Scuba diving holidays in Marsa Alam, Egypt

Ideally located on the Red Sea's Western coast, Marsa Alam has become increasingly popular for scuba diving since the opening of its new airport just 10 minutes away, but this once-small fishing village still remains quieter and less developed than more popular resorts on the Red Sea such as Sharm el Sheikh or Hurghada. So, you can be sure of exploring Marsa Alam's waters without constantly bumping into other divers!

Marsa Alam boasts some beautiful, world-class dive sites, and you can enjoy the best aspects of shore and boat diving whilst you are here. The offshore islands in this area have been designated as a Protected Marine Park, after a long closure by the Egyptian Government, so many of the sites remain in pristine condition. The fringing coral reefs along Marsa Alam's coastline are a real treasure trove for divers, and you will be able to observe a breathtaking variety of multi-coloured corals, fish and other sea life. Close encounters are likely with spinner dolphins and bottle nose dolphins, as well as several species of shark, turtles and the endangered Dugong "sea cow".

One of the most popular dive sites in Marsa Alam is Elphinstone Reef, where dramatic walls and drop-offs adorned with a colourful display of soft corals, sponges and sea fans ensure a spectacular and unforgettable dive. Hammerhead and oceanic white tip sharks often swim around here to feed on the abundant reef fish population, and you are also likely to see manta rays, tuna, barracuda and many more creatures.

A trip to Sha'ab Samadai is another absolute must if you are scuba diving in Marsa Alam. Known locally as Dolphin House, this horseshoe shaped reef forms a shallow, turquoise lagoon which is frequented by a large pod of around 100 spinner dolphins. There is also a, exciting network of caves and tunnels here, which hides a good variety of marine life and is a delight to explore.

Other diving highlights include Marsa Abu Dabab, where you will see an incredible number of giant turtles as well as the endangered Guitar shark, one of the world's rarest sharks. It is also the best place to see the endangered Dugong because they love these shallow, sheltered waters, where sea grass is plentiful.

Marsa Alam is generally a windy place, and the sea can get quite rough at times. This occasionally prevents boats from accessing the more exposed dive sites but other options are always available on the day. Dive centres in Marsa Alam will give you plenty of diving support, providing professional staff to give training and equipment where needed, and recommending the best sites for your level of experience depending on the conditions that day.