Things To Do in Marsa Alam

Wadi el Gemal National Park is the destination for this annual get-together of the Bedouin tribes that travel across the Sahara. They bring their stories, their dances, their shabbaba flutes and, of course, their camels, for three days of celebrations in the sand.

Port Ghalib Marina is the place to be seen in Marsa Alam. The palm-lined promenade is dotted with bars, shops and restaurants where you can unwind on a balmy evening. Not everywhere sells alcohol, but you’re bound to find a welcoming bar where you can kick back with a cold Sakara beer while you guess the price of the gleaming yachts moored to the jetty.

The crystal-clear waters here are home to lots of aquatic creatures, some of which you can only find around this spot. Spinner dolphins and the resident dugong – apparently he’s called Dennis – live among the underwater caves and brightly-coloured coral. All you need to get up close is a snorkel and mask, or you could ask your hotel to recommend a dive school.

There’s a sprinkling of gift shops in Marsa Alam town selling stuffed camels and Egyptian cotton, as well as alabaster statues and papyrus. But if you’re intent on stocking up on souvenirs, head to Port Ghalib, where the quays are paved with family-run shops selling pottery and traditional clothing. To extend your retail ramblings, head for El Quseir, about an hour’s drive up the coast. You’ll be rewarded with a bustling Egyptian souk where you can swap your Egyptian pounds for perfumes, jewellery and shisha pipes.

Eid al-Fitr is the first day of the Islamic New Year and is celebrated all over the world. There’s no Auld Lang Syne in Marsa Alam, but they do their best to put Edinburgh to shame by lighting up the streets and letting off fireworks all through the night. There are also processions, music and plenty of food.

Egypt likes its food spicy, and Marsa Alam is no exception. There are two or three places in the village that plate up molohia – a leafy stew doused in spice. The dishes round here also have a Turkish influence, so you can tuck into meze and fiery meat koftas.

For souvenirs and other big-ticket items, the best spot is the hotels. Here, you’ll be able to buy Bedouin scarves and oriental perfumes. Or for something a bit different, head to the village centre, where you can get special herbs that are only grown round these parts. The locals brew them up in tea to make the most of their healing qualities.

The plush Port Ghalib Marina has a parade of restaurants lined up along the water’s edge. You’ll find a sushi restaurant and a bar and grill, as well as places with a more authentic slant. Look out for the seafood restaurant where you can tuck in to freshly netted grouper or sole. There’s also an Italian trattoria serving up the best pasta this side of Rome. For afters, grab an ice-cream and stroll along the quayside.

Dolphin House is a horseshoe-shaped reef occupied by a pod of spinner dolphins. They’re accustomed to receiving snorkel-wearing guests and are always perfect hosts. Remember to bring your underwater camera. And if you’d rather dive here, the reef is packed with technicolor clown fish and the occasional whitetip shark.

Skip the ever-popular Abu Dabbab Beach and pay a visit to Honokrab Beach in Wadi el Gamal National Park. A 25-minute drive south of Marsa Alam, these deserted, white sands melt into the shallow, sapphire waters. Here, you can snorkel with an exotic cast of underwater creatures, or spot starfish on the seabed. The beach is a known nesting spot for turtles, too, so be careful not to disturb them. And since you won’t find any bars or restaurants, you’ll want to bring a packed lunch.