A young and developing resort 290 km south of Hurghada is a mecca for diving enthusiasts. Find out what reviews leave tourists about the rest in Marsa Alam.
The appearance of the resort and the impressions of tourists
Marsa Alam grows like a fairy tale. Until recently, it was a small village on the shores of the Red Sea, but in 2003, after the construction of an international airport, a tourist boom began here. A small resort is being actively built. The choice of hotels is still small, but everything is new and expensive. Prices are 1.5-2 times higher than in Hurghada.
Marsa Alam is appreciated by those who like uncrowded beaches, clear turquoise sea and comfortable service when there is no need to leave the hotel territory. Coral reefs are little disturbed by humans, therefore, while relaxing in Marsa Alam, you can see beautiful fish, giant manta rays, dolphins and sea cows - dugongs. Fans of ecotourism, scuba diving, snorkeling and kiting are simply in love with these places!
Find out what tourists think of Egypt.
Anna: "A beautiful reef, wall-depth 30 m. When entering from the shore, you can meet stingrays, surgeon fish, butterfly fish and many others. At low tide - crabs, stars ... At the time when we were resting, the tide was low daily and very pronounced, but this did not stop us from swimming. "
Julia K: "Seeing with your own eyes a sea cow and a turtle, how tall I am, is unforgettable! Azure sea and a beautiful reef."
Best hotels
The resort has about 50 hotels, and among them there are many "fives". Almost all hotels operate on the all inclusive system. The staff does not speak Russian. Look for hotels in Marsa Alam on Hotelluk and tours on Travelata.
The best hotels in Marsa Alam, according to tourists' reviews:
Aurora Bay Resort Marsa Alam 4 * - comfortable rest in Mediterranean style with four swimming pools and 2 restaurants. For a double room with breakfast, you will pay from $ 74.
Elphistone Resort Marsa Alam 4 * is a wonderful hotel for everyone who loves rooms with bathrooms. The hotel has a good spa and tennis courts. All inclusive double room starts from $ 56.
Brayka Bay Reef Resort 4 * is a luxury hotel on the first line with a private beach on the shore of Brayka Bay. All inclusive double room starts from $ 68.
Fantazia Resort Marsa Alam 4 * is an excellent choice for everyone who wants to recuperate. Guests will find a large well-groomed area and an excellent sandy beach. A double room with breakfast starts at $ 245.
Beaches
The beaches of the Egyptian resort stretch for 50 km, most of them are deserted. Marsa Alam has high environmental requirements, so there are no artificial sandy beaches like in Hurghada. The coast is covered with fine, clean sand. In some places, the reef is only 20 m from the coast. There are stones at the entrance to the sea, and pieces of coral in the sand. Be sure to bring your beach shoes!
There are many shallow waters in Marsa Alam, where it is good to swim with small children. Compared to more northern resorts, the sea water is 1-2 ° warmer.
Find out where to relax in Egypt.
Nadezhda: "I can't swim, so a gradual, smooth entry into the sea is very important for me. There are many marine life, even standing knee-deep in water, you can see colorful fish and other animals! There are many different crabs on the shore. The sand is fine, white, clean. Garbage is cleaned in a timely manner. There is a diving center. If you want to see all the beauty of the Red Sea, you can take training and dive. "
Excursions
Water sports and diving are thriving in the Egyptian resort. One-day diving training costs $ 70-100, and a 4-day diving course costs $ 350-400. The most famous attraction is the picturesque Samadai reef. According to reviews, sea excursions to dugongs and dolphins are popular from Marsa Alam - $ 50, to Hamata Island - $ 45 and sea fishing - $ 45.
Bird watchers enjoy excursions from Marsa Alam to Gebel Elba National Park, where you can watch rare desert birds. Just half an hour's drive from the resort is the Wadi El Gemal National Park, which is home to wild gazelles and camel rides. Vacationers willingly go on a desert safari - $ 50, to Cairo - $ 50 and Luxor - $ 45.
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Marina: "We ordered the excursion" Coral Garden, Turtle House ". Emotions and impressions were overflowing, as I managed to see 2 turtles and a dugong. These are memories for a lifetime. Everything was very well organized, the service was top notch. We went by boat Faster ".
When is the best time to go
Like most resorts in Egypt, Marsa Alam can be visited all year round. The water temperature in the Red Sea does not drop below + 21 ° C. There are fewer people in winter and early spring, when the coast is relatively cool and windy. According to tourists, it is not very pleasant in Marsa Alam in the summer, when there is a strong heat. For a comfortable stay, it is better to come in April, May or autumn.
Find out when to vacation in Egypt.
Is it worth going
The young and expensive resort of Marsa Alam is ideal for fans of diving, a quiet holiday by the beautiful sea, elderly tourists and parents with children. Fans of nightclubs and parties will be bored here.
The main disadvantage of resting in Marsa Alam is the remote part of Egypt. Charter flights from Russia to Marsa Alam have never flown, so the packets get from Hurghada International Airport by tourist buses. The journey takes 3.5-4 hours.
kakatros: "A picturesque place, enchants! Very nicely arranged for relaxation, disposes to relaxation and meditation, to reconnect with nature. The sea is beautiful, which can only be seen in expensive resorts. White sand, clear turquoise water."
