Thanks to its position on the western coast of the Red Sea, Marsa Alam offers a dream vacation without sacrificing a landscape not yet overwhelmed by tourism. The Egyptian city is precisely located where the Sahara Desert ends its long journey meeting the shores of the Red Sea, in an environment rich in palm groves and mangroves.
Those looking for an intimate and profound contact with unspoiled nature arriving in Marsa Alam will be able to experience fantastic sensations. You can relax on the warm, soft, and white sand and then dive into the beautiful blue waters and admire the all-natural marine scenery.
Thanks to the fabulous coral reef of the Red Sea, you can explore seabeds rich in fish variety and numerous types of coral.
The strong point of Marsa Alam is the diving sites not yet overcrowded, where you can also admire the feared hammerhead sharks, the friendly dolphins, and the rare dugongs. The most recommended destinations for diving and snorkeling are the deep Elphinstone Reef, the shallower Marsa Abu Dabab (known for the presence of dugongs), and the Samadai Reef (also known as ‘Dolphin House’), home to a large group of dolphins. The best period for underwater activities is summer when water temperatures are above 30° C, but wearing a thicker wetsuit, winter temperatures of 24° C are also acceptable.
Those not very accustomed to diving can opt for an adventurous desert safari on a quad bike or jeep or riding a camel or horse. Immersed in the harsh hinterland, you can enjoy the famous ‘tea in the desert’ at a typical Bedouin tent, admiring a fantastic sunset that adds new shades to the surrounding landscape.
After visiting the quiet Marsa Alam and meeting its inhabitants with charming optimism, you can leave the city limits toward the nearby more ‘touristy’ spots. Those fascinated by historical heritage can reach El Quseir and admire the Ottoman fortress with its protruding cannons, almost protecting people in the underlying bazaars. If possible, you can reach Wadi Hammamat to admire hundreds of rock inscriptions (some dating back to 4000 BC) that decorate the walls of the pass or go as far as the city of Luxor, known for its Egyptian temple and the Great Temple of Amon, in the village of Karnak. Those who want to continue immersing in nature can head to the Gebel Elba National Park, which hosts a wide variety of ecosystems.
After wandering discovering the natural beauties, it’s time to relax with a good meal based on vegetables and greens (such as baba ghanouj, roasted eggplant puree with tahini), fish (grilled or fried), and the very sweet baklava, made of filo pastry, dried fruit, and honey.
