Marsa Alam (Arabic: مرسى علم‎) is a town in south-eastern Egypt, on the west coast of the Red Sea. It is currently seeing fast increasing popularity as a tourist destination and development following the opening of Marsa Alam International Airport in 2001.

Marsa Alam is situated near the Tropic of Cancer where the Arabian Desert meets the Red Sea, and it has the appearance of a tropical paradise with its palm trees, mangroves and sea coasts fringed with barrier coral reefs. It has already gained a strong reputation amongst scuba divers due to its numerous and unspoilt diving sites both along the coast and offshore. Sightings of spinner dolphins, dugongs and hammerhead sharks are a frequent occurrence for those who venture into its waters.

Marsa Alam also has some inland attractions, such as the Emerald Mines and the Temple of Seti I at Khanais.

[edit] Climate

Average temperatures during the winter months (October to March) range from 18 to 35 degrees Celsius and during the summer months (April to September) from 20 to 45 degrees Celsius. The temperature of the Red Sea at this location during the year ranges from 22 to 29 degrees Celsius.

[edit] Gallery of Wildlife

Dugong off Abu Dabab beach

Dugong "rolling" on sea floor

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Marsa Alam

• Equinox Resort Marsa Alam Diving Wind Surf Kite Surf and Excursions
• On the Red Sea, as Hotels Go Up, Divers Head Down The New York Times on diving in Marsa Alam (April 8th, 2007)
• Marsa Alam Gallery
• Red Sea Spinner Dolphins
• The Dugong of Marsa Abu Dabbab
• Travel to Marsa Alam
• Diving in Marsa Alam
• Marsa Alam Dugon
• vittoria resort

Coordinates: 25°04′N 34°54′E / 25.067°N 34.9°E / 25.067; 34.9