Marsa Alam
Dive Jobs & Work Guide
Red Sea, Southern Egypt
Pay Range: USD $500–1700 /month
Living Cost: USD $450–850 /month
High Season: March–June, September–November
Visa Info: Work Permit (employer-sponsored)
Dive Focus: Resort Diving (training+guiding)
Languages: English, German, Arabic
What's the diving like?
Zodiac (boat) drops and easy reef dives dominate daily operations. House reefs, turtle bays, dugong grass beds, pinnacles, and offshore reefs like Elphinstone. Warm, clear water (22–29 °C), visibility 20–30 m, light current, and mostly predictable conditions.
Why work here?
Quiet, remote, and resort-driven. Marsa Alam suits those who want structured work, predictable schedules, and calm conditions rather than nightlife or crowds. You’ll log steady dives, live cheaply, and work in organised, professional resort teams.
When do I apply?
-
March–June (spring influx)
-
September–November (autumn peak)
-
Most resorts plan staffing before each season begins, so applying early helps
What's the pay like?
-
Instructors: USD $900–1,900 /month (€850–1,750) + tips
-
Divemasters: USD $500–1,100 /month (€650–1,000) + tips
-
Accommodation is often included or subsidised in staff housing
Pay depends on resort size, certifications, and languages spoken.
What Visa is needed?
-
Work requires a Work Permit and Residency Visa (≈ €1,000), usually paid by the instructor.
Some centres sponsor fully; others cost-share or deduct monthly.
Working on a tourist visa is restricted — resort checkpoints enforce documentation.
Visa rules change. Always check with Egyptian Immigration or your sponsoring dive centre.
What’s the industry like?
-
Languages: English (essential), German and Arabic are in high demand.
-
Dive Focus: Resort courses (OW/AOW), guided house-reef dives, zodiac drops
-
Main Agencies: PADI dominates, with a few SSI.
Item | $USD | Local (EGP) |
|---|---|---|
🍺 Beer (bar) | $3-$5 | 150-250 |
📱 SIM Card /month | $5-$8 | 250-400 |
🏠 Shared rent /month | $150-$250 | 7,000-12,000 |
🛵 Scooter rental /month
| $60-$100 | 3,000-5,000 |
🍜 Local Meal | $2-$4 | 100-200 |
☕ Coffee | $1-$2 | 50-100 |
Costs of Living (Oct 2025 avg)
What's life like at work?
Work revolves around resort schedules: meet at 08:00, brief guests, run house-reef dives or zodiac drops, and finish mid-afternoon. Expect 2–3 dives per day, steady student flow, and structured operations. Logistics are organised and predictable.
How's life after work?
Life is quiet and desert-based. Staff housing sits near resorts or in small villages. Evenings mean tea, simple meals, gym rooms, or Netflix with weak Wi-Fi. Days off are for snorkelling turtle bays, visiting El Quseir, or desert trips. Low cost, low noise, big water time.
Is it for me?
Marsa Alam suits instructors and DMs who prefer calm water, structured resort work, and peaceful living. Not for those wanting nightlife or a big social scene. This is remote, steady desert diving.
Verified local insight
Be the first!