Reviewed · SCUBA DIVING
Marsa Mubarak Full Day and one intro Diving With Lunch, Transfer – Marsa Alam
Marsa Mubarak is best known for its chance encounters with a dugong, and this full-day boat trip gives you several ways to enjoy the bay even if the famous sea mammal stays out of sight. You’ll snorkel at Mekkey’s Room, visit Alam Reefs, eat lunch aboard the boat, then try an introductory underwater session near a wreck with professional supervision.
I like the three-stop plan, since it breaks up the day and gives you more than one chance to see fish and coral. I also like the practical package: hotel pickup, equipment, lunch, drinks, and return transport are included in the $62 price.
The main caution is that the coral may not impress everyone. One Italian-language comment described seeing a dugong, which made the day worthwhile, but found the reef modest and much of the seabed sandy. Bring realistic expectations, especially if your main goal is dramatic coral.
Key points to know before booking

- Dugong country: Marsa Mubarak offers a chance to see this large marine mammal, but no sighting is promised.
- Three water stops: You’ll snorkel at Mekkey’s Room, visit Alam Reefs, and finish near a wreck for an introductory underwater session.
- Eight hours on the schedule: The trip includes hotel transfers, a boat outing of up to eight hours, lunch, and drinks.
- A good first try: Snorkeling equipment and an introductory underwater activity with equipment are supplied.
- Costs to add: The national park fee is €7 per person in cash, and airport transfers from South Marsa Alam cost another €7 per person in cash.
- Potentially busy boat: The group can reach 40 people, so this is not a private or small-group outing.
Marsa Mubarak and the search for a dugong

The biggest reason to choose this outing is the setting. Marsa Mubarak is associated with dugong sightings, and the itinerary gives you time in the water rather than a quick coastal photo stop. A dugong is a large marine mammal related to the manatee. It is a special sight, but it follows its own schedule, not yours.
That distinction matters. You should book this for a day of snorkeling with a possible dugong encounter, not as a guaranteed wildlife appointment. If the animal appears, it can transform an ordinary water day into a memorable one. If it does not, you still have three sea stops, fish, coral, lunch, and an introductory underwater session.
The supplied experience information gives only a small amount of feedback, but it is useful. One Italian-language comment said the dugong was spotted and made the day positive, while the coral was considered unremarkable and much of the seabed sandy. That is a fair warning: wildlife may be the star here, while the reef scenery can vary by site and conditions.
More full-day trips in Egypt
- Scuba Diving Full Day Boat Trip for beginners With Lunch & Transfer – Hurghada
★ 4.5 · 580 reviews - Full day diving with private guide, lunch drinks transportation
★ 5.0 · 285 reviews - Intro Scuba Diving Beginners Full Day Boat Trip 2 Stops Diving & Lunch– Hurghada
★ 5.0 · 156 reviews
The morning transfer and ride to the water

