Visibility and seasonal sea-state guidance.
Shallow boat reef near Marsa Alam with colorful coral.
Shallow boat reef near Marsa Alam with colorful coral.
A short speedboat run from Marsa Alam dive centers is the normal way to reach the reef.
Nilson Reef is a small Red Sea reef reached by a short speedboat ride from Marsa Alam, with coral blocks sitting close to the surface and a shallow, colorful profile that suits relaxed scuba, freedive, and snorkel sessions. The plateaus carry hard and soft corals plus larger reef fish and macro life, while the main watch-outs are boat access, winter chop, and keeping the shallow top undisturbed.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
2m - 15m
Depth Note
The reef top sits around 2-3 m and slopes to about 10 m on the south side and 15 m on the north side.
Best Season
March to May and September to November
Typical Conditions
Year-round diving is possible, with spring and autumn usually more comfortable and winter more prone to wind and chop.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Keep buoyancy tight over the shallow coral top and stay alert during boat entries and exits.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; shore entry is not implied by the sources.
Legal Notes
No special permit surfaced; follow local boat and marine guidance.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A shallow reef dive with coral blocks near the surface and depths down to about 15 m.
Freediving
The shallow top makes calm-day breath-hold sessions possible, but the boat plan and surface awareness still matter.
Snorkeling
Snorkelers can use the shallow top and plateaus on calm days, though it is better as a guided boat trip than a casual shore snorkel.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Visibility and seasonal sea-state guidance.
Seasonality and comfortable-weather guidance.
Know this site? Improve Spot Details.

Um Halhala is a Red Sea reef off Marsa Alam.

Um Halhalla is a boat-access reef off Marsa Alam with coral blocks.

Abu Dabab Garden is a shore-friendly Marsa Alam reef.

Shore-access coral-block reef dive in Abu Dabab bay.

Easy shore bay with dugongs and turtles

Boat reef with coral blocks, caves, and soft corals