South Marsa Alam - bleaching?

[Adr1an]

25°C is absolutely normal in early January. It usually goes down to 24 and even 23 during the second half of the month. I very much doubt anyone saw 28°C in January, except in very shallow water on a calm and sunny day. In summer I have lots of dives with 30°C in summer and the corals were stunning. I would take third party information about 32°C with a grain of salt, not saying people are making things up but I would confirm it with a few computers before considering it accurate.

 

[TJ95]

I just checked my dive logs from end of August from El Queseir, I had 30 degrees in the shallows from time to time but never more than 30

 

[Kesh]

Hi, we are in the first stages of planning a land-based excursion to Marsa Alam next August (has to be August because of school holidays and we want to be over there for 3 weeks in total, several resorts) - part of the trip I had really wanted to be in south Marsa Alam to explore the Wadi el Gemal Marine Park, preferably staying at the Gorgonia Beach Resort.
However, judging by some comments on here, and looking at some recent videos etc, the coral bleaching in that area this summer was horrendous! So sad. Have we missed the boat now for visiting those areas, as it were? I know some recovery can happen over the course of a year year but we can really only come in August, with our children, by which point seas will be very warm again. How about other areas of Marsa Alam?
We were then looking at staying at Malikia in Abu Dabbab, then either Akassia Swiss Resort or Movenpick el Qseir. Does any anyone know if those areas were badly affected this year? Really saddening, also because we've never been to the Red Sea and now I'm worried we're too late Thank you!

I am here at Gorgonia right now, returning exactly after an year from January 2024. Even 2024; January some regular people were complaining that the coral reef was not as vibrant. I could back then see a lot of variety and some live coral. I went snorkeling last two days. Sadly it's all bleached completely, the coral has all died. What a calamity and there is hardly anything interesting. There are hardly any snorkellers and I have not seen any divers yesterday or today.

 

[Kesh]

Hi, we are in the first stages of planning a land-based excursion to Marsa Alam next August (has to be August because of school holidays and we want to be over there for 3 weeks in total, several resorts) - part of the trip I had really wanted to be in south Marsa Alam to explore the Wadi el Gemal Marine Park, preferably staying at the Gorgonia Beach Resort.
However, judging by some comments on here, and looking at some recent videos etc, the coral bleaching in that area this summer was horrendous! So sad. Have we missed the boat now for visiting those areas, as it were? I know some recovery can happen over the course of a year year but we can really only come in August, with our children, by which point seas will be very warm again. How about other areas of Marsa Alam?
We were then looking at staying at Malikia in Abu Dabbab, then either Akassia Swiss Resort or Movenpick el Qseir. Does any anyone know if those areas were badly affected this year? Really saddening, also because we've never been to the Red Sea and now I'm worried we're too late Thank you!

Hey Krista, I am here right now at Gorgonia. I was here last year also in January. What a drastic change from last year. The coral reef here is sadly dead and beyond recovery in my opinion. A lot of fish have left too in my option and I haven't had any joy in snorkeling. There are also no divers at all this year. That TGI diving is sat vacant waiting for customers and I hear from others who came here that they are not diving here. I don't know the state of other sites but I have not heard good things about it

 

[kirisetta]

Hey Krista, I am here right now at Gorgonia. I was here last year also in January. What a drastic change from last year. The coral reef here is sadly dead and beyond recovery in my opinion. A lot of fish have left too in my option and I haven't had any joy in snorkeling. There are also no divers at all this year. That TGI diving is sat vacant waiting for customers and I hear from others who came here that they are not diving here. I don't know the state of other sites but I have not heard good things about it

Oh I am so sorry to hear that Kesh, what a terrible shame. So sad!! Thank you so much for your update. I have changed my itinerary and we won't be visiting south Marsa Alam this year. Apparently further north is still pretty good! I hope you still manage to enjoy your trip.