Where to Stay in Marsa Alam: Port Ghalib, Abu Dabbab or the Deep South?

Where is the best place to stay in Marsa Alam?

For most snorkellers the coast between Port Ghalib and Abu Dabbab is the sweet spot: close enough to the airport, with turtle bays and good house reefs; divers and nature lovers who want solitude should look further south.

"Marsa Alam" now means a line of resorts, dive camps and eco-lodges strung for more than 100 km along the southern mainland coast, from El Quseir in the north to Hamata in the south. There is no resort strip and no centre to walk to; each hotel sits alone on its bay. Choosing a location is therefore about the reef in front, the transfer time and which marine sites you want close by. Our Marsa Alam destination guide covers the sites themselves.

How do the Marsa Alam coast areas compare?

The table runs north to south; transfer times are from Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF) and vary by hotel.

Why stay near Port Ghalib or Abu Dabbab?

Port Ghalib gives you the shortest airport transfer and the only real promenade on the coast; the Abu Dabbab stretch gives you the best chance of snorkelling with turtles from the beach.

Port Ghalib is a purpose-built marina town near the airport, with a waterfront of cafés and shops and the departure point for many liveaboards to the Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone. Nearby Coraya Bay has large resorts such as the Steigenberger Coraya Beach on a sheltered lagoon. This area suits families and anyone who wants a stroll and a dinner outside the hotel.

About 30 km north of Marsa Alam town, Abu Dabbab Bay and its neighbours are seagrass bays where green turtles graze in shallow water. Resorts and dive camps along this stretch often have strong house reefs, and Elphinstone is a short boat ride offshore. Snorkelling at Abu Dabbab itself is regulated, with guides and marked zones, so follow the rules and keep your distance from the animals.

Further north, the coast around El Quseir is a sensible compromise for travellers flying into Hurghada: transfers are shorter than to the far south, there are resorts with good reefs, and the old port's Ottoman fort and coral-stone merchants' houses give you something to see on land. The trade-off is a longer drive to Abu Dabbab and the dolphin reefs.

Resort, eco-lodge or dive camp?

Choose a resort for pools and kids' facilities, an eco-lodge or dive camp for reef access, simplicity and a smaller footprint.

• Resorts: mostly large and sold all-inclusive, because there is nowhere else to eat. Look for a jetty onto a house reef and an on-site dive centre.
• Eco-lodges and dive villages: low-rise stone or palm-thatch chalets, tents and huts, often with unlimited shore diving on the house reef. The best known are the Red Sea Diving Safari villages, such as Marsa Shagra north of the town, set up by an Egyptian conservationist in the early 1990s as a low-impact alternative to resort development.
• Dive camps in the south: simple, remote and focused entirely on the water, with boats to Sataya and the Hamata islands.

Eco-lodges vary in comfort, from tents with shared bathrooms to air-conditioned chalets, so ask exactly what you are booking, especially between May and October.

Is the deep south worth the extra drive?

Yes, if dolphins, dugong habitat and empty coast are the point of your trip; no, if you want a short transfer and things to do on land.

South of Marsa Alam town, the coast passes Samadai (Dolphin House) and the Wadi el-Gemal National Park, a protected area of desert valleys, mangroves and ancient emerald mines that is home to the Ababda people. Further on, Hamata is the jumping-off point for the Sataya reef system, where spinner dolphins are often seen. Hotels here are few and far between, and the night sky is dark enough for serious stargazing.

The cost is time. From the airport, Hamata is around two hours by road, and from Hurghada more than five. Build in at least five nights to make it worthwhile.

How do you get to Marsa Alam hotels?

Fly direct to Marsa Alam when schedules allow; otherwise fly to Hurghada and drive 3.5–4 hours south, or drive from Luxor via Edfu in about 4–5 hours.

Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF) lies near Port Ghalib, about 60–70 km north of the town. At the time of writing it is served mainly by seasonal charter flights from Europe and some domestic flights from Cairo that do not run every day, so check schedules early. Many travellers fly into Hurghada instead; our Hurghada airport guide covers the arrival. Coming from a Nile cruise, the desert road from Edfu to the coast avoids Hurghada altogether. Divers should allow 18–24 hours between the last dive and any flight.

Because hotels are spread so far apart, confirm the exact drive time to yours rather than relying on "Marsa Alam" in the address: a resort described that way can be anywhere from 10 minutes to more than two hours from the airport. Private transfers are the norm, and most hotels can arrange them.

What should you check before booking in Marsa Alam?

Check the house reef, the wind exposure and what is included, because you may not leave the hotel for days.

• Reef access: ask whether the jetty or entry point works at all tides, and whether currents make the reef suitable for children or beginners.
• Wind: the prevailing northerly can make exposed beaches choppy and boat trips rough; build a spare day into dive plans.
• Board basis: all-inclusive is the norm; check what drinks and activities are covered.
• Cash and supplies: shops and ATMs are few outside Port Ghalib and the town.
• Marine rules: follow guidance at turtle and dolphin sites; our swimming with dolphins guide explains responsible trips.

Which part of Marsa Alam should you choose?

Match the stretch of coast to the animals you want to see and how much isolation you enjoy.

• Families: Port Ghalib or Coraya Bay, for short transfers, sheltered water and a promenade.
• Snorkellers and turtle lovers: a house-reef resort on the Abu Dabbab coast.
• Divers: a dive camp or eco-village with unlimited shore diving, or a liveaboard from Port Ghalib; see Red Sea liveaboard diving and our Red Sea diving holiday.
• Nature lovers and couples seeking quiet: an eco-lodge near Wadi el-Gemal.
• Travellers wanting restaurants and nightlife: Hurghada or El Gouna instead; compare Marsa Alam vs Hurghada.