A winter diving break in Egypt

December 13, 2025By maverickbirdPosted in Africa, Egypt, Outside India

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There are a few things I love more than diving, and fewer places I love than Marsa Alam. Located in south-eastern Egypt, this far-flung city has not much to write home about. It sprawls along the western shore of the Red Sea and is on the way to Sudan, and is one of the least visited tourist destinations of Egypt. The city has one main road, which is lined with all kinds of shops, supermarkets, dive shops, restaurants, pharmacies, cafes, and ATMs. The thin peripheral lanes that snake from it have nothing more than a handful of falafel shops, and packs of stray dogs guard them. It can get dusty throughout the year, and in summer, the harsh desert sun positively blisters the earth.

Diving holiday and the pleasure of doing nothing

Each day is the same as the one before, and in the evenings, there´s not much to do. The nights are quiet here except for barking dogs, and the only variety comes from the sunsets that vary from mild to brilliant. Marsa Alam is made up of two colours: golden yellow and aquamarine blue. Stark, stony mountains border it, and the desert stretches endlessly from the horizon to the sea. Even the nearest airport is nearly two hours away. Many people find it boring, with limited things to do, and that is exactly why I love Marsa Alam. There are a few places on earth I love place and if I had the opportunity, I would stay here year-round.

My annual diving breaks in Marsa Alam

I love its two-toned stark landscape with the stony deserts, harsh mountains, hidden valleys, Roman ruins, mangroves, and the Red Sea. The fact that the town is the size of a dinner plate charms me, and I love how, at night, the sky over Marsa Alam resembles an upturned bowl of stars. I always stay at a sea-facing homestay there and, by now, have been accepted as a member of the family by the host. My flat overlooks the sea, and from my bed, I can see the distant light of the ships at night. I like how in the evenings I can walk along the shore to the boatyard where I can shoot some breeze and enjoy kahwa mazboot or a fish dinner. Everything is within reach, walkable, and you don´t see many people around. Although it is often overshadowed by more popular Red Sea resort towns like Sharm-el-Sheikh, there are nice resorts in Marsa Alam, and these come with their own private beach, entertainment, and even water parks. Snorkelling is a major sport here, and its healthy marine life draws divers from all over the world. Here are some photos of my last winter diving break in Egypt, and for a more in-depth Marsa Alam travel guide, click on the links below.