Marsa Alam, July, 13, 2011

Wednesday morning at 6:30, the first participants of the Marsa Imbarak exploration trips started in Hurghada. The group included "SUBEX parents," Johann and Verena, marketing manager and recreational scuba diving enthusiast Steffi, and the dive staff of the Hurghada dive center, guide Ivonne and instructor Mike Ivonne.

With lots of yummy things to strengthen in-between, and of course diving equipment in their luggage, the goal was to explore the dive sites in the bay of Marsa Alam Marsa Imbarak, the latest SUBEX Diving Center.

There, the managers of SUBEX DC Radisson Piesi and Steph, as well as the future manager from SUBEX Marsa Imbarak Bay (from September 1, 2011), joined the group.

All three had already taken a few dives in the bay, and today wanted to introduce the new dive sites to colleagues.

When they arrived at the bay, the helpers from DC Radisson and the soon-to-be employees of the new SUBEX dive center had already filled their tanks. At the same time the group arrived, the diligent workers were working to complete the currently under-construction new SUBEX Dive Center. Details were also being taken care of to prepare for the proposed soft-opening to welcome the first tourists in a few weeks.

The groups were assigned to the northern, central and southern sections for their first dive in the bay. Quickly, they went off exploring, armed with a camera.

From the beach of Vallunga the bottom slopes to a depth of two meters, and to the left and right of the jetty are seagrass meadows, which are especially attractive for turtles and sometimes even dugongs. The shallow water is ideal for children and snorkelers. Continuing along the sloping sandy area, one can find a wealth of puffers and blue spotted stingrays. With a little luck, a diver can catch a glimpse of a guitar ray.

In the northern part, the fringing reef begins at nine meters, and goes deeper with large and small coral blocks and towers, which are decorated with various soft and hard corals and sponges.

The wide coral garden in the middle of the bay also offers colorful marine life, with schools of Anthias, Grouper, bannerfish and anemone fish.

In between is the ever-watchful eye of stonefish and scorpion fish.

On the way back, everyone could admire the green turtles in the shallow water.

After the first dive, Verena served up a grand lunch buffet with Swiss sausage and fresh fruit. As the birthday boy, Mike was even served a homemade apple pie served. Unfortunately, he would not share his wish as he blew out the candles.

After a short lunch break, the newly strengthened group made their second dive in the southern part of the bay, which is still accessible by car. Later, the guests will reach the dive site by Zodiac.

And again, two green turtles excited theSUBEX troops, who then lovingly christened the bay "Turtle Town". Equally impressive to the SUBEX crew were the schools of huge black snappers and huge Longnose surgeonfish. 

Both the first and the second dives cause the divers’ hearts to beat faster. Of course, in one day, only a small part of the huge bay can be seen, but what the group saw excited them and caused them hope for more. The Marsa Imbarak Bay has certainly some surprises in store for the next guests.

SUBEX guests, both divers and snorkelers too, can look forward to a wonderful beach and diving holiday in a beautiful bay with many flora and fauna and amazing encounters with the bay’s residents!

The expectations of the SUBEX crew were not only met but exceeded, and therefore the expedition was a resounding success. All participants are hoping for a speedy repetition of the tour.