How much does a Marsa Alam excursion cost?

Pricing depends on the itinerary, group size and season – tell us your dates and we'll send an exact, all-in quote. Every Discovery Tours Egypt excursion is private and all-inclusive: a licensed Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all listed entry fees. There are no hidden add-ons at the sites.

Are your Marsa Alam excursions private?

Yes. Every excursion we run is fully private – just your party, your own Egyptologist guide and your own driver. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace, stops and timing are tailored to you on the day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Marsa Alam hotel (or Nile cruise dock, where relevant) are included at no extra cost. Your guide meets you in the lobby; if your plans change, the local office that arranged the excursion can adjust it on the day.

When is the best time to visit Marsa Alam?

October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for sightseeing. May to September is hotter, so excursions start early to beat the midday heat – and you'll often find fewer crowds and lower prices. We run excursions in Marsa Alam year-round.

Is it safe, and are families welcome?

Yes on both counts. We've operated in Egypt since 1988 from offices nationwide, with 24/7 in-country support, and excursions run with our own vetted guides and drivers. Families are very welcome – guides adjust the pace and content for children, and we can arrange car seats and shorter itineraries.

Excursions departing from Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam Excursions

Sataya dolphin reef, Wadi El Gemal national park & Bedouin desert

LengthFull & half day

From£35 / person

PickupHotel included

GuideEgyptologist

By the Discovery Tours Egypt desk

Marsa Alam is the quiet southern Red Sea base, and its excursions feel less hurried than further north. Sataya Reef is a dependable dolphin-spotting site reached by traditional dive boat. Wadi El Gemal national park combines coral lagoons with the desert hinterland the Romans mined for emeralds. For a longer day, Luxor's Karnak and Valley of the Kings are within reach by minibus.

The best excursion in Marsa Alam is the one you don't have to organise yourself. We've been arranging them, in this country, since 1988.

Discovery Tours Egypt · since 1988

What you'll see

Marsa Alam, in the order that makes sense

A full day comfortably covers two or three of the stops below – your guide tailors the mix to your pace, interests and the season.

Sataya Dolphin Reef

A horseshoe reef in the deep south where wild spinner dolphins rest by the hundred – snorkelling respectfully alongside them in clear, warm water. Marsa Alam's signature day, and one of the best dolphin encounters in the world.

~6 hrsDolphin house · boat day

Wadi El Gemal National Park

'Valley of the Camels' – a vast park of desert, mangrove and untouched coast, home to gazelle, migratory birds and the Ababda Bedouin. Land and sea wilderness in one protected sweep.

full dayDesert & coast

Hamata Islands

A boat day out to the pristine Hamata archipelago – sandbars, seagrass turtles and reefs barely touched by tourism, this far south. The Red Sea as it used to be, with the day's best snorkelling.

~7 hrsBoat day

Luxor by road

Three hours north lies the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Hatshepsut's temple – a long but rewarding full day swapping the reef for the world's greatest concentration of ancient monuments.

full day~3 hrs each way

Desert & stargazing

Out into the Eastern Desert by 4x4 for Bedouin tea, dunes at sunset and a night sky with no light pollution at all – a favourite quiet counterpoint to the reef.

~5 hrsAfternoon & evening

Every Marsa Alam excursions

Ways to spend the day

Every private, fully-guided excursion we run here – hotel or Nile-cruise pickup included, priced in GBP, all-in.

We're adding Marsa Alam excursions – tell us your dates and we'll build one for you.

Send us an enquiry →

Know before you go

The practical bits

What to wear

Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches. Closed, comfortable shoes – you'll cross uneven stone and sand.

Tipping

Around £2–4 a day for your guide is standard, and a little for the driver. Never obligatory – your excursion price is complete.

Heat & water

Carry 1.5L minimum. Sites are in full sun by 10am – the early start isn't just about crowds, it's about comfort.

Cameras & fees

A few sites charge a separate camera fee at the gate; some interiors are extra. Standard site entry is always included.

Questions we hear most