Marsa Assalaya

Q: Is Marsa Assalaya a good dive site for beginners in Marsa Alam?

Yes, Marsa Assalaya is one of the best beginner-friendly dive sites in Marsa Alam. With shallow depths (2–18 meters), minimal currents, and easy shore access, it’s perfect for first-time divers, PADI training courses, and snorkelers. Its calm conditions make it a safe and enjoyable place to learn scuba diving.

Q: What marine life can I see at Marsa Assalaya?

Divers at Marsa Assalaya often encounter a variety of marine life, including: 🐢 Green turtles grazing in the seagrass 🐙 Octopus, cuttlefish, and moray eels 🐠 Clownfish, lionfish, parrotfish, and blue-spotted stingrays 🐚 Seahorses, ghost pipefish, and nudibranchs in the shallow reef The bay is ideal for macro photography and up-close marine observation.

Q: Can I snorkel at Marsa Assalaya or is it only for scuba divers?

Absolutely! Marsa Assalaya is great for both snorkeling and scuba diving. The shallow lagoon, clear water, and easy beach access allow snorkelers to explore the seagrass meadows and reef edges safely. It’s a favorite spot for families and those looking for a relaxed snorkel experience.

Q: What is the best time of year to dive at Marsa Assalaya in Marsa Alam?

Marsa Assalaya is a year-round dive site, but the best diving conditions are typically between March and June and September to November, when the water is warm, visibility is clear, and marine activity is vibrant. Winter months offer cooler temperatures but still pleasant diving.

Q: How far is Marsa Assalaya from central Marsa Alam and how do I get there?

Marsa Assalaya is located just about 3 kilometers south of central Marsa Alam. With Deep South Divers, we provide daily guided trips with transport included. The site is accessible by car in just a few minutes, followed by a simple shore entry directly from the beach.

Contents hide

1 Features & Topography of Marsa Assalaya

2 Marine Life at Marsa Assalaya

3 Diving Conditions & Best Practices

3.1 📅 Best Time to Dive

3.2 🌊 Water Conditions

3.3 ✅ Best Practices

4 Why Dive Marsa Assalaya with Deep South Divers?

Marsa Assalaya, also known as Sharm Assalaya, is a shallow, protected bay located just south of Marsa Alam city. It’s one of the best shore diving and training sites in the area, perfect for beginner divers, snorkelers, and underwater photographers seeking calm waters and rich marine biodiversity.

Feature	Details
📍 Location	11 km north of Marsa Alam
🤿 Access Type	Shore entry
🌊 Depth Range	2 to 18 meters
🐢 Famous For	Turtles, seagrass meadows, reef walls
🪸 Coral Type	Hard corals, patches of soft corals
🧭 Dive Level	Beginner to Intermediate
📸 Ideal For	Training, snorkeling, macro photography
🕒 Best Time to Dive	Year-round

Features & Topography of Marsa Assalaya

Marsa Assalaya is a crescent-shaped bay with gentle sandy slopes and seagrass beds in the central lagoon. On either side of the bay, fringing reefs offer vibrant coral gardens and small caverns for exploration.

The eastern reef is ideal for spotting turtles and small rays
The western reef features pinnacles, coral bommies, and macro life
Easy shore entry and calm conditions make it a top pick for night dives and PADI courses

Its protected structure makes it a safe and relaxed dive, even when wind or waves affect offshore sites.

Marine Life at Marsa Assalaya

Marsa Assalaya is famous for its gentle, close-up marine encounters. Expect to find:

🐢 Green turtles grazing in the seagrass
🦀 Ghost pipefish, seahorses, and nudibranchs
🐟 Goatfish, lionfish, clownfish, and parrotfish
🐙 Octopus, cuttlefish, and moray eels hiding in reef crevices
Occasionally, eagle rays and blacktip reef sharks pass by

It’s a paradise for macro enthusiasts and those who enjoy slow-paced, observational diving.

Diving Conditions & Best Practices

📅 Best Time to Dive

Marsa Assalaya is a year-round site, with excellent conditions in spring and autumn.

