a view of the ocean from a rooftop of a building

Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam is a Red Sea resort town with reef beaches, kitesurfing, desert safari starts and the Wadi El Gemal park to the south.

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Marsa Alam is a tourist town on the western shore of the Red Sea, in south-eastern Egypt. Development began in 1995, led by the Kuwaiti Al-Kharafi Group, which set up the first resorts and infrastructure. The town is nicknamed the "Egyptian Maldives" for its crystal clear water and white sand beaches. It lies 274 km south of Hurghada and 134 km south of Qusayr.

Abu Dabba beach is nearby, where visitors report seeing turtles, dolphins, sharks, crocodilefish and octopuses. Kitesurfing is a known draw, and the town is a starting point for desert safaris. Wadi El Gemal National Park, about 7,450 km² with 60 km of Red Sea coast, lies to the south. Marsa Alam International Airport is about 210 km south of Hurghada and has tourist flights from Italy, Germany, France and England. The climate is hot desert: January highs are about 22 to 25 °C, and August highs reach 33 to 40 °C.

Marsa Alam in five

Read the UK advice, including the Hala'ib warningThe UK advises against all but essential travel to the Hala'ib Triangle at the Sudan border, far south of the resorts. Read the advice before booking any trip beyond the coast hotels, and again before you fly.UK travel advice
Fly into Marsa Alam, or accept a long drive from HurghadaMarsa Alam has its own airport (RMF). Hurghada is a long coastal drive north, so choose the airport that matches your hotel and ask for a transfer in advance.Hurghada travel guide
Pick a house reef, not just a hotelResorts stretch along the coast and reefs differ between bays. Check whether the hotel has a jetty or beach entry, what the reef looks like in your month and whether guides are on hand.
Treat a liveaboard as a safety decisionUK investigators advise booking liveaboards only through reputable vendors who can show safety standards, and asking the crew for a thorough safety briefing before departure.UK safety advice
Do not drive the coast road at nightThe UK advice says not to drive outside main cities and resorts at night, because accidents are common. Arrange transfers in daylight and use your hotel's transport, not a car you drive yourself.

Things to do in Marsa Alam

See all attractions in Marsa Alam

a bottle of wine sitting on top of a rock

Sight · Marsa AlamElphinstone

white and blue boat on sea shore during daytime

Sight · Marsa AlamHamada

Sight · Marsa AlamSataya Reef

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Need to know

Airport: Marsa Alam (RMF), the usual arrival point for southern resorts
Getting there: Fly into RMF; Hurghada is a long coast drive to the north
Getting around: Hotel transfers and taxis; resorts are far apart
Best base: A resort with a house reef; compare jetty and beach entry
Time needed: 5–7 days; more for a dive week

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear0 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Mild, quiet
FebruaryClear0 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Mild, windy
MarchClear0 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Warm, spring dives
AprilClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Warm, Easter
MayClear0 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot
JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low28°Very hot
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh35°Low29°Hottest
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh36°Low30°Hottest
SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low28°Hot, warm sea
OctoberClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Warm sea
NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low21°Mild, clear
DecemberClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°Mild, busy

Average daily high and low in Marsa Alam, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Marsa Alam

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 63%
Wind: 13 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Marsa Alam

11:16 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today31°23°0%Monday: Clear. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue31°24°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed32°27°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 32°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu32°24°0%Thursday: Clear. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri28°24°0%Friday: Clear. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat27°23°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun26°21°0%Sunday: Clear. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 08:02 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 55.96 EGP

Amount

Converted to

EGP · Egyptian Pound

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Wadi el Gemala day trip by carA protected desert and coast area south of Marsa Alam.
Abu Dabbab baya short drive northA shallow bay used for snorkeling from the shore.
Hurghadaa long coastal drive northA bigger town and the boat days to the Giftun Islands.Read the guide

Before you go to Marsa Alam

Reef resorts near Marsa AlamCheck jetty or beach reef entryCheck availability

Wadi el Gemal and reef outingsCompare guided boat and 4WD daysCompare day trips

eSIM for Marsa AlamData for the airport transferRead the guide

Insurance for liveaboards and divesEvacuation and depth-limit coverRead the guide

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Rules for Marsa Alam, checked

Request a full safety briefing on a liveaboard and book only through reputable vendors, per UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch guidance.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Do not drive outside main cities and resorts at night; accidents are common because of road conditions, dangerous driving and weak traffic enforcement.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Use an e-visa, or check that your arrival airport sells visas on arrival; the Egypt page has the fee and validity.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source

Plan around Marsa Alam

Hurghada travel guide

The bigger resort town and airport to the north

Read the guide El Gouna travel guide

A planned lagoon resort north of Hurghada

Read the guide Red Sea coast

How Marsa Alam compares with the northern towns

Read the guide Egypt visa and entry

Which visa for the southern Red Sea airport

Read the guide Best time to visit Egypt

Months, heat and seasons across the country

Read the guide Travel insurance

Check dive, depth and evacuation cover

Read the guide All of Egypt

Cairo, the Nile and the Red Sea in one plan

Read the guide

Marsa Alam FAQ

Is Marsa Alam worth visiting?

Yes if the reef matters more than the town: resorts here are spread out and quiet, with house reefs reachable from the beach. It is a poor fit for travelers who want shops, nightlife or a walkable center.

Marsa Alam or Hurghada for a reef holiday?

Marsa Alam for quieter reefs and a self-contained resort week. Hurghada for more hotels, restaurants and day boats, plus an easier overnight to Luxor. Compare the airport and transfer before booking.

Do you need a car in Marsa Alam?

No. Resorts arrange transfers and excursions. The UK advice says not to drive outside main cities and resorts at night, and that road accidents are common, so a hired car adds little.

When is the best time to visit Marsa Alam?

March to May and October to November pair warm sea with bearable heat. Summer highs reach the high 30s °C, and winter is mild but cooler in the water, so a wetsuit helps for long swims.

Is Marsa Alam good for snorkeling?

It is known for house reefs and shallow bays, though quality varies by hotel and month. Check reef access before booking, keep fins and hands off the coral and book boats with licensed operators.