Marsa Alam: tranquility and world-class diving

We’ve previously written about passengers who arrived in Hurghada from Sofia on March 28, including travelers who had booked accommodations at Egypt’s Marsa Alam resort. What makes this destination unique? What are its advantages? Which type of traveler is it ideal for? Here’s what we know!

Marsa Alam is a young resort located in the south of Egypt, on the Red Sea coast. The region is famous for its untouched coral reefs and rich marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins and even dugongs, a rare and endangered species.

Marsa Alam is designed for those who seek peaceful, secluded holidays. It’s a popular destination among European tourists who prefer to enjoy natural landscapes and engage in high-quality diving away from the more crowded resorts. The main hotel base here contains of 3-5* hotels, including those in the Port Ghalib area, a modern marina with high-end accommodations, restaurants and shops.

Carthage Group partners book hotels at this beautiful resort, currently not sending their clients directly to the Marsa Alam region but utilizing the Hurghada airport instead. In late March, the first tourists of the 2026 season arrived in Marsa Alam from the Bulgarian tour operator Emerald Travel. We’ll share more about their experiences in our next publication.

In the meantime, here’s some additional information about the resort:

• location: Approximately 270-280 km south of Hurghada
• airport: Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF), opened in 2001, handles direct international flights
• climate: Warm weather year-round, with the most comfortable periods being from March to May and September to November
• atmosphere: Calm, making this resort perfect for beach holidays, diving, windsurfing and boat trips

What to do in Marsa Alam?

When talking about leisure activities for travelers in the Marsa Alam area, it’s impossible not to mention diving and snorkeling. The crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral gardens and diverse marine life make this location world-class for those who enjoy these types of activities. Beautiful white-sand beaches, such as Abu Dabab, are perfect for encountering sea turtles and octopuses. Other local beaches popular among travelers include Sharm El Luli and Marsa Mubarak.

However, this region will also appeal to those who dream not only of water activities but land adventures as well. Safaris in the Eastern Desert on quad bikes, 4×4 vehicles, or camels, visits to Bedouin villages, BBQ dinners and stargazing are just some of the pleasures available to guests in Marsa Alam. There’s something for everyone here!