Marsa Egla
25.1714°N 34.8406°E · reef
Marsa Egla is a protected shallow bay approximately 11 km north of Marsa Alam, widely regarded as one of the most beginner-friendly dive sites in the Marsa Alam area. “Marsa” means “bay” in Arabic; Egla translates roughly as “calf.” The bay is naturally sheltered, producing calm conditions even when nearby exposed reefs are affected by wind.
Overview
Marsa Egla is a large sandy bay accessible from the shore, sloping gently down to a vibrant fringing reef rich in both soft and hard corals. North and south reef sections are separated by a central seagrass patch, where lucky divers may encounter turtles and dugongs. The site is used for Open Water training courses and as a first-dive introduction site due to its easy access and reliable conditions. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 30 m; water temperature 22–29°C seasonally.
Marine Life
- Sea turtles and occasional dugongs in the seagrass between north and south reefs
- Batfish, snappers, and moray eels on the reef
- Octopus, crocodilefish, and scorpionfish on the sandy-rubble base
- Stingrays and groupers throughout the reef structure
- Porcupinefish in coral crevices
Dive Profile
Shore entry into the sandy bay. Gentle slope descends to the reef wall, with a maximum depth of approximately 30 m. Minimal current; protected from most wind directions. Suitable for all experience levels. Included in standard dive packages from Marsa Alam operators including SeaHorse Diving Club and Deep South Divers.
Tips
- Check the seagrass area between the north and south reefs carefully for turtles and dugongs
- Morning dives before the onshore breeze develops offer the best visibility
- The sheltered bay makes this a reliable site in most weather conditions
Site Information
- Location: ~11 km north of Marsa Alam, southern Egyptian Red Sea
- Entry Type: Shore entry
- Site Type: Reef
- Maximum Depth: 30 meters
- Difficulty: Beginner — ideal for all levels
Sources: SeaHorse Diving Club – Marsa Egla, Deep South Divers – Marsa Egla, Sambo Divers – Marsa Egla. Last updated 2026-05-17.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
18 verified species observations (12 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1996 and 2025, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Stenella longirostris · Spinner dolphin
- Tursiops truncatus · Common bottlenose dolphin
- Stenella attenuata · Pantropical spotted dolphin
- Tursiops · Bottlenose dolphins
- Tursiops aduncus · Indian ocean bottlenose dolphin
- Nerita sanguinolenta
- Aplysia nigrocincta
- Seriatopora hystrix
- Prymnaster investigatoris
- Brissus latecarinatus
- Pyrgomatidae
- Halophila minor
Scientific survey records skew toward sampled taxa (molluscs, corals) and do not reflect what you are guaranteed to see on a dive.
Source: OBIS (obis.org), aggregated Darwin Core occurrence records.
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