Abu Dabbab

A sheltered horseshoe bay 34 km north of Marsa Alam where a broad seagrass meadow fills the sandy centre between two fringing coral reefs. The grass is grazing ground for the bay's resident dugong — the 'sea cow' that gives the site its fame — and for giant green and hawksbill turtles that crop the blades at arm's length. Halavi guitarfish lie half buried on the sand, seahorses and pipefish shelter in the seagrass, and the north and south reefs hold the usual Red Sea anthias, butterflyfish and morays. Most of the action sits between 5 and 12 m, with the outer reefs sloping past 18 m. Calm, near current free and entered straight off the beach, it suits snorkellers, first dives and macro shooters alike — though dugong sightings are never guaranteed.