Cheap holiday Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam is the Red Sea's best-kept secret: pristine coral reefs metres from shore, dugongs at Abu Dabab, turtles at Marsa Mubarak and virtually no mass tourism. TUI and Corendon fly direct from Amsterdam Schiphol in about 5 hours. 7 nights all-inclusive from around €650 per person.
✈️ Plan your trip to Marsa Alam →When is the best time to visit?
October to April is ideal: 22 to 30 degrees, virtually no rain and the clearest water. May and September are the quietest months with lower hotel prices. Avoid June to August: daytime temperatures of 40 to 45 degrees and night temperatures above 30 degrees make a beach holiday very uncomfortable.
Best locations around Marsa Alam
- Marsa Abu Dabab The most famous bay near Marsa Alam: a protected seagrass area with dugongs and green sea turtles. Access via a wooden boardwalk; respectful behaviour required. Day trips from hotels from €15 per person.
- Marsa Mubarak A quieter alternative to Abu Dabab, also suitable for turtles. Less visited and cheaper to reach. Bring your own snorkel gear.
- Port Ghalib Modern marina 5 km north of town with international restaurants, shops and a good selection of dive schools. Good base for independent travellers.
- Elphinstone Reef One of the world's most iconic dive sites: hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetips and stunning wall dives. Only reachable by day boat tour (around €55 per person, two dives included).
- Wadi El Gemal National Park National park 80 km south of town with mangrove forests, flamingos and pristine desert coastline. Entry €5. Ideal for a jeep day trip.
Top 5 activities in Marsa Alam
- House reef snorkelling Most hotels have a house reef directly accessible: coral, colourful fish and sometimes turtles at less than 5 metres depth. Snorkel gear hire €5 to 10 per day.
- Diving (2 dives with equipment) Day dive programme with two dives and equipment at a local dive school: around €50 to €65. PADI Open Water course in 3 to 4 days for €280 to €350.
- Desert jeep safari A day trip into the Eastern Egyptian Desert: rock formations, Bedouin villages, tea and a desert sunset. Around €35 to €50 per person via your hotel.
- Sunset sailing tour Felucca boat tour at sunset along the coast from Port Ghalib, around €20 per person. Book via dive schools or the hotel reception.
- Luxor day trip Around 250 km via the desert road: Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple each cost around €10 to €15 entry. Group tour bookable via the hotel, around €70 per person.
Flights + transport from the Netherlands
TUI and Corendon fly direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF) in the winter season (October to April), taking about 5 to 5.5 hours. No direct flights are available from Eindhoven. As a package, 7 nights all-inclusive costs from around €650 per person (low season). The airport is about 67 km from Port Ghalib; transfers to your resort are included in package holidays. Independent travellers need a taxi (around €30 to €50 per trip). A hire car is useful for day trips to the desert: book via DiscoverCars for a hire car in Marsa Alam.
What does a Marsa Alam holiday cost?
A package holiday offers the best value: 7 nights all-inclusive including direct flight from around €650 per person in low season (May, September-October), €900 to €1,200 in high season (December-January). If booking independently: flights from around €280 return, mid-range hotels €45 to 90 per night. Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP), approximately 1 euro = 57 EGP.
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Frequently asked questions about Marsa Alam
When is the best time to visit Marsa Alam?
October to April: 22 to 30 degrees, clear water and little rain. Avoid summer, when temperatures reach 40 to 45 degrees.
Are there direct flights from the Netherlands to Marsa Alam?
TUI and Corendon fly direct from Amsterdam Schiphol to Marsa Alam (RMF) in the winter season. From Eindhoven, no direct flights are available.
What are the best dive sites near Marsa Alam?
Marsa Abu Dabab for dugongs, Elphinstone Reef for sharks, and the house reefs at hotels for snorkelling at less than 5 metres depth.
How much does a Marsa Alam holiday cost?
As a package from around €650 per person for 7 nights all-inclusive including flight; direct flights from around €280 return.
🗺️ Where do you want to stay in Marsa Alam?
Hotels and resorts in Marsa Alam on the map. Click a pin for live prices and direct booking.
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