Your day begins with pickup from your Marsa Alam accommodation in an air-conditioned vehicle. This is valuable in a hot climate, especially after an early start or a long day in the sun. The included return transfer also removes the need to arrange a taxi at the end, when you are likely to be wet and tired.
The stated route takes you to the beach, where you continue by zodiac to the snorkeling areas. A zodiac is a small, fast inflatable boat. It can make the transfer from shore to the sites efficient, but it also means the ride may feel more exposed than a large covered excursion boat.
The tour can include up to 40 people. That number is not enormous for a boat day, but it does change the feel of the trip. Expect a shared outing with other participants rather than personal attention at every moment. If you prefer a quiet boat, plenty of space, and a flexible schedule, ask about group size before paying.
The equipment supplied includes snorkeling gear, life jackets, and the equipment needed for the introductory underwater session. You should still clarify the practical fit of masks and fins when you receive them. A poorly fitting mask can spoil even a good water stop, so take a moment to check it before leaving shore.
Mekkey’s Room, your first hour in the water
The first stop is Mekkey’s Room, where you spend about an hour snorkeling. The site is presented as a place for coral reefs and colorful fish, making it a sensible introduction to the day. You can settle into the water, test your mask, and get used to the conditions before moving on.
An hour is long enough to see more than a quick patch of reef, but it is not an unlimited session. You’ll want to pace yourself. Floating calmly and avoiding unnecessary kicking helps conserve energy, protects the coral, and gives you a better chance of noticing smaller fish.
The phrase colorful fish sounds appealing, but reef visibility and marine life can change. The available feedback suggests that expectations should remain moderate. One account praised the dugong sighting but found the reef itself nothing special, with sandy sections on the seafloor.
That does not make Mekkey’s Room a poor stop. It means the value depends partly on what you want. If you are new to snorkeling and want a gentle first look at Red Sea marine life, the stop may suit you well. If you have already visited famous coral sites and expect walls of coral at every turn, you may find it ordinary.
Alam Reefs and the chance of dolphins
The second water area is called Alam Reefs. Here you’ll see different types of coral and may have a chance to spot dolphins. Again, this is a possibility, not a promise. Wildlife encounters depend on timing, weather, water conditions, and pure luck.
This stop adds variety to the schedule. You are not spending the whole day at one location, and the change of site gives you another opportunity to see fish or coral that were absent at the first stop. It also keeps the outing from feeling like a single long swim.
The schedule places a second snorkeling stop before lunch. That order works well for many people. You can enjoy the water while you are still fresh, then eat and rest before the final activity. If you tire easily in the sun, use the break to drink water and avoid treating each stop as a race.
The information provided does not specify how long you stay at Alam Reefs. That means the exact pace may depend on the day. Listen to the guide’s instructions, stay with the group, and remember that dolphins are an extra possibility rather than the main guarantee of the trip.
More Scuba Diving in Egypt
- Discover Scuba Diving
★ 5.0 · 1,676 reviews - Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohamed & White Island Dive & Snorkel
★ 4.9 · 1,280 reviews - Hurghada: Snorkeling 6 x 1 to Orange Bay w Diving & Massage
★ 4.9 · 1,266 reviews - Intro Diving 2 Stops For Beginners with Pick-up and Lunch – Hurghada
★ 5.0 · 1,146 reviews
Lunch, tea, coffee, soda, and a needed break
Lunch is served aboard the boat after the second snorkeling stop. Tea, coffee, soda, and water are also included. That is a real advantage in a full day at sea, since buying food and drinks separately can make a low headline price less attractive.
A boat lunch is usually about convenience rather than fine dining. The key benefit is that you do not have to return to your hotel or find a restaurant between water stops. You can eat, dry off, and prepare for the last part of the itinerary without losing much of the day.
Drink water even if you also choose soda, tea, or coffee. Snorkeling, sun, wind, and salt water can leave you more tired than expected. The life jacket is included, but you should still follow the crew’s safety instructions and use it when directed.
The supplied details do not describe the menu, dietary choices, or meal style. If you have a food allergy or a special diet, ask the operator before booking. Do not assume that a general lunch inclusion means a specific menu can be provided.
The wreck and the introductory underwater session
The final stop combines snorkeling with a wreck and a one-time introductory underwater session. This is the part aimed at people who want to try scuba-style exploration without booking a full certification course.
You’ll have professional accompaniment and use supplied equipment. That supervision is important for a first attempt, since breathing equipment, movement underwater, and equalizing pressure all require clear instruction. Pay attention to the briefing and say immediately if you feel uncomfortable.
The wreck adds a point of interest beyond coral and fish. It gives you something distinctive to look at, while the surrounding reef and marine life keep the stop from being only about the boat itself. You can also snorkel at this site, so people in your group who do not want the introductory underwater activity can still enjoy the water.
The description does not state the underwater depth, exact time, certification requirements, or age limits. Do not infer those details. Ask the provider for them before booking, particularly if you have never tried scuba equipment or have a medical concern.
The wording describes one introductory session, not a full training program. Think of it as a supervised first taste. If you already hold a certificate and want serious wreck exploration, this outing may be too basic for you.
Returning by zodiac and heading back to Marsa Alam

After the third snorkeling stop and the wreck activity, you return by zodiac to the beach. Your air-conditioned vehicle then takes you back to your hotel. The return arrangement is one of the tour’s strongest practical features, because it keeps the day simple from start to finish.
The total duration is about eight hours. That is long enough to feel like a full day rather than a short excursion, but it also means you should be comfortable with sun, boat motion, wet clothing, and several periods in the water.
Bring anything the supplied information does not list, such as personal sun protection and a change of clothes. The tour includes equipment, food, drinks, life jackets, and transport, but it does not claim to provide every personal item you may want during a day at sea.
Is $62 good value for this Marsa Alam trip?
At $62 per person, the package offers a solid amount for the price. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, a boat outing of up to eight hours, snorkeling gear, a snorkeling guide, a life jacket, lunch, drinks, three water areas, and an introductory underwater session.
The value is strongest if you plan to use most of those inclusions. A person who wants transport, food, equipment, and a first underwater experience in one booking may find the price convenient. You also avoid arranging separate transfers and renting snorkeling equipment on your own.
The price is not the final total for everyone. A €7 national park fee is paid in cash on the spot. If you need pickup from South Marsa Alam Airport, there is an additional €7 per person, also paid in cash. Hotel pickup in Marsa Alam is included, but airport pickup has a separate charge.
A group of up to 40 can help keep the price down, but it may limit personal service. You are paying for a shared day, not an exclusive charter. That trade-off is reasonable for many people, though it should be clear before you book.
Who will enjoy this outing most?
I would recommend this trip to a first-time snorkeler who wants a full day with plenty handled in advance. It also suits someone curious about trying an introductory underwater session without committing to a larger course.
It is a good match if you care about the chance of seeing a dugong or dolphins and can accept that wildlife is never guaranteed. The multi-stop schedule gives you more opportunities than a single-site trip, even though the reef quality may vary.
Families and mixed groups may also find the format useful because snorkeling and the introductory underwater activity offer different ways to use the day. The supplied information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.
I would be more cautious if your main goal is outstanding coral. The only detailed comment available praised the dugong sighting but criticized the reef and noted sandy seabed. Experienced snorkelers may want to compare this with a more specialized reef trip.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted, so check the timing before making last-minute plans.
Should you book the Marsa Mubarak day trip?
Book it if you want a straightforward, good-value day with transport, food, equipment, several water stops, and a supervised first underwater session. The chance of a dugong is the special lure, while the wreck and the dolphins add further possibilities.
Skip it if you need a private boat, a small group, guaranteed wildlife, or exceptional coral at every stop. For most suitable visitors, the sensible approach is to treat the dugong as a lucky bonus and the reef as a pleasant part of a broader day.
At $62, the package makes sense for a relaxed introduction to Marsa Alam’s water activities. Just budget the extra €7 national park fee, check any airport transfer charge, and book with realistic expectations about the coral and group size.
FAQ
Where does the Marsa Mubarak tour take place?
The experience takes place in Marsa Mubarak near Marsa Alam, Egypt. You are collected from your Marsa Alam hotel, taken to the beach, and then travel by zodiac to the water sites.
How long does the experience last?
The full experience lasts approximately eight hours. This includes transport, the boat outing, snorkeling stops, lunch, and the introductory underwater session.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and return transport from your accommodation in Marsa Alam are included in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Is airport transfer included?
Transfer from South Marsa Alam Airport is not included in the standard price. It costs an additional €7 per person, paid in cash on the spot.
What water activities are included?
You can snorkel at three stops and take part in one introductory underwater session with equipment and professional accompaniment.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, and a snorkeling guide are included.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is served during the boat trip. Tea, coffee, soda, and water are also supplied.
Is there an extra national park fee?
Yes. The national park fee is €7 per person and must be paid in cash on the spot.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.
Newest dives added in Egypt
- Snorkeling and Diving to Ras Mohamed And White Island by VIP Boat★ 4.5 · 33 reviews
- Tiran Island Full Day Snorkeling Sea Trip & intro dive 15 min – Sharm El Sheikh★ 4.0 · 19 reviews
- Diving & Snorkeling Boat trip to Tiran Island Sharm El Sheikh★ 5.0 · 3 reviews
- Shore Dives in Sharm El Sheikh Red Sea★ 4.0 · 4 reviews
- Scuba Diving 2 Dives from the Boat★ 5.0 · 39 reviews
- Full-day Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners & Lunch – Sharm El Sheikh★ 4.0 · 25 reviews
- Ras Mohammed Diving & White Island Luxurious Cruise with Lunch★ 5.0 · 10 reviews
- Ras Mohamed & White Island, Snorkeling & Diving – Sharm el sheikh★ 5.0 · 4 reviews
Scuba Diving, compared.

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns
Read our review →
First-Time Scuba Diving in Honolulu + Free Videos
Read our review →
Diving Between Tectonic Plates – Meet on Location
Read our review →
Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Luxury Snorkel and Dive Cruise
Read our review →
Beginner Scuba Diving with Turtles and Videos, San Juan
Read our review →
Your First Scuba Diving Experience in Turtle Area
Read our review →Browse the lists this dive appears in