🌊 Water Conditions

Temperature: 22°C (Jan) to 30°C (Aug)
Visibility: 10 to 20 meters
Currents: Mild to none – very safe for beginners

✅ Best Practices

Ideal for try dives, refresher courses, and night dives
Use neutral buoyancy to protect seagrass beds and coral patches
Bring a macro lens for photography – the critter life is incredible
Great for combining snorkeling and scuba in one trip

Why Dive Marsa Assalaya with Deep South Divers?

At Deep South Divers, we specialize in providing comfortable and personalized dive experiences for every skill level. Here’s why divers love exploring Marsa Assalaya with us:

🧑‍🏫 Professional instructors for beginner courses and try dives
🐢 Local knowledge of the best spots to find turtles and macro life
🌙 Night dive packages available
🚐 Easy transport to site from Marsa Alam center
📷 Photography-friendly dive plans

Whether you’re taking your first breaths underwater, looking for hidden critters, or just want a relaxing reef experience, Marsa Assalaya is an ideal dive—and Deep South Divers is your expert guide.

Join us for unforgettable diving adventures in Marsa Alam. Enjoy limited-time deals, packages, and special underwater experiences!

Message Us on WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marsa Assalaya a good dive site for beginners in Marsa Alam?

Yes, Marsa Assalaya is one of the best beginner-friendly dive sites in Marsa Alam. With shallow depths (2–18 meters), minimal currents, and easy shore access, it’s perfect for first-time divers, PADI training courses, and snorkelers. Its calm conditions make it a safe and enjoyable place to learn scuba diving.

What marine life can I see at Marsa Assalaya?

Divers at Marsa Assalaya often encounter a variety of marine life, including:

🐢 Green turtles grazing in the seagrass
🐙 Octopus, cuttlefish, and moray eels
🐠 Clownfish, lionfish, parrotfish, and blue-spotted stingrays
🐚 Seahorses, ghost pipefish, and nudibranchs in the shallow reef

The bay is ideal for macro photography and up-close marine observation.

Can I snorkel at Marsa Assalaya or is it only for scuba divers?

Absolutely! Marsa Assalaya is great for both snorkeling and scuba diving. The shallow lagoon, clear water, and easy beach access allow snorkelers to explore the seagrass meadows and reef edges safely. It’s a favorite spot for families and those looking for a relaxed snorkel experience.

What is the best time of year to dive at Marsa Assalaya in Marsa Alam?

Marsa Assalaya is a year-round dive site, but the best diving conditions are typically between March and June and September to November, when the water is warm, visibility is clear, and marine activity is vibrant. Winter months offer cooler temperatures but still pleasant diving.

How far is Marsa Assalaya from central Marsa Alam and how do I get there?

Marsa Assalaya is located just about 3 kilometers south of central Marsa Alam. With Deep South Divers, we provide daily guided trips with transport included. The site is accessible by car in just a few minutes, followed by a simple shore entry directly from the beach.

Tripadvisor Reviews

See what others have to say about this incredible adventure

What Our Divers Say

Real stories from our community of passionate divers

Profesjonalna organizacja, doskonali specjaliści: nurkowie, przewodnicy. Wycieczki przygotowane z najdrobniejszymi szczegółami. Szefowa obecna zawsze i służy informacjami, których nie można wyczytać w najlepszych przewodnikach. POLECAM👍 Skorzystam w oferty biura na pewno przy kolejnej wizycie w Marsa Alam

Beata Pelka

If I had known my experience with Deep South was going to be that good, I would have stayed longer for a few more dives or get another certification. I've been diving in Thailand, Central America and the Mediterranean and this was one of the best dive centers I've met so far. Mudy and his team are genuinely chill and easygoing but they are also extremely careful with safety measures and planning. They've provided us with brand new equipment, titanium tanks which were lighter and more confortable and we've dived some nice spots near marsa alam. In the price they've also included pick up and dropping off, which is to consider as distances can be considerable. They were also super patients and careful with beginners, and also took pics and videos which is a nice detail. If you are diving in Marsa Alam or near the area, I would write them without hesitation. Thanks and greetings from Argentina!!

filip bass

Polecam z całego serca bazę nurkowa. Ich doświadczenie zaangażowanie jest niesamwite Przygotowanie do kursu oraz czas spędzony pod wodą coś wspaniałego.Bardzo chciałbym podziękować Monice za perfekcyjne przygotowanie mnie do nurkowania głębokiego Deep Diving.

Sławek Bolek

Très belles plongées Par contre attention les niveaux français ne sont pas bien connus Bien précise à l’avance ce que vous souhaitez faire Il est aussi préférable de payer en liquide (euros) pour éviter les frais bancaires Arsan et Moudy étaient très gentils et professionnels

Elodie DEVERS

Świetni ludzie, świetni instruktorzy, rodzinna atmosfera. Polecam wszystkim z całego serca!! Jeśli ktoś chce poznawać wspaniałości podwodnego świata to tylko z nimi ❤️ Podziękowania dla całej ekipy i mam nadzieję, że do zobaczenia za rok 🥰

Marta Urbaniec

Z Moniką zaczęła się nasza przygoda z nurkowaniem i tak w Deep South Divers ukończyliśmy nasz pierwszy kurs nurkowy OWD we wrześniu 2021. Co roku wracamy i za każdym razem przeżywamy kolejne piękne podwodne przygody. To ekipa wspaniałych i doświadczonych Instruktorów. Mimo, że mamy ukończony podstawowy stopień kursu, to zawsze jesteśmy obdarowani dużą dawkom nowej dodatkowej wiedzy. Czujemy się bardzo dobrze zaopiekowani a to wszystko w cudownej atmosferze. Duży wybór możliwości miejsc nurkowych. Bardzo dobre zaplecze z bazą nurkową, sprzęt pomiędzy nurkowaniami każdego dnia zabezpieczony, wypłukany i wysuszony. Monika, Montana, Moody, Hassan i dla całej ekipy wielkie podziękowania. Bardzo polecam.

Joanna Dobrzyńska

Centre de plongée de confiance à Marsa Alam. Les certifications Padi et SSI sont affichées partout. L’équipe est super professionnelle, gentille, à l’écoute de tous. Ils ne poussent pas aux ventes, ils veulent partager des moments de plaisir avec leurs clients. Un grand merci à Mahmoud qui a été un dive master au top, et au reste de toute l’équipe.

Mandy

Amazing experience, the diving in the marsa alam area is exquisite and even better when you dive with a group of divers who are highly professional, friendly, cater to the specific need of each diver and most important love what they do. I dived with Mohamed, an experienced instructor using a sidemount and an old Hassan (not that old, but he is the old Hassan since there are 3 more young Hassans). Definitely try diving in elphinstone reef, it's some of the most healthy coral in the red sea. Thank you so much Deep South divers! Highly recommended!

bbillakis feidakis

We (both AOWD) did 5x2 fun dives with Deep South. Our instructors Moodi, Hasan and Mohamed Hasan were super nice, relaxed, experienced and easy to talk to in English.Many dives are by speedboat, so you are super fast on location and the day is not stretched out. Just be prepared with sun protection (hat, bandana, sunscreen etc) and always take your snorkel along, because they stop also for dolphins ❤️The break inbetween dives is about 45-60min, you get a little candy and water, bathrooms are not always available (if close by to a big boat you can go there).You will prepare and clean (when at base) your eqipememt yourselves, but there are always friendly helpers around who will also do the heavy lifting for you.They have their base in Todoba bay but can also start in other bases in the area. The office is in Marsa Alam.Pick up from your hotel around 20km included. Our drivers were always super on time and nice.In my research I chose them because it was for me the most transparent price system. E.g. if it’s 120 for Elphinestone it’s 120 total (and you don’t need to add up prices for equipment or permits or having a guide or else. With other diving centers that was very confusing because everything was listed single and I was never sure what the end price would be).You can tell them which sites you want to see and they plan accordingly if possible. I contacted them via email first and then we switched to whatsapp.To make it easy without card fees, best take enough euros cash with you.All in all: Super happy and would choose them again when in Marsa Alam. Thanks for taking a deep breath with us 🥳

Sandra D

Related Tours