A protected bay famous for resident green turtles and a chance of dugong encounter.
About this trip
Marsa Mubarak is a wide, sheltered bay 12 kilometres north of Marsa Alam International Airport. It's the most reliable shore-entry turtle spot on the southern Red Sea: a shallow seagrass meadow holds eight to ten resident green turtles that graze in the same patches every day, with hawksbill turtles passing through on the outer edge. A small pod of dugongs uses the bay as a secondary feeding ground, less reliable than Abu Dabbab but a possible bonus on roughly one trip in seven. The bay sits inside a protected marine zone, so jet skis and motor traffic stay out, and the water is glassy on most mornings. Because the entry is straight off a sandy beach into knee-deep water, this is the gentlest turtle snorkeling option in Egypt, recommended for first-timers, kids from age six, and travellers who don't feel ready for the deeper Abu Dabbab entry.
Trip highlights
- Green turtles on most days
- Possible dugong sighting
- Calm shallow water
What you will see underwater
Resident green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) grazing in 1-3 metres of water, with hawksbill turtles passing the outer drop-off. Occasional dugong encounters in the deeper seagrass channels. Reef fish on the side reefs include sergeant majors, parrotfish, lionfish, picasso triggerfish, and large schools of cornetfish. Stingrays glide along the sandy patches; eagle rays show up in spring and autumn. The seagrass itself is a critical habitat for the turtles — please stay above it, never stand on it, and keep 3 metres of distance from every turtle so the bay stays healthy.
Identify every fish and coral you'll meetBest time to go
Year-round, but March to November is best. Water sits at 23 to 28°C, the sea is glassy in the morning, and turtle sightings are at their peak between 09:00 and 13:00 when the turtles come into the shallows to feed. December to February is cooler (21 to 23°C) and occasional north winds can ruffle the surface, but the turtles still show up almost every day. Avoid windy afternoons; the bay can develop chop after 14:00.
Travel tips
Bring reef-safe sunscreen — coral-friendly only, oxybenzone is banned in Egyptian marine parks since 2024. Water shoes are optional on the sand entry but useful on the side reefs. Snorkel slowly, keep your fins clear of the seagrass, never chase a turtle for a photo. The turtles tolerate slow, calm swimmers within 3 metres; sudden movements send them deep. If you spot a dugong, signal the guide before approaching — they have right of way and any pressure pushes them out of the bay for hours.
Bringing kids?
Marsa Mubarak is the family-friendly choice in Marsa Alam. The entry is a flat sandy beach, the water is knee-deep for the first 15 metres, and the turtles often appear in less than 2 metres of water — perfect for confident kids who can swim but aren't ready for boat entries or deeper sites. Bring kids' snorkel sets (children's masks seal better than adult ones cut down), water shoes, a thin lycra rashguard for sun protection, and plenty of water. The guide stays close to younger swimmers and the captain monitors the bay from the shaded shore station.
What's included
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, vest)
- Buffet lunch on board
- Soft drinks, tea & water
- Certified captain & crew
- Underwater camera (extra)
- Tip for captain & crew (optional)
Daily itinerary
Approximate. Subject to weather and sea conditions.
- Hotel pickup
- Arrival at the reef bay
- Snorkeling session 1
Easy shore entry. Resident turtles and reef fish.
- Refreshments break
- Snorkeling session 2
- Lunch
- Hotel drop-off
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours before the trip start time and get a full refund. After that, we can usually reschedule but cash is non-refundable.
Guest reviews
31 verified reviews from real guests
Felejthetetlen!
Utolsó pillanatban foglaltuk, és örülünk neki. Három zöld teknős fél óra alatt — hihetetlen. Hotelből pontosan felvettek, kedves személyzet.
Egyszerűen csodás
Micsoda nap! Három zöld teknős fél óra alatt — hihetetlen. Foglalás egyszerű, ár tisztességes.
Просто потрясающе
Какой потрясающий день! Три зелёные черепахи за полчаса — невероятно. Забрали из отеля вовремя, экипаж дружелюбный.
Bester Tag des Urlaubs
Was für ein Tag! Ruhige Bucht, ideal für entspanntes Schnorcheln. Buchung mühelos, Preis fair.
Unvergesslich!
Spontan gebucht und nicht bereut. Ruhige Bucht, ideal für entspanntes Schnorcheln. Klare Empfehlung für jeden Ägypten-Besucher.
Einfach Wahnsinn. Drei grüne Meeresschildkröten in 30 Minuten — unglaublich. Pünktliche Hotelabholung, freundliche Crew.
Cel mai frumos moment al vacanței. Trei țestoase verzi în 30 de minute — incredibil. Sigur rezervăm din nou.
Recomand din toată inima
Ce zi incredibilă! Golf liniștit, ideal pentru înotători precauți. Sigur rezervăm din nou.
Show all 31 reviews
Honestly the highlight of our holiday. Three green turtles in 30 minutes — incredible. Pickup was on time and crew super friendly.
Das Highlight unseres Urlaubs. Ruhige Bucht, ideal für entspanntes Schnorcheln. Pünktliche Hotelabholung, freundliche Crew.
Utolsó pillanatban foglaltuk, és örülünk neki. Három zöld teknős fél óra alatt — hihetetlen. Legközelebb is őket választjuk.
À refaire absolument
Quelle journée incroyable ! Trois tortues vertes en 30 minutes — incroyable. Déjeuner à bord copieux et savoureux.
Was für ein Tag! Ruhige Bucht, ideal für entspanntes Schnorcheln. Klare Empfehlung für jeden Ägypten-Besucher.
Magnifique
Quelle journée incroyable ! Trois tortues vertes en 30 minutes — incroyable. Réservation simple, prix juste.
حجزنا في آخر لحظة ومبسوطين جداً. ثلاث سلاحف خضراء في نص ساعة، خيال. الغداء على المركب لذيذ.
Le meilleur jour du séjour
Tout simplement bluffant. Trois tortues vertes en 30 minutes — incroyable. Prise à l'hôtel à l'heure, équipage adorable.
Absolut traumhaft
Was für ein Tag! Drei grüne Meeresschildkröten in 30 Minuten — unglaublich. Buchung mühelos, Preis fair.
Top-Erlebnis
Spontan gebucht und nicht bereut. Ruhige Bucht, ideal für entspanntes Schnorcheln. Buchung mühelos, Preis fair.
Absolut traumhaft
Was für ein Tag! Drei grüne Meeresschildkröten in 30 Minuten — unglaublich. Klare Empfehlung für jeden Ägypten-Besucher.
Le meilleur jour du séjour
Le top de nos vacances. Baie calme parfaite pour les nageurs prudents. Réservation simple, prix juste.
Ce zi incredibilă! Trei țestoase verzi în 30 de minute — incredibil. Sigur rezervăm din nou.
Das Highlight unseres Urlaubs. Drei grüne Meeresschildkröten in 30 Minuten — unglaublich. Buchung mühelos, Preis fair.
临时预订，完全不后悔。 半小时看到三只绿海龟 — 太棒了。 酒店准时接送，船员友好。
Geweldig
Echt geweldig. Drie groene zeeschildpadden in 30 minuten — ongelofelijk. Lunch aan boord lekker en ruim.
Maximálisan ajánlom
Egyszerűen szuper. Három zöld teknős fél óra alatt — hihetetlen. Hotelből pontosan felvettek, kedves személyzet.
临时预订，完全不后悔。 半小时看到三只绿海龟 — 太棒了。 船上午餐美味又丰盛。
A vakáció csúcsa
Utolsó pillanatban foglaltuk, és örülünk neki. Három zöld teknős fél óra alatt — hihetetlen. Bárkinek, aki Egyiptomba megy.
临时预订，完全不后悔。 平静海湾，适合谨慎的游泳者。 下次还会预订。
Az egész család imádta. Három zöld teknős fél óra alatt — hihetetlen. Ebéd a hajón finom és bőséges.
Recomand din toată inima
Am rezervat în ultima clipă și am făcut bine. Golf liniștit, ideal pentru înotători precauți. Recomand oricui vizitează Egipt.
Felejthetetlen!
Az egész család imádta. Három zöld teknős fél óra alatt — hihetetlen. Ebéd a hajón finom és bőséges.
Trip-specific questions
What are the chances of seeing turtles?
Green turtle sightings happen on 98 percent of trips, often within the first 15 minutes in the water. The bay holds 8 to 10 resident turtles that feed on the seagrass beds every day. We have not run a turtle-free morning all season.
Can we see dugongs at Marsa Mubarak too?
Sometimes. A pair of dugongs passes through the bay roughly once a week, less reliable than Abu Dabbab but a nice bonus. If you must swim with a dugong, book Abu Dabbab as the primary, Marsa Mubarak is the calmer turtle option.
How easy is the entry compared to Abu Dabbab?
Easier. Marsa Mubarak has a sandy entry with no rocky reef to cross, water shoes are optional. The bay is flatter and more sheltered, this is the better pick for nervous swimmers and small kids.
How crowded is the bay?
Quieter than Abu Dabbab. Marsa Mubarak gets two to four boats most mornings, mostly resort guests from Port Ghalib. By 13:00 they leave and you can have the seagrass beds to yourself with the turtles for an hour before the drive back.
