The Marsa Alam area provides a number of options for travellers looking to relax. In the local area the main attraction is the coral reef and marine life with excellent snorkelling and diving for all levels. Resorts are developing within reach of Marsa Alam airport to cater for the growing number of travellers who are coming to this area. The resorts are largely self contained and you should check the details of the facilities to ensure that you pick somewhere that is right for you, there are currently few options other than to eat and socialise in your own hotel.
Marsa Alam International airport is small, with on-going development work. An Egyptian visa is required and you can buy this in the airport, before passport control. The visa can be paid for in Sterling, Euros and US Dollars. This area can be a bit chaotic since the tour companies will have made separate arrangements for the visa to be provided and there may be multiple queues based on how travellers have booked. From here your arrival card, visa and passport are checked (and stamped), then you move on to collect your luggage at the carousel which by now will have your flight's baggage on it.
Holiday reps are not allowed inside the airport itself so you will find them waiting outside the airport exit. They will direct you to your bus to head for your hotel. If you are not booking through a tour company many of the hotels or dive centres will arrange to pick you up and transfer you to the hotel of your choice, the downside is you might not always get an air conditioned vehicle.
There are an increasing number of resorts in the Marsa Alam area and each has a target clientele, it is worth checking which nationalities are favouring your chosen resort if you are keen to be with people of your own nationality. Entertainment that is laid on in each resort is also very much dependent on the target customer base and of course the time of year.
The increasing number of travellers to this area means that more excursion/tours are being offered in many of the resorts including trips to Luxor (1 or 2 day packages), Cairo and other more local trips into the desert.
If you are diving/snorkelling check the sea temperature before you go to make sure you are prepared for conditions. Also bear in mind that there will be sea breezes which will affect both the sea state and how warm you feel on exiting the water.
The coral is in excellent condition in this area, so enjoy it but do not touch it, it is fragile and slow growing. Coral can cause some nasty grazes and discomfort so avoid coming into contact with it when swimming, snorkelling or diving. There is beautiful marine life to view in the shallowest water, ranging from colourful fish to turtles and dolphins. There are poisonous fish too, so be aware of that and avoid touching anything, stonefish and scorpionfish are well disguised in their natural habitat.
Port Ghalib marina is where dive safari boats offering the southern Red Sea routes can be found and is an official Egyptian entry point for cruisers and yachts. Extensive development is taking place around the marina with shops, restaurants and hotels all planned.
