When we headed to Marsa Alam in November 2022, one goal stood out: we were determined to see a dugong in the wild. Thanks to our dive master and the owner of our dive school in Hurghada (Hurghada Diving), plans quickly fell into place. They contacted a friend based in Marsa Alam — Mahmoud from Just Dive Marsa Alam — where these elusive creatures are sometimes spotted. Within a day they had organised a trip for us.
It was an early start… 4:30am to be precise… but the excitement kept us wide awake. We left our hotel in Makadi Bay and headed south, where Mahmoud, our guide for the day, was waiting to get us set up and onto the boat. Watching the sun rise as we cruised towards the dive site was an unforgettable start.
After searching for about 45 minutes without any sign of a dugong, we decided to gear up and enjoy a dive anyway — and it didn’t disappoint. Marsa Alam’s crystal-clear waters are famous for a reason, offering stunning visibility and a vibrant underwater world.
Just after our first dive, as we relaxed on the boat, a radio call came through: a dugong had been spotted… incredibly, right by the jetty where we had set off! We raced over, carefully approached by speedboat, and there it was… surfacing calmly in the morning light.
We kitted up quickly, slipped into the water, and there, at just 8 metres deep, we spent a magical, peaceful time kneeling on the seabed watching this magnificent, graceful creature. It was just us, the dive master, and a truly unforgettable moment. Being off-peak season, there were no crowds… just a quiet, respectful encounter that felt incredibly special.
We returned to Marsa Alam again in July 2024. This time, it was peak season… and the difference was sadly obvious. Although we were lucky enough to see a dugong again, the experience was very different.
There were many more divers in the water, and unfortunately, not everyone showed the respect these amazing creatures deserve. Some divers were lying next to the dugong trying to take selfies, while others pointed high-beam lights directly into its eyes. Understandably, the dugong didn’t hang around for long… and frankly, neither would I if I were it.
The dive masters did everything they could to control the situation, but some people just ignored them. It was disappointing to see, especially after our peaceful encounter the previous November.
If you’re planning a trip and hoping for a more meaningful experience, visiting outside of peak season makes a huge difference… both for you and for the marine life you’re there to appreciate.
While in Marsa Alam, we dived with Just Dive Marsa Alam, a small, friendly dive centre run by Mahmoud. Although they don’t have a website, you can find them on Facebook here, or get in touch with Mahmoud directly via WhatsApp here.
They’ll even arrange transfers to and from your hotel, making the whole experience easy and stress-free.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for a relaxed, personal diving experience in Marsa Alam!
