Marsa Alam in a nutshell
Marsa Alam lies on the Red Sea in southeast Egypt. The name stands for more than the small main town. It is used for a stretch of coast about 100 km long, with dive resorts and camps both north and south of the town. That is a tourist description, not an administrative border, and the buildings are not continuous. Where you sleep decides how far you travel to the airport, to a reef or to a beach.
This guide covers the reasons people come: snorkeling and diving on the reefs, boat trips to the dolphin reefs Sataya and Samadai, the seagrass bays of Abu Dabbab with dugongs and sea turtles, the Wadi el Gemal national park, Port Ghalib, the old port town of El Quseir and day trips to Luxor. Prices are in Egyptian pounds (EGP), US dollars and euros as of 2026, and they change.
Our picks: Marsa Alam tours
Dolphin House by boat, dugongs and turtles in the seagrass bays, the Hamata Islands, a desert morning and the long day to Luxor. If you only book one, take the Dolphin House or Hamata day: both have lunch and guided snorkel stops.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Luxor day trip with Karnak and the Valley of the Kings
- Karnak and Valley of the Kings
- Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon
- Buffet lunch
A very long day with an early start and several hours on the road each way. Ask whether entry tickets are included before you book.
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Shaab Samadai reef trip with two snorkel stops
- Boat to Shaab Samadai
- Two guided snorkel stops
- Buffet lunch and soft drinks
A full day by boat to the Dolphin House reef. Dolphins are never guaranteed, and touching marine animals is not allowed. Ask whether the reserve fee is included before you book.
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Hamata Islands snorkel trip with lunch
- Boat trip to the Hamata Islands
- Two snorkel stops
- Island beach landing and lunch
A nine-hour day with snorkeling gear and life vests. The national park entry is paid in cash on board, and no sightings are promised.
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Semi-submarine cruise from Port Ghalib marina
- Hotel pick-up and return
- Cruise from Port Ghalib marina
A short cruise on a semi-submarine boat. Ask what is covered besides the hotel transfer before you book.
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Desert quad ride, camel ride and Bedouin village
- 90 minute quad ride
- Short camel ride
- Bedouin breakfast and tea
A morning in the desert with a visit to a Bedouin tent and a herbal pharmacy.
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Dugong and turtle snorkeling by speedboat
- Three hours by speedboat
- Two snorkel stops
- Drinks and snacks
A short trip to the seagrass bays. Dugong and turtle sightings are never guaranteed, and the marina fee is paid in cash.
Check availability →Marsa Alam tours and day trips
Snorkeling boat trips, diving, dolphin reef visits, desert safaris and Luxor day trips, with live prices and availability.
Marsa Alam Egypt: what to do and where to start
One page for each topic. Start with the water, then add a land day.
Marsa Alam excursions
Boat trips, desert safaris and Luxor, with 2026 prices.
Snorkeling
Where to snorkel, group sizes and reef rules.
Diving
Elphinstone, coastal reefs, training and liveaboards.
Dolphin House
Sataya and Samadai: zones, travel times and the code of conduct.
Luxor day trips
Drive time, the two-day option and temple ticket prices.
The dugong
Seagrass bays and how to behave around the animals.
Sea turtles
Species, nesting beaches and snorkeling rules.
Abu Dabbab Bay
Day passes, facilities and beach rules.
Wadi el Gemal
Mangroves, islands and desert in the national park.
Port Ghalib
The marina and resort area next to the airport.
El Quseir
An Ottoman fort and an old port town.
Beaches and bays
Where an organized beach day is possible and what to watch.
Weather and best time
Climate, wind and travel seasons.
Where to stay
Resort areas north and south of the town.
Marsa Alam Airport
Transfers, taxis and entry rules.
Shark safety
Dated facts and calm rules for the water.
History
Emerald mining roads, the harbors and the airport.
Marsa Alam holidays: how to plan
Three decisions that shape the trip.
Choose the part of the coast first
Resorts, camps and dive bases lie north and south of the town. A hotel called Marsa Alam does not have to be in the main town, so ask for the exact bay before you book. Port Ghalib and the southern park and Hamata destinations are planned separately.
Where to stay →Mix water days and land days
Boat days to the dolphin reefs are long. Sataya is a full day of about 13 hours including the road transfer. Abu Dabbab suits a calm beach day, and a Luxor day trip starts before dawn. Spread them out.
All excursions →Fly in, then transfer
Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF) serves the coast. The transfer to Port Ghalib takes roughly 10 to 20 minutes, southern resorts take longer. Hurghada is an alternative airport, but the drive to Port Ghalib alone is about 3 to 3.5 hours.
Airport and transfers →A few things to know before you go
Small details that make the trip smoother.
Visa
The e-Visa costs $30 for a single entry and $65 for multiple entries. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from arrival. Visa on arrival also costs $30 in cash at the official bank counter before passport control, depending on your nationality.
Entry details →Dolphins stay in charge
There is no free approach to the dolphins. The code of conduct asks for a life vest, no touching, no feeding and no chasing. Zones at the reefs keep resting areas closed.
Dolphin House rules →Abu Dabbab works with day passes
Day passes come as a digital ticket with a QR code. Booking ahead is strongly recommended in 2026 because daily capacity is limited. Food and drinks from outside are not allowed.
Abu Dabbab Bay →Liveaboard safety
UK safety guidance from February 2025 pointed to problems with stability, life-saving equipment, fire protection and escape routes on inspected boats. Ask for the safety briefing before departure and for proof of the boat's safety standards.
Diving and liveaboards →Check travel advice
Germany's foreign office has a partial travel warning in force since 29 September 2026 and advises extra caution on the Red Sea. UK advice was updated on 4 August 2026, and US advice from 15 July 2025 is Level 2. Read your own government's page before you book.
Beyond the coast
Where the Nile valley begins.
Luxor lies far inland. Its temples and tombs have their own guides: Luxor for the city and the west bank, and Karnak Temple for the great temple complex. This site covers the day trip from the coast. Pyramids and Cairo, the Nile cruises and Abu Simbel are further away still.
More independent Egypt guides
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one place in Egypt.
Luxor
Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Nile cruises to Aswan.
Nubian Aswan
Gharb Soheil, Elephantine, Philae and day trips to Abu Simbel.
Giza Pyramids
Pyramid tickets, the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Saqqara.
Valley of the Kings
Tomb tickets, Tutankhamun, Hatshepsut and the West Bank of Luxor.
The Nile
Nile cruises from Luxor to Aswan, dahabiyas, feluccas and Lake Nasser.
Abu Simbel
The temples of Ramses II and Nefertari: day trips from Aswan, flights and the Sun Festival.
Karnak Temple
The temple of Amun in Luxor: tickets, the Hypostyle Hall, the light show and the Avenue of Sphinxes.
Khan el-Khalili
The great bazaar of Islamic Cairo, Al-Muizz Street, the Citadel and Cairo at night.
Philae Temple
The Temple of Isis near Aswan, the boat ride, the sound and light show and the High Dam.
Luxor Temple
Tickets, evening visits, the Avenue of Sphinxes and Ramses II on the East Bank.
Marsa Alam: frequently asked questions
What is Marsa Alam known for?
Reefs. The coast is a base for snorkeling, diving and boat trips to Sataya and Samadai, the so-called Dolphin House reefs, and to bays with seagrass such as Abu Dabbab. Wadi el Gemal national park, El Quseir and Luxor day trips add land days. See excursions.
Can I be sure to see dugongs, turtles or dolphins?
No. Bays and reefs are habitats, not enclosures. Animals may be there on your day or not, and the rules ask you to keep your distance. Details are on the dugong, sea turtle and Dolphin House pages.
Is the whole coast open for swimming?
Not automatically. Organized beach days exist, for example at Abu Dabbab. Hotel beaches follow their own rules. Do not assume free access to a beach in front of a resort. A shark incident in December 2024 led to a short, temporary closure north of the town. See beaches and shark safety.
Do I need a visa?
Most visitors need one. The e-Visa costs $30 for one entry and $65 for several entries, and a visa on arrival also costs $30 in cash at the airport bank counter. Rules depend on your nationality, so check them before you travel.
How far is Luxor from Marsa Alam?
The drive takes about 4 to 4.5 hours each way, with pickup around 04:30 and return around 21:00. A two-day trip is the calmer alternative. See Luxor day trips.
Is marsa-alam.org the official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no link to any tourism authority, the airport or marina operator, the national park, a hotel, a dive centre or a tour operator.