Marsa Alam Travelers Recommend

From desert plains to dazzling corals, Marsa Alam is a nature lover’s paradise. With three days in this Red Sea resort, you can discover the undersea world on a snorkeling or diving trip, bounce across the sands on an all-terrain vehicle, and even check out Cairo or Luxor. Here’s how.

Day 1: Sampling the Sights

Marsa Alam is known for its Red Sea beaches, but don’t overlook the nearby Eastern Desert. Begin with a camel ride as the rising sun illuminates the desert mountains, or join 

a late-morning ATV tour. 

After lunch, go ahead and hit the beach, cooling off by swimming or snorkeling around the house reefs. To immerse yourself in the Red Sea without getting wet, catch one of Marsa Alam’s semisubmersible voyages, and watch from an underwater observation deck as fish, turtles, and rays cruise by.

Those who missed the morning ATV ride can take an evening drive. Zoom over the plains to a Bedouin village for dinner and entertainment as the sun sets—or get there in a chauffeured, air-conditioned Jeep.

Day 2: Sand and Sea

Your second day is all about as much sand and sea as possible. Chill out on the beach—or join a snorkeling or diving trip to a marine hot spot.

Take a boat to Sataya Reef—dubbed “the dolphin house”—to snorkel among wild spinner dolphins. Or, travel to Abu Dabbab and explore a bay frequented by turtles and dugongs. Sharm El Luli, a white-sand beach with snorkel-friendly shallows, is another idyllic destination.

Scuba divers will find options for every experience level. Beginners can book discovery programs that include instruction and equipment; qualified divers might choose shore dives or excursions to the region’s most spectacular reefs.

Day 3: More of Egypt

Many of Egypt’s must-see cities and attractions are reachable on day trips from Marsa Alam.

Luxor tops many travelers’ lists for its sights such as Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Also popular is Aswan—tours typically cover the Philae temple, the unfinished obelisk, and felucca sailboat rides on the Nile. Otherwise, visit Edfu and Kom Ombo, two of Egypt’s best-preserved temples.

Alternatively, treat yourself to a flight to Cairo, and marvel at wonders like the Pyramids of Giza, Tutankhamun’s treasures at the Egyptian Museum, and the Khan El-Khalili bazaar.

Two days are enough time to immerse yourself in the Red Sea resort of Marsa Alam. From speeding through the desert on an all-terrain vehicle to snorkeling among wild dolphins and exploring Luxor or Aswan, here are some ideas for a 48-hour itinerary.

Day 1: Getting Your Bearings

**Morning:**Start your day on the back of a camel, watching the sunrise in the Eastern Desert—or just head straight for the beach. For a dose of adventure, join a self-drive ATV tour and zoom across the desert in a guided convoy.

**Afternoon:**If you want to see the Red Sea’s marine environment without getting wet, catch one of Marsa Alam’s semisubmersible trips, and watch from an underwater observation deck as exotic fish and rays glide by. Alternatively, wander the souks, shops, and beachside cafés of historic El Quseir.

**Night:**If you missed an earlier ATV expedition, take a late-afternoon-and-sunset drive, racing past desert mountains to a Bedouin village for a barbecue, camel ride, and cultural show. Or, travel by chauffeured Jeep, with mountain stops en route.

Day 2: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, or Sightseeing

**Morning and afternoon:**Devote today to snorkeling  or scuba diving at a Red Sea hot spot such as Abu Dabbab (home to turtles and the occasional dugong) or Sataya Reef (aka “the dolphin house”). Beginners can opt for a dive course. Otherwise, earmark the day for a guided sightseeing trip: admire Luxor’s Karnak temple and pharaonic tombs, or marvel at Aswan’s unfinished obelisk and Philae temple.

**Night:**If you’re back in Marsa in time for dinner, relax to the sound of the waves at a beachfront restaurant. Or, change it up and dine at one of the eateries along the palm-lined corniche in nearby Port Ghalib Marina.

The most southerly of Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, Marsa Alam has shrugged off its just-for-seasoned-scuba-divers image for one of sun and sea with luxe beach hotels and desert adventures. If you’re on a quick trip, here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in the area.

Morning: Active Adventures

Begin in classic Bedouin style with a dawn camel ride, lumbering through Egypt’s Eastern Desert as the sun rises. Qualified divers, meanwhile, might prefer an early-morning dive around a house reef—although it’s just offshore, Marsa’s marine life is nothing short of spectacular. Later, if you still have energy to spare, consider joining a snorkeling tour to explore a prime marine location such as Sharm El Luli. Those who like to stay on terra firma, however, can head out on a rip-roaring all-terrain vehicle drive across the desert plains.

Afternoon: Sand, Sea, and Spa

If you want to view the Red Sea’s underwater world without getting wet, catch one of Marsa Alam’s semisubmersible trips. Cruise out to sea on a comfortable, multideck boat, and watch from a dry underwater observation deck as tropical fish, turtles, and rays glide by. Alternatively, if you’re a scuba enthusiast and missed out on a dive trip this morning, quick-and-easy forays depart from Marsa’s beaches. Otherwise, roam the souks and sights of the historic harbor town of El Quseir, or treat yourself to a soothing spa session at one of Marsa’s upscale beach resorts.

Night: Desert Dusk

The Eastern Desert is extra-atmospheric come evening, when the fading sun casts the mountains and plains flame red. Tonight, make the most of its beauty—and wide-open spaces—on an all-action sunset ATV expedition. Churn up clouds of dust as you zoom to a Bedouin village for a camel ride, barbecue, and folklore show before driving your ATV back to base. Or if that sounds too strenuous, take it easy: hop in a rugged, air-conditioned Jeep, then ride to a Bedouin desert dinner, stopping at mountain lookouts along the way.