BOOT 2009 vom 17. - 25.01.2009

This site will provide you with information about the Beachsafari , the dive sites in and around the area and other attractions in Marsa Alam.

Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam is a developing tourist attraction that has grown from a small fishing village into a prime location for divers and holidaymakers alike. The village itself is 300 km to the south of Hurghada and is situated directly on the Red Sea Coast. The scenery around Marsa Alam is spectacular with the Red Sea to the east and the mountains in the west. Some of the mountains in view are nearly 1000 m high and look stunning in front of the late evening sunset. The population of Marsa Alam is growing rapidly with the onset of the developing tourist industry and it is clear that the number of inhabitants has quickly exceeded the 2,000 or so initially based in the once sleepy fishing harbour. There are 2 harbours at Marsa Alam, one is a fishing port mainly used by the locals and the second more recent addition is a port for safari boats. Many of the safari boats are based here for the convenience of making trips to the Deep South, many as far as the Sudanese border. However due to the restricted depth in the harbour the safari boats are not moored along the quay. Instead they remain in the deeper water and divers have to take small Zodiacs to get to them. The entry to the fishing port is even more restricted and is only suitable for small boats; these still have to navigate a passage of only 2 - 3 m in the reef.

The people of Marsa Alam are very friendly and visitors are given a warm welcome. This is a major attraction of visiting most parts of the Red Sea locations. However all visitors need to respect the fact that the majority of the population are Muslim, and efforts should be made to adhere to a modest dress code, especially female visitors who, when in public, should refrain from wearing items such as  miniskirts and small pants.  Respecting this will be appreciated by