Overview

The small fishing village of Marsa Alam, nestled on the western shore of the Red Sea, is a hidden gem for scuba divers and snorkelers. Sitting far away from the hustle and bustle, it offers a tranquil alternative to the busier spots of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada. Marsa Alam is a diver’s paradise, with waters teeming with vibrant marine life and colorful fish. The village is renowned for its stunning coral reefs, where visitors can encounter the region’s famous dugongs (sea cows) and even swim with dolphins. Though only a handful of foreign tourists make their way to Marsa Alam, those who do often describe it as a peaceful, laid-back beach haven. Despite its quiet atmosphere, Marsa Alam offers plenty of activities, from relaxing on pristine sandy beaches and staying in luxury accommodations to desert trekking and exploring the abundant sea life. There's something here for everyone.

Diving in Marsa Alam

Egypt's Red Sea wins awards year after year as being one of the best places to dive globally and Marsa Alam has plenty of these world-class dive sites that can easily be reached. You can explore them either by organized tours or by privately rented zodiac. Diving in the Marsa Alam area means either venturing out to remote iconic reefs like Elphin Stone or diving on local reefs at most hotels. The Marsa Alma area is also an area that specializes in turtles and Diugonias or “Sea Cows”–9-foot-long mammals that got their graceful name because of their temperament and their favorite food – namely seagrass.

Dolphin House (Sha’ab Samadai Reef) is a beautiful lagoon offering diving and snorkeling with dolphins. This is one of the few places where an encounter with dolphins is almost guaranteed.

Abu Dabbab is the most popular place in the area to dive. Located about 18 miles north of Marsa Alam. The diving depths are from 13 to 60 ft. It is here that divers “hunt” for the famous Diugons - Sea cows. It is a massive sandy bay covered with sea grass. Sea turtles can also be encountered here.

Fury Shoals sits about 90 miles south of Marsa Alam and is the least damaged reef in the area. Horseshoe-shaped Sataya is the main reef of the Fury Shoals. It has steep walls that slant down to a sandy slope scattered with a great variety of coral heads.

Hamada wreck is located about 40 miles south of Marsa Alam. This is a newer wreck (sank in 1993) that is available for beginner divers. Located at a depth of 0 to 60 ft, you’ll also find winged and moray eels here.

Gorgonia Beach offers one of the most stunning underwater views on Egypt’s south coast. Coral plateaus and gardens alternate is an explosion of color, teeming with fish of all sizes and types including jacks, barracudas, eels, turtles, coral groupers, stingrays, and much more.

The Abu Ghusun Wreck is located in El Qualaan Bay. It lies at 60 ft by the reef in a beautiful sandy bay.

Ras Hankorab (Sharm El Loly) offers diving from the shore and is ideal for snorkeling, and basic diving for beginners. This beautiful lagoon is enclosed by a coral reef, where you can see many different types of fish and corals. The bay with white sand is shallow and very well protected.

Other Things to See & Do

Go Snorkeling to (potentially) see the dugongs or sea turtles. You can easily snorkel from the beach of your resort or ecolodge, and you'll be impressed by the array of fish and other marine life you can see so close to shore. In Abu Dabbab Bay, or nearby Marsa Mubarak, snorkelers may have better luck at seeing sea turtles and dugongs (also known as a sea cow, a close cousin of the manatee). These dugongs are elusive but they love the warm shallow waters of Abu Dabbab Bay and many snorkelers get to see them here.

Swim with the dolphins in their natural habitat. Marasa Alam has two different reefs, Satayah and Shaab Samadai, that are known to be frequented by dolphins - so much so they're both called "Dolphin House" or "Dolphin Reef". Shaab Samadi is closer to Marsa Alam.

Discover and swim at Nayzak, an empty stretch of coast off the beaten path in Marsa Alam. This little natural pool of water, shaped like an eye and surrounded by rock, was believed by locals to be a resort of a meteorite hitting the beach ('Nayzak' means 'meteorite' in Arabic). This myth has been disproved, but it still remains a fabulous spot to cool off and go for a swim in Marsa Alam.

Enjoy a day trip to Wadi el Gemal (Valley of the Camels), about a 45-minute drive south of Marsa Alam. This is an Egyptian national park that encompasses both desert and sea (the park is massive!). The biodiversity of its mammals, reptiles, birds, plants and untouched marine life make it a fascinating place to explore. You can tour the park with a guide, and spend the day by its fabulous beaches, or explore inland, where the oldest emerald mines in the work (Cleopatra's Mines) are located. While driving through the park you can see everything from wild camels to acacia trees to Egypt's last desert gazelle.

Relax at Sharm el Luli (Ras Hankorab) - known as the most beautiful beach in Wadi el Gemal. This is a fantastic spot for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. It's completely undeveloped (no facilities) so make sure to pack your own lunch and beverages.

Enjoy a boat ride to Qulaan Islands (Hamata islands). This is a grouping of four remote islands in a protected by off of Wadi el Gemal. The islands are known for their mangrove trees and ecosystem built around the mangroves where marine life flourishes under the tres and it's a great spot for bird-watching also.

Experience some desert adventure. Take a safari by quade bike, jeep, or even by camel. Guides in Marsa Alam know the interesting desert destinations to take you to.