Marsa Alam, located on the western coast of the Red Sea in Egypt, used to be a small, quiet, fishing village but is now turning into a much more popular diving destination as there are some real dive site gems in this area and since the airport opened there at the beginning of the 2000s. Despite it growing as a dive area, it is still not as busy as larger diving areas on the Red Sea, so divers can come here to avoid the bigger crowds. There are world famous dive sites here, along with a big collection of large marine species for divers to spot here.  Marsa Alam is also known for having unguided shore diving opportunities which give divers a lot of freedom to explore these dive sites at their own pace and in their own ways. There are multiple house reefs, so depending on which dive center or resort is chosen, will depend on which house reef will be the divers main reef during their stay.

Marsa Alam is known throughout for divers being able to explore the local dive sites unguided, which really attracts the confident and more experienced divers who like to do these dives in their own way. This is also a top location for Liveaboards with there being numerous to choose from. Some of the best dive sites are located further offshore and so done from the dive centers and dive resorts with day boat trips. Most of the dive sites here are suited to the more experienced divers, but there are also some relaxing local sites for dive courses and beginner divers.

Marsa Alam is a top location for spotting larger marine species. There are extensive, flourishing, coral reefs here which is the beginning of the food chain to help attract these larger species. Divers can admire the stunning, colorful and lively coral reefs, the schools of reef fish and other reef creatures living here, including Sea Turtles and Crocodile Fish. Out in the blue, divers need to keep an eye open for Dolphins, which are regularly spotted here. Dugongs which like to also visit some of the local house reefs are a unique experience, Whitetip, Silvertip, Grey Reef and Bowmouth Sharks, Hammerhead sharks, Tuna, different species of Rays and Barracuda are also local residents here. That’s not even it! There are also stunning Whale Sharks and Manta Rays which have been admired here. It really is an absolute top diving destination to spot larger species and be absolutely amazed by their majestic beauty.