Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam (meaning ”Harbor of the Mountain”) is a town in South-Eastern Egypt, located on the Western shore of the Red Sea. It is currently seeing a rapid increase in popularity as a tourist destination and infrastructure development thanks to the opening of Marsa Alam International Airport in 2003. It is one of the best scuba diving destinations due to its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and favorable climate for divers all-year round, because of these characteristics it has become known as the Egyptian Maldives.

Among the most famous beaches around Marsa Alam is the Abu Dabab beach where Turtles are a common sight. For tourists who seek to see something less typical, there is marine wildlife like Crocodilefish and Octopi. Marsa Alam is also known as the world-class kitesurfing destination and starting point for safaris.

Until recent years, the scuba diving in Marsa Alam was relatively unknown. This small town is poised for discovery due to the pristine reefs and the lack of crowds often found at other Red Sea diving towns. Sites offer the opportunity to dive with Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Manta Rays and even Dugongs from May through August. There are Whale Sharks, as well as a variety of other shark species found in the area, from May through June. While it’s best to have some experience when diving here, local dive sites also offer a quiet and scenic spot for new divers or those who seek less demanding dives.

There is some inland attractions that can be visited such as:

• The Emerald Mines (Mons Smaragdus) which was believed to have been used by the Egyptian Pharaohs, the deep green color associated with Emeralds are seen as a symbol of eternity as it is one of the oldest gemstones that was discovered.
• The temple of Seti I at Khanais which is located along the desert road, however you can only view the entrance of the temple as it is closed to the public for its own protection, on the way back though you could see an ancient well and the remains of an old Roman fort.