Marsa Alam

A quiet dive-resort region in the southern Red Sea: swim with turtles and dugongs at Abu Dabbab Bay, watch spinner dolphins at Samadai and Satayah reefs, and dive with sharks at Elphinstone Reef.

Marsa Alam lies in southern Egypt's Red Sea Governorate, about 270 km from Hurghada. Rather than a bustling city, it is a cluster of resorts scattered along dozens of kilometers of coastline. Far from the mass-tourism areas, its coral reefs are well preserved and famous for turtles, dugongs, spinner dolphins and oceanic sharks, making it a destination for divers and snorkelers. The climate is hot, dry and nearly rainless all year: March–May and September–November offer the most comfortable water and air temperatures; in December–February daytime highs are around 22–25°C, the sea is slightly cool, and a wetsuit helps when it is windy; in June–August temperatures can top 40°C, but the sea is calm with good visibility. Sightseeing falls into three areas: ① North – around Port Ghalib and the airport: turtles at Marsa Mubarak Bay, snorkeling with turtles and dugongs at Abu Dabbab Bay, shore diving at Shagra Bay, and sharks at Elphinstone Reef offshore; ② Around town – the "Dolphin House" at Samadai Reef and the market in Marsa Alam town; ③ South – Wadi El Gemal National Park, Lulu Bay beach, and day trips by boat from Hamata to the Qulaan Islands and to see the dolphins at Satayah Reef. Desert jeep trips, Bedouin dinners and stargazing camps are also on offer. Getting there: Marsa Alam International Airport has charter flights from Europe and flights from Cairo; from China, most travelers connect via Cairo or take a car from Hurghada, about 3.5 hours. We suggest 4–7 days. Chinese citizens can get an Egyptian visa on arrival (subject to the embassy's latest rules).

Top sights

• Abu Dabbab Bay, Marsa Alam – A sandy bay north of Marsa Alam where seagrass beds attract green sea turtles. You can snorkel straight from the beach to swim with the tur…
• Elphinstone Reef – One of the Red Sea's most famous dive sites, with steep reef walls covered in soft corals. Oceanic whitetip sharks are often seen in autumn…
• Samadai Reef (Dolphin House) – A horseshoe-shaped lagoon south of Marsa Alam where spinner dolphins often rest. Known as 'Dolphin House', it operates under visitor limits…
• Wadi El Gemal National Park – A desert-and-sea national park south of Marsa Alam; dry wadis shelter Nubian ibex and Dorcas gazelles, and the coast has mangroves and quie…
• Port Ghalib – A marina resort near Marsa Alam Airport with restaurants, shops and a waterfront promenade, and the departure port for liveaboard diving.
• Marsa Mubarak – A seagrass bay south of Port Ghalib where green sea turtles often feed and dugongs occasionally appear; you can snorkel from the shore or j…
• Marsa Alam Town – A small fishing town and market on the southern Red Sea coast, where you can browse local markets, eat seafood and experience everyday Egyp…
• Sataya Reef – A large horseshoe reef on the Fury Shoals where spinner dolphin pods often number a hundred or more; a classic dolphin day trip from Marsa…
• Sharm El Luli – A white-sand, turquoise-water bay inside Wadi El Gemal National Park, said to be the most beautiful beach in Marsa Alam; the shallows are g…
• Qulan Islands – A group of small islands offshore from Hamata, ringed by white sand, mangroves and shallow reefs; a snorkeling and birdwatching day trip wi…
• Marsa Shagra – A bay known for its eco-camp and excellent shore diving; the reef runs close to the beach, so you can see corals and reef fish just by walk…

Where to eat

• South Lagoon Seafood Restaurant – The most consistently rated seafood spot on the seafront, where you pick the day's catch from the fridge and have it gr…
• Tondoba Seafood Restaurant – A seaside fish restaurant beside the Tondoba Bay diving camp south of town, where fish is cooked to order in a simple…
• Cacio e Pepe Italian Restaurant – A common choice in town for pizza and pasta, with generous portions and quick service, plus steaks and Egyptian dishes.

Itineraries

• Southern Red Sea (Marsa Alam) & Luxor – Spot sea turtles and dolphins in the southern Red Sea, then cross the Eastern Desert to Luxor, balancing beaches and an…