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RED SEA
REGALDIVE
the div
Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam
Dive spectacular sites
including Elphinstone Reef,
where hammerheads cruise
along in the current
Marsa Alam is the gateway to the exciting,
uncrowded Southern Red Sea and its pristine
reefs. Elphinstone, Sha’ab Samadai and Abu
Dabab are just some of the famous reefs in this
area. The dives and bays around Marsa Alam
are home to excellent corals, large turtles, guitar
sharks and spanish dancers. This is virgin diving
at its best.
FROM SHARKS TO DOLPHINS
The dramatic walls and drop-offs of Elphinstone
Reef make a spectacular dive. One of the greatest
dive sites in the Southern Red Sea, Elphinstone is
a long fringing reef with steep walls, blanketed in
dense soft coral growth, which plunge to great
depths of more than 70 metres. The sheer walls
are richly decorated with sponges, gorgonians
and fans. Recommended for experienced divers,
the challenging conditions ensure an exhilarating
dive, with grey reef sharks and white-tips often
spotted. Occasionally, oceanic whitetips and
hammerheads can be seen cruising by in the
current.
A trip to Sha’ab Samadai, or ‘Dolphin House’,
which is a National Park, is another must, where a
large, horseshoe-shaped reef creates a shallow,
turquoise lagoon that is frequented by a pod of
around 60 spinner dolphins.
MARSA ABU DABAB
The coastal reefs near Marsa Alam are stunning,
with impressive hard and soft corals, elaborate
topography and an amazing abundance of
colourful fish. The excellent dive spots of Marsa
Abu Dabab were, until recently, accessible only by
liveaboard divers. Beautiful coral towers climb
from the sandy bottom at 16 metres and divers
can occasionally spot Guitar sharks lurking in the
sea grass.
Divers visiting Abu Dabab often catch a glimpse
of ‘Dennis’, the resident dugong that feeds on the
sea grass found in the middle of the bay. The site
is also well known for its regular sightings of reef
sharks, turtles and eels.
The bay is closed to day boats to protect the
dugong and access to this dive site is from the
shore. Emperor Divers has another dive spot
where there is a good chance of spotting dugong,
Direct
large turtles and rays lazing in the sea grass.
Flights to
airplane
MARSA
ALAM
OTHER HOTELS
AVAILABLE
www.regaldive.co.uk
Staying in Marsa Alam
This area has long been the preserve of liveaboards but, increasingly, Regaldive
guests are choosing one of the resort hotels dotted along this coastline for a
relaxing shore-based diving holiday away from the crowds. Marsa Alam is still very
undeveloped and hotels are usually resort-style, with all facilities on site.
Excursions are occasionally available including desert safaris and quad biking.
28 q www.regaldive.co.uk
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