Marsa Alam
مرسى علم | |
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Overview of Marsa Alam | |
Coordinates: 25°04′N 34°54′E / 25.067°N 34.900°E | |
Country | ![]() |
Governorate | Red Sea Governorate |
Area | |
• Total | 5,476 sq mi (14,184 km2) |
Elevation | 59 ft (18 m) |
Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 9,001 |
• Density | 1.6/sq mi (0.63/km2) |
Time zone | UTC+2 (EST) |
Marsa Alam (Arabic: مَرْسَىٰ عَلَم Marsā ʿAlam [ˈmæɾsæ ˈʕælæm], Classical Arabic lit. 'Anchorage Mountain') is a tourist town in south-eastern Egypt, located on the western shore of the Red Sea. It is currently[when?] seeing fast increasing popularity as a tourist destination and development following the opening of Marsa Alam International Airport in 2003. Marsa Alam is considered one of the newly established towns, as its development began in 1995 through the investments of Kuwaiti Al-Kharafi Group, which Established the town with all its facilities, resorts and infrastructure, to make Marsa Alam one of the most attractive places in Egypt for tourism. The town is located on an area of 38,433 km2, 274 km south of Hurghada, and 134 km south of Qusayr, and its 60 meters above sea level. It is inhabited by about 11,497 residents. [2][3][4][5]
Due to its crystal clear water and its white sandy beaches, it is also known as the "Egyptian Maldives".[6][7]
Among the most famous beaches around Marsa Alam is the Abu Dabab beach. In Abu Dabab, turtles are a common sight. For tourists who seek to see something less typical, there is marine wildlife like crocodilefish and octopuses.
Marsa Alam is also known as the world-class kitesurfing destination and starting point for safaris.[8]
Marsa Alam also has some inland attractions, such as the Emerald Mines and the Temple of Seti I at Khanais.
With its crystal clear water and surreal nature view, Marsa Alam is often dubbed as the "Egyptian Maldives" on the shores of the Red Sea.