Marsa Asalaya, situated near Marsa Alam in Egypt’s southern Red Sea, offers a delightful diving experience for various skill levels. Here’s what you can expect:
Location: Marsa Asalaya is a beautiful bay boasting a shallow reef system. It’s a shore entry dive site, easily accessible from land.
Depth and Conditions: This site is known for its gentle entry and generally shallow depths, making it ideal for beginner divers or those seeking a relaxing dive. Visibility can be slightly limited in the shallow areas but improves as you go deeper.
Highlights:
Rich Marine Life: Despite the shallow depths, Marsa Asalaya is teeming with life. Divers can encounter colorful fish species, nudibranchs (sea slugs), moray eels, groupers, and with some luck, even Napoleon wrasse or turtles.
Two Dive Areas: The bay offers two distinct dive experiences:
North Cliff: This side is known for its vibrant coral formations and is a great spot to find nudibranchs.
South Cliff: This area features a unique underwater moonscape with interesting rock formations that provide shelter for various marine creatures.
Suitability: Marsa Asalaya’s accessibility, shallow depths, and calm conditions make it perfect for beginner divers, snorkelers, and those seeking a relaxed dive. However, experienced divers can also enjoy exploring the diverse marine life and unique underwater features.
Tips:
Be aware that visibility can be slightly limited in the shallow areas.
The north cliff is generally considered the more interesting dive area due to the vibrant coral and nudibranchs.
Since it’s a shore entry, ensure you have proper entry and exit procedures planned.
Overall, Marsa Asalaya is a fantastic dive site for those seeking a beautiful and accessible Red Sea experience. Its calm waters, diverse marine life, and variety of dive areas cater to divers of all levels.