Diving at Sentido Acel Beach Resort, Acel Bay
Quick answer: Diving at Sentido Acel Beach Resort starts on the hotel beach. Our newest PADI 5-Star dive centre sits in Acel Bay, between El Quseir and Marsa Alam, and its house reef has a northern and a southern section just a few fin kicks from shore. Try dives, PADI courses, shore dives and guided snorkelling all run from the centre, Nitrox is free for certified divers, and you save 10% when you book online.
Where is Acel Bay?
Acel Bay lies on Egypt's Red Sea coast between the town of El Quseir and Marsa Alam. The Sentido Acel Beach Resort faces the bay with a sandy beach about one kilometre long, and our dive centre at Sentido Acel Beach Resort is right on that beach. It is the fourth Scuba World Divers base in the wider Marsa Alam region, next to JAZ Grand Marsa / JAZ Neo Reef, Marsa Mares Bay and Lagoon View Hotels.
You do not have to be a resort guest to dive with us. As at all our bases, the hotel transfer is free if you are staying within 15 km of the centre.
Diving at Sentido Acel Beach Resort: the house reef
The house reef is the heart of this centre. It runs along the bay in two parts, a northern and a southern section, and both begin close to the beach. In practice that gives you two different shore dives without getting on a boat, and it makes it easy to fit a dive around breakfast, family time or an afternoon by the pool.
Shore diving also takes the pressure off. There is no boat schedule to catch, you enter the water at your own pace, and your guide chooses the side of the reef that suits the conditions and your experience on the day. If you want to see how house reefs differ along this coast, read our house reef comparison for Marsa Alam.
What you can do at the centre
Sentido Acel is a full dive centre, so everything from a first breath underwater to continuing education is on offer:
- Try dives: Discover Scuba Diving with one house reef dive is listed at €70 (€63 online). Children aged 8 to 10 can start with the Bubble Maker at €65 (€59 online).
- PADI courses: the Open Water Diver takes 3 to 4 days and costs €395 (€356 online); the Advanced Open Water Diver, with five dives over 2 to 3 days, costs €310 (€279 online).
- Refresher: the ReActivate programme with one guided dive is €70 (€63 online).
- House reef dives: from €28 per dive (€25 online) for 1 to 6 dives, falling to €22 (€20 online) from 21 dives. Tank and weights are included.
- Snorkelling: guided snorkelling excursions, or rent a mask, snorkel and fins and explore the reef yourself.
- Nitrox: free for certified divers. Not certified yet? Our guide to Nitrox diving explains when it is worth it.
These figures come from the centre's price list and booking page and include 14% VAT and 10% amusement tax. PADI certification, rental equipment and the dive permission fee (€6 per diving day) are listed separately, so check the page for the current details before you travel.
Beyond the bay: Elphinstone and Marsa Mubarak
The same price list includes speedboat surcharges for Elphinstone Reef and Marsa Mubarak as well as a minibus trip with two dives. Elphinstone Reef is an offshore site with strong currents, and we recommend Advanced Open Water certification and some drift experience for it. Marsa Mubarak is the opposite: a calm, shallow bay with seagrass where turtles are frequent and dugongs sometimes appear. Which trips run in a given week depends on weather and demand, so ask the team when you arrive. The Marsa Alam dive guide gives you an overview of the region's sites.
Our four dive centres in the Marsa Alam region
| Dive centre | Best known for | House reef |
|---|---|---|
| Sentido Acel Beach Resort – Acel Bay | Our newest base; relaxed shore diving and courses | Northern and southern section off a 1 km sandy beach |
| JAZ Grand Marsa / JAZ Neo Reef | Daily boat and speedboat excursions | 3–18 m, entry from the beach |
| Marsa Mares Bay | House reef and minibus trips | 5–20 m, overhangs and small caves |
| Lagoon View Hotels | Flexible house reef diving | 3–16 m, sheltered lagoon |
Who is Acel Bay for?
A house reef a few fin kicks from the beach suits beginners, returning divers and families especially well, because training dives and fun dives happen in the same place and nobody loses half a day on transfers. If you are new to the sport, our article on diving in Marsa Alam for beginners explains what the first days look like. Experienced divers get an easy base for several shore dives a day, with free Nitrox to keep those repeat dives comfortable.
You can dive here all year. In winter the Red Sea cools to around 21–23°C and a 5 mm suit is the right choice; our guide to diving the Red Sea in winter has the details for December to February.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the dive centre?
On the beach of the Sentido Acel Beach Resort in Acel Bay, between El Quseir and Marsa Alam on Egypt's Red Sea coast.
Can I learn to dive at Sentido Acel?
Yes. The centre runs try dives and PADI courses for beginners and certified divers, and there are programmes for children from 8 years.
Is Nitrox really free?
Yes, Nitrox is free for certified Nitrox divers, as at every Scuba World Divers centre. Only the Nitrox course itself has a fee.
How much does a house reef dive cost?
The price list shows €28 per dive, or €25 with the online discount, for 1 to 6 dives, including tank and weights. The per-dive price falls with larger packages.
I am staying at another hotel. Can I still dive with you?
Yes. The hotel transfer is free within 15 km of the centre. If you are not sure whether your hotel is in range, send us a message.
Book your dives in Acel Bay
Ready to see the house reef for yourself? Book online and save 10% on courses and dive packages at Sentido Acel Beach Resort, or contact our team with your dates and questions. We look forward to welcoming you in Acel Bay.