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Red Sea · Egypt
The southern coast of the Red Sea, with coral reefs along the beaches, Abu Dabbab Bay, the Elphinstone reef and Wadi el-Gemal National Park, with mangroves and islands.
In the photo: Marsa Alam’s coastline and the Red Sea reef platform seen from above.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Marsa Alam is on the southern half of Egypt’s Red Sea coast, about 270 km from Hurghada. The town is small and has grown in recent decades, with resorts spread along dozens of kilometers of coast to the north and south, between the sea and the Eastern Desert mountains.
Coral reefs begin right at the beach in many bays, and snorkeling and diving are the focus of visits. In Abu Dabbab Bay, to the north, seagrass beds attract green turtles; dugongs are seen occasionally. Offshore, the Elphinstone reef attracts experienced divers.
To the south, Wadi el-Gemal National Park protects a large stretch of coast, islands, mangroves and the desert valley that gives it its name, with Roman ruins and emerald mines worked since antiquity. Ababda families, desert shepherds, host groups for coffee and bread baked on the embers.
Marsa Alam is more isolated than Hurghada and has less nightlife: resorts provide most services, and excursions depart from them for the sea and the desert.
This destination brings together 1 city: Marsa Alam.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors, via Wambacher / geoBoundaries (ODbL 1.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF), in Marsa Alam · 65 km to Marsa Alam
The arrival city is Marsa Alam; the international airport (RMF), about 65 km to the north, receives flights from Cairo and European cities. By the coastal road, Hurghada is about 270 km away, and El Quseir about 135 km.
The local experience
A sandy bay north of Marsa Alam, with seagrass beds where green turtles often feed and, more rarely, dugongs appear. It has shallow, sheltered water for snorkeling and diving.
An offshore reef north of Marsa Alam, with coral walls that drop to great depths and strong currents. It’s a dive site for experienced divers.
A national park south of Marsa Alam that protects coastline, islands, reefs, mangroves and the desert valley of Wadi el-Gemal, with Roman-era sites and old emerald mines.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
The sea is enjoyable year-round. October through May are the mildest months on land; June through September is very hot. In winter, the water temperature drops a few degrees.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Five to seven days: hotel beach and reef, a day at Abu Dabbab, another in Wadi el-Gemal National Park and, for divers, a boat trip.
Most accommodations are resorts spread along the coast, north and south of town, many with a reef in front. The Port Ghalib area, near the airport, has a marina and hotels. To the south, near Wadi el-Gemal and Hamata, there are camps and smaller hotels for those who want to stay close to the park.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Five to seven days, to alternate the hotel reefs with excursions to Abu Dabbab, Wadi el-Gemal and, for divers, Elphinstone.
Generally no. Resorts are far from one another and from town, and excursions include transportation. A car only helps if you want to explore the coast on your own.
Year-round for the sea. October to May has milder days; June to September brings strong heat; December to March the water is cooler.
In Abu Dabbab Bay they appear frequently, grazing on the shallow seabed, but there is no guarantee. Keep your distance and do not touch the animals.
Yes, via the road that crosses the Eastern Desert to Edfu and follows the Nile valley, in about four to five hours. Many day trips leave at dawn from the resorts.
