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Marsa Alam

Egypt travel guide

What to see in Marsa Alam

The wildest Red Sea: bays with turtles, dugongs and dolphins, and far less concrete than in the north.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 5 must-see places
  • Best time: April and from October to January
Photo: Andrew A. Shenouda from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · CC BY 2.0

Marsa Alam highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Abu Dabbab Bay

    Seagrass meadows where turtles graze and, with luck, the dugong.

  2. Elphinstone Reef

    An offshore coral wall known for oceanic sharks: for advanced divers only.

  3. Sataya Reef

    In open water, where pods of dolphins are often seen.

  4. Wadi el Gemal National Park

    Desert, mangroves and islands, with desert wildlife and pristine reefs.

  5. Port Ghalib

    A marina with a promenade, where many boat trips depart.

Day trips from Marsa Alam

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

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When to travel to Marsa Alam

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Marsa Alam are April and from October to January. If you can, avoid from May to September (extreme heat).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb with warnings
  3. Mar with warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May with strong warnings
  6. Jun with strong warnings
  7. Jul with strong warnings
  8. Aug with strong warnings
  9. Sep with strong warnings
  10. Oct no warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • February, March

    Ramadan (approximate dates)

    During the day many restaurants close or open less and museum and shop hours change. The evenings, with iftar, are very special.

    What to do: Out of respect, don’t eat or drink in the street during the day; book dinner for after sunset.

  • from May to September

    Extreme heat

    From May to September temperatures top 40 °C; there’s no shade in the Valley of the Kings.

    What to do: Visits at 6 in the morning, a rest from noon to 5 pm and a Nile cruise with air conditioning.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a koshari joint. The dishes you can’t miss are in the Egypt guide.

Frequently asked questions about Marsa Alam

What to see in Marsa Alam?

Abu Dabbab Bay, Elphinstone Reef, Sataya Reef, Wadi el Gemal National Park and Port Ghalib.

What to see in Marsa Alam in one day?

Don’t miss Abu Dabbab Bay, Elphinstone Reef, Sataya Reef, Wadi el Gemal National Park and Port Ghalib. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

What’s the best time to travel to Marsa Alam?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Marsa Alam are April and from October to January. If you can, avoid from May to September (extreme heat).

What day trips can you take from Marsa Alam?

Snorkelling with turtles, Dolphins at Sataya and Diving.

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More in Egypt

Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.