Marsa Alam
Generally a name applied to a 80km stretch of Red Sea of which Marsa Alam is the principle town. The district borders El Quseir to the N and Berenice to S. The former fishing village has little appeal to the tourist and even lacks full shopping facilities. The appeal, however, is the coastline where large resort properties and developments, particularly to the north, have been located.
The 130km drive from El Quseir, the nearest ‘big’ small town, is through a barren desert landscape on a highway that clings to the coast affording spectacular views across the turquoise waters. Dive boats moor in clusters at some of the more scenic spots and, in addition to large resort style properties, small dive complexes, often consisting of a few huts and a jetty, are dotted around.
There are 2 major tourist developments within the district. Port Ghalib comprises 3 hotel properties built around a marina reached by a 3km drive off the main El Quseir to Marsa Alam highway, 60km N of town and 4km from the airport. In addition to private apartments, the resort has restaurants and bars around a square as well as expensive boutique style shops.
