: +20 65 3740060 Website: Hilton Marsa Alam Nubian Resort |
| Place | Marsa Alam |
| Location and surroundings | – On the beach with protected coral beds (no access to the water) – Shuttle to the beach 300 m away – 30 km from Marsa Alam Airport |
| Hotel Beach | – Sand, natural, bay, private – Shuttle transfer free of charge (January – December) – Deck chairs free of charge |
| Highlights | – Fantastic views of the Red Sea – Diverse culinary offerings |
| Lodging | – Check-in from 14:00 p.m., check-out by 12:00 p.m – Opening: 2011, last complete renovation: 2011 – Reception 24 hours a day, currency exchange, hotel safe free of charge – 4 pools, gardens, sun terrace – Internet: WLAN/WiFi free of charge, internet terminal free of charge – Laundry service, concierge, luggage service – Parking options free of charge |
| Rooms | – Number of rooms: 395 – Equipment: air conditioning, minibar, safe, telephone, TV, bath/shower, hairdryer – Different room categories available |
| Eat & drink | – Meal options: All inclusive – Restaurants: 4 (different cuisine styles) – Bars: 7 |
| Sport & Fitness | – Fitness room, beach volleyball, table tennis – Water sports for a fee (diving, snorkeling trips) |
| Wellness: | – Ayurvedic center, massages, beauty/cosmetic center |
| Entertainment | – Adult entertainment, sports entertainment, shows, live music, darts, billiards |
| For children | – Children/baby pool, children's club, children's entertainment, games room, playground, mini disco |
| Distances | – Marsa Alam Airport: 30 km (travel time approx. 25 minutes) – Hurghada Airport: 220 km (travel time approx. 3 hours) – Marsa Alam city center: 32 km (travel time approx. 30 minutes) – Luxor: 360 km (travel time approx. 4 hours) – Hurghada City Center: 220 km (travel time approx. 3 hours) |
Related Articles
Turtles in the Red Sea in Egypt – Where can you see them?
Snorkeling in Abu Dabbab – my experience report
Manatee in Egypt Experience Report – Snorkeling with the Dugong from Marsa Alam
Travel report Abu Dabbab – the most beautiful bay in the south of Egypt?
My conclusion
Abu Dabbab Bay is much better than its reputation. We had a great time there and particularly enjoyed the underwater world and the beautiful desert landscape around the destination. My conclusion is therefore clear: Abu Dabbab is a highly recommended travel destination that you can consider for your Egypt vacation.
I'm a fan of the Marsa Alam region anyway because it's a little quieter and more natural than in Hurghada. That's why Abu Dabbab was an extremely good choice for us. If you like diving, snorkeling or just want to enjoy the sun on a beach lounger, Abu Dabbab is the right place for you.
Have you been to the Marsa Alam region or Abu Dabbab? Or are you just planning your first trip? Share your experiences in the comments.
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