# Marsa Alam

- Page: https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/destinations/marsa-alam
- Last updated: 2026-10-14
- Bookable trips: 16

Remote, pristine reefs and the best odds in Egypt of swimming with dolphins and sea turtles.

Further south and far less developed than Hurghada, Marsa Alam rewards the extra distance with quieter reefs, resident dolphin pods at Sha'ab Samadai, and turtle grazing grounds at Marsa Abu Dabbab.

## Things to do

- Swim with dolphins at Sha'ab Samadai
- Snorkel with turtles at Marsa Abu Dabbab
- Dive Elphinstone Reef
- Desert safari to a Bedouin camp

## Best time to visit

Year-round — water stays warm and clear.

## Travel tips

- Dolphin encounters follow strict no-touch guidelines to protect the pod
- It's a longer transfer — most trips run from Marsa Alam hotels directly

## Trips in Marsa Alam

- [Marsa Alam Abu Dabbab Turtle Snorkeling](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-abu-dabbab-turtle-snorkeling) — Half Day, from USD 61.44 per adult
- [Beginners Scuba Diving Day Trip with Lunch](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-beginners-scuba-diving-day-trip) — 7 Hours, from USD 92.59 per adult
- [Cairo Day Trip by Air: Pyramids & Egyptian Museum](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-cairo-pyramids-museum-day-trip-by-air) — 1 Day, from USD 412.50 per adult
- [Marsa Alam Deep Sea Fishing Trip](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-deep-sea-fishing-trip) — Half Day, from USD 80.15 per adult
- [Marsa Alam Desert Safari](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-desert-safari) — 4 Hours, from USD 32.50 per adult
- [Marsa Alam: Dolphin House Snorkeling](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-dolphin-house-snorkeling) — Full Day, from USD 73.75 per adult
- [Marsa Alam Elphinstone Reef Diving Trip](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-elphinstone-reef-diving) — Full Day, from USD 106.25 per adult
- [Marsa Alam Fanadir Reef Snorkeling](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-fanadir-reef-snorkeling) — Half Day, from USD 47.50 per adult
- [Marsa Alam Felucca Sunset Sail](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-felucca-sunset-sail) — 90 Minutes, from USD 39.83 per adult
- [Hamata Islands Snorkeling Trip with Lunch](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-hamata-islands-snorkeling-trip) — 8 Hours, from USD 55.85 per adult
- [Hurghada Island Boat Trip: Orange Bay, Giftun & Hula Hula](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-hurghada-orange-bay-giftun-boat-trip) — 1 Day, from USD 78.19 per adult
- [Marsa Alam Kitesurfing Lesson](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-kitesurfing-lesson) — 2 Hours, from USD 108.14 per adult
- [Luxor Day Trip: Karnak & Valley of the Kings](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-luxor-karnak-valley-of-kings-private-day-trip) — 1 Day, from USD 222.75 per adult
- [Marsa Alam Sataya Reef Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-sataya-dolphin-snorkeling-cruise) — Full Day, from USD 75 per adult
- [Super Safari: ATV, Camel Ride, Sunset, Bedouin Show & BBQ](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-super-safari-atv-camel-bedouin-bbq-show) — 5 Hours, from USD 40 per adult
- [Marsa Alam Wadi El Gemal National Park Tour](https://www.sunnyegypttravels.com/en/trips/marsa-alam-wadi-el-gemal-national-park-tour) — Full Day, from USD 55.85 per adult

## Frequently asked questions

**Where can I see dolphins in Marsa Alam?**
Marsa Alam: Dolphin House Snorkeling and the Marsa Alam Sataya Reef Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise both cover known dolphin-encounter sites.

**Can I snorkel with turtles in Marsa Alam?**
Yes, Marsa Alam Abu Dabbab Turtle Snorkeling covers a site known for sea turtles and dugongs.

**What's Elphinstone Reef?**
A well-known wall dive site off Marsa Alam — see Marsa Alam Elphinstone Reef Diving Trip.

**Is there a beginner diving option in Marsa Alam?**
Yes, Beginners Scuba Diving Day Trip with Lunch requires no certification.

**What's Wadi El Gemal National Park?**
A protected coastal/desert park south of Marsa Alam most tourists never visit — see Wadi El Gemal: The Red Sea Coast Most Tourists Never See and the Marsa Alam Wadi El Gemal National Park Tour.

**Can I do a desert safari in Marsa Alam?**
Yes, Marsa Alam Desert Safari covers it directly.

**What's the best day trip to Luxor from Marsa Alam?**
Luxor Day Trip: Karnak & Valley of the Kings covers it privately in one day.

**Is there deep sea fishing in Marsa Alam?**
Yes, Marsa Alam Deep Sea Fishing Trip is a dedicated fishing charter.

**Can I do a felucca sail in Marsa Alam?**
Yes, Marsa Alam Felucca Sunset Sail covers a traditional sail at sunset.

**What's the best day trip to Cairo from Marsa Alam?**
Cairo Day Trip by Air: Pyramids & Egyptian Museum covers it privately by flight.

**Is there kitesurfing in Marsa Alam?**
Yes, Marsa Alam Kitesurfing Lesson is available for beginners and improvers.

**Why do people choose Marsa Alam over Hurghada or Sharm for diving/snorkeling?**
Marsa Alam's reefs are generally less crowded, with a higher concentration of dolphin, turtle and dugong encounters than the busier northern Red Sea towns.