Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam is a very unremarkable town consisting of a few scattered buildings around a massive army installation, however this is due to change in the next years.
The area has been chosen as the location for the massive new Port Ghalib marina and resort complex, which is being built near Marsa Alam airport and will, once completed, give tourism in the region an entirely new profile.
The primary reason for this intense tourism push is simple: the seas just off the rugged coastline offer some of the best diving in Egypt, though only serious divers have previously visited this remote location.
Marsa Alam is a very unremarkable town consisting of a few scattered buildings around a massive army installation, however this is due to change in the next years. The area has been chosen as the location for the massive new Port Ghalib marina and resort complex, which is being built near Marsa Alam airport and will, once completed, give tourism in the region an entirely new profile.
The primary reason for this intense tourism push is simple: the seas just off the rugged coastline offer some of the best diving in Egypt, though only serious divers have previously visited this remote location.
Having said that, the diving in this region is actually world-class, and there are numerous all-inclusive resorts in the vicinity that serve as handy bases for getting your feet wet.
Despite its remote location, the area surrounding Marsa Alam has a long history. The barren, mineral-rich mountains near inland were previously mined for gold and emeralds, and the road running from Marsa Alam west to Edfu in the Nile Valley follows an ancient path created by Ptolemy II.
Phosphate mining is the area’s principal business now, although tourism is quickly overtaking it. Marsa Alam is essentially a T-junction where the route from Edfu joins the seaside road.
A small collection of shops, a pharmacy, a phone central, and a bustling market can be found just south of the junction. The south and north coasts are dotted with resorts.
Attractions and Activities
The primary activities in and near Marsa Alam are diving and desert trips.
Sleeping
There are an increasing number of four- and five-star all-inclusive resorts along the coast, as well as a few modest, driver-oriented ‘ecolodges’ or dive camps. These are typically no-frills reed or stone bungalows with en-suite bathrooms, generator-powered electricity, and a communal space. They are operated in conjunction with a diving facility and provide a rustic alternative to the resort scene for backpackers and backpackers-at-heart.
Eating
In town, there are a few of cafés at the intersection that serve basic meals, as well as a tiny grocery with a limited assortment of essentials. All of the resorts and lodges, however, include restaurants as well as full-board options.
