Trip report: diving in Abu Dabbab
Abu Dabbab is one of our favorite destinations in Egypt. You can do fantastic (and unlimited) diving on the house reef here, just from the shore. You can also go in different directions by boat: looking for the rare dugong, snorkeling with dolphins or diving on Elphinstone reef, where you have the chance to encounter oceanic white tip sharks. Sebastiaan tells you all about his trip to Abu Dabbab in this report!
Sebastiaan is co-owner of EWDR and often the first contact for the Netherlands and Belgium. He is also a fanatic diver. He has been diving for many years and has visited several places. In November he traveled to Egypt with his diving club to dive in the special Abu Dabbab. In this blog you can read all about this trip.
In 2023 we went to Marsa Alam with our Utrecht diving club DiveForce. For me this trip was extra special because I am a member of the club myself and did my Rescue Diver training with Joost and Suus. During that training I got to know them as they really are: patient instructors with an enormous passion for diving, and two people who have a warm heart for the club. You can always feel that in trips like this.
We left from Düsseldorf. It is a short drive from Utrecht, but we made a good start as a group by meeting the night before at the Ibis hotel. Food, drinks and above all a lot of pre-fun – just the way it should be at DiveForce. The next morning we took the direct flight to Marsa Alam, a flight of about 5 hours. Short actually, considering how beautiful the diving is there. Egypt is closer than you think, and it still offers one of the richest underwater worlds in the world.
Upon arrival in Marsa Alam, which is located in the south of Egypt, we arranged the visa at the ticket office and bought a local SIM card for a few dollars. Outside, our driver was already waiting with a small air-conditioned van, which is not a luxury if you come from the cooler Dutch autumn. We deliberately chose early November, because conditions are just perfect then: warm, but not extremely high outside temperatures and water that is still wonderfully pleasant.
The drive through the desert took us to Abu Dabbab Diving Lodge, a simple but charming dive lodge just off the bay. No luxury, but clean, relaxed and just what you need if you come primarily for the diving. The staff does everything with a smile, even though they speak little English.
The diving was as we hoped. Abu Dabbab’s house reef is uncluttered and ideal for all levels. You can walk right into the water from the beach, heading north or south. The depth slopes gently, and in the middle of the bay is a large seagrass field where a few permanent turtles hang out. You don’t have to look for them – they’re just there. That remained special every time.
We had three days of unlimited shore diving and two days of boat diving. Everyone was able to dive at their own pace, which is always nice in a group. The night dive was one of those moments when the reef suddenly seems like another world, with different sounds and different behavior underwater.
At Blue Ocean Diving Center everything goes in a professional way. Tanks are ready, equipment is being handed and they are always ready to help. Not too much, but honest and good. De boat dives were good, with dive spots that are still close but are really different from the housereef. Elphinstone is an impressive place, with always a surprise what the sea will show you. The dugong didn’t show itself this week, but that’s always a possibility.
On this picture below the text you can see the map of the housereef. There are 2 sides, with in the middle seagrass where some turtles live. On the other photo you can see the other dive spots that are reachable by boat.
Night diving in the bay
On the dives that we have unlimited dives on the housereef, we have the possibility to also do nightdives. A nightdive is always special, even tough you saw the dive site during the day, the site seems to change in the dark and also other animals are coming to live. The turtles are still there but seem a but more interested in us with our lights. De biggest surprise of the dive was by far the ray, who came into the light of our torch and wanted to put himself in the spotlight.
Again, this is a wonderfully relaxing dive, you just walk right in and out of the water once you’ve made the dive. No hassle with boats or waiting for other groups: just go at your own pace.
Day trip to Dolphin House
However we didn’t spot any dugong during this week, there is another highlight: Dolphin House! This is a daytrip and is a combination of snorkeling and diving.We do 2 boat dives, but in between the dives we go to Dolphin House. We have the opportunity to snorkel in the bay where the dolphins are. We didn’t dive with them, but since they are so close to the surface and you see them really well, it didn’t veel like it was necessary. They are just under the surface so you have the chance to spot them from up close.
The water is incredibly clear and you are surrounded by dolphins. However many times you may have experienced it, it is and remains a breathtaking moment.
After a week of diving, talking, laughing and just being out and about with the club, we returned to the airport. The evening flight to Düsseldorf went smoothly. Outside it rained as only November in Holland can, and the ride back was less pleasant than the way there – but that’s part of it after a great trip.
Looking back, this trip felt like exactly what DiveForce is: a close-knit club with fun diving, a down-to-earth atmosphere and people who really love the water. No crowds, no fuss, just beautiful dives and a nice group. Joost and Suus keep the club together in a wonderful way, and that is exactly what you notice during trips like this.
This week in Marsa Alam was one to keep.
Also experience this diving trip?
We offer several dives to Abu Dabbab, giving you a choice of accommodations and options on where to go diving. In addition, you can even choose to extend your trip to historic Luxor or to the pyramids near Cairo. All our trips are tailor-made, so we incorporate all your wishes into the trip.
