Marsa Alam is a stretch of the Egyptian Red Sea coast about 270 kilometres south of Hurghada. It was a small fishing town until the international airport opened in 2001, and its hotels are still spread thinly along the shore, far quieter than the resorts to the north. The reason to come is the water: offshore sites such as Elphinstone Reef are known among divers, and at Abu Dabbab bay dugongs and green turtles can be seen on a swim from the beach. Pods of spinner dolphins rest by day at Sataya reef to the south. Inland, Wadi el Gemal National Park takes in the desert and the Red Sea mountains.
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See flights to Marsa Alam →When to visit Marsa Alam
October to May is the most comfortable stretch, with daytime temperatures between 25C and 32C and sea water that rarely drops below 23C even in winter. July and August approach 40C, which makes the middle of the day hard outdoors, though the water reaching 29C allows long dives. The wind blows from the north in spring and boat trips to the offshore sites are sometimes cancelled.
Things to do in Marsa Alam
Elphinstone Reef
A coral ridge about 300 metres long running north to south, some 12 kilometres offshore. Its sheer walls drop below 100 metres and are covered in soft coral. The currents are strong, so it is a site for experienced divers, reached in about an hour by boat.
Abu Dabbab Bay
The shallow sandy bay about 30 kilometres north of Marsa Alam is covered in the seagrass meadows where dugongs and green turtles feed. No dive is needed to see them, a snorkel from the shore is enough. The bay is protected and visitors are asked to follow the access rules.
Wadi el Gemal National Park
Declared in 2003, the park runs from the shoreline into the Red Sea mountains and covers both desert valleys and coral reefs. Within it lie the remains of emerald mines worked in Roman times and small mangrove islands, and the area is the traditional land of the Ababda people.
Wadi Sikait emerald mines
The valley inside Wadi el Gemal park was the centre of the emerald mines worked in Roman times and appears in ancient sources as Mons Smaragdus. Galleries cut into the rock, workers' dwellings and the remains of a small temple still stand, and the site is about two hours away by desert vehicle.
Port Ghalib
The marina development built in the 2000s right beside the airport, with its hotels and a pedestrian promenade along the channel, is the meeting point of the area. Restaurants, dive centres and boat jetties are concentrated here, and the waterfront is where people walk in the evening.
Sharm El Luli beach
The bay about 65 kilometres south of Marsa Alam is the best known beach in the region, with white sand and shallow turquoise water, and it lies inside the Wadi el Gemal park. Facilities are limited and shade and drinks are not always available, so day visitors bring water with them.
Flights from Turkey to Marsa Alam
A direct flight from Sabiha Gokcen to Marsa Alam takes about 2 hours 45 minutes and the route is operated by Pegasus. It runs year round, with more departures in winter because that is the main season for the European market. Egypt is one hour behind Turkey.
Marsa Alam FAQ
How many days do you need in Marsa Alam?
Five to seven days suit a trip built around diving or snorkelling, because boat trips to the offshore sites take a full day. Four days are enough if the plan is simply to rest by the shore.
How far is the airport from the town?
Marsa Alam International Airport is about 3 kilometres from Port Ghalib and roughly 60 kilometres from the town of Marsa Alam. Because hotels are spread along the coast, transfer times range from 15 minutes to an hour and a half depending on the property.
Do you need a visa for Egypt?
Turkish citizens with an ordinary passport can buy a visa on arrival at the airport for 25 US dollars for tourism and stay up to 90 days. The passport must be valid for at least six months and have two blank pages, and a return ticket and accommodation details may be requested. Holders of special passports are exempt.
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