Sea Turtle Snorkelling Trip at Marsa Mubarak Marsa Alam

Marsa Mubarak bay

Marsa Mubarak is a natural inlet on the southern Red Sea coast, a short distance from Marsa Alam, where the water stays calm, shallow and clear. The bay is lined with beach, a small marina and a wide expanse of seagrass, which is the main reason the area is so rich in life. The Arabic word marsa means a sheltered anchorage, which describes the bay well.

If you are searching for a Marsa Mubarak snorkelling trip, this day is built around the bay itself. Calm conditions make it a good choice for beginners and children who can swim with a life jacket, and the gentle depth lets you focus on watching the animals instead of the sea.

Sea turtles and seagrass

Green sea turtles come to the seagrass meadows to graze, much as cattle graze on grass on land. They surface to breathe every few minutes and can often be seen resting on the seabed or eating just below the surface. Hawksbill turtles are also recorded on the coast, and dugongs are occasionally reported in the area, although neither can be promised.

The best way to see turtles is to float quietly and keep your distance. Never touch, chase or block a turtle, and do not stand on the seagrass. The instructors lead the way and explain the animals' habits. Sightings depend on the day, but this bay is known for regular encounters.

The coral reef

Besides the seagrass, the trip visits the coral on the edges of the bay, where hard and soft corals begin close to the shore and drop into deeper blue water. Expect parrotfish, butterflyfish, anemonefish and schools of small reef fish, plus occasional rays and other larger animals gliding over the sand.

Equipment is included, with a life jacket for security, and professional instructors stay with the group in the water. Winter mornings can feel cool, so a rash vest or thin wetsuit helps. Take your time and breathe slowly, because calm floating shows you much more than energetic swimming. The reef edge is also a good place to practise your breathing.

Add an introductory dive

The second option adds one introductory dive with an instructor for guests who want to try breathing underwater. After a short briefing and practice in the shallows, you swim with the instructor over the reef at a gentle depth, with all equipment provided. No previous experience is needed, but you must be in normal health and comfortable in the water.

Please tell us if you have ear, sinus, heart or breathing problems, because they can affect diving. Do not fly within twelve to twenty-four hours after diving. Non-divers in your group can enjoy snorkelling while you dive, so the whole party can share the day. If you prefer to stay at the surface, you can simply snorkel while the dive group is with the instructor.

Lunch, park fees and planning your day

Lunch, soft drinks and water are included, and the national park fees are already covered, so there is no cash to prepare for the entrance. The day starts at about nine in the morning and takes around eight hours with the hotel transfers, leaving time for two or three swims and a relaxed lunch.

Pickup is from hotels in Marsa Alam; hotels in the north can be arranged on request. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and a camera. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, and the turtle encounters happen all year. Lunch is simple and fresh, and the beach has shade for resting between swims, which helps with children and with anyone who tires quickly